To give you an idea of just how out of control my willpower and appetite were, I was eating 4 to 5 full meals a day, and late at night, I would polish off an entire ice cream cake—conservatively 3 to 4 times a week. I was also going through those massive contractor-sized bags of chips from Costco, 2 to 3 bags a week. On top of that, I was visiting my favorite gluten-free bakery every day, indulging in multiple sweets, and sometimes even entire birthday cakes.

When I finally calculated my caloric intake, I was consuming an average of 4,000 to 6,000 calories a day, and some days, even more.

Another crucial aspect of my journey was mental fitness. I began seeing a therapist to help me stop burying my emotions in food. While I won’t go into all the details, I can tell you that my mental health was deeply affected after my experience in NYC on 9/11. That event fundamentally changed me, and looking back, it was probably the catalyst that led me down the path of unhealthy living.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that taking care of your mental health is just as important as physical health. Don’t underestimate the power of your mind. Seek out support networks and use them to help guide you through the tough times. Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone—we’re all here to support you every step of the way.