Program Beauties Sensitivity to criticism is a character trait of mine that started early on. (It even appeared as a comment on my third grade report card.) I felt criticized at home and developed an oversensitivity to any comment from anyone. I still have a tendency to misperceive comments or questions as criticism and react defensively, with anger and resentment. In OA, … Read More
My Life Depends on You Recently, my schedule changed, so I had to change my weekly attendance to a different OA meeting. Sadly, the new meeting has been disappointing. The turnout is rarely more than five or six people. Sometimes, only two are there to get the meeting started, and several members show up late. This type of behavior in recovery is disturbing to me … Read More
Virtual Family Attending meetings, listening, and sharing struggles is a program requirement that works for my recovery. Undeniably, however, I am an introverted person. I have always been uncomfortable in groups in which I do not play a clear role as a provider of service. I had a vital role to play at work each day for forty-two years. Service is in … Read More
No Longer Isolated It is a wonderful feeling to go around the room and look into another compulsive eater’s eyes and say, “I put my hand in yours because I care,” and really mean it sincerely. Unity Day reminds me that I am no longer isolated in my home, in my room, in my hiding places, being loved and comforted by my food. … Read More
All Roads to Recovery Tradition One says, “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon OA unity.” We all found our way to OA not because of our strength but due to our weakness, which is how we react to food or compulsive overeating. The road I traveled to program was different from anyone else’s. I tried other Twelve Step programs after … Read More
Lucky and Relieved This program has changed my life. It has taken away my desire to assassinate your character. It has stilled my desire to engage in gossip because it has made me feel better about myself. It has forced me to cease being intolerant and judgmental and to humbly accept that I am no better or worse than you—just equal. The Twelve … Read More
We’re Worth Taking Care Of There are no words to adequately express how much better my life is because of my HP and the OA program! The best I can describe it is that, before program, the shades were always pulled down in my home and I didn’t go out except for work. My focus was food: what, how much, and when. But today, my … Read More
What Matters I am a compulsive overeater, and I have a disease. Over the years, I have often heard that it is cunning, baffling, and powerful. I just started my 43rd year in Overeaters Anonymous, and I would not trade my life today for any other. When I came into program, I immediately got a sponsor and did what she said to … Read More
Coming Full Circle Today, I went to work out in the employee gym. The last time I went was two years ago, a few months before joining Overeaters Anonymous. At the time, I was at a healthy weight for my size, 150 pounds (68 kg), and had just completed two triathlons. People always complimented me on my health and fitness. Little did they … Read More
Before and After Before OA, I lived a life based on self-centered fear. I was always concerned with what you thought of me: Was I too fat? Too incompetent? Too uninteresting? Too shy? I avoided social situations, stayed home, and numbed out with TV, alcohol, and food. Now, I work daily to outgrow my fears. I face them with courage and ask God … Read More