This First Person column is written by Gregory Walters who was diagnosed with an eating disorder in his 50s. For more information about CBC’s First Person stories, please see the FAQ. 

It started with a pair of pants. I’ve been obsessing over my weight since I was 11 when I got a pair of Lee’s “husky” jeans for the new school year. I had some belly flab and I was told, “You’ll grow out of it.” I suppose I did, but the fat-shaming label stuck.

Much of my life has been governed by labels — some good, some bad. Husky. Sugar-free.