Soaking It In Gaining recovery can be compared to making pickles. If I put a cucumber into a brine solution, soaking it consistently and continuously, then gradually and inevitably it becomes a pickle. So it is with recovery. Even if I’m afraid to get a sponsor and work the Twelve Steps, I can still accomplish quite a bit just by going to meetings. … Read More
Me Changing Me “I’ve prayed healing prayers for people who are ill, and I’ve prayed for guidance in being able to grocery shop without buying the wrong items. My weight loss results from actions I am willing to take, not from asking God to remove my fat or help me lose weight” (Voices of Recovery, p. 318). I can’t pray for weight loss … Read More
Fixed Design I went to my first meeting twelve days ago. I have loved the lifeline of daily conversation with my sponsor and the introspection from daily tasks that really help me stay mindful and clean. I have been asking for spiritual help for the last eight years. God has been guiding me, and today, I have a much more open, loving, … Read More
Necessary Steps I came to the West Coast broken in spirit, ashamed, and depressed. Last year I lost another 132 pounds (60 kg) and regained more than 80 pounds (36 kg) of it. This was common practice for me, a yo-yo cycle that had lasted more than fifty years. My mother died of diabetes and heart failure caused by obesity. Watching her … Read More
More to Me I’ll start with an example of how distorted my thinking was when I first came to OA, even with Step One: “Of course my life had become unmanageable—but how could I be powerless over food? I’m an anorexic. Food is the only thing in my life I’ve had power over.” That didn’t sound quite right, so then I got to … Read More
Titanic Transformation “I hate meetings!” I exclaimed when it was my turn to share. “But I know I need to be held accountable, and I think OA is where I should be.” I was disgusted with myself for the umpteenth time in my life. Over the last three years, I had gained back 36 of the 82 pounds (16 of 37 kg) … Read More
Life-Changer She was awakened by the pain in her knee. Gingerly, she swung her legs out of bed. The distance to the floor was shorter since she had taken the legs off the bed to help her climb in more easily. Leaning on her walking stick, she went downstairs to the kitchen. She took her medication as she did faithfully every … Read More
Give Love A Chance When I attended my first OA meeting, I was beyond nervous, and I was overwhelmed with debilitating shame. Overweight since age 7, I had tried every diet and magical fix available. Each failure chipped away at what little self-esteem I had, and the “mean girl” in my head would remind me that I was worthless and ultimately unlovable. As I … Read More
One Meeting A light bulb went on in my head. I got it! After reading the Twelve Steps, I realized my stress and my worries were causing my overeating. Now I put all of that in God’s hands. I don’t worry anymore. It’s wonderful! It’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I now get Lifeline, and I’m very aware … Read More
Newcomer Welcome Team Finally, my schedule allows me to go to the best meeting in town. I’m about to browse the literature table when I see a large man, with matted hair on his head and a bush of frowzy facial hair, standing just inside the meeting room. Today’s weather is sunny and bright, but he is buttoned up in a bulky, full-length … Read More