We're celebrating recovery all this week on Today in St. Louis.
Recovery from addictions you may not realize people struggle with day after day. We’re taking a look at food addiction and how one local assistant principal battled back and how you can, too.
At Jennings High School, Dr. Miranda Ming is a constant motivator and positive influence in the lives of students.
It’s one of the many hats she wears as assistant principal, but what her students don't realize is that Dr. Ming struggles everyday with food. She hides it well under a bright smile and positive attitude.
Dr. Ming pointed to a wall in her office covered in running numbers from dozens of races she’s competed in, "you need reminders everywhere when you're a food addict and your office is in the cafeteria."
Food has always been a friend for Dr. Ming.
"I think it takes you a while in your life to be able to come out say that you're a food addict. Food was everything. I’m a stress eater. I have a lot of anxiety because I put pressure on myself. I wanted to be the first to own a home in my family, I wanted to be the first to graduate college, I wanted to be the first to get a PHD. You put so much pressure on yourself and this is the one thing, the one happy place that you have control over," she explained.
Lauren Zehnle is an addiction psychologist and says people become addicted to food just like they do to drugs and alcohol.
"You can take anything too far when it becomes something that causes problems in your life. A lot of people start using food to sort of anesthetize or sort of cope with negative feelings like stress anxiety or depression," explained Zehnle.
Zehnle says food addiction can also be associated with eating disorders such as Binge Eating Disorder or Body Dysmorphic Disorder. She says some of her patients plan for their binges days in advance. Zehnle stresses people living with food addiction don’t all look the same. They can be overweight, underweight or presumably at a healthy weight. These people often lead productive, successful lives while struggling with food. She says the negative stigma surrounding it silences people from talking about this very real addiction.
She says sugary, high-fat foods trigger the reward system in our brain that leaves us wanting more.
"It gives us that feel good and I think we kind of chase that high," explained Zehnle.
For Dr. Ming, it took realizing her health was seriously suffering to make a change.
“I had gained 40 pounds in about 2 months and was really at my lowest point," said Dr. Ming.
Dr. Ming found a partner and friend in her journey towards weight loss and fighting her addiction. That person is the Principal at Jennings High School, Dr. Rhonda Key.
Dr. Key said, "I have a craving for fruit snacks, so when they buy these fruit snacks for me, she hides them. So that works for me because if she did not hide those fruit snacks I would eat them."
Dr. Key used to be 300 pounds. A picture of her former self hangs in her office.
"I keep that up there for motivation," explained Dr. Key.
It’s the same reason why Dr. Ming has her running numbers hanging in her office.
"You have to have reminders of why you stay balanced and what you really want out of your life," smiled Dr. Ming.
Even though Dr. Ming is no longer 225 pounds, she fights the urges often. She only eats a handful of her cheat food Cheetos and gives the rest to her students. It’s not easy. But just like she coaches her students, she coaches herself.
"If you don't like something, you have all the tools around you. You just have to reach out and grab them," smiled Dr. Ming.
If you are struggling with food addiction and are looking for help click here.
