I have struggled with anorexia and bulimia since I was a teen. I am 36 now. My weight often bumped up and down—sometimes by 60 lbs. You are right, food is an addiction. And it is tough because we can’t just stop eating. Moderation is the key, but, man, it is hard to moderate when there is constantly food all around us.

For me food is a control issue, but also it is something that makes me feel good. Just like the drugs I abused, food gives me a certain amount of almost euphoria. My eating seemed to get worse when I quit the drugs because it seemed like food was the only thing in my life that made me feel good.

As I progressed in therapy, I started feeling better about myself and I felt like I deserved to lose the weight. I wanted to be healthy. Also, my doctor told me I needed to lose the weight—which embarrassed me. It was like he was pointing out the obvious. But, he did help motivate me.

A few months ago I finished a 23 month diet. I lost 40 lbs. It was up and down, especially the first 12 months. Sometimes, I lost 1-2 lbs in month, sometimes I gained and then I had good months where I lost more. I think what made my diet successful was setting small goals for myself and accepting that it was going to be a long process.

My weekly goals were small—like make it without having sweets for one week or eat 3 servings of vegetables a day for a week or eat vegan for a week. When I did it a week at a time, it seemed easier. Also, I varied the methods of dieting so I never felt like I was denying myself the same foods all the time. When I had a binge, I tried to make it an isolated incident and not let it become a “way of life.” I am not sure if this is good advice or not, but it worked for me. Also, I had one rule that I never broke—absolutely no French fries or fast food of any kind.

Now, my eating patterns are fairly healthy. I still occasionally binge and I still occasionally have some anorexic tendencies where I deny myself food. But, my weight is staying stable, for the most part I am eating in moderation and when I have a slip, I don’t use it as an excuse to keep doing it. One bad day does not mean I have to have a bad week. To maintain my weight loss I am eating vegetarian or vegan most of the time. But, I allow myself one dinner and one breakfast a week where I can have anything I want—steak, bacon, pancakes…this keeps me from feeling like I am constantly denying myself and gives me something to look forward to.

I am sharing my story with you to let you know that losing the weight is possible. And, you can do it in a healthy way, but it is a long process. Something you have to be committed to long term. It is tough, but it is possible. Today is a good day to start changing your life. I have faith in you—I know you can do it—little by little you will make it. We are all here to support you.