Addiction is an ugly word. Learning I had a food addiction was like getting a life sentence with no chance for parole. But I came to FA resigned to the fact that since nothing else worked for me, I needed to work this program.

I have found that FA has given me a chance to live in a healthy body for the rest of my life. FA allows me to have healthy, filling, nutritious, delicious meals. FA encourages me to be grateful for what I have and to avoid the abyss of self-pity.

I admit that being in a right-size body is surprisingly scary. I need to talk to people with long-term abstinence to help me accept the new me. I have seen FA members who insist on sticking to their own ideas. For instance, many people have a hard time letting go of what they think they should weigh. I’ve seen many of these people struggle with their abstinence. I’ve seen others who have found a sponsor who, in an effort to placate their sponsees, allow them to be overweight.

I’m glad I have been able to let go and let my sponsor worry about how much I should eat. I eat the portions I am told to eat. I let my sponsor determine what my weight should be, and I let go of what I think it should be. I practice letting go and am now a healthy size.

I am not happy to have a food addiction, but I am fortunate to have FA as my solution.