According to the National Eating Disorders Association, approximately 90%-95% of anorexia nervosa sufferers are girls and women. And it's often assumed the majority of sufferers are white. But the disorder isn't limited to any demographic. A new book, Going Hungry (releasing on September 9) highlights the stories of 19 different anorexia nervosa survivors -- including stories from women, men, and minorities.

One of the shared stories is from Rudy Ruiz, who -- after being taunted and teased as a chubby child -- began trying to lose weight unhealthily during his high school years. He drank gallons of diet iced tea and ran five miles a day, ultimately dropping to 104 pounds -- far too thin for his 5' 7" frame. His initial desire to shed some extra pounds had turned into an obsession. He'd later learn that he had anorexia nervosa. Today, Ruiz is 40 and a two-time graduate of Harvard. He admits that while is healthy now, he still struggles with the obsession.

If you or someone you know might be suffering from anorexia nervosa or another disorder, visit the National Eating Disorders Association for information and support.

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When I exercise -- when I'm actually completing my fitness tasks -- I'm not obsessive. I simply do my thing, which typically includes running and/or walking, sometimes a few push-ups, and occasionally a few planks. I exercise for about 45 minutes at a time. Nothing overboard, I don't think. I admit, though: I'm a bit obsessed with exercising every day. And this is something I need to work on -- not because it's bad to work out every day, but because thoughts of exercise consume my mind until I can accomplish it. Every day. And this can't be very healthy.

Today, I am not exercising, for no other reason than this: I need to let go of my compulsion to work out each and every day. Maybe I won't burn a few calories, and maybe I'll hang on to a reserve or two of fat, but in the whole scheme of life, what's the big deal really?

I don't know exactly why I've made such a big deal of exercise, but I suspect I like the results I've seen from my hard work so much I don't want to let go of them in any small way. Losing a day feels like losing ground. I guess you could call it dedication. Today, I'm calling it obsession -- because I want to be OK with a day void of exercise and until today, I haven't been. So here I am, running with the idea of giving it a break. Will I make it through the day without giving in? I hope so.