Testimonials

Ronna’s story: I stopped binging when I started saying No to others…

After the birth of our second daughter, it felt like my daily life was consumed by how much I weighed. I used to exercise a lot, so my “bad” eating habits didn’t really show up that much before. But with two little ones and a part-time job, there seemed to be a constant shortage of time.

As the stress got worse and I felt overwhelmed, I did what I always did – I ate. Sometimes a whole package of cookies would be gone and I wouldn’t even realize what had happened.

Then I’d feel guilty and try to eat less at meals or find the time to exercise. It seemed like I was either trying to diet and do everything right, or I was binging on junk food and feeling out of control.

By the time I met Ina, I felt pretty hopeless. During our work together, I realized that I tend to feel overly responsible for everybody’s well-being and I have a hard time saying No to people. I also discovered that I didn’t have a lot of self-esteem.

Under Ina’s guidance I learned to deal with my fear to be assertive. Today, I’m able to address the situations that can stress me out rather than reach for food.

Sometimes I can still slip into thinking I have to fix everything but my boundaries get better all the time. Paradoxically, now that I’ve stopped obsessing about food and my weight, I have dropped two dress sizes.

Learning to love myself is an ongoing process and I’m glad that I still have Ina’s support.

 

Tracy: When I found my courage, I realized it was never about needing more willpower…

I came to see Ina because I couldn't get a handle on my relationship with food. I'm an accomplished professional and I got to where I am today because I worked hard and had excellent self-discipline.

The one place where I didn't seem to have willpower was with food. I would be home alone at night and constantly go back and forth to the kitchen to get a snack, make myself dessert or have another treat. I wouldn't be able to stop until I would feel really full. Being so full felt good in some weird way and at the same time I would be disgusted with myself.

 Working with Ina helped me understand that underneath my feelings of frustration and shame, I was actually sad and afraid.

It was very helpful to have Ina's support and encouragement while I explored the various needs I hadn’t allowed myself to feel while I studied and got my degree.

I'm now able to see that I don't have to continue my family’s pattern of “all work and no play”. It is amazing to feel like I’m still a good person deserving of love when I’m having fun and doing something “frivolous” like taking singing lessons. With Ina’s guidance, I learned to silence the ever-present critical voices in my head.

Now, if I notice I’m making a third trip to the kitchen, I’m able to stop and figure out what it is that I really want in that moment.   Best of all, today I give myself permission to do something about it.

Thanks Ina for helping me find the courage to claim my own identity.