Question of the Month

I was “high” on Ozempic, and therefore absolutely not hungry, but still unable to stop eating a sickly sweet dessert. I ate the whole pie – I knew there was a problem!
I would commonly refer to this problem as the “I wanna’s”.. because basically I wanted what I wanted.. when I wanted it.. and I was a fine example of self-will run riot.
OA and the Twelve Steps are the only thing that has ever been able to combat the mental twist of the “I wanna’s”.
And today, I’m gratefully maintaining an approximate 200 pound weight release because I continue to live in the Steps.. one day at a time.

-Anonymous

I have to be honest and say I always knew I was a compulsive overeater. As a young girl I
always felt different; fat, ugly, stupid. I tried every diet club but I was always miserable, sad and
lonely. 20 years ago I was watching a program on TV about people who have addictions called
Intervention. I knew I was just like the people on the show but I had a problem with food. I then
searched online, “A.A. for food,” that is how I found OA. As a newcomer what solidified my
addiction to food and belonging was hearing the stories and shares of other compulsive
overeaters. Today, I know who I am; I am a food addict. I know I am part of the pack and I
know that recovery and my HP is part of the puzzle pieces of my life. When I put my recovery
first I am a complete puzzle. Thank you program and HP.

– Deb B. AZ (she/her)

I resisted going to OA for more than one year, eventhough I knew I had a problem. In my insane mind, I knew that twelve steps meant releasing control as I was in another fellowship. And I thought, if I release control my bingeing is going to get much worst. I’m already desperately trying to control my bingeing every day. There is just no way I can hand it over cause it will be a free for all. In hindsight, this was crazy thinking but this absolutely made sense to me at the time. So I resisted. Then I just decided to go, and I completely broke down in that first meeting. All of the pressure that had been building for over one year of uncontrollable bingeing after a lifetime of restricting just released. I knew I was home!

– Val B

I felt a lot of shame about my body and the way I ate. A friend took me to my first OA meeting.

– Anonymous

I knew I had a problem when I would continue to buy my binge Foods time and time again after pledging to myself I wouldn’t. Then I would eat some and put them away in the pantry behind things hoping that would help me not eat them. I reached out to my sister who was in OA and she made my first abstinent meal…some steamed cut fresh veggies and some protein. Then I went to my first OA meeting and I felt scared yet connected to you all in the meeting that first night.

– Shari

For me I keep it simple, I was dying my sugar kept getting crazier my heart and blood pressure was so high and I just got fatter. My doctor said I recommend weight loss surgery and I said what about OA? She said give it a shot. So I did and 5 ½ years later I am much better then I was but I still have 80 pounds left to lose. Everyday my HP gives me another day I try and live one moment at a time! Keep on trucking

– LJ