My recovery story.

[@katiek1856]

I remember telling my mom in 2001 that I thought I had an eating disorder (compulsive eater and binging) and wasn’t sure how to tackle it. With her being my mom and a nurse and caring nurturing person and frequent dieter herself, I thought she would be understanding. Instead her reaction was laughter. She was literally laughing at me. I never talked about it again to anyone. It makes me tear up thinking about it. I was 26 then and I’m 44 now. I’m 255 lbs and rising. I had something happen the other day that stopped me in my tracks. I started searching on KZbin and seeing others going thru the same thing and it has given me a new found hope. I realize it’s time to finally do something about my addiction. Thank you for being open.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

I understand your pain Katie. You reached out for help and didn't get the help you think you needed. I know I felt helpless and hopeless in 2011. It's not a hopeless situation, you have the power within you to make healthy changes! OA meetings, talk to a trusted friend, see a nutritionist that gets us, maybe therapy? A transformation won't happen in a day, but over time, one step at a time the little successes pile up until you're realizing your goals! A healthy balanced meal plan you can stick to, putting down your known 'alcoholic' foods, getting out in nature for some light exercise. Develop outside interests to get out of isolation! Reach out for help to those that know how to take good care of themselves. Your self-esteem will grow and you'll start learning to love yourself. People who love themselves don't hurt themselves with food or any other harmful thing! Doing what it takes to get better. We all know, simple but not easy! The unconditional love I found in the OA meetings made all the difference for me! You're in my prayers Katie, give it your best shot! Don't give up on yourself, sometimes it'll seem like two steps forward and one step back. Don't be discouraged just pick yourself up again and do the next right thing! None of us have done recovery perfectly! I'm pulling for you Katie! Love, Nancy D.

[@SparkWolfy]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm about a week into changing my lifestyle and attacking my food addiction head on, so it's really comforting to hear things like this because it reminds me that it's a legitimate thing people suffer with and not some weird character flaw of mine. ♡

[@psalm9166]

Food is my God. I felt that. Please pray for me.

[@marythomas6507]

Thank you for sharing! I love your videos I found OA 9 weeks ago. Even though I'm not staying from sugar and flour I'm struggling I just ordered Kate KS book

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Good for you Mary! Progress is important not perfection! It's a lifestyle change not a diet and won't happen overnight but well worth the effort to be free from food obsession! All the best to you Mary! Nancy D., Gratefully Recovering Food Addict

[@russellandrews1177]

All your videos are so great. Thank you.

[@simka123]

Thank you so much for this youtube channel. It is Easter, there are precisely 6 "food" items calling my name in my family's house. I desperately needed some affirmation that in fact I am not crazy, and what actually lies on the other side of that "first bite" as you said. Intellectually I know that this is an illness and I am not alone, but my mirror neurons need to be reminded every so often. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

[@jocelynrose7911]

Thank you. May God bless you as you bless others.

[@lisazambrano5748]

Thank you for sharing! I haven’t told anyone about my addiction to food. I feel like no one will understand or think I was being self centered. I have 3 kids ands 4 steps kids and I’m always around food. Food is the center of my life and it’s so easy to just give in. I’ve been looking for answers and you have no idea what kind of impact you had on me today because I feel like for the first time I have answers! So thank you again for sharing. Food addiction is real! And I’ve been dealing with it my whole life! Thank you!

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

YOU ARE NOT ALONE Lisa!!!! You didn't mention it, we're all under a lot of stress in one way or another, but dealing with 7 kids has to be mega stressful! Go to the web site OA.ORG find some face to face meetings, online meetings, or phone meetings! We are not meant to battle this disease alone! In meetings, we give each other hope, support, and examples of what recovery looks like and that it is possible! Others without food addiction just don't get it at all! We need each other! Check out avision4you.info for some very valuable podcasts you can listen to at home. I'd also recommend reading Overeaters Anonymous 12 and 12 you'll find there are many of us with the same experiences! I'm pulling for you, get some help Lisa, you're worth taking good care of yourself too! don't quit before your miracle happens! Love, Nancy D. Gratefully Recovering Food Addict

[@kimknight982]

Thank you for this. I had a rough food week and have been in a long relapse although getting slightly better. I go to meetings but I thought I would check out KZbin and found this

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Don't quit before your miracle happens Kim! I'm pulling for you! Nancy, gratefully recovering food addict

[@angelofthenorf]

Thanks for making this video. I had 200 days of sobriety with OA but I unfortunately fell back into the food. I am now trying to get sober again.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Good for you! Those that succeed get back up and do the next right thing! In recovery, we always learn important lessons even when we sometimes fall. Reach out to your fellows, they understand what you're going through! All the best to you Angel on your recovery journey! Nancy D., Gratefully Recovering Food Addict

[@eshjane]

Thank you!! I am going to start this plan tomorrow.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Woohoo, Jane! I'm pulling for you! New year new you! :) Love, Nancy D., Gratefully Recovering Food Addict

[@mm6119]

I fell off the wagon 3 months ago and trying to “claw my way back” also!Hearing you took 4 months gave me hope! 🙏🏻

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

There is always hope M M! Keep going to meetings you need the support of others that have been where you are. Don't quit before your miracle happens M M!

[@njmrountree]

I recently realized that I am a food addict, and have been for many years. I could identify with so much of what you said in this video! I am so grateful to have just discovered your channel. You are such an inspiration to me! Thank you so much!

[@L_Martin]

Relate to SO much of this. I’m 30 and just trying to claw my way out. Relate so much to “food was my god” and living to eat, isolating yourself, your world is shrunk down to just food. My life has been in my house since I finished high school, it seems like. I cut myself off from any friends and distanced from family as much as possible. All I wanted to do was hide inside and numb myself with food, the 1 thing guaranteed to give me a high. Now I’ve woken up to being an addict, I don’t know where to start. I feel like I’m standing in the middle of a bomb crater, there is nothing. I seem to have worked at emptying my life of anything, the only thing in my world was getting my fix and feeling “safe”. I have such bad social anxiety. Still, I’m grateful too - because nobody EVER spoke of it as addiction, and I now realise that’s what I am, an addict, and knowing that, it’s like I understand why I am the way I am, why my life ran into a ditch while all my peers have careers and families by now. It feels surreal that I let this happen to myself. How is it possible to just “drift” into such a deep addiction? And the fact it is food means people around me don’t comprehend it at all - food, this harmless mundane thing they can all naturally enjoy in moderation.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Wow! This is a powerful testimony L. If looked at another way, you're only 30 and have the rest of your life to make it right! Start with small steps. I too had crippling social anxiety. I regularly saw a therapist (now available online) and had medication for a time. I now have a regular meditation practice that has worked a miracle in my life. What a blessing KZbin can sometimes be! You can start getting help little by little by watching helpful videos until you're ready to reach out for more help! Overeaters Anonymous (OA.org) is a great place to start your recovery. There are Zoom meetings going on 24/7 You don't need to speak or even have your camera turned on. You can listen to others share their experience, strength, and hope to learn what others have done in battling this devastating disease! I'm here to tell you there is a better life out there for you, this is not a hopeless situation and you are certainly not alone, there is help if YOU want it! All the best to you on this next chapter in your life L! Nancy D., Gratefully Recovering Food Addict

[@L_Martin]

@@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict You’re really kind, thank you for the advice. I will be looking into the OA zoom meetings. Thanks again!

[@revecaramirez2775]

I am going to start kay sheppard plan again. I am 56. You are amazing. Thanks!

[@KellsSmith1244]

I'm 50.I thought I'd outgrow this eating disorder but that didn't happen.

[@daisybuchanan5378]

Thank-you for sharing. Gods Bless you.

[@jacquelinecotterell]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am at the moment trying to claw my way out of the food pit, so I keep playing your video to try and motivate myself.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Do the next right thing for your recovery Jacqueline! Don't give up before your miracle happens!!!

[@suziepoppins]

Thank you

[@mariehaunani9823]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. i am currently fighting Gods will in following a plan i know works. Wanting to do keto but not losing weight with keto and fasting. i have lost with this food plan and 12 step meetings. Please keep sharing your story.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Marie Haunani I’m pulling for you Marie! Giving up our ‘alcoholic’ foods is incredibly difficult but possible! Follow your plan, Step 0, then go to as many meetings as possible! Face 2 face, online, telephone, listen to A Vision for You! Study the steps, use the tools! What ever it takes! Don’t stop until your miracle! You’re worth it! 💗 keep me posted!

[@kathrynkrumrei8571]

Thank you so much for your share. I know what you mean about sugar and chocolate!

[@pcchilek609]

You are so kind to share, very inspiring! Glad I found your channel.

[@alisonl9731]

Thank you Nancy. I am attending my first meeting next week. I appreciate your openness.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Yay Alison! All the best to you on your recovery journey! Don't quit before your miracle happens! Nancy D., Gratefully Recovering Food Addict

[@geezloueeze]

What an inspiring story. I can so relaate to many of the things you said. I realize this is an old video, but I would love to hear you talk further about not taking the first compulsive bite, Also, I would love to hear if it gets any easier with time. changing addictive habitual responses is so hard for me. Thank you.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Hi Geez! Love your name! I can say it does get easier, one day at a time by the grace of my Higher Power! White knuckling in the very beginning and getting through the first set of holidays and birthday teaches you it is possible to live without your 'alcoholic' foods and live happily, I might add! Over time you'll find healthy foods are delicious! The more consistently you live a healthy lifestyle, the more you're not willing to give up feeling so good, physically, mentally, and spirituality, give all that up, for what, a sweet? The more consistent you are family and friends will come to terms with your healthy preferences and like the new you because you're more loving, patient, and forgiving! I don't have food regrets or food hangovers anymore, what a blessing! Working with others in Overeaters Anonymous and witnessing their struggles with food addiction, reinforces in me, I don't ever want to take that first bite of my addictive foods! All the best to you Geez and don't quit before your miracle happens! Nancy D., Grateful food addict

[@esmewetterwachs7462]

Thanks for sharing your story 🍀

[@jennzeno-ethridge4753]

Wow what an incredibly strong will you have. I struggle with ptsd and anxiety and depression and man sugar is my downfall. I’m going to look up Kay shepherds book and keep your thoughts in my mind. Thank you for sharing.❤

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

All the best to you Jenn! Meditation has been a huge help in my recovery! I'm strong now because I gave up my 'alcoholic' foods, they are not the boss of me any more! It's usually white knuckling at first but then gets easier every day! I know you can find peace too!

[@lyndsay1124]

You are amazing. I am in the grip of my addiction and not sure I’ll make it out. God bless you!!

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

You can do it! One step, one hour, one minute at a time! You're in my prayers! Nancy D.

[@KellsSmith1244]

I'm pulling for you. Support is so important.

[@WriteSoul]

You are very inspiring and I have learnt so much from you. Thank you for posting this and now I am looking forward to watching all of your other videos and learning even more :-) xx niki

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

All the best to you Niki or your recovery journey!

[@WriteSoul]

@@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict I went to town today and made up my packed lunch and ate it in the car :-) I feel so proud that I didn't even feel tempted by all the food EVERYWHERE but I know every day will not be that easy. I think having my food prepared was a lifesaver. I am only on day 2 :-) xx niki

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

@@WriteSoul well done! I find when I carry my own favorite healthy foods with me, I'm not at all tempted by empty, junky foods that my body doesn't need! Keep up the good work and don't stop before your miracle happens Niki! Love, Nancy, Gratefully Recovering Food Addict

[@WriteSoul]

@@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict thanks Nancy, I really love your videos and hope that you post more. I know it is so time consuming making them but I promise you that they help me and I am sure many other people too. I went "healthy food" shopping today and your suggestion about keeping ready prepared meals in the fridge has been a life saver. Usually that would be where I go wrong and grab the first thing I can find (usually something unhealthy) so thanks again for everything you say on your videos I am listening and following your sound suggestions xxx niki

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

@@WriteSoulturner bless you! I haven't made any videos lately but I do have plans to make more! I'm so glad you have found them helpful! All the best to you! Love, Nancy D., Gratefully Recovering Food Addict

[@gwenbudd7888]

Thank you for your inspiring story.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Thanks for your comment Gwen! All the best to you on your journey!

[@KellsSmith1244]

4:11 is me right now. And I have two daughters and pets I can't leave. I quit drinking in '11 so I understand addiction. You're so relatable and you seem so kind. I feel less alone in this right now. I turn 50 in two weeks and I have to get a grip. I'm going to order the books you recommended for my birthday present. Good video, thank you.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

I see that I didn't reply to you! It's been two months, have you read Kay Sheppard's book? The difficulties of life get easier or at least don't seem so overwhelming when we're not in active addiction! I'm pulling for you Mac!

[@KellsSmith1244]

@@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict Thank you! I've hear of her but haven't read anything she's written. I'll check it out.

[@beckyhines7953]

Smith Kennedy I quit drinking in 2010, but I am hopeless with my food addiction. It’s sugar for me. In 2018 I was diagnosed with celiac disease and had to give up wheat etc, I thought “now I’ll lose weight” because I ate tons of pastries, bread, etc but no, I didn’t, and now this sugar thing has gotten so out of control that if I don’t have it every 2 or 3 hours I start to shake and feel weak. Today I’ve reached an all time low and have decided to return to my local OA meeting this Tuesday and Saturday. I’m terrified at the thought of giving up sugar but I know I must. I’m just plain worn out of this battle. I’ve finally accepted “I’m powerless “ over it.

[@stevevuoso8411]

How did you deal with hunger? I can't concentrate on my job if I'm too hungry.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Hi Steve! Hunger is a fear we have! Make sure you have a nutritionally balanced food plan with enough calories for your body type. Sure you'll be hungry on a crash diet! We're in this for the long haul for health and to be sane around food. Patience with slow weight loss is best for long term success! In my case I needed to cut out my "alcoholic" foods completely. Foods that make me crave more and make me feel hungry, foods I can't stop eating, in my case anything made with sugar or flour for example. For the first few days I had to white knuckle it to not pick up something with sugar. Then the cravings disappeared. It then became easier to follow my healthy food plan without hunger. My body adjusted to the amount of food I was now consuming. If I feel hungry between meals I ask myself, could it be thirst? Am I upset about something and want to just grab some food to medicate myself? I might have a relaxing cup of herb tea if it isn't meal time yet. I wish you all the best Steve! Take it one day at a time. Check food labels for addictive ingredients. Here's to a healthier you! Nancy D., Gratefully Recovering Food Addict

[@whitsimlin]

Do you have a sponsor?

[@megan4997]

How can I send you a message, Nancy? Are you in the Kay Sheppard FB group?

[@mjschoensee93]

I enjoyed this.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Thanks Jane!

[@yolandacornellio5243]

Can you tell me what foods are good for inflammation? Please I love your videos I'm new ,2 days in

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Hi Yolanda check out my video "Food Addiction, Inflammation & Rheumatoid Arthritis Help" and click on show more and you'll see the complete list! All the best to you in your recovery journey Yolanda! Love, Nancy D., Gratefully Recovering Food Addict

[@danielfaherty491]

did you go to work and carry on as normal when you went through that rough three months?

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Yes, I continued working during that time. When I was working I always thought if only I could stay home I'd be able to follow my food plan. Then when I was a stay at home mom I thought if only I had the schedule of working outside of the home I'd be able to follow my food plan. I had to get my head right, no matter my life situation! I recommend meetings, meetings, and more Overeaters Anoymous meetings! You can find online meetings 24/7 at oa.org. I wish you all the best Daniel! Nancy D. Gratefully Recovering Food Addict

[@kitasofia]

😢

[@dianeliggett9575]

I am VERY interested in your therapists little by little approach to helping you to get abstinent. Is it all possible you could contact me? I want a therapist like you had.

[@GratefullyRecoveringFoodAddict]

Hi Diane! My therapist said she knows very little about AA recovery and nothing at all about Overeaters Anonymous. She was supportive and helpful and I think I taught her plenty about OA recovery as she went through it all with me. Wishing you all the best Diane! Nancy D., Gratefully Recovering Food Addict