A Testimonial

Because I have a horrible habit of gaining weight when I travel, I frequently check my weight before I leave home so I can see "how bad it is" when I return. On this outing to the Santa Fe Intensive, I actually lost 10 pounds while I was away. Further, I have lost an additional 10 pounds since I returned. I don't seem to be "doing" anything to accomplish this. I pretty much eat whatever is at hand and sounds appealing at the time that I am hungry. Funniest thing though, I am rarely actually hungry and when I do eat, I only consume about one-half "fist-full." And foods that used to appeal to me no longer have much attraction. I find that if I crave anything, it seems to be a salad or piece of fruit. Obviously, my appetite is down and my desire to eat is down. I just don't want to eat very much. In examining this, I find there is another compulsive behavior which I have also abandoned and two others which don't hold much interest and, even if I get into them, don't hold my attention. I am reminded about what they say in AA, "it may not make you sober but it sure messes with your drinking." I haven't conquered all addictive behaviors but it is sure difficult to pursue them and pretend I am not acting out in an addiction! Inner Bonding and it's 6-Steps seems to be changing my life about as dramatically as it was changed when first began to pursue the 12-Steps of Recovery. It is influencing how I spend my time and whether I feel that an activity is actually "worth" my energy or would rather put my time on something different. People who know me remark that "something is different." People who see me say I am more calm, less driven. People who talk to me on the phone say there is a level of excitement in my voice they haven't heard before. I know that this is just a beginning for me. I know that this is all still new. I accept that some of this may be the "pink cloud" but it feels pretty solid and real. I think this is because instead of having a sense of having "given something up" I am feeling that I don't have a need for it anymore. No doubt you have heard all this many times before so the info probably isn't anything new. My purpose is to let you know that it is still happening and I am thrilled.

Marti Neal,Psychotherapist
Salem, Indiana