by Rita Solomon, Roslyn, NY
It’s been 18 years since
I first attended Green Mountain’s program as a then 19 year old sophomore
in college. Today, I’m an attorney, wife and mom to
two young girls, and Green Mountain has changed all of our
lives.
Coming from a home where food was used to
quell emotions, to celebrate and commiserate, I only knew
how to diet or overeat. In my childhood home food was only
deep fried, high in fat or from a restaurant. Sadly every
child developed an eating disorder.
I’m so glad that
I made the choice to go to Green Mountain when I did. It
changed my whole life.
I learned how to lose weight without dieting or beating myself
up, but much better than that, I learned to think differently
about myself, how to balance my life (and work), and how
to never lose sight of my own needs, despite what was going
on.
I now walk almost every day. I have maintained
my goal weight for 12 years. I am able to make healthy choices
for myself and most importantly to teach my children how
to make healthy choices and how NOT to diet!!!
Looking back at the experience
I had as a teen now with my “mother eyes”, I see how my
kids benefit too – I can offer them a choice of strawberries
or strawberry ice cream, and most often they choose the strawberries,
since food is not polarized in our house between “good” or “bad” – it’s
just food. I can’t describe how this makes me feel – knowing
that I’ve saved my kids the stress of becoming obsessed
with food and weight and their bodies, especially having
2 girls.
Every day I see so many children and adults
yo-yo dieting and how miserable they are making themselves,
and I thank Thelma, Alan and the entire Green Mountain
staff for making Green Mountain a reality and for saving
my life!! Rita Soloman, Roslyn, NY
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