Write, Camera – Action! I want to let you know how much the action plan Tool means to me. I tried OA fifteen years ago but just wasn’t ready. When I came back to the program, I read about the action plan in my Newcomer Packet. I started using it the very next day. Since then, I’ve been abstinent with only two breaks (early … Read More
Aspire More and Think As a returnee to OA after many years of “research,” I discovered the action plan Tool. I love it. Here’s an action plan I made for myself: To get and stay abstinent, I ASPIRE MORE and THINK. When I feel an oncoming urge to eat compulsively, I: A—Allow six minutes before eating. I set timers in the kitchen and other places … Read More
Situation-Specific Early in my recovery, I realized my yearning to be spontaneous kept me in bondage to my disease. I put things off until life got out of control; then my anxiety escalated, my character defects flared up, and the food started talking to me. I learned to make a daily action plan that organized healthy meals (with enough time to … Read More
Prep Time I recently attended an OA workshop about working an action plan. The leader shared many examples of how she uses this Tool in her recovery, while other members asked questions and shared their experience as well. I felt inspired in this roomful of recovery, but I also felt a nagging worry about such plans. After all, my self-will has created … Read More
Forget Me Not When reflecting on our precious Tools of recovery, I always forget one (probably the one I need to concentrate on most). So I use a mnemonic device to help me recall all of the Tools: And Action plan Please Plan of eating Spend Sponsorship More Meetings Time … Read More
Fitness Witness The Big Book says we get to keep what we have “so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition” (Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., p. 85). Doing my spiritual exercises stands between me and that first bite! I reached my maintenance weight, having released 125 pounds (57 kg), after years of struggling with food, weight, body size, and life in … Read More
Available Tools I was working outdoors the other day and noticed several branches in my trees needed pruning. I went to my garage, selected a handsaw and lopping shears, and headed into the yard. The work was going well, but I found a couple of large limbs that needed to come down. I stretched way up and started sawing with the handsaw. … Read More
Outreach Need This is not your typical story of inspiration, abstinence, and recovery. This is a story meant to foster awareness inside our OA rooms. I had been in OA for almost a year and was attending five meetings a week. I held a service position, had gotten a sponsor, and was working the Steps. I had finally found what abstinence meant … Read More
Remember Small Towns By the grace of God and the miracle of Overeaters Anonymous, I currently have over thirteen years of continuous abstinence and have maintained a 150-pound (68 kg) release. Over two years ago, I was blessed to run for regional representative for my intergroup. So many gifts and blessings have happened since I started going to our region assemblies and World … Read More
Is There More? I have been in program for more than twenty-three years. I came in to prove to my doctor that OA, like everything else I’d tried, wouldn’t work. I weighed 359 pounds (163 kg) and thought I didn’t belong. Then I heard about gratitude and giving back what had been given. So, I went to meetings, shared, and qualified. I sponsored. … Read More