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ABOUT THE BOOK
“I want...I want you to think I am the smartest, the thinnest, the most beautiful..."
With these words, Abby Kelly encapsulates the overwhelming struggle of her 15-year bout with anorexia. Abby lays bare the reality of anorexia, beginning in her teenage years, when the predatory lies of the disease took root in her psyche as she felt pressured from family and peers for not being "enough." In her quest for a greater sense of personal power, she concludes "I'll be 'more', but it will be on my terms."
Her reasoning is a classic example as to why and how eating disorders dig in and persist as long as they do.
From this new self-awareness, Abby targets her body as the agent to show others that she is disciplined and focused. She sets out to restrict her food intake and adheres to an extreme schedule of exercise. While others close to Abby see a person who is dangerously thin, Abby, in fact, derives a sense of personal achievement from her weight loss.
Abby exposes the battles, defeats, and ultimate triumph—taking the reader on a poignant odyssey from onset to recovery, including how she set out to fool the many who tried to help her, from dietitians to therapists, from one inpatient treatment center after another, and reveals not only the victim's suffering, but that of those who love her.
This raw and passionate story eloquently describes how Abby finally freed herself from this life-threatening condition, and how others can find courage and hope for recovery, too.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Abby Kelly is an author and blogger on the topic of eating disorder awareness, prevention, and treatment. Abby’s writes passionately about her 15 year battle with anorexia, including three inpatient stays and many years of outpatient counseling, and how she finally got free. Her outreach to others includes those struggling with other eating disorders. Abby’s blog, Predatory-Lies and has millions of followers. Her work in the field of Eating Disorders has been published in Haven Journal, She Loves Magazine, Start Marriage Right and Believer Life. She is the managing editor as well as a contributor to FINDINGbalance’s blog.
Abby is an active member of the FaithWriter’s community, and has led numerous Bible studies at local churches, through Protestant Women of the Chapel and currently through an online program called Good Morning Girls.
Abby is married to an officer in the US Army. Abby and her dog Brave are certified as a therapy team through Pet Partners, and enjoy visiting patients in hospitals and nursing homes as well as helping children practice reading both at school and in local libraries.
REVIEWS
“This beautifully written book paints an exacting picture of Anorexia, one that is sure to help legions of those suffering from this most serious and life-threatening condition.” —Amy Dardis, founder and editor of Haven Journal
“Thank you for writing this enthralling book, Abby. There was much I identified with, although my battle is with depression not anorexia. Your faith, particularly, encourages me that there is hope for me in my struggles, too.” —Veronica Higgins, former educator
“I found this a compelling read and hard to put down. Your book helped me to understand better how a person struggles with anorexia …. You bring the reader in to this struggle through your personal narrative and make them feel a part of it. All is important to our understanding.” —Ramsey Coutta, author of Longing for Godliness
“Abby Kelly’s style of writing lures you into experiencing her story with her. You will feel the struggle, the heartache, and the competitive spirit that drove her eating disorder into high gear. Her honesty, vulnerability, and conversational style make her story captivating to read. Abby makes her way out of the darkness of anorexia into the place of freedom and hope that God provides for us all.” —Kimberly Bishop, LPC, NCC, LifeWorks Resource Group
“Abby Kelly is a freedom fighter. In The Predatory Lies of Anorexia: A Survivor’s Story, her former passion for controlling food and her body is powerfully redirected toward leading others to the truth that can set them free. I am grateful for Abby and the message she brings!” —Constance Rhodes, founder and CEO, FINDINGbalance and, author of Life Inside the ‘Thin’ Cage
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