Kari's Story of Recovery

Kari Before COR Retreat

My life before COR Retreat was a constant roller coaster ride with food and diets.  From the time I was a small child, I was always thinking about food and the comfort it gave me in all situations.  I loved it when I was happy, sad, lonely, mad or stressed.  It always helped me to feel numb and to not have to deal with my real emotions.  I was able to control my weight, for the most part, until I was about 25 by over exercising and restricting food at some points in my life.  At the age of 25, I went to my first Weight Watchers® Meeting.  I gained and lost the same 50-60 lbs over and over for the next 12 years.  As quickly as I could lose the weight in 3-6 months, I could also put it right back on in a few short months!  With each passing year, I continued to obsess more and more about food all day long.  I was as sick mentally about food as I was physically with my weight on a constant yo yo.  I couldn't understand why I could control all other parts of my life but I had no control when it came to my obsession with food. I saw a story about COR Retreat on a newscast one night and I felt as if they were speaking directly to me about food addiction.  I signed up immediately and was so excited to attend the retreat in October 2011.

Kari at COR Retreat

My experience at COR Retreat was absolutely life changing!  From the moment I walked in the front doors and was greeted by past COR alumni, I felt that I was home.  They welcomed me with open arms and showed me the way to a new life — a life free from the obsession with food.  I had 5 days to detox from sugar, white flour and my trigger foods.  I was able to set my old ideas aside about diet and nutrition, and be open to having a new mind.  I was able to work through the first 3 steps of recovery from food addiction while I was there.  I came to believe that I was powerless over food.  I also learned that food addiction is a disease process and has nothing to do with willpower. I found that there is a power greater than myself that can guide me down my spiritual journey.   COR has given me the gift of living the life I always dreamed of.  COR gave me the tools to a life that is manageable — a life that is happy, joyous and free!

Kari after COR Retreat

After leaving COR, I utilized all of the tools given to me (food plan, prayers and meditation, living by the 12 steps of recovery, attending support meetings, contact and fellowship with other people in my program, journaling and action plans). I have found a life filled with peace and serenity.  I continue to live my life one day at a time.  I work on making progress each day in my program and not focusing on perfection.  I have found a whole new life mentally, physically and spiritually.  My relationships with family and friends have become more positive as I continue to work on myself and learn to live within my own healthy boundaries.  Since leaving COR, I have lost 55 lbs.  My blood sugar, cholesterol, weight and BMI are in a very healthy range.  It feels amazing to be at my goal weight but it feels even better to have the obsession from food removed.  I now go back to COR each month and volunteer so I can help others who are still suffering.  I feel so blessed that COR saved my life and has given me a fresh start.

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

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.

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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