Breaking The Cycle: My Journey Through Food Addiction and Recovery

Welcome to my first blog post! This is a very exciting new adventure for me and I’m excited to get to share my experiences with those who are facing the same struggles in life.

Is food an addiction? According to experts, the answer to that question is yes. Without a question, some of the ingredients that make up the meals that we enjoy most are in fact addictive. Sugar, a form of carbohydrates, being the number one culprit.

Now – I’m not going to get into citing studies and linking to articles or books that proves this information. Anybody who can use a google search can look up the evidence themselves.

Sugar is as addictive as cocaine or heroine. Let that soak in.

When I first read this information while looking up ways of dieting just over a year ago, I really had to sit with that statement. Drug addiction is a disease. Alcoholism is a disease. Food addiction is ALSO a disease. Obesity. Obesity is a disease.

Nobody chooses to be obese. Nobody chooses to be addicted to sugar.

In November 2023 is when it all began for me. I knew I was eating myself to death. I couldn’t stop. I could justify every bad meal, every bad decision. I could tell my brain that we’ll just start on Monday. Monday never came. I would finally start my diet but the food noise in my head would take over and I would fail. I was on this never ending cycle. I was the heaviest I had ever been in my life and I knew that if I didn’t get help, I was going to die.

I finally made an appointment with my doctor. My doctor simply told me “Megan, you’re addicted to food.”

Suddenly everything started making sense. She explained to me that our brains are all wired differently. She told me it was not my fault.

It was not my fault. Boy did I need to hear those words. What a relief.

On that day, my doctor diagnosed me with binge eating disorder (BED). She referred me to a weight loss clinic to speak with a specialist and develop a plan. Finally. I took the first step towards the rest of my life. Opening up was not, and is not easy. Confiding in my doctor was extremely embarrassing and anxiety provoking – but I did it. Because I found the courage on that one day in November to call and make an appointment, my life is forever changed.

Now I’m here, a year later. I finally started my journey in January 2024. I started it, I committed to it, I dedicated myself to it and I am kicking its ass.

Now it’s time to share my story, with the hopes that someone, somewhere will be inspired. I will share the good times, the bad times, the emotional times. The stuff I learned along the way. If I can help even one person out there conquer their addiction, it will all be worth it.

Introduce yourself in the comments below:

What’s your name and what are you hoping to achieve?