Originally Posted by
pattycakes73
I found out about FAA about 10 years ago from my dads friend. She had lost almost 200 lbs and had nothing but, great things to say about the program. I was weighing about 320 and smoking up to 3 packs of cigarettes a day. I know, you are just about to fall off your chair right now.... but its true, I was headed to an early death for sure. I suffered with many health problems such as, asthma, chest pain, muscle cramps and soreness, chronic fatigue, lethargy and much much more. A typical day of eating for me consisted of many trips to my local convenience store to purchase slim jims, 2 liters of soda, slurpees, chocolate, ice cream, chips, bean dip and many other sweet, salty and fatty foods. I was HOPELESS!
Yeah sure, I tried many things to lose weight such as not eating, diuretics, starving, shakes, lean quizines, healthy choices, weight watchers, nutri system, jenny craig.... just about everything except the one program that finally worked.... Food Addicts Anonymous.
I finally came to my first meeting in West Palm Beach, Florida in 2003, Mid July to be exact. I came to about eleven meetings before I finally decided I was ready to give it a try. I thought, hhhmmmm I tried everything else.... maybe this will work for me. The people I met in the rooms of FAA were so happy and expressed many benefits to the food plan and I wanted to feel the way they did. Not only did we talk about weight but also shared about emotional issues and feelings. In time, I knew this was the place for me.
I was nervous in the beginning months and was always the quiet one in the room until one day I finally decided to share and when I did the flood gates opened up and I started crying. Being abstinent I had actually started to feel again. Yeah, it was uncomfortable at first but, hey once I got passed it and told myself I was ok being uncomfortable before long I had months of abstinence under my belt and it felt amazing!
Months turned into years and here I am... its been 7 years and I still remember the first time I walked into my first meeting in West Palm Beach, Florida and was greeted by a long term member. She was so happy to see me. She welcomed me and was glad I was there. I needed this. By her warm smile and open arms I knew there was hope for me. I wasn't alone.
I wouldn't trade FAA for any other food plan out there. I never learned how to eat right as a child and FAA gave that to me. I had no credit at the age of 30 and struggled professionally and socially. Today, I am 37, self employed and own my own home. I also have made some great friends and no longer feel that no one understands my daily struggles with my addiction to food.
To this day, I have maintained an 85lb weight loss and I quit smoking over 5 years ago. I crave healthy foods and love the structure and balance the FAA food plan gives to my life. I look forward to continuing my abstinence and meeting more special people in FAA along the way.
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