Cindy's Story of Recovery

My transformational journey of recovery began on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. My life changed the moment I stepped foot into COR Retreat, a food recovery program in Wayzata, MN. I am amazed at the positive changes in my life over the past year.

In August 2022, a simple, routine outpatient medical procedure “took a turn for the worse.” My Type 2 diabetes was out of control and my blood sugar went over 400. It was a complicated situation on many levels and the reality of my excess weight causing multiple, serious health issues became clear as I was hospitalized and would face ongoing complications, need time to heal and much effort to rehabilitate. For years, my morbid obesity was wreaking havoc upon my mental and physical health. I suffered from low self-esteem and felt hopeless. I had been diagnosed with PCOS-Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Type 2 Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Disorder, Sleep Apnea, Fibromyalgia, High Cholesterol, Chronic inflammation and other rheumatologic health concerns. This was a wakeup call for me on how my out of control and compulsive overeating habits were negatively affecting my life, overall health and wellbeing.

Before 12 Step Food Addiction Recovery

I have always been a spiritual person. I am active in my church and have invested a lot of time and energy working with youth ministry. My experiences at COR and ENCOR have allowed me to grow even more spiritually. I did not know this was necessary for me to find my way out of the fog of food addiction. I have shifted and stretched my belief system and am learning to nurture (tend to) my own self-love and self-care. I am inspired to improve my overall wellness and I connect with my fellows for support and camaraderie. I not only ask for help, I accept it and pay it forward, faith into action through service to others. Recovery is holistic for me and involves my mind, my body and my soul.

I have lost 90 pounds. I have gained even more mentally, emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually. As the numbers on the scale have decreased, my connection to others has increased. I have made friends who understand and support me, I work with a sponsor and am ready and willing to sponsor another woman in the program. My relationships with my HP (Higher Power), family, friends, coworkers and my community have improved. I am clear and present, no more food binges and hangovers. I am quicker to recognize when I fall into “stinkin’ thinkin’” and am able to replace this with optimism, gratitude and words of affirmation. I meditate daily. I am a part of my WE community, “WE admitted we were powerless over food, that our lives had become unmanageable”. WE are no longer alone, isolated and desperate. WE share our experiences, the seriousness of our ED (Eating Disorder). WE help each other understand how to move forward, each day towards better health and connection. WE no longer isolate.

I, along with my team of doctors, are amazed and overjoyed with current test results indicating dramatically improved health and reversal of specific diseases. My cholesterol is within normal range; previously 391 now 84. Regarding my diabetes, my HGB A1C went from 10.8 to 5.6. I no longer require an insulin pump or any other diabetic medications including insulin or Metformin. My blood pressure averages 110/60, I no longer suffer from sleep apnea and my inflammation is resolved. I have increased energy and stamina. I am motivated to move and exercise intentionally. I walk 3- 5 miles per day without joint pain or shortness of breath. I feel lighter, free from the bondage that is food addiction.

Successful Food Addiction Recovery including diabetes reversal
I recognize that I cannot walk this journey of recovery alone. I must fully rely on God through daily surrender and action. I know I am only one bite away from relapse; so, I take my abstinence seriously!

None of this is by chance or coincidence; it is truly a “God-cidence”. It is a miracle and an answered prayer! It requires turning my life over completely to God. God led me to COR. COR provided vital information, the resources and tools to work the 12 Steps and welcomed me into a support group who are there for me on my best days and my hard days too. I see God’s hand in all of this and know I could have never done this on my own. By trusting my Higher Power and applying the tools of this program with clarity, honesty, and intentionality, my perceptions, beliefs, behaviors, and way of living have drastically changed. I choose to weigh and measure abstinent foods with no added sugars, or flour, I am learning boundaries which keep me safe. Boundaries in all areas. I am a new person, as a result of COR and ENCOR. I work this program one moment at a time, one step at a time, and one day at a time…”Just for Today”. This is a spiritual program which teaches us the process of pausing, surrendering and living in the present moment. I am so happy to be here.

 

About COR Retreat
COR Retreat is a residential retreat program that teaches a way to live free from the obsession with food through a 12 step program. COR Retreats are 5-day programs, scheduled each month at the McIver Center in Wayzata, MN.

Learn more about the COR Retreat Experience, and register online to attend an upcoming retreat

The McIver Center

  • The McIver Center, Wayzata, MN
  • The McIver Center, Wayzata, MN
  • The McIver Center, Wayzata, MN
  • The McIver Center, Wayzata, MN
  • The McIver Center, Wayzata, MN

COR Retreat participants spend five days and four nights together at the McIver Center for Spiritual Development at The Retreat in Wayzata, MN. The McIver Center is located just 15 minutes west of Minneapolis, MN.

COR Retreat Philosophy

COR Retreat Experience

COR Retreat Daily Schedule

Stories of Hope

Cindy
Read Cindy's story about her 90 pound weight loss and the improvement of many health conditions including diabetes after COR Retreat.    Read More »

Chris
Read how Chris has lost over 300 pounds since attending COR Retreat, and is now living a life he always wanted.   Read More »

Elizabeth
Learn how Elizabeth gained peace and serenity around food while improving her weight and health.    Read More »

Jackie
See how Jackie greatly improved her health, including sleep apnea, GERD and other health conditions after attending COR Retreat and working the 12 step program.    Read More »

Kathryn
See how Kathryn lost over 50 pounds and resolved numerous health issues after attending COR Retreat and working the 12 step program.    Read More »

Roger
Learn how Roger released 150 pounds and freed himself from the bondage of food after attending COR Retreat.    Read More »

Vicki
Read how Vicki was able to achieve abstinence from both food and alcohol using the 12 step method of recovery taught to her at COR Retreat.    Read More »

Amanda
Amanda shares her 100+ pound weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery and attending COR Retreat in Minnesota to learn the 12-step method of recovery.    Read More »

Christine
Read how Christine found inner peace with food after attending COR Retreat, and has since lost 88 pounds in 11 months.    Read More »

Geoffrey
See how Geoffrey was able to gain control of his life and his overeating habits after attending COR Retreat. Watch the Video »

Mary
See how Mary was able to gain control of her life, save her marriage and lose 175 pounds after attending COR Retreat and working the 12 steps with her sponsor. Watch the Video »

Kari
Hear how Kari achieved an 80 pound weight loss in one year by recovering from food addiction with the help of COR Retreat, changing her lifestyle and working the 12 steps with a sponsor.    Watch the Video »

Angel
See how Angel worked the 12 steps to overcome food addiction and see how she lost 100 pounds since attending COR Retreat.    Read More »

Mike
See how Mike found abstinence after attending COR Retreat, and achieved happiness in his life by working the 12 steps.    Read More »

View all Stories