I have been maintaining an abstinent weight of 125 pounds (57 kg) since September 2015. My early life was what I’d call a perfect breeding ground for addiction: I grew up in an alcoholic home full of insanity, loud arguments that got my heart pounding, shame, abandonment, and no talk of a Higher Power at all. I remained hyper vigilant, turning …

I feel really connected to my God most of the time. And every so often, out of the blue, I get a message that moves my program and my recovery forward in leaps and bounds. It happened again yesterday while I was attending a marathon. At one point, we were invited to do an activity. On half a page, we …

Editors note: Below are two world service contributions from OA members in support of our Strategic Plan. When I first came to OA in 2005 at 275 pounds (125 kg), I thought I had the God thing down. Others might have trouble with the concept, but I had spent years studying theology, was working as a religious professional, and was …

My twenty-ninth birthday in OA is approaching, and it is cause for renewed reflection about my program. I spoke to my sponsor a week ago and mentioned to her that I was thinking of not taking a candle this year. Other OA members on their birthdays pitch about life changes: weddings, kids, jobs, financial gain, or acquisition of cars. I …

I have had a spiritual awakening as a result of working the Steps while being abstinent one day at a time. I know this because I am much different today than when I was either trying to control the food or else stuffing my face. The Big Book refers often to a spiritual experience or spiritual awakening; for me, that …

I am a completely different person today than when I came into food recovery in 2011. I think I am different on a cellular level. Why? Because I am no longer absorbed in food thoughts. My life for decades was directed by whether and what to eat. These thoughts occupied many hours each day! But until I came to OA …

Step Eleven—Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out. At a recent meeting, the topic for sharing was “What Step has been the most meaningful in your recovery?” As you can imagine, a dozen members presented a dozen …

“Our path in OA transcends weight loss and a return to emotional health.” — Seeking the Spiritual Path I have been in program for thirty-five years and I’m blessed with long-term recovery. I feel moved to write about my journey toward developing a relationship with a Higher Power. I’d grown up with a concept of a punishing, judgmental God I …

When I read “Our Invitation to You” (Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition, pp. 1–5), what comes to mind is this: “I have to act myself into right thinking; I cannot think myself into right action.” Because my disease centers in my mind, this slogan summarizes both the problem and the way out of the problem. I take certain actions daily, which …

Bill W., co-founder of AA, said, “We are people who normally would not mix. But there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful” (Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., p. 17). When I first came to OA, at 5 feet tall (152 cm) and 206 pounds (93 kg), I was 80 pounds (36 kg) overweight. …