My success story did not begin when I entered the door into Brenda's office at Ways to Wellness. It was actually the beginning of yet another form of healing that needed to take place on my journey. I had experienced many traumatic experiences in my life that led to more than one form of unhealthy behaviors, one of them being an addiction to food.

As many individuals with addictions to food: I had some brighter periods in my life in which I had lost sizable amounts of weight, only to gain them back and more. Four years ago I hit rock bottom. I realized just how unhealthy my life had become in mind, body and spirit. To be truly whole one must be healthy in all three.

A healing journey

I began my healing journey with an emphasis on healing my mind and spirit. I came to a point at which I knew that although this had helped tremendously, my healing journey would not be complete without healing the body as well. Part of this journey was to overcome my addiction to food. I could not have reached this part of my journey without having begun to heal my mind and spirit.

I had lost more than 20 pounds when I began my journey with my Wellness Coach Brenda Navin. When I entered her office in August 2007, I weighed 261 pounds and am now down 94 pounds and 7 sizes. The reason I know that my weight loss will be successful this time is because I look at my journey differently than I did in the past.

A new attitude

In the past I thought of my weight loss strictly as a diet. If I wanted to eat something I knew I shouldn't, I would just shrug my shoulders and say, "I can get back on track tomorrow." This time when I go to reach for food between meals, I stop and ask myself if I am about to eat this because I am hungry or because it will bring comfort for something else happening in my life. If I find the answer is for comfort, I walk away and find something else to do. I also know that my healing journey will be something I must continue the rest of my life. The more I focus on healing, the more joy and peace I find in my life.

I know that anyone can come to the place of healing that I have, you just need to seek out people who can support you. Ways to Wellness has been one of places where I found someone who is willing to support me on my journey of healing.

Thank you Brenda and all the staff members of Ways to Wellness!