Zena Battled Food Addiction, Went Off 7 Medications & Lost 100 Pounds Eating Plants & Lots Of Starch

[@tessarosaliebrandt5793]

I’m 20 minutes in and crying… this interview gives me hope and is exactly what I need to hear. Also all the comments make me feel less alone in this struggle/battle field. Thank you Zena for your honesty!!!!

[@zenaalam]

Please don’t lose hope. I know it’s hard and I sometimes struggle to continue on. But what can we do except keep going, right? ❤

[@narelled159]

I’ve always admired Zena for her knowledge, compassion and understanding others’ struggles when she answers everyone’s questions.

[@zenaalam]

Thank you, Narelle!!

[@tessarosaliebrandt5793]

SO true

[@cheryllewis1697]

I’m “in recovery” permanently. I cannot share my environment with anyone on a different diet than a whole foods plant vegan SOS free, or I will follow the same path as my mom and sis of chronic preventable reversible illnesses. Thank you so much for sharing your story. My son wants to live with me to reduce expenses but he refuses to improve his diet in any way and he will literally kill me from just being in my environment. I’m making my delicious healthy flax and banana cookies while I listen, but I never met a doughnut, even a stale one, that I could resist. So I have to metaphorically cross the street to avoid them like avoiding unpleasant and aggressive people. First do no harm to self or others has a corollary. Those who self harm necessarily harm others because we are all connected. 3 T freshly ground flax seed and ground chia can be added too 1 ripe banana 1-2 tsp cinnamon Mash together and add: Walnuts or buckwheat groats Raisins or diced apple or frozen wild blueberries Bake on 300 for 30 minutes with dried fruit or 45 minutes with wet fruit Makes one dozen “cookies” great for breakfast and snacks

[@1annemwalters]

Thanks for the recipe! Can't do oats at all so a lot of those kind of recipes are out for me.

[@zenaalam]

Hi Cheryl, I’m just now seeing your comment from 7 months ago and I’m curious whatever happened with your son wanting to move in with you? I hope you were able to find a different solution to that situation. I so resemble your comment that you never met a donut, even a stale one, you didn’t like. Yep! I totally get it!!

[@barbaramaasch9499]

I’ve never related to any guest more than Zena. Thank you for your courage to share your struggles and your persistence. You gave me hope and encouragement when I needed it most.

[@CHEFAJ]

You are so welcome

[@jeckellstallworth]

This interview really resonated with me! Hello, my name is Jay and I'm a food addict. I have never been medically diagnosed, but paying attention to my reaction to certain foods giving me an insatiable appetite for them i can honestly say i have a challenge. For example, I had bean chili yesterday and decided to eat that with a serving size of tortilla chips and when I tell you I had to fight like you know what not to continue eating. I said to myself..."I can't have that anymore." My mother, who is 67 and a size 4 can eat whatever she wants in moderation. As long as I can remember, she can take 5 potato chips and put the bag down and never touch it again. Lol...not me!! I will demolish the entire bag and then get another. I used to feel..."what is wrong with me? I'm her child, I should be able to control myself the way she does." But I had to realize and respect the fact that I can't. Thank you Chef AJ!❤️🙏🏽☺️

[@zenaalam]

OMG, Jay…so much of what you said really hits home for me as well. Especially the difference between you and your mother and the chips!! Same here. I buy her a bag of chips which she keeps next to her bed to snack on when she wants. She eats a couple a day and the bag lasts a 10-14 days. If I get into it, it’s gone in 5 mins and just like you I’m off to the races reaching for more. Even though we share DNA with them our genetics can vary enough where we have this problem and they don’t. I’m very glad my interview resonated with you 😊

[@marleri]

I got chills when she talked about the first time she noticed she was not thinking about food constantly.

[@zenaalam]

Thank you for your comment, Marleri! It’s funny but even though that moment happened 18 yrs ago, I can still remember exactly the feeling that came over me and it still gives me chills because it felt so monumental

[@ima7333]

Wow, Zena is amazing. My addiction is not as bad as her but pain stops me from eating craps. Being lazy actually helps me to eat compliantly. Too lazy to bake, too lazy to make dips for chips that i was possessed to buy and ended up not eating them. Too lazy to cook fancy stuff (rice+veggies more convenient). Sometimes i’m even too lazy to order crappy food along w/ being too cheap to pay for food i’d ended up not eating.

[@zenaalam]

Thank you! I have to say I love your comment about being lazy (me too!) and how you turn it around in such a good way. You are taking what many might think is a problem to healthy eating and turning it into a positive. Great job making it work for you! My laziness makes me be totally okay with eating the same foods over and over and not having to chase recipes or make super fancy things 😊

[@laurastephenson2516]

Listening to Zena talk, I can so identify. No weight loss journey is EVER a straight line. There are so many things in our way

[@zenaalam]

There really are…the world is NOT set up for those of us who want to follow a health path. So we must forge our own and do the best we can living in the world around us. Thanks for watching!

[@reneesmith2098]

I love all of her ideas! I recently started keeping napkins on the counter so that I can wipe peanut butter off my fingers instead of licking them when I make my kids PB&Js.

[@zenaalam]

Thank you Renee! I’m so glad you enjoyed the ideas I shared. I think your idea of leaving napkins on the counter to wipe off the PB&J is excellent! Isn’t it amazing how much one little tweak can help?

[@patsylynn2]

II absolutely love all of Zena's ways of blocking herself from eating unavoidable unhealthy foods.That's so creative.

[@zenaalam]

Thank you! Yep, sometimes we need to be as creative as possible because the world is not set up in our favor 😊

[@rubygaybarker9758]

I am so sorry I couldn't watch this live, but Zena's story is amazing! I love the apple and notebook technique to prevent the dip into the candy bowls!!! She is such an effective moderator for Ultimate Reboot - very caring and consistently engaged!!! What a success story!

[@zenaalam]

Thank you for watching the replay, Ruby!

[@cindydavison5278]

Listening to Zena’s story is soooo relatable! Fantastic interview!

[@zenaalam]

Thank you so much, Cindy!

[@jgrysiak6566]

Zena has really come a long way! So proud of her!

[@zenaalam]

Thanks so much!

[@danag812]

Love your stuff! So inspiring and helpful on so many levels!!

[@zenaalam]

Thanks so much, Dana! I’m very happy you enjoyed and found it helpful!

[@jill1452]

Loved this interview - so nice to hear these personal stories that I can relate to!!! Thank you 🙏💕

[@zenaalam]

Thank you!

[@kararaehsler3581]

What a fantastic discussion! I love you both!

[@zenaalam]

Thanks so much, Kara! ❤

[@aspetree]

I can really relate to speaker about being obsessive about meals in the past!!!! She is so helpful. I also appreciate the tips like wearing a mask while prepping to remind me I don’t want to be eating while prepping. 😊

[@zenaalam]

Thank you! The mask thing is something I had tried before and then stopped but recently started again. I find it’s helping when making my mom’s meals. Hope you’ll find it helps you as well!

[@InTheSkyGirl]

Great story! She is mighty resilient and her food looked absolutely fantastic 😊

[@zenaalam]

Thank you!

[@LondonisAmazing]

Thank you for sharing your story. I can totally relate. Each day is a new day I love how you said “I will never give up”.

[@CathrinCatherine]

51:08 wearing a mask while preparing “unsafe“ food: i use to have chewing gum when doing that, it helps too!

[@nazokashii]

So wonderful to get to hear Zena's story, and all her tips and tricks

[@zenaalam]

Thank you!

[@michellehinshaw2045]

Great interview. . I learned so much!! God's blessings on both of you!

[@zenaalam]

Thank you!

[@shellyweber3635]

I can relate to this guest in a lot of ways as far as thinking about food and gaining and losing weight multiple times. People dying! Been on every diet imaginable since I was 8😪 I’ve lost 140, pounds, 100 pounds, 80 pounds another time, 110 pounds so far this time from my highest weight with bleeps in their when my Mom and Many other family memebers passed. Work in progress have gained and lost around 1,000 pounds in my lifetime😏😳

[@zenaalam]

Wow, Shelly, that’s really amazing what you been able to do over the years! I know how tough it is but I love that you are not giving up…we will keep moving forward even if we go sideways from time to time ❤

[@queenyanique1]

I didn't realize that I was a food addict. Thank you so much for this series ❤️. I have learned so many things that I will apply to my life.

[@zenaalam]

It’s definitely an interesting awakening to realize what we’re dealing with is food addiction and the problem is the food, not us. So glad that you found it helpful!

[@aspetree]

Thank you so much Zena for the mask wearing barrier during food prep!!!! It has helped me so much. 🎉👍😃

[@zenaalam]

Oh you are so welcome, aspetree, and I’m thrilled you’ve found it helpful as well!! It’s a very simple thing but it really seems to resonate with so many people 😊

[@pantameowmeow.s.1149]

I found the mask during food prep very creative, I eat while preparing food too. With the mask, I'd notice I'm on autopilot. I used to add nuts to my husband's stir fry dinners and would eat hands full of them while cooking. I like hard, crunchy food. I also found the office candy bowl in the office solution with an apple in one hand and the other with her notebook -no free hand to grab a piece. All that unconscious nasching (snacking) on autopilot - you will be aware of it.

[@zenaalam]

Thank you…yes, it’s like I’m sometimes on autopilot! Adding barriers helps me snap out of that “trance” 😊

[@kefirheals7383]

Restaurants and Bread. I totally relate. They're my downfall too. I love soups too. I'm just now incorporating more soups. It's a journey for sure. It's easy to fall back into old habits if the food is IN THE HOUSE. So, I try really hard to not have it in the house to tempt me. Great job. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@zenaalam]

Thank you Kefir! And great job trying to keep your environment as clean as possible…it truly is the most important thing we can do!

[@lynnk6292]

yay for Aries!! lol. must be why I love both if you. thanks for all you both do!

[@zenaalam]

Thanks Lynn! Yay Aries !!

[@kefirheals7383]

+ I just went to Costco and picked up the Ninja Creami, after watching a Chef AJ's video. OMG. I was so happy to get it at a reduced price of $149 because they're phasing it out. A "deluxe" version is coming out. I'm happy to have the original model. I can't wait to use it.

[@CHEFAJ]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@u4me4fun]

Bless you, Zena. You are so inspiring.

[@zenaalam]

Thank you so much!

[@1annemwalters]

Watching a 2nd time...Zena is amazing.

[@rubygaybarker9758]

Oh my goodness - Zena's food ideas are so clever!!!

[@zenaalam]

So glad you like those, Ruby! Pam and I did a little food presentation for one of the FFOF Wednesday live sessions from 2 weeks ago (not sure if you got to watch it but it’s in the Replays on the member’s dashboard). I went into this a bit more in detail about the 5 ingredient template. Maybe I’ll post about it for the Reboot if you think participants would enjoy it 😊

[@rubygaybarker9758]

@@zenaalam I would love to learn more about it and would imagine many others would as well!! I will check out the replay - I am kind of new to FFOF so missed the live.

[@zenaalam]

@@rubygaybarker9758 great! It’s the replay from August 10th. Just let me know in the FFOF forum (or the Reboot forum) if you can’t find it. I’ll work on adding something to the Reboot forum about easy meals as well 😊

[@rubygaybarker9758]

@@zenaalam Found it! Thanks! Watching as I eat my second breakfast of steel cut oats! ;-)

[@susanlombardo8444]

Lol!!! I get a giggle every time is the end of your video. I’m always trying to figure out at what point is Charles going to cut you off in the middle of talking. It seems to never fail, 🤣🤣🤣 laugh out loud

[@zenaalam]

Lol…I guess he’s letting me know I’ve gone on too long 😂

[@linda4787]

This was so inspirational. I feel like I have a lot in common with Zena. Thank you so much!

[@zenaalam]

Thank you, Linda!

[@emmajane1391]

It started from juice when you were probably thirsty. The sugar addiction/ food started right there. And your dad should have given you water. After one juice he should have said water and I insisted but he must not have known

[@kathyjohnston3971]

So beautiful. What a journey. Wonderful skin

[@zenaalam]

Thank you!!

[@marielincorvaja3848]

Thank you Zena . Thank you AJ loved this ❤️

[@zenaalam]

Thank you, Mariel!

[@rohannawildon9729]

I’d just tell my mom Sorry your eating SOS with me lol

[@andreaz.1227]

Hi Zena. Sorry I missed this live, but I'm happy to see you and AJ too. Love to both of you.

[@zenaalam]

Hi Andrea! Thanks so much and it’s great to hear from you. Love to you and Sam. Hope you are both doing well!

[@andreaz.1227]

@@zenaalam We're doing okay. Thanks for askng.

[@dawnangela4364]

I relate to your story. You look amazing for 59!! Thanks for sharing your story

[@zenaalam]

Thank you so much!!

[@Allioops810]

I totally identify with your story on so many levels. I hope to get to where you are.

[@zenaalam]

Thank you, Allison! It’s definitely an ongoing struggle for me as well but worth it to keep trying because the alternative scares me too much. You can do it as well. Just keep picking yourself back up and try to learn something from any slips you may experience.

[@Allioops810]

@@zenaalam you are an absolute angel. Thank you

[@rocknrobin62]

I loved all the ideas of repurposing food

[@zenaalam]

Thanks Robin! So glad you liked my simple food ideas!

[@adiposerex5150]

Zena is not the Warrior Princess for nothing. She's amazing.

[@zenaalam]

Awww thank you! I haven’t been called that for a few years, so that made me smile 😊

[@fruitascension5089]

Yayyy, Zena! Miss you! -Sherri

[@zenaalam]

Thank you, Sherri! Is this my friend Sherri who moved to Florida?

[@joestasch]

great to hear und see!

[@zenaalam]

Thank you!

[@pantameowmeow.s.1149]

The g.i. surgeries - a nightmare, not a solution. I knew a woman (she died maybe 20 years ago), she was a big wig in a big company, had a lot of emotional issues, an alcoholic, obese - but not that big. She had many contra indications for the surgery. She found one doctor, who did it - it was all about money , no doubt. After a short time post op she was drinking thousands of calories in high caloric syrups, had started even drinking vanilla extract, put on a ton of weight and eventually died of alcohol poisoning. Might have been 50 years old when they found her dead. She needed mental health work, not a g.i. surgery. I also have a school friend , who was going on or over 400 lbs. She was getting a stomach band and wrote about it. I suggested she go to Dr. Mcdougall's page and even the program before she went through with this. We wrote a lot to each other, she had no support at home with food. Well, when she announced she had an o.p. date, I wrote again - her sister ripped my head off about how I didn't know wtf I was talking about, the "stomach strech receptor" jazz, she had had it done, it runs in their family (bull - these girls were super hot girls in school). blah blah blah. She had really sucked up the "info"mercials and free information supplied to the general public and was spewing it out with a lot of anger. The idea of these surgeries is beyond me.

[@zenaalam]

Wow, that’s so sad to read. But I’ve heard the same kinds of scary stories too. I think you are right that a lot of it is about the money and also people’s desperation. It was very kind of you to try and help out your friend avoid surgery and sorry to know her sister came down on you like that.

[@LindaR423]

In my life abstenance is the way I have to go. The statement that moderation is the key is NOT the key for me. As far as vegetables for breakfast is concerned, I just had spinach and mushrooms for breakfast. I'm a fan!

[@zenaalam]

Great job trying the veggies for breakfast!

[@cheryllewis1697]

Me too! Abstinence is key for me. I love learning new strategies, but I would not survive candy bowls in my environment, I would have to leave that environment. Abstinence for me includes the abstinence from unhealthy environments and unhealthy people.

[@WOK-YT-handle]

👏👏👏

[@LouisGreenGplus]

Zena, did you go to the First Celebrity Chef Weekend, before the 2005 10 day? i went to the Celebrity Weekend, my Mom went to the 10 day.

[@zenaalam]

Hi Louis, Yes! I was fortunate enough to go to the first 3 of the Celebrity Chef Weekends. They were so much fun!! So great you were able to attend as well. Did your mom go to the 2005 MWL 10-day? It was held January 2005

[@tracy8062]

❤❤❤

[@jgrysiak6566]

I'm still a work in progress!

[@zenaalam]

Me too! I think I’ll be a work in progress for a long time. But I’m okay with that because even if I get to the end of puzzle, I realized that I would continue doing everything I’m currently doing. (Maybe I’d just be doing it a little bit better)

[@narelled159]

So am I and think I always will be as I am always learning.

[@jgrysiak6566]

@@zenaalam , Exactly, Precisely!

[@Pamsouthdakota]

👏