I’m not sure why both of my incredibly successful food addiction programs, the 21-Day Belly Fix and 31 Days to Recovery, happened to end around Halloween 2 years in a row. I have decided it’s God’s way of telling me sugar cannot be stored in my house for more than 24 hours.
Each year I promise myself to just eat a few pieces that night and then put it away for my son. However, every year I end up eating it throughout the day, every day, until it’s gone. Then I have the always depressing chore of explaining to my devastated son why his candy bag lightened so quickly…
All hope is not lost though. Last month I made great strides with my first 2 steps of trying to beat food addiction:
- Forgiveness and Acceptance
- Choose real, God-given foods, not man-made, highly processed franken-food.
I’m confident I can get back to the habits serving me so well, including the apple cider vinegar cocktail every morning, bone broth soup, and minimizing sugar, dairy, and gluten. Thankfully, most of the Halloween candy is almost gone.
This month I’ve been working on the final and most important step on my road to recovery:
#3. Turn to God instead of food.
For the first time in quite a while, I spent Sunday mornings with our church for 3 weeks in a row. Some of you more regular attendees may see this as mortifying, but I count it as a beautiful victory. Consistent church interaction has always been a goal of mine. Working on my 3rd step this month really helped make this happen.
I’m blessed with recovery from many other addictions. I know God is going to deliver me from these binding food issues as well.
One thing I have felt Him calling me to do for a very long time is to read through the Bible in its entirety. I used to be obsessed with self-help books. My husband would tell me every time he saw me reading a new one, “The best self-help book you could read is the Bible.” That husband of mine is a wise man…
I’m ashamed to admit every time I would try to read it, I would just give up because I couldn’t understand it. Honestly, I couldn’t relate to it either. I didn’t have that kind of faith I would read about. I saw every scene as a complete fantasy world.
As my faith has grown and matured, I catch myself enjoying these stories and seeing them as the complete truth that they are. I truly believe now is the perfect time for me to read through this incredibly important book, so I have found a fantastic way to merge Bible time with better health habits.
Last week, I really wanted to go for a walk, which helps me on so many levels — moods, weight, food choices… I also needed to read Hebrews, which my preacher is currently teaching from. This led me to one of my favorite iPhone apps from YouVersion. It is the complete Bible in every version imaginable with this wonderful voice reading it to me.
I went downstairs and hopped on my treadmill while listening to 10 full chapters of Hebrews. My friend, this is multitasking at its absolute finest. This week I’m starting at the beginning of Genesis and finally making my way through the entire Bible as I walk my way to better health.
My other prayer for this upcoming month is to follow all 3 steps at once — acceptance, real food, and God.
I’m immensely blessed by having you on this journey with me. Thank you for being here!
If you have time today, I would love for you to check out the rest of the Turning to Food series:
I ate a lot of my kids Halloween candy too. I also, made the same promise to myself. I got back on track until we picked up our Boy Scout popcorn and I devoured my husband’s bag of Chocolate Drizzle Popcorn. Now I have a rash from eating corn…SMH. I told my husband if he sees me with popcorn in my hand to slap it out of my hand. It is a real struggle sometimes to avoid sugar. Especially if I’m feeling deprived.
It’s awesome that you have made it to church three weeks in a row. Once you stop going it’s hard to get back into the habit. Sadly, I haven’t been to church in over two years.
I feel your pain, Sonya! I just can’t keep that stuff in my house. I devour anything with sugar in it.
Church is something my husband and I have struggled with over the years. We have finally found one we can somewhat agree on, but our laziness has won out over the past few years and we rarely made it there. I’m excited to finally be more consistent.
Wow! What great strides toward your goals. What a great plan to get grounded in a healthy lifestyle before the holidays start.
I’m dreading all of the holiday goodies! It’s always so difficult to just maintain in this season, let alone try to get healthier. Hopefully, I can get settled into the routine before all the holiday celebrations begin :).
Don’t you love how God keeps growing and shaping us? You’re an inspiration, Candace … keep lookin’ up, girl!
He is amazing :). I’m glad I finally see that after years of questioning. Thanks so much for your encouragement, Linda!
It was a disaster for me too. I pounded down like 20 Hershey kisses one night. I swore I was going to have 1. Thank you for the tip on listening to The Bible. I have tried to read the whole thing as well, and for many of your same reasons I stop. Finding the time right now is my challenge, so listening while doing the cleaning or cooking would be awesome! Thank you! So proud of you for going back to church! Wish you could come to mine! I want to go everyday.
Hi Veronica! I so wish I could go to your church too :). I subscribed to the podcast but haven’t had a chance to listen to any yet. I’m excited about the audio Bible. I agree how nice it will be to listen while cleaning, cooking… Multitasking at its finest!
Don’t beat yourself up about the Hersheys. Just get them out of the house and move on. I guess I need to take my own advice there. I’m still catching myself dipping into my son’s bag. Much love to you, my friend!
Candace your plan is brilliant! It merges total body wellness as well as emotional and spiritual wellness. We can’t just fix the symptoms, we have to address and fix the root of the problem. Good luck my friend on this journey!
P.S.Going to need to look into this app!
Thank you, Jen! Now I just need to put it all into action at the same time. I’m an awesome planner, but not the greatest at follow through. These monthly updates really hold me accountable though.
Definitely check out the app! It’s free :).
I can remember the issues I had with reading the bible myself. What I finally figured out is I needed to start in the New testament. Learn about it then go back to the beginning. When I did that it was a life changing experience for me.. because then I understood so much better everything in it. Good luck with all of your goals..
That’s a great tip! I read the 4 gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John first, which made me feel a little more competent :). It definitely helped me want to read and learn more.
Sounds like a great plan! Thanks for sharing your struggle here- your story inspires me to make some changes in this area. Well written and encouraging post! Thank you!
I think most of us could use some changes in our health habits. I think this is such a tough area to stay consistent in. We can all support each other :). Thanks for your encouragement, Karen!
Bravo for you! My daughter struggles with a food addiction–and it just breaks my heart (first it was orthorexia, then bulimia and now an addiction to food). What I’ve learned through this process is that the only one who can really help (as much as I’d like to think it’s me) is God–a person deciding to lean on him and call on his power to make changes. That’s my prayer for my daughter.
You are so right, Anita! As much as we want to help others or make these changes within ourselves, God is “the only one who can really help.” I’m so sorry your daughter has been through all of those horrifying food issues. I know that must be incredibly difficult for you to watch and her to deal with. Praying for you both! I have beat many addictions in my lifetime but food has been the longest and most difficult struggle.
Sounds like you are doing great! Halloween candy in the house calls to me, but I know I feel better when I stay away from sugar. It really is a daily battle!
It truly is something we must fight every day, Sarah. Sugar is in everything and the more I eat, the more I crave. I really need to clean it out of the house! That Halloween candy is still calling out to me too :).
Sugar is one of my downfalls and we just had to not have any sweets in the house. I love what you said about eating more of what God gave us and not what man gave us. I”m learning so much from what you have had to deal with in your life Candace. Thank you for sharing.
I think so many of us struggle with sugar, Tammy. It seems to be the “acceptable” addiction, but it really wreaks havoc on our bodies and minds. It has been the toughest of my many addictions to kick. I completely agree with you about keeping it out of the house. I really need to clean out my pantry soon to find success here.
I know the struggle with food too well. We were made to crave Him. I know this with all my heart but the struggle is still there. Thank you for sharing your journey, Candace. I need to give that reading through the Bible a try again too. Prayers lifted for you. xoxo
Thank you for the prayers, Beth. I know you really get it :). Food can be associated with so much pain for some of us. I’m excited about finally reading through the Bible. It has been at the top of my bucket list for a while now. I would love for you to join me in that venture!
Oh, I will pray for you to continue! You are on the right path of being consistent in church and in God’s Word. I need to get back on the treadmill and listen to God’s Word while I walk too!
I love to multitask :)! It makes me feel so productive. I’m having a hard time getting started as I’ve been a little sidetracked this past week, but I’m hoping to start today. Thanks so much for the prayers, Tammy!
Good for YOU Candace!!!! I am SO proud of you for taking these faithful steps in allowing God into this journey of growth and freedom from something that is holding you captive. I used to walk ALL the time while listening to bible teachings from my church on cd. It was my prayer time, my truth time, my faith filled time and I treasured it so deeply. I haven’t been able to because of an injury- but it IS the best multi-tasking thing EVER!!
Keep filling yourself with Him, my friend. And I am JUST the same about the bible- I need the help of others who are blessed with the gift of wisdom to help me understand all of what God is sharing with his children through His Word.
Thanks for the encouragement, Chris! I’m sorry to hear about your injury. I hope you are in a healing stage. Many prayers for you, my friend.
I’m blessed with a husband that knows a great deal about the Bible. He is very helpful and saves me a lot of frustration :). I’m glad you have people to help you with this important task too. It makes reading and study time so much easier!