The author, at 34, speaking in Australia, 1987

Confessions of a Fat Girl

Yeah, I ran.

Every day, in fact. Three or more miles.

I’m the one who put the cracks in the sidewalks.

I’ve never NOT exercised. Exercise was never the problem.

I like sugar. Carbs. Sweets. Fried foods, foods like those I grew up with in the Deep South. Lard biscuits and melting butter, the kind that disappears on your tongue. Biscuits and…