The lyrics she wrote"Why do you keep on staring?
That mirror, mirror, it ain’t fair at all.
Alaina’s name probably sounds familiar, even if you aren’t a country fan.
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The singer first gained fame onAmerican Idolin 2011, when she came in second to Scotty McCreery.
OK,' Alaina tells SELF.
Bulimia nervosais a seriousand potentially life-threateningeating disorder.
Its hallmark is purging, an unhealthy tactic people with bulimia use to get rid of calories.
The eating disorder affects 1 to 2 percent of adolescent and young adult women, theNational Eating Disorder Associationreports.
But it requires opening up about having the disease to someoneand that’s something Alaina avoided.
And thats when it got really bad."
As her career skyrocketed post-Idol, Alaina fell deeper into her bulimia.
“I was so unhealthy that my hair was falling out,” Alaina says.
I found an excuse for everything to hide that I had that problem."
But the singer’s mom slowly caught on.
Of course, because you deny it," she says.
“And my mom pretty much called me out on it right there in front of the doctor.
That was the first time I realized people knew there was something going on.
I was pretty defensive at first, but I think I was more embarrassed.
I started crying because you dont want to let your mom down.”
It was the wake-up call Alaina needed to start getting better.
“And when we started that, I couldnt say a single thing.
Slowly, as she’s recovered, she’s adopted a healthy wellness routine.
She now works out with a trainer three times a week, and she’s a big fan ofboxing.
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One of her favorite dishes: a pizza casserole made with spaghetti squash and pizza sauce.
Her relationship with food has completely changed.
I was 20 pounds smaller.
But Im healthy now and this is where I should be.”
“And I wouldnt have written that song if I hadnt gone through that experience.”
And she hopes to show other people suffering from an eating disorder that help is available.
“I just remember thinking to myself, This is why you decided to do that.
Shes the reason you decided to talk about it.'
You feel trapped and you dont know how to get out.
But you’re free to get out.”
Watch Lauren Alaina’s music video for “Road Less Traveled” below.
Her sophomore album,Road Less Traveled,is out now.
