Kathi's Story of Recovery

Life before COR Retreat was one of constant confusion and frustration. I knew I had a problem with food but simply could not figure out how to deal with it. My life from the outside looked really good; I had everything I thought I ever wanted but on the inside I was suffering. I didn’t really know how to care for myself. I did not believe that I could or should share my feelings with anyone. My eating was escalating and I hated myself for it.

I was lonely, I was sad, I had given up on finding an answer and I was working on just trying to accept myself the way that I was. I weighed over 300 lbs, with physical pain from arthritis, having heart palpitations, waking up gasping for breath during the night and beginning to feel that I might die soon if something didn’t change.

I found COR Retreat by watching a TV show that briefly featured a residential eating disorder treatment center. I wasn’t aware of such a thing! That led me to an internet search which lead me to COR Retreat. When I found COR Retreat I knew I had to go.

I arrived at COR Retreat feeling scared about what it would be like, but also scared that this too would fail just as all of the previous diets, hypnosis, counseling, fasting, exercising, etc. had failed.

Thankfully COR Retreat was different. I was with a group of people who were in exactly the same situation I was in. We learned that what was going on with us was a disease! Not that we were lazy or lacked willpower or were stupid; that we have a physical disease but also the mental disease of obsession. We learned that there was a way to manage this problem and heard so many powerful stories from people in recovery from Compulsive Overeating, Anorexia or Bulimia -- all the ways we’ve tried to use food to try to control our lives. We were able to put food in its proper place, using it simply as fuel for our bodies.

We got abstinent together during our time at COR Retreat. We learned about recovery and were able to work on Steps 1, 2 and 3 as well as practice meditation, and a daily inventory. We were supported in finding a temporary sponsor before we left, encouraged to build a support system, and had a food plan in place to start us off on the right path.

Once I returned home, I found a wonderful 12-step recovery group with real recovery going on. These people have become my mentors and friends, and have shown me that long-term recovery is possible.  I began working the program and have discovered that I need to be patient with myself. I didn’t “get it” all right away and I still struggle with some of it. The main thing is that I continue to work the program as best I can and plan to stick with it because it DOES work! I see it clearly in others but have been able to see the promises come true even for ME! I never expected that.

Kathi before and after COR Retreat

After two years I am free of 75 lbs and I am able to move and breathe with greater ease. Better yet, I am free of the self-hatred, confusion and frustration that came with trying for over 30 years to figure out why I couldn’t handle my eating. I am amazed and delighted to be free from the constant obsession around food. I feel safer in my body, safer to be by myself and safer out in the world. I have times (for the first time in my life) that I feel like perhaps I DO have something to contribute in a discussion, or in a situation, or in general. I feel more confident, and happier overall. According to my husband, I seem to be more able to enjoy being in the moment. I’m not worrying about where my next treat/snack/meal will come from, how I will hide it, where to put the evidence, and so on.

The best thing is that I have real hope now. I have hope that I am finally moving closer to my goal of living with integrity that I set for myself a long time ago. I am grateful to be developing a real relationship with a Higher Power that is always available and always looking out for me. I am grateful to have better relationships with others and especially with myself.

It’s not always easy, but I can choose to do this today and I have the support of new friends in my life who totally “get me” and a Higher Power who wants to connect with me and help me heal!

Life is good! Thank you COR Retreat!

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 Beautiful McIver Center

  • McIver Center Exterior
  • McIver Center Wayzata, MN
  • McIver Center
  • McIver Center Room Photos
  • McIver Center COR retreat

Stories of Hope

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

Yolanda
See how Yolanda lost over 150 pounds after attending COR Retreat and working the 12 steps.   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 70 pounds within 8 months of attending COR Retreat. Read More »

Bill
See how Bill created a more manageable life and lost over 100 pounds within six months of attending COR Retreat and working the 12 steps.   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 »

Chris
Read how Chris has lost over 100 pounds since attending COR Retreat, and is now living a life he always wanted.   Read More »

Alissa
See how Alissa found abstinence through the 12 steps at COR Retreat, and lost nearly 50 pounds in 13 months following the program. Read More »

Alex
Read about how Alex overcame a cunning and baffling sugar addiction and compulsive eating problem after he attended COR Retreat in Minnesota.   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 »

Linda Lou
Learn about Linda Lou's struggles with physical ailments and how COR Retreat improved her health, weight and quality of life.   Watch the Video »

Kathi
See how Kathi has worked the 12 step program of recovery and lost 75 pounds since attending COR Retreat.    Read More »

Kari
Learn about Kari's rollercoaster ride on her journey of recovery from food addiction, and how COR Retreat has given her a fresh start.   Read More »

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