Peach Friedman grew up in Virginia, surrounded by women who place a lot of emphasis and on wearing designer clothing. This influence, combined with poor coping skills and some somewhat overwhelming life events, encouraged Ms. Friedman to start engaging in extreme eating behaviors. These behaviors included extended exercise sessions, as well as bulimic and anorexic eating habits.

Ms. Friedman has recovered from her illness and now finds health and balance working as a personal trainer in Sacramento, CA. She thanks her parents for intervening to help her. They sent her to a therapist and a nutritionist to help her address the underlying emotional issues, and to help her get back on a healthy regimen of eating.

Ms. Friedman, who gave birth to her first child this month, has also authored a book titled Diary of an Exercise Addict, which became available in stores in November 2008. She has also appeared on national television on The View and 20/20. In an article published this week by the San Francisco Chronicle, Ms. Friedman comments on the nature of eating disorders:

"I could have been a drug addict, a sex addict, a shoplifter or a cutter. I think I wanted or needed an escape. Exercise worked for me. I could not deal with the pain. ... I found escape through starvation and exercise. Maybe the groundwork is there to develop some sort of eating disorder, but when something changes - it can be a trigger to turn into an actual eating disorder."

Posted By: jgarcia