I was reminded that I am a food addict recently when my daughter was leaving for a five-hour driving trip. She asked if she could take something along to eat. I went to my cupboard and reached for sugar products and then went to the pantry for some flour items. Then someone else in the room said, “How about giving her a sandwich and fruit?” My daughter proceeded to pack a healthy lunch. Afterward, I wondered why the sugar was in my cupboard at all. I had bought it for her birthday the month before, but thought better of giving food as a gift. Then I thought I would keep it for another time when she would want it. The next day, I shared the experience in an outreach call and committed to throwing it away. When I went to get it, I realized there were several sweet items in... Continue Reading
The term, “Keep it simple,” mocked me as I felt the sizzle of heartburn announce that my latest concoction of herbs and spices was not agreeing with my stomach. My program encourages simplicity and neutrality around food. However, it seemed when I put down sugar, I picked up salt—the other “white stuff.” While my food was always abstinent, I made sure it looked and tasted good. So when I cooked, I would shake on the seasonings with a generous hand. After a visit to the doctor, he confirmed that I had acid reflux disease. It was probably an outcome of my years of binge eating that took me to 276 pounds. Now that I have come into FA, lost over 100 pounds, and am eating good food, I somehow did not expect to deal with the consequences of my past eating habits. My body seems happiest when my food is... Continue Reading
At my book group meeting, a friend who is not in FA described what she calls my “weight-loss program” as a high goal that I had worked hard for. I responded that although losing 100 pounds and keeping the weight off for three years was life changing, it never really met my image of a “goal.” I hadn’t set my hat firmly on my head, put my nose to the grindstone, and forged ahead, using super-human willpower and determination. I told my book group friends that I really didn’t “do” anything; that I had just finally gotten out of my own way so that God could relieve me from this addiction, one day at a time. I could tell by the smiles that some of my friends thought I was crazy and in denial, and that they thought there was no way I could have shed this weight without being... Continue Reading
I just got back from a week-long vacation with my husband, three small kids, my brother and sister-in-law, their two kids, and my husband’s parents. There were 12 of us; seven of us stayed in a two-bedroom condo with a small kitchen. Lots of personalities for such small quarters. Thank God for FA. I missed out on so much before FA. If I had been plopped into this situation before program, I would have holed myself up in the cabin with the drapes closed, watching TV non-stop, and eating my brains out. I would have missed the splashing of the children in the pool and lake, sunning and schmoozing, watching little animals scurry by, strolling around in a bikini, and hearing the countless giggles and laughs from all of my family members. I was so insecure about my body, and I wouldn’t participate in the activities that required me to be out in the... Continue Reading
I have been abstinent for ten-and-and-a-half months and have lost 45 pounds. One evening as I was getting ready to go on a date with my husband, I glanced in the mirror and remarked to him that I thought I looked yellow. My husband, who is color blind, took a quick glance at me and said I looked fine to him, so I let it go. The next day in church I had a friend come up to me, and say, “Did you take up smoking? Your fingers are all stained.” I was appalled and insulted that she would even think to ask this, but when I looked down at my hands I could see why she asked. My fingers looked like they belonged to a 20-year chain smoker! We had a discussion, and someone suggested that it could be from what I was eating. Her baby had turned yellow... Continue Reading
