Surrender. Everybody knows that losers surrender and winners just keep on fighting. That idea kept me fighting my problem of food. Step One (realizing that I’m powerless over food) was easy when I finally realized that fighting my food problem in this life would never relieve me of it. In short…sanity. In surrendering I gained what years of struggle could not bring me.

This passage is an excerpt from a book called For Today from the 12-step program Overeaters Anonymous. It is something that I think we can all relate to in our struggle with food so I wanted to share it. I took out the word overeaters because I know some people are sensitive to that word. I want everyone to feel like they can share....

I think this also is a good complement to my introduction post because accepting that I'm powerless over my food issues (the bad guys), is that First Step on the bridge. We can't do it alone. I just find it amazing how nuts I went trying to control my food and exercise when my life was so insane! It was such a struggle, like I was in the ring with it. Life still gets crazy, pretty much on a daily basis but I don't have to go into the food to face it.

That first step on the bridge to freedom...

Bridges can be scary. If they look weak, you don't know if you want to cross them or not. It's like something from Indiana Jones where you are thousands of feet above water and in order to get from one cliff to the other, you have to cross a very wimpy looking bridge. You think, well it's safer to be on this side then to risk that. At least, this is solid ground. But then the bad guys have chased you there and you have no choice but to cross. It's just not safe anymore on your side.
I had to hit that point to stay alive and learn to actually live my life or else those bad guys were just going to keep convincing me that I could control my food and everything else I was compulsive about. That is why I've started this blog today.

Yes, I'm a wellness coach and consultant, but I'm also in recovery, early recovery. I am approaching 11 months and I know writing helps my journey. I also know a lot of people out there who feel very alone. They just keep in their isolation and we can't get through this unless we get out of that isolation. So, this is for all of us.

You may be a compulsive overeater who attends Overeaters Anonymous meetings, or someone that didn't work for and you are looking for something where you can be accepted no matter what kind of eating issues you have or size you may be. You also may have no idea you have an eating issue because you've been too busy dieting, exercising too much or having regular binge episodes. Everyone - is accepted here no matter what size, age, demographic or stage of recovery. I hope that our sharing together will provide experience, strength and hope to us all.

I want you to share your experience...and don't feel like you have to put anything other than your first name. Just know that your words are understood because we're all on a similar journey.