Testimonials – Food Addiction Resources

Let us know if you have a story of recovery to share, especially if you have been inspired by the information here or by Dr Jen Unwin’s book ‘Fork in the Road’ and the FAR Weekend Retreat.

I am so grateful I found this information when I did.

Over Covid lockdown I found myself turning to food as a way of comforting myself and as the months went by, my binge eating started getting out of control- to the point where it was the first thing I thought of in a morning (how could I get to the shops again to stock up?), to the last thing at night (I definitely won’t binge tomorrow or eat X, Y or Z).

I knew I had to think about myself differently. I’m an addict. Who’d have thought you could be addicted to food? We need food to survive don’t we?

Learning about the binge cycle, and the ways in which an addiction affects us, has enabled me to remove certain foods from my diet and has kept me binge free for four months so far. I have learned tips and techniques to help if I’m having a wobble, and have a great support network who I know will help catch me if I fall.

I shall forever be grateful for the knowledge and support provided Thank you!

Karen

There was so much wisdom, pain, and hope in the room

The FAR weekend was a first for me as I am fairly new to low-carb nutrition, diets, and lifestyles and to the concept of drug foods and food addictions. In fact, I had never really considered my sweet tooth in those terms, but after a weekend of sharing and personal stories I realise it really is!
I really enjoyed the weekend, the format, the venue (which was staffed with very helpful and friendly people), the people and how much ground we covered. I was also impressed by how honest people were. And how much they understood about themselves and various mechanisms to do with eating and food addictions. There was so much wisdom, pain, and hope in the room at any given time, it was humbling. The group felt very supportive and open and that is down to Jen and Heidi who spoke to people before the weekend and who continued throughout the weekend to create a very good and safe atmosphere that was conducive to sharing. One of the other things that attracted me to the weekend was the follow-up programme of online group meetings and materials and further support through WhatsApp chats with the other people from the weekend. Unlike many other workshops I have done where at the end of the weekend that is also the end of the journey, this feels like the start. Which is a very inspiring feeling.

Giovanna, FAR Weekend Delegate

Empathy, hope and the support I needed

FAR gave me light when all I could see was dark in the awful hole I found myself in of the never ending cycle of food addiction.

They gave me empathy, hope and the support I needed to help formulate a way through with both mental and physical health being the optimal goal – its early days but already I have a huge change in my attitude towards food.

Jacqui

Thank you to the facilitiors and other course participants

The facilitors were amazing as were the staff at Rydal Hall. The facilitators were welcoming and very helpful in practical matters.
I attended the PHC Conference in May 2022 and was still confused about if I was an addict or harmful user. I also wanted to learn how to manage my behaviour. The weekend definitely delivered my answers. Yes, I am a food addict and I have come away with some definite ideas and strategies to manage my behaviour.
There was a lot to take in and my energy was low by Saturday evening, but I started Sunday feeling positive about the weekend and the rest of my life. Thank you to the facilitiors and other course participants for making it such an inspriing weekend.

Anonymous, FAR Weekend Delegate

I can wholeheartedly recommend it

Having recently attended this course I can wholeheartedly recommend it. The organisation, course content, delivery and facilities were excellent and I believe very good value.
The combination of Jen Unwin’s expertise in food addiction, behaviour and challenges and Heidi Giaever’s nutrition based essential knowledge were expertly delivered. A combination of science and real life experiences and strategies resulted in all participants being able to immediately identify with the real challenges. To step back from the guilt and helplessness and move forward with a workable plan.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this course to the many people who have lived with the guilt and failure of weight loss and need help to focus on self-care and healthy nourishment.
My eternal gratitude to all who shared my experience.

Sarah, FAR Weekend Delegate

An incredibly empathic group of people

It was a privilege to join such an incredibly empathic group of people with whom I shared my turbulent journey with sugar/carb addiction. We all had our struggles with this drug but sharing with each other lessened the hold it had over us and guilt and shame has no power once we shine a light over it.
We, as men, need to start being more open and facing our issues with sugar addiction. The first step is the hardest but with that step comes acceptance that we have a problem and once we do, we realise that we all can develop skills to combat this disease if we seek and find the right solution and I’d say we as a group all did with Jen and Heidi and with each other.

Sat, FAR Weekend Delegate

A letter to a loved one…

To my nearest and dearest

First of all I know I’m the luckiest person EVER to have you all in my life. We have shared so much in the time I’ve known you and now it’s time for me to share one more thing because I need you to be on board with what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. After years of battling with my weight I’ve finally found something that’s working for me. Yet again (and I’d be surprised if you hadn’t noticed) I’d lost weight, felt great and looked much better and despite all of this, I’d gained it ALL back again and, in the process, felt awful about myself and also noticed my health both physical and mental suffering. I began to wonder why did I keep going back to this ridiculous cycle of starve – lose weight – feel better and then go back the other way to over eat – gain weight – feel awful? Also, it was getting worse -the quantities I was eating to satisfy the cravings were increasing.

Lockdown was tough for us all but it gave me time to reflect and research and actually it was a moment when I’d given up on life and felt on the edge of breakdown that I was offered hope by discovering there is such a thing as food addition. That, in a way similar to an alcoholic, the cravings and destructive cycle I was experiencing wasn’t my fault and that my brain was addicted to a powerful drug we all assume is safe to consume in the form of sugar. Like any addict the only way forward is abstinence. One is too many and a thousand is never enough for me when it includes any form of food that will raise my blood sugar. I need for my health, both physical and mental, to keep on the right path here and I’d really love it if you were part of my journey too. So, whenever there is cake or chocolate or any foods on my avoid list please don’t suggest “go onnnn just a little don’t hurt “ because that’s exactly what it will do is hurt. Just as you’d never offer a glass of wine to an alcoholic, a food addict should never be offered cake. Please understand and respect my choices and celebrate my sugar sobriety because it’s a wonderful place for me to be.

I want to end in saying none of this is your fault. Like me, for years the research now shows we’ve all been given the wrong message – this being that fat and salt is bad, therefore we consumed foods that contain more sugar to avoid them. So please my beloved family and friends come along with me on this journey, that way I will be around to annoy you all for so much longer and be fit, healthy and happy too.

Jacqui

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