Step Two says we “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” There is also a line in AA’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions that says, “Take it easy. The hoop you have to jump through is a lot wider than you think” (p. 26). To me, this describes the leap of faith of replacing …

I weighed 240 pounds (109 kg) when I first entered OA. Even though I stalked the rooms for two years, calling the hotline, looking for local meetings, I didn’t have the guts to step through the door. But in September 2010, I was approached by a colleague who invited me to give OA a try. I went that night and …

I’ve been working on my food ideals (how I want to behave around food) and asking God to help me. Since I forget sometimes how good it feels to take actions that deny my disease’s power, I want to write them down on a night when God gave me the willingness to act according to the ideals I’ve been thinking …

I recently attended our local OA Unity Day celebration about an hour away from my home. On the drive to get there, I had time to contemplate my life now and compare it to the year before when I also attended this event. At first, my mind was prone to go to the negative side—I’m a year older, tired, and …

If it weren’t for OA, I wouldn’t be able to see. I’m not blind, but the fog of compulsive overeating blinded me. By maintaining abstinence and working the Steps, the fog was lifted, and I began to see the world as it is. I began to see color. Recovery gave me the ability to pursue my childhood dream of learning …

It was December, and I had hit my bottom. My despair and anguish were monumental and unrelenting. I had tried every conceivable diet, weight-loss scheme, pill, and quick fix, and nothing had worked. I know now that I had not addressed the real, underlying issue: I was a compulsive eater. I felt there was no hope left. At that moment, …

Traveling to the OA Region One Assembly was a perfect opportunity for me to practice navigating an airport without compulsively wanting to eat. I am really glad I had my plan of eating in place. Arriving at the airport two hours early sometimes leaves me with time on my hands. The smells of airport foods can arouse compulsiveness out of …

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. …

I’ve been in and around OA for twenty-four years. In my mid-twenties, I weighed about 250 pounds (113 kg). When I was 30, I weighed 173 pounds (78 kg). My denial weight in OA was 225 pounds (102 kg), and seven years ago, I weighed 185 pounds (84 kg). I’m 70 years old now, and in the last two years, …

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 …