It started off so slowly.
It all seemed so innocent
I traded my life for 30 pounds.
And I was completely ambivalent.

I was so young and unafraid,
I didn’t think I could do any damage
I didn’t know things could go wrong
I always thought I’d manage

See, I only traded 5 pounds,
And only missed out on the high school experience
I thought, it’s only 5 pounds,
It can’t be that serious

And when I traded 10 more pounds
And I lost my independence
I was still so young, I didn’t have much anyway,
So it didn’t make much difference.

My weight got lower and lower,
And my doctors never left me alone
But I didn’t care that much,
Because at least I could see my bones.

I traded smooth skin and soft hair
To see my collar bones, ribs and hips
My muscles gave out at random times
And there were cracks on my lips

A gap appeared between my thighs
Along with a gap in my mind
I didn’t see I was losing myself
With every pound I left my innocence behind

I lost the respect I earned
To lose those last 10 pounds
I made my parents cry
And my friends stopped hanging around

I could’ve had a future
There were colleges at my door
But I gave that up for inches off my waist,
I guess I wanted that more

I lost my health when I lost those pounds
That I didn’t plan to lose
They came off without my planning
And left me completely unglued.

I traded my life to lose 30 pounds
But I ended up losing more
I lost my family, friends, future and life
Just to have an eating disorder.