Tomi Lahren shares her struggle with disordered eating, ‘I was way too skinny’

Tomi Lahren is opening up about her past struggles with an eating disorder.

The conservative political commentator and former TV host took to Instagram to share a striking photo of herself from her early twenties. Despite her bright smile for the camera, Lahren is extremely thin in the photo, with her ribs, sternum, and arms appearing particularly gaunt.

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This is me at age 21. I was WAY too skinny. I got out of a 6-year toxic relationship and my way of taking back control was to start running 7 miles a day- which was fine except I was eating WAY too little. I got down to under 100 lbs but no matter how skinny I got, it wasn’t enough and I couldn’t see how bad it was. I’ve never shared this publicly until I wrote about it in my book “Never Play Dead: How the Truth Makes You Unstoppable” but I know this story, and all the personal stories in my book, can help someone out there going through the same thing. You are ENOUGH. Grab my book now to read more. #TeamTomi #NeverPlayDead #learnfromit #bookstagram

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“This is me at age 21. I was WAY too skinny. I got out of a 6-year toxic relationship and my way of taking back control was to start running 7 miles a day- which was fine except I was eating WAY too little. I got down to under 100 lbs but no matter how skinny I got, it wasn’t enough and I couldn’t see how bad it was,” Lahren shared.

32 PHOTOSTomi Lahren on InstagramSee GalleryTomi Lahren on InstagramMy dog might be a chihuahua but don’t get it twisted, she’s American AF. #TeamTomi #merica #chihuahuasofinstagram #KotaAmidst all the craziness and BS going on right now, remember it’s Police Week and we owe our LEOs a whole helluva lot. Here’s to you! #TeamTomi #policeweek #leos #bluelivesmatterYa know just laying here on my President Trump blanket being American AF… new Final Thoughts on traitor Chelsea Bradley Manning posted now on my official FB page. #TeamTomi #MAGA #merica #Trump“When you live without fear, it don’t get much better.” #TeamTomi #Fearless #godblessamericaSick of winning yet? Me either. #MAGA #TeamTomi #TrumpHey Dallas, who’s ready to go Off The Rails this weekend?! I’ll be there and I have a helluva lot to celebrate! (Settled the lawsuit). Who’s joining me at @offtherailsdfw this weekend?! 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Trigger warning in advance. #TeamTomi #TomiatECU #freespeech #ECU #TPUSAHere’s to big bombs, big tents, big plans and Making America Great Again! Here’s to a new breed of conservative, a fresh outlook on politics and no BS. Here’s to the end of the appeasement, apology and inaction tour. Here’s to 45-on time and under budget. #TeamTomi #MAGA #united4trump #PresidentTrump #moabExcited to announce @bulletsandbombshells will be setting up Team Tomi Central at this year’s @turningpointusa Young Women’s Leadership Summit in Dallas! Come out and get some Tomi gear while you listen to conservative ladies dominate the stage! See y’all in June! It’s gonna be YUGE! #TeamTomi #YWLS #turningpoint #Dallas #conservativewomenFate whispers to the warrior, “you cannot withstand the storm” and the warrior whispers back, “I am the storm.” #TeamTomi #igotthis #texasskyMaking Spring Great Again! New pastel MAGA caps! Get em here: #united4trump #TeamTomi #MAGA #USA #springfashionGoodbye for now NYC! 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Visit https://dnc-trophy.myshopify.com/collections/all to get your commemorative Snowflake Awards tshirt! #TeamTomi #TheFlakies #snowflakes #SnowflakeAwardsAfter last night’s speech it’s safe to say OUR President Trump is indeed Making America Great Again. The radical notion Americans come first in our own damn country (established November 8th, 2016). I’ll be on with @seanhannity tonight to discuss the speech! P.S. The hat is from @drunkamerica and it’s my new favorite! #TeamTomi #godblessamerica #drunkAmericaWill be signing this bad boy for auction after tonight’s @allenamericans @rapidcityrush game! 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Home of the free because of the brave. #TeamTomi #backtheblue #godblessamerica #brookeandarrow #hartsandpearls #MAGA #USA #MericaThey call me “savage” but you can call me whatever you like. Just know I’m fearless, fiercely patriotic, and I don’t back down. New Final Thoughts posted. #TeamTomi #fearless #bulletsandbombshells #tacticalshitDon’t forget to catch me with @trevornoah on @comedycentral @thedailyshow at 11pmET tonight!! #TeamTomi #DailyShow #trevornoah #NYC #latenightthoughts #comedycentralIt was “Bring your Favorite Sign to Work Day” here @theblazetv and I thought maybe considering last night, this one would do. My Victory Final Thoughts are posted now! “We said ‘screw your way, we’re gonna do it our way.'” #TeamTomi #MAGA #PresidentTrump #AmericaFirst #election2016 #finalthoughtsI stand by Don because he doesn’t back down. I respect that. Wouldn’t it be nice if America stopped backing down and started doubling down like DJT? 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She continued by saying she goes further into detail about her struggles in her upcoming book, “Never Play Dead: How the Truth Makes You Unstoppable.”

Tomi Lahren, Never Play Dead: How the Truth Makes You Unstoppable

$18.25Buy it

“I know this story, and all the personal stories in my book, can help someone out there going through the same thing. You are ENOUGH. Grab my book now to read more. #TeamTomi#NeverPlayDead #learnfromit#bookstagram,” Lahren writes.

Lahren’s admission that she ran seven miles a day while consuming “WAY too little” is an extremely common method of disordered eating. Between 40% and 80% of anorexia nervosa patients are prone to excessive exercise in their efforts to avoid putting on weight, according to the National Eating Disorder Association. Seeing as statistics shows between 0.3-0.4% of young women and 0.1% of young men will suffer from anorexia nervosa, those numbers are particularly striking.

Always one to strike up controversy on social media, Lahren later tweeted that she was pleased by the level of compassion she received.

17 PHOTOSFox News contributor Tomi Lahren out and aboutSee GalleryFox News contributor Tomi Lahren out and aboutLOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 21:Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren speaks during Politicon 2018 at Los Angeles Convention Center on October 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 31:Conservative Political commentator Tomi Lahren attends the ‘Death Of A Nation’ Premiere at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on July 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 11:Tomi Lahren is seen on July 11, 2018in Los Angeles, CA.(Photo by SMXRF/Star Max/GC Images)LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 20:TV personality Tomi Lahren attends the God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness premiere on March 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Pure Flix Entertainment )Tomi Lahren, conservative political commentator and Fox News contributor greets fans waiting in line outside the Keswick theatre in Glenside, PA on May 17, 2018. Across the street from the Philadelphia suburban theatre a group of demonstrators stage a protest to oppose Lahrens political views. (Photo by Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Tomi Lahren speaks during Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California on July 29, 2017. Politicon is a bipartisan convention that mixes politics, comedy and entertainment. (Photo by: Ronen Tivony) (Photo by Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto via Getty Images)PASADENA, CA – JULY 29:Tomi Lahren (L) and Charlie Kirk at Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on July 29, 2017 in Pasadena, California.(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Politicon)PASADENA, CA – JULY 30:Tomi Lahren at Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on July 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California.(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Politicon)PASADENA, CA – JULY 30:(L-R) John Phillips, Tomi Lahren, and Dennis Prager at Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on July 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California.(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Politicon)PASADENA, CA – JULY 29:Tomi Lahren (L) and Priscilla Presley at Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on July 29, 2017 in Pasadena, California.(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Politicon)PASADENA, CA – JULY 29:Chelsea Handler (L) and Tomi Lahren at ‘Chelsea Handler in Conversation with Tomi Lahren’ panel during Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on July 29, 2017 in Pasadena, California.(Photo by Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for Politicon)PASADENA, CA – JULY 30:Tomi Lahren speaks during her appearance at Politicon 2017 at Pasadena Convention Center on July 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California.(Photo by Michael Schwartz/Getty Images)PASADENA, CA – JULY 30:Tomi Lahren (L) and Symone Sanders at Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on July 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California.(Photo by Joshua Blanchard/Getty Imagesfor Politicon)PASADENA, CA – JULY 30:Michael Steele (L) and Tomi Lahren at the ‘Now What, Republicans?’ panel during Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on July 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California.(Photo by Michael Schwartz/Getty Images)PASADENA, CA – JULY 29:Tomi Lahren (L) and Robert Davi at Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on July 29, 2017 in Pasadena, California.(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Politicon)PASADENA, CA – JULY 29:Chelsea Handler (L) and Tomi Lahren at the ‘Chelsea Handler in Conversation with Tomi Lahren’ at Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on July 29, 2017 in Pasadena, California.(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Politicon)THE VIEW – Today’s guest include actor Jussie Smollett and Conservative Commentator Tomi Lahren on ABC’s ‘The View.’ ‘The View’ airs Monday-Friday (11:00 am-12:00 pm, ET) on the ABC Television Network.(Photo by Lorenzo Bevilaqua/ABC via Getty Images) JOY BEHAR, SUNNY HOSTIN, PAULA FARIS, TOMI LAHREN, SARA HAINES, JEDEDIAH BILAUp Next

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“Thanks for the support,” she tweeted in response to user Gianno Caldwell, who said “Currently in Europe reading Tomi Lahren new book and wow just wow. @TomiLahren Thank you for telling your truth my friend.”

“I don’t agree with you politically, but I’m glad you’re healthy. I wish more folks felt this way,” user Aaron Scanlon replied.

“I don’t agree with you politically but will always support those that have the courage to openly talk about their struggles with mental illness. And yes eating disorders are a mental illness and anorexia is actually the most lethal psychiatric disorder,” another user said.

“Good for you. You look much healthier and happier now. Keep up the good fight @TomiLahren love your work,” another Twitter user commented.

Several users praised Lahren for her recovery, while adding that she should explore her personal wellbeing too.

“I did a similar thing. It’s really brave of you to share your story, I’m proud of you for doing it, and I hope you begin to address what’s on the inside next,” one user said.

“A healthier, yet still awful person. Glad you dealt with the outside, now fix your inside,” replied someone else.

One user answered “Congrats. Just as you look back on this picture and see the problems, it’d be ideal if years from now you look back on your repulsive views today and realize what a truly horrible person you acted like.”

“And now you’re toxic all by yourself!” another commented. “Congrats.”

If you’re struggling with an eating disorder, call the National Eating Disorder Association hotline at 1-800-931-2237.

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