Overeater's Anonymous

I came to OA spiritually bankrupt.  I thought that I had to make the world revolve and it had to revolve around me.  I didn't believe in any higher power than myself.  On the surface my life looked wonderful, but if I dared look at myself, I saw what a mess I was, so that ME as higher power was a disaster!

I came to OA and took the first step easily.  I knew I was a mess, but step 2 and three were tough.  I doubted anyone could help me better than I could help myself--even with the caos I'd created staring me down!!  I couldn't believe anyone had good intentions for me, since I could barely love myself.  But, the truth that I wasn't ANYONE'S higher power slowly became evident (such a hard head!). I desperately wanted there to be something greater than myself someplace.  I needed something I could turn to in moments of crisis.  Coming to the rooms week after week, having strangers  welcoming me with no conditions, loving and supporting me in spite of my flaws and remembering in times past, difficult moments when I wasn't left to wither and die, I clearly saw the goodness and spirituality that existed outside myself, this nebulous concept  which I began to recognize as my higher power.

I no longer doubt--even in my worst moments.  I know that HP is ALWAYS  right next to me.  I don't always chose to listen or acknowledge this fact, but I know it is a fact.  I know what I have to do to stay in tune with my HP, even though it can be hard work, but I realize that it's much worse not doing the work.  Life is richer, clearer and just plain ol'  better when I work the third step than living in the pit I used to call life.

~Patricia~
Overeaters Anonymous MSSG.Board:
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhivhovereat/

Dear oooocassiesmamaoooo

you can go to the URL below and find the 12 steps

http://www.therecoverygroup.org/steps/12stepeng.html

These originally were the 12 steps for AA, but many groups have borrowed them and "worked" them to find peace and serenity.

In OA we strive for abstinence.  For me abstinence is no binging, avoiding certain trigger foods and living by the 12 steps.  I haven't "dieted" because OA is not a diet club, instead, OA focuses on what's "inside" and helps to bring out the best in each one of us.  Like I said, I didn't diet, but I lost the weight and most importantly, I became a better (less demented) person!!!!  I haven't binged or eaten any of my trigger foods in 4 years and I'm soooooo much calmer and happier than I've ever been.  But I have to keep at it, because when I'm not, that stupid compulsion slowly tries to creep back.  But the best part of working the steps is that you just have to work them one day at a time!!

I try to work the steps into every aspect of my life and have miraculous turned my life around.  Every morning I "work" the first three steps and meditate a few minutes.  I also go to face to face meetings (which I haven't lately and these absences weaken my program) where all people there understand my obsession with food, because they're either compulsive overeaters, bulimics or anorexics--all obsessed with food as well.

We have a Friday chat here at OA in iVillage.  It's at 12 noon Eastern Time (9 AM, my time).  Just come to the OA page and find where it says JOIN US IN CHAT.  Click OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS and it will connect you with the chat.  I'm there every Friday, if you can come, we can talk more about the 12 steps and I can explain them a little better.

Please keep coming back--we really care here, sweetie because we've been there :o)

HUGS!!

~Patricia~
Overeaters Anonymous MSSG.Board:
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhivhovereat/

Thank you!

I am going to begin this journey, I need to.