News Release

Presentation to profile dangers of eating disorders

January 26, 2010

Elaine Williams battled eating disorders for 14 years. She now shares her personal story in an effort to warn others of the dangers

Now a certified life coach and an eating disorder survivor, Williams will share her story with both humor and inspiration from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 at Penn State Harrisburg.

Williams’ presentation is free and open to the public. For information, phone 948-6273.

Put on her first diet when she was only six years of age, Williams was binging, purging, and abusing laxatives by the time she was 12. Her weight went up and down as she moved from diet to diet. And she says she tried them all – Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Atkins, Cabbage Soup, Grapefruit, Hollywood Diet, and more.

She spent years obsessing about food, exercise, and her weight. After finally quitting the laxatives and other drugs, Williams worked to uncover the underlying reasons why she abused herself. She now shares that information and insight into why so many young adults struggle with emotional eating when dealing with the pressures of college life.
 
Throughout her presentation, she offers solutions for students who are using food to “stuff” their emotions, drawing on her personal 14-year experience which saw her own weight swing from 98 to 150 pounds.

Also a successful actor, Williams has performed on Saturday Night Live, All My Children, One Life to Live, and in many films including Waiting for Guffman. In addition, she performs standup comedy in clubs such as The Improv, Gotham Comedy Club, and the New York City Comedy Club.