Viral Strange has collected 10 stories (part one) of models that have shared their weight gain experiences.

1. Iskra Lawrence

Iskra Lawrence is a body-positive model and an Aerie ambassador.

On National Eating Disorder Awareness week, she posted a before-and-after pic showing her body’s transformation.

“I know now that my body is mine and therefore perfectly imperfect and my home to be cherished. Grateful I’m here to tell my story when there are too many lives being lost from this mental illness.”

2. La’Tecia Thomas

La’Tecia Thomas is a plus-size model. She said that she didn’t love her body when she was a size six.

She gained weight and with that, she gained a boost of confidence, too.

“I remember how unhappy I was In the picture to the left, I would loathe certain parts of my body. I had so many insecurities, I compared myself to other women and I lacked confidence.”

3. Allison Kimmey

Allison Kimmey shared some before-and-after pics in a bikini body, sharing messages about body positivity.

“There’s a lot of hate in this world…and people are ready to bring you down at any chance of finally feeling more worthy themselves.”

“And there’s something I need you to know: no matter how much you change- your circumstances, your body, your finances, your job, your relationship status – You are worthy of JOY, LOVE, OPPORTUNITY, and probably the most important and least received: RESPECT,” wrote Allison on her Instagram post.

4. Dana Patterson

Dana Patterson is a model and an athlete. She shared her story with her Instagram followers: “I know some people don’t understand why people struggle with or what it’s like, to have an ED or deal with any kind of mental illness. I will tell you from experience, there is nothing like feeling like you are completely out of control of yourself&your mind, or using an ED to try to attempt to gain some semblance of control back, in a small way.”

“Struggling doesn’t make you weak. An ED is not a choice, but recovery is. Health is not something that is skin deep or defined by your size. I want you to know that this journey is imperfect, if you are in recovery and you are struggling, you are not alone. I can tell you, this community is here for you. Recovery isn’t just possible, it’s at your fingertips.”

“Your weight, your body, your trauma, do NOT have to define you, or the life you live. You are stronger & braver than you could ever imagine & you can overcome anything. Your worth & your beauty are not defined by anything skin deep.”

5. Tabria Majors

“A healthy body image, 50 lbs, and 2 double D’s later! I was 170 on the left, 220 now, and can’t believe how much I hated the way I looked 10 years ago,” wrote Tabria.

“Now I’m more in love with my body than I’ve ever been! Stop self-loathing and start self-loving #transformationtuesday.”

6. Aliss Bonython

Aliss Bonython has been sharing her journey of anorexia recovery.

“DO WHAT SCARES YOU AND OWN IT. My before recovering from an eating disorder pictures aren’t shocking, you can’t see my ribs, I don’t look skeletal – just unhappy. I’m aware that people can still see that before picture and tell me how much healthier I was, and probably think it’s ‘body goals’ or ‘inspo’ but anorexia nervosa isn’t goals, it isn’t glamorous.”

“I had problems with my joints from lack of nutrients, heart palpitations, fainting spells, and blackouts. My skin was always cold and I was broken.”

“I may have gotten fat, but I’m HAPPY. Never underestimate the importance of mental health.”

7. Megan Jayne

Megan Jayne has a huge following on her Instagram. She recovered from an eating disorder and inspires millions about body positivity.

She keeps educating her fans about the fact that healthy bodies may come in different sizes.

When asked: “Wait so you just decided to RUIN your body?”, Megan answered: “Nah, I just stopped torturing myself every day for not fitting an image I was never supposed to be,” she explained.

8. Jolene Jones

Jolene Jones is a former bodybuilder with a firm body. However, she came to a point of realizing she was not happy. On her Facebook, she wrote: “A six-pack didn’t make me happy. I was never enough and always needed to improve. Your body is quite LITERALLY the only thing that gets you through this life.”

“Your worth and joy isn’t weighed by what you can lift or what the scale says,” she continued. Happiness is what matters the most!

9. Maggie Greene

Maggie Greene considered her body transformation an emotional one. She gained between 30-35 pounds in two years.

10. Jovana Fit

Jovana Fit shares her journey of losing weight in unhealthy methods. That happened until she put a stop and started putting her health a priority.

“Losing weight was healthy for me until it wasn’t. I didn’t take drastic measures until I noticed that I started to. I lost the majority of my weight in a controlled and sustainable way…until I became addicted to the way losing 100lbs sounded and craved more.

“Yeah, I gained some weight back. But now my health is my MAIN priority. And realizing that my health meant so much more than being fit physically was a huge wake-up call.”

Have you experienced body dysmorphia? What is your relationship with your body? Tell us in the comments.