"Body positivity," Mara continued, "isn’t about loving your cellulite in a mirror. It’s about loving your life more than you hate your thighs."

She started walking with Mara on Sundays—not power-walking, not step-counting, just walking. They talked about grief and joy and the strange relief of giving up the war. Mara told her about the year she spent in eating disorder treatment, learning to swallow without guilt. Ellie told her about her mother, who had never once eaten a meal without mentioning calories.

She pulled out her phone and typed a message to her group chat: