Dancing With The Stars’ Schwimmer Admits Anorexia

Lacey’s Schwimmer eating disorder began at 13 while training for 10 hours a day as a dancer.
Her parents were also her coaches — very strict coaches, she said — and Lacey was home schooled to accommodate her rigorous schedule.

In a typical day, she said, “I ate a packet of turkey, which was about six slices of turkey — give or take.” “I skipped breakfast and I would eat at around like 2, 3 o’clock and then I would have a candy bar for dinner and just drink orange juice throughout the day,” she said. “Anything to keep my body going without the calories,” Lacey said, who discovered diet pills at age 18.

As late as last year, a much-publicized DWTS furor erupted over Schwimmer and Burke’s so-called weight gain, prompting one fellow dancer to say, “People look at this show to be inspired and think, ‘If I just work hard enough, I can look like that “If they watch someone who’s dancing her butt off and she’s still heavy, they can be discouraged. You have to take that responsibility.” Of course, that “weight gain” never put the dancers at over a size 8, but evidently that’s a no-no.

A third year veteran of the show, she recently opened up about her struggles to encourage others with the same issue. Finally, she said, she is comfortable in her own skin. Kudos, Lacey.