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Eating Disorder Survivor Speaks Out

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- For Sara Sites, her lifelong battle with bulimia and anorexia started when she read a book she thought was about living a healthy lifestyle.

"It snowballed into an obsession," Sites said.

For the last 22 years, she battled that obsession every day.

"The deceiving, monstrous side of it all is it ends up taking over your life. I can't even convey. It cost me friends, relationships, my college experience," she said.

Now Sites encourages everyone she meets to walk in the National Eating Disorders Association event Saturday in Schenley Park. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 11:30 a.m.

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"When you get people together who have experienced something similar like that, it is so powerful. It was really inspiring for me," she said.

At last year's walk, Sites was a featured speaker. Her monthly support group in the South Hills is called Weightless for a very specific reason.

"When they weigh themselves, that number is never low enough. That's why now, I would never step on a scale and if I did, I would turn my back away. I have no business knowing that number. For me to know the number of my weight, I am not going to go there," she said.

The support from others who have fought those same demons has played a huge part in Sara's recovery.

"You can register online. If you don't, that's fine. Show up anyway. It's a great up-lifting inspiring event and you will get to hear somebody's story of recovery which is always awesome," she said.

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