I'm A Food Addict

As I shared yesterday, I spend a lot of time researching stories, currently released research and articles about being overweight or obese.

Last night I came across an article on food addiction. I stopped dead in my tracks and my mind went back to two years a go, at a time when my niece was struggling with drug addiction. She lives in another state but came to live with us for 2 months while she attended an out patient drug rehab center close to us. During those 2 months, for moral support I attended the daily rehab sessions and I went to AA meetings with her 3 evenings a week.

At the AA meetings anyone that spoke always started with I am "their name", I'm an addict. During those two months, I learned a lot about being addicted to either drugs or alcohol. I never thought about food being an addiction until last night.

I realized at one point in my life I was a food addict.

What Are the Signs of Food Addiction?

Only a food addict can determine if they are addicted to food. The following are questions that a food addicts would need to ask themselves: In red is my response to why I now realize I was a food addict.

Did I try but failed to control my eating? I have been overweight for over 35 years and tried every diet unhealthy and healthy on the market. I even went to the extremes of having a major surgery and had my stomach stapled.

Did I find myself hiding food or secretly binging? I would secretly binge and even deny to myself, I was overeating. I would go to extreme measures so no one would know how much food I was consuming. Here is an example: I would go through a drive through window and order two drinks because, I wanted whoever took my order to think, I was ordering for two people and I didn't even know the person.  Even worse sometimes on my way home from work, I would stop and get a Big Mac at one McDonald's and drive a few more miles and stop at another McDonald's for a second Big Mac. Then eat again with my family when I got home.

Did I have feelings of guilt or remorse after eating? YES, I always did. When I would go to sleep at night, I would promise myself the next day would be different. But it never was.

Did my weight affect my way of life? Of course it did. I was in denial. I would always say, I don't know why I am so overweight, I don't eat that much. Which wasn't the truth but the sad thing is I had convinced myself it was true. There was a lot of things I missed out on with my kids as they were growing up.  It was uncomfortable for me to attend sporting events, movies and even fly because I was too big to fit into the seats and list goes on and on.

One of the things I learned from attending AA meetings with my niece is ... until you are willing to admit you are an addict you will never be free from the addiction. Today for the first time in my life, I admitting my addiction. Hi, I'm Jackie Marlin, I'm an addict.

I am 100% totally convinced, I would still be continuing down that same road today if it wouldn't have been for the health scare I had with my diabetes a few years a go and with the help of SlimMax. SlimMax stopped my uncontrollable appetite and cravings for unhealthy sweets and junk food. Because of that I am now a recovering addict. But I do realize it will be something I will have to work at the rest of my life.

If you are overweight don't let it ruin your life. Take control and get on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

Until Next Time ... Pamper yourself.