I am seventeen years old, live in Canada, and was diagnosed with bulimia when I was fourteen. I began my first diet when I was eight. I have spent my entire life working to be “perfect” and thin.  It has ruined my life.

My teeth have almost no enamel on them left, my heart rate and blood pressure goes from too high to too low weekly. I get ECGs and blood tests at least once a month.  I have spent my last two summers in hospitals and have missed part of my grade ten 11 and 12 year due to being hospitalized.  I can’t stand up for very long without my vision going black and getting dizzy. My hair fell out a few years back.  My fingers nails turn blue and I’m always cold.  I can’t go out with my friends anymore I get to tired. I have wasted so much time and truly put my health at risk and I still can’t stop.

The reason I’m writing you is because on Friday, I was at my weekly hospital checkup and one of my therapists made me eat a 500 calorie meal, which I haven’t done in ages, to “de-sensitive” me.  I was on my way to the bathroom to throw it up after my appointment.  I had just locked the stall when I saw a sticky note on the back of the door.  It said, ” You’re beautiful. You’re good enough. www.OperationBeautiful.com.”  No one has ever said that to me. I didn’t throw up that day. It was the first time I ate something solid and did not throw it up in years.

- Vit

For more information, check out Operation Beautiful. You can also follow Operation Beautiful on Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook. A book based on the site, Operation Beautiful: Transforming the Way You See Yourself One Post-It Note at a Time, features 125 of the best notes and stories ever received and tips on how to lead a happier, healthier life.