She grew up in a loving family, but she often felt like an outsider because her family was thin and ate in moderation. Despite good grades boosting her self-esteem, the stress to excel led her to overeat. Food and fantasy novels became her escape. In college, she used food to push through the stress and cope with life. Afterward, she spent decades yo-yo dieting, and struggled with the pressures of being a working wife and mom. By her mid-forties, she was overweight and overwhelmed, had high blood pressure, and was prediabetic. She then did an internet search using the words “food” and “addiction”, which led her to discover Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA). She finally felt relief at her first meeting. Through the support in FA, she lost weight, improved her health to her doctor’s delight, and discovered that life wasn’t a burden but a precious gift to share

Una adicta a la comida codependiente comparte su experiencia, fortaleza y esperanza en la recuperación a través de Adictos a la Comida en Recuperación Anónimos (FA). Comparte su historia de disfunción familiar, pensamiento desordenado y derrota. Sobreviviente de abuso físico, emocional y sexual, ha aprendido a afrontar sus emociones en lugar de reprimirlas con harina, azúcar, cantidades, alcohol y compras. Ha abrazado su identidad como lesbiana y ha aprendido a pesar y medir su comida, su vida, y sus relaciones con los demás.

I am 79 years old and have been in recovery for 16 years. At my heaviest, I reached 267 pounds. My journey with food addiction began in childhood when I remember stealing food while my grandmother was cooking and hiding in the closet to eat it. My first binge was at age ten. Throughout my twenties, I developed habits like visiting multiple fast-food restaurants on my way home from work and isolating myself to eat. Extreme measures like having my jaw wired shut didn't stop me from finding ways to consume sugary foods, albeit with a straw. When I was diagnosed as prediabetic, I thought I could outsmart my blood sugar while still indulging in desserts. Even seeing a loved one lose their legs to diabetes didn’t stop me. The turning point came after retirement when my partner introduced me to Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA). Despite my initial skepticism, I persisted in the program and eventually reached 134 pounds. In recovery, the miracles just keep happening. I’ve rebuilt broken relationships, traveled the world abstinently, and maintained my serenity, even through life’s toughest challenges. In FA, I learned to manage my addiction, one day at a time, with the help of a sponsor. Most importantly, I’m free—free from obsession, isolation, and the shame that once consumed me.