Food Addict
Hi. I’m Chrisetta. I’m a food addict.
Hi Chrisetta.
I’ve abused food my entire life. One of my worst food abuse memories: Piling up a plate with four homemade ground beef tacos, Mexican rice, and refried beans topped with melted cheese. A drink laden with sugar would wash down the highly caloric meal. Shortly, after consuming all the fats and sugars, I’d find myself nodding off to sleep. Since I was at home (I never would be seen in public eating this way), I wouldn’t fight the feeling. Instead, I’d go to bed on a full, very full stomach.
The years and years of abuse caught up to me, my weight had reached a mortifying 388 pounds, and my health became a concern. I was having trouble breathing and walking. Fed up – I decided enough is enough.
Unlike a drug or alcohol problem with food you have to still use. There’s no putting down the fork. Rather, I’ve had to confront my addiction – one bite at a time.
First, I made a commitment to myself. I understood the gravity of beating my addiction and I figured it best to sign a contract with myself. Next, the hardest part — create a new relationship with food. I had to change the way I think about food. How I interact with food. And, of course, I had to change the types of foods I eat and how I prepare them.
Not to overwhelm myself, I started with small changes. No to sugary drinks. Yes to water. Bye-bye boxed, processed food. Hello, meals from scratch. My relationship with food is ever changing and my food choices today look quite different than when I started kicking the habit.
I’m proud to say, I have successfully created a healthy relationship with food. I respect food and honor my body. I no longer overeat, nor do I eat when I’m not hungry. Today, I eat to fuel my body, not my emotions.
After years, of retraining myself I now enjoy food without abusing it. I prepare 99 percent of my meals from scratch at home using fresh, whole foods. I also channel my love for food by sharing with the community: Teaching cooking classes and writing cookbooks.
Thank you, Chrisetta.
Chrisetta Mosley
I am a product – and now a survivor – of childhood obesity. As a child, my family always told me that my extra weight was merely baby fat and I’d eventually grow out of it. I never did. Instead, my childhood is filled with memories of not being able to ride a bike, flattening its training wheels from being over the recommended weight, and avoiding P.E. classes by any means necessary. For years, I wore my fatness like a wounded soldier wears a Purple Heart - with pride. I owned the look. I dressed it up. I worked the room. There wasn't a skinny girl who intimidated me. I made sure my hair was laid just right. Nails polished. Outfits coordinated to the tee. Accessories to compliment every outfit. But everyone has a breaking point, and mine came in the spring of 2004 when I tipped the scale at nearly 400 pounds 388 to be exact. I was MISERABLE trapped inside of that body. I no longer wore my Purple Heart with pride. Rather, I was ashamed and frightened. Ashamed that I had allowed food to become my everything – frightened I would die because of it. Drastic times called for drastic measures... Today, I’m bound and determined to live a better, healthier, active lifestyle. I realize I’m no longer a passenger in my life, I’m the driver. I’m overcoming my inhibitions and I’m slowly but surely saying farewell to my old childhood nemesis, obesity. For once and for all, Farewell Fatso!