Tools & Concepts Sharing Stories By admin Posted on September 1, 2017 3 min read 0 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr Thank you for Lifeline magazine. My latest issue arrived two days ago, and, as always, it gave me insight, contact, Tools, and a feeling of connection. About fourteen years ago, I lived in Houston, Texas. I was sick of my obsessive eating behavior and sick of resorting to strict diets or fasts to make up for bingeing. I had heard about OA and seen the quiz with the Fifteen Questions on the oa.org website, questions to help determine whether one is a compulsive eater. I’d answered “yes” to all fifteen. I made my lucky phone call asking for help. I went to a couple of different OA groups. They worked for their members but did not feel right for me. Then I found a warm and loving group that felt like a comedy club. People shared serious issues and stories, but we often laughed out loud, and I just loved going to meetings. Then I moved to rural Scotland. The closest face-to-face meeting is over two hours away—so I rely on Lifeline to give me the sharing stories I so love in OA groups. Whenever I visit England or the United States, I look forward to going to meetings and actually being around other people who share my same problems. I still think of food obsessively, but by praying and refraining from eating my trigger foods (sugar and flour), I can stay abstinent. In OA, I am welcomed and accepted by people of many sizes and ages. We all share the same obsessions with food. I cannot eat like “normal” people, but I can stick to my eating plan and no longer have to stop eating or use unhealthy diets. Thank you to all who share in Lifeline and OA meetings. — Constance W., Alyth, Scotland