Fitness blogger beats eating disorders via bodybuilding, vegan diet

Fitness blogger Sophia Ellis, 21, says she overcame anorexia and bulimia thanks to becoming vegan and bodybuilding. Fitness blogger Sophia Ellis, 21, says she overcame anorexia and bulimia thanks to becoming vegan and bodybuilding. Photo: Courtesy Of Sophia Ellis Photo: Courtesy Of Sophia Ellis Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Fitness blogger beats eating disorders via bodybuilding, vegan diet 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

An Instagram fitness blogger reveals how veganism and bodybuilding helped her overcome her battle with anorexia and bulimia after her heart began to fail.

For years, Sophia Ellis, 21, suffered anorexia, bulimia nervosa, orthorexia, and was depressed as a result of her eating disorders. Though, after fainting and being admitted to the hospital in 2014 due to her low weight, the England resident hit her "rock bottom" after discovering her heart rate was 32 beats per minute. A normal resting heart rate for adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.

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From that moment, she started seeking medical attention and sought support in an eating disorder unit as well as the vegan community.

"Veganism really helped me to build a better relationship with food and opened me up to a very supportive community that made health a priority," Ellis told Chron.com. "Being vegan was always frowned upon in eating disorder units and has a bad rep with anorexia - but it shouldn't at all. It helped me so much."

Veganism in combination with yoga and lifting weights are the factors to which she attributes her weight going up from 70 pounds in 2014 to 158 pounds now.

With her Instagram account, Ellis hopes to raise awareness and provide a support system for other people who are experiencing difficulties in battling their eating disorders.

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"I want my followers to not take their health for granted and ensure that they not only nourish their bodies with healthy food and exercise, but to look after their mental wellbeing," Ellis told Chron.com. "I also want eating disorder sufferers to know they aren't alone and there is a way out."

To further her growth, Ellis says she is heading to Kilimanjaro to climb the mountain to raise money for clean water, taps and toilets in Kenya in partnership with Dig Deep Challenges. To help her raise money, click here.

If you are struggling with an eating disorder, call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237 or get more help here.

Heather Leighton is a digital reporter at Chron.com. She considers herself as a Jack(ie) of all trades and covers various topics from entertainment to politics. You can read more of her stories here and follow her on Twitter at @loveheathernoel.