My name is Debbie Danowski and I'd like to welcome you to my website. The main purpose of this site and my books, The Overeater’s Journal, Why Can't I Stop Eating? , Locked Up For Eating Too Much, and The Emotional Eater's Book of Inspiration, is to educate people about weight loss and food addiction. For 23 years of my life, I suffered from severe obesity. I had no idea how to stop eating even though it was my greatest desire to do so.
Before I discovered the concept of physical and emotional addiction to food, my life was miserable. Reaching a top weight of 328 pounds, I spent most of my time thinking about food, planning to eat it and eating it. My whole life revolved around food and eating. All that mattered to me was when I could eat next.
When I woke up in the morning, my first thoughts were about what I could eat for the day and it only got worse from there. Each day I promised myself that I would start a diet and lose weight, yet I would barely make it through the morning without overeating. I had tried nearly every diet available and nothing worked for me. My life was out of control and I felt completely overwhelmed by my inability to stop eating.
Even worse than the weight I carried around was the constant humiliation and shame that I felt every minute of every day. I hated myself for being so fat and I was completely humiliated that I couldn't control something as seemingly simple as my eating habits.
My entire life changed when I discovered the concept of food addiction. For once in my life, I knew what it meant to be full and satisfied. I discovered that I have a physical and emotional addiction to certain foods and that in order to live a normal, healthy life, I must abstain from eating them. At first, I was devastated by the idea that I would have to give up the food that I loved so much, but today I can honestly say that nothing in this world tastes as good as the new life I now have.
I am no longer afraid to walk down the street or go into public places. Today, with a normal size body, I know that I will not be teased mercilessly. I can think clearly. No longer are my days filled with thoughts of eating and food. In my life today, food has its place. It no longer rules my life. One of the greatest gifts I have is the ability to walk into a normal-sized clothes store and buy something right off the rack. My body can fit in chairs without breaking them and on amusement park rides without getting stuck. There are no words to express how wonderful my life is today.
I am telling you all of this to offer you hope. When I was overeating and felt completely powerless to stop, I didn't believe that the life I have today was possible. I am here to tell you that you can change your life. You can live a normal, healthy life without constantly thinking about food. Most of all, you must realize that you deserve to have the very best that life has to offer. Your life can change and you can make it happen.
To begin, why not take the quiz? While this will not guarantee to answer all of your questions, you will have some idea of where you stand regarding food.
© 2008 Debbie Danowski. All rights reserved.
Questions? Comments? E-mail Debbie Danowski.