Elizabeth's Story of Recovery

I grew up in a German family big on meat and potato meals. You also ate everything on your plate or you did not leave the table.

My Dad and I ate a large bowl of ice cream with Hershey’s chocolate syrup every night. It was something special with my Dad and I—our ice cream time together. A neighbor introduced me to “fun size” candy bars and always sent me home with Andes candies. As I got older, I got more and more plump—hormones and candies catching up with me.

Elizabeth before food addiction recovery

Ice cream comforted and soothed me. Even when I became lactose intolerant, there was always dairy free ice cream. As an adult, I developed anxiety and depression. Loved ones became ill and passed from this world. I wore myself out worrying about the future rather than living in the present. Sugar offered temporary emotional comfort and satisfaction, but that satisfaction often turned into despair and self-loathing. I could not get enough ice cream—I ate until I felt sick and yet I did not want to stop even then. At this bottom point I knew I needed help. I had asked my Dr. for help in the past and was told, “You know what you should and should not eat.”  I looked up out of control eating online and found COR Retreat. I thought what have I got to lose?

I lost the feeling of being alone. COR Retreat taught me I had a disease—compulsive overeating and sugar addiction. There were others like me! I learned what the Dr. could not teach me, how to have boundaries with food. I found the support I needed and was looking for. I could forgive myself—I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Alone I was powerless, but with COR support I had a strength that I never had before. I wanted to get well and now had the hope it was possible. The 12-step program helped me heal my body, mind and heart. I learned that food is nourishment for my body—not meant to comfort me. I ate because I was too weak to face my problems—instead I ate through them. I learned I don’t have to be perfect. I just need to get through one day, one meal at a time and now I confront problems head on.

Elizabeth successful food addiction recovery

I wanted what the COR speakers had. They all had this aura of serenity about them. I thought, you were like me once, filled with anxiety and you experienced insanity around your eating?

What I gained from my COR experience is far more than weight loss. I gained a priceless serenity and a COR family of support. I will never walk this journey alone again. COR Retreat is life changing.

Testimonials

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.

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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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