The trails around Stephens Lake switchback and intertwine. Each new vista opens up a tableau worthy of an oil painting. Perfect. Except for the stinging bugs. Swatting away a persistent one I consider how I would compose a painting. I picture brushing in an irregular row of honeysuckle vines like the ones standing guard against encroaching woodlands. Maybe with fountains steepling high over a windblown lake. Gray boulders fencing in brightly flowering mounds would add a touch of color. I admire a sculptured blue metal butterfly bench, which beckons me to sit and think about my composition. Joy gushes from my heart. It’s Mary-Poppins perfect. I swat a black fly away from my face. Except for that. Being perceived as perfect has long been one of my greatest passions because early in life I learned that being a “good girl” earned me points redeemable in extra attention and praise. I... Continue Reading
“Okay, you are right Dad, I’m addicted to food…now what?” At the tender age of fourteen, I agreed with my dad that I had a problem with food. I couldn’t deny the late nights, leaning into the refrigerator, countless missing leftovers from the kitchen, or the fact that I was fourteen and 225 pounds. No, I couldn’t deny it anymore. But what could I do about it? My dad printed out information about FA. That day I was able to admit that I didn’t know everything, and in fact I probably knew very little. The food had defeated me, and I needed help. My mom and I went to a meeting and I started Program, resisted a bit, and then got into the swing of things. I got abstinent the first month of high school. I soared through life with ease, not because things didn’t come up, but because I... Continue Reading
I mustered up the courage to go to my first FA meeting a little over 90 days ago. I got there a little early and saw 1 or 2 people milling around, but I wanted to go in closer to starting time. I had gone to OA for a few years before this, and knew about meetings starting on time. As the start of the meeting approached, there were several people outside the entrance and my guess was that the door was locked. A couple of people started walking away and I thought, “If I don’t get out of this car now and introduce myself I may never come back.” I got out of the car and said, “Hi, I’m new.” I was instantly welcomed. A few of the women were saying that because of the holiday, the meeting room was locked in a way that we could not get... Continue Reading
I have been in some form of physical pain almost every day for over 22 years. For many of those years, I tried to numb the pain with food, but once the food was gone, the pain came back. I’m not even sure if the food helped with the pain, but it was a temporary distraction. As long as I was focused on shoveling food in my face, I didn’t have to focus on the pain. Being obese was certainly not helpful, considering most of my pain was in my back and hips. Carrying around an extra 120 pounds (54.5 kilos) is never a good idea. I’ve been in FA now for five-and-a-half years. Aside from a few breaks, none of which, thank you God, took me out of FA, or led to a long relapse, I have been blessed with strong recovery, and life has improved in many areas.... Continue Reading
I came to FA with the gift of desperation. My body was overweight and sick. I am 48 years old, and in my early forties, I was already having trouble walking up the stairs in my house. I was having joint problems and digestion problems on a daily basis. The doctors had gotten me on medications to deal with the symptoms, but I didn’t feel that I was getting to the root of the problem. I was also concerned about the side effects of the medications I was taking and what they were doing to my body. My doctor had told me I would be on medication for the rest of my life, and I didn’t feel I could accept that. I was looking for something to help me feel better and to lose the weight that I constantly struggled with. I am 5’4,” and when I came into FA,... Continue Reading
