Food Addiction is a real thing....

Over the last few months people have opened up to me about what they eat. They had to. I offer my help, your payment will be honesty! I offer confidential encouragement. (Don't worry, names are changed to protect the innocent.)

In light of hearing some of the same things from different people, it is apparent that many have a food addiction. Some have one so strong that even 2 years of personal training may not cure. Only because the addiction was not called out on the carpet and dealt with. You have to look at what you eat, why you eat it, how you feel before & after you eat the foods you do, and whether or not you hide it.

Note: I am not a doctor. And this is not to make you feel awful, powerless, or weak. If you keep up with my posts on FB & blog, you know that I swear by transparency & honesty. ONLY when we are honest with ourselves and others, can we get help. ONLY when we admit we have a problem can there be accountability & change. So are you ready to change?

Here is a quick list of questions for you to be honest with yourself - answer these YES or NO:

1. Do you eat alone?                                                                            
2. Do you lie about how much you eat?
3. Do you eat more than your friends?
4. Do you eat more than you used to?
5. Do you eat to calm your nerves?
6. Do you suffer problems (health or others) because of your eating?
7. Is food & consumption of it affecting relationships with loved one?

This was actually a list of questions for warning signs of alcoholism and I just exchanged 'eat' for the word 'drink'. So while you may have been skeptical if you had a problem, now you realize that when you put food in the place of 'alcohol'...you have a problem if you are answering YES to these questions. And it is as serious as alcoholism.

Did you answer yes to 3 or more? If so, then you should research this topic of Food Addiction further. In fact, there is a resource for you, FAA (Food Addicts Anonymous). I actually have it on my to-do list for the week, to contact them and see if we can get a meeting here in Bakersfield. Especially since 29% of Kern County is obese!

Folks, I've posted up posts on obesity statistics and stats on preventable disease. YOU ARE NOT ALONE in your food addiction. If 65% of Americans are overweight & obese, I'm sure it is safe to say that over 1/2 of the U.S. are food addicts.

I know, I know...the word ADDICT is such a harsh word right. We think of crackheads, potheads, the red-faced alcoholic...but your addiction is even more apparent than theirs if you think about it. But we can change it together. With a plan of diet and exercise, accoutability, and help - you CAN conquer this!

Either contact the FAA, or me. I want to help you get from where you are to where you want to be!


For more on this topic:
Google: Food Addicts Anonymous. Also look for books regarding Food Addiction, Recovery from Food Addiction.

I also want to add, that if you struggle with an eating disorder of bulimia or anorexia, then contact these people as well. You have a food addiction problem that doesn't leave you big on the outside, you're tiny on the outside. You feel big when you look in the mirror and you are slowly killing yourself as well. Please reach out for help & free yourself of this obsession with food/purging!!!! Please!!!