Linda Lou's Story of Recovery

Linda Lou after COR Retreat United States Food Addiction Program After being diagnosed with hypoglycemia and wheat sensitivity in 1971, I made some changes and felt a bit better. It became the story of my life, I was always making adjustments to how I felt in the world by using drugs, alcohol and food because what I was feeling was clearly not "normal." In 1989 I got clean and sober and began my journey to heal my body, mind and spirit. Over the years I was told I had fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, osteoarthritis, liver disease, aortic valve problems, sleep apnea, had both hips replaced and the list goes on. I felt diet and nutrition would help me, so I studied and learned about healing foods. I began making progress over the years but could never really stick to the healthy eating habits I worked so hard to learn. I felt doomed to suffer with these intense cravings for certain foods and sweets.

As soon as I saw the news story about the COR Retreat, I knew this was the only thing left to do. All the diets and willpower only worked for awhile. COR Retreat became my safe haven from all the obsessive thoughts that were plaguing my mind about food. Sugar and my trigger foods were killing me slowly. Every day was a struggle just to walk and do everyday things that people take for granted. Arthritic pain was restricting me to near crippling proportions because of the inflammatory reactions I was having from the food I was eating. What a relief to finally surrender and ask for help. I was able to let go of the secret loathing about these relentless thoughts about food. Burt and Michelle were so understanding and kind when taking me through this five-day journey. They continue to be a great source of support to this day.

Linda Lou after COR Retreat United States Food Addiction Program My quality of life today is so much more than I expected. I've lost 40 pounds and started working out again. Many of my health issues have dropped away. My joint pain and range of motion have improved, my blood pressure medication has decreased by two thirds and my yearly trip to the hip specialist brought very reassuring news of improvement. My doctor stated, “I wish all my patients would do what you did!” I explained that I could not have done this alone. COR Retreat has given me the tried and true tools to overcome my obsession with food one day at a time. I will forever be grateful for my experience at the COR Retreat. I have been blessed with a new life. I have found a spiritual solution to a problem that couldn’t be solved by any human power.

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 »

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