Most of my life has been spent being overweight and food obsessed.  Unfortunately, food became my friend and comfort at a very young age. This set up a lifetime of dependence on food for every emotion; sadness, joy, fear, excitement, happiness, anger, boredom, chaos – you name the emotion and food was the answer. I was in a battle with food daily. I was either white knuckling my way to stay out of the food or I was overeating and bingeing – there was no in between. No matter what I tried, I simply could not let go of sugar and flour laden junk food. It had truly become a stronghold in my life that kept me enslaved to food. The idea of moderation always sounded ideal – just one piece, just one bowl, just one slice, just one….. that never worked for me. Once I had JUST ONE, my brain was actively demanding more. I was in a place of desperation and my weight was the highest it had ever been.

I had an amazing husband of 25 years who loved me unconditionally, 5 amazing children, plenty of wonderful friends and family, and a loving relationship with God – truly a life that I loved, yet I could not get my relationship with food in control. I often prayed for God to deliver me from my food addiction and take away all cravings for unhealthy food. I had tried every diet and plan available. In past weight loss attempts, there was usually short term success, but eventually I was right back to obsessing over food and bingeing on sugar and flour filled foods. I began praying for a permanent solution out of this food obsession. I was ready to fully surrender!  After one such prayer, I came across the idea of food boundaries. This is simply the idea of following boundaries in regards to food; no sugar, no flour, 3 meals a day, and measured portions. I DID have to eat food to survive, but I DID NOT have to eat sugar and flour. I knew in that moment that my rescue boat had arrived and I just had to jump in and paddle! I began eating amazing, delicious, and abundant amounts of food. A lifestyle change, rather than a diet, was exactly what I needed!