Literature Tools & Concepts Abstinent Now I am writing to echo sentiments from “Print Preference.” I came to OA in 1986 and have abstained from sugar since then and have been maintaining a 100-pound (45-kg) weight loss. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the gift of OA, for the gift of a life free from food obsession and bondage, and for a life in … Read More
How OA Changed My Life Recovery From Self-Help to Sanity I walked into my first OA meeting a little over two and a half years ago. It had taken me almost forty years to recognize that my eating disorder and compulsive food behaviors were out of control. I’d spent my entire adult life climbing the ladder of success, but when I reached the top, I realized it was leaning against … Read More
Gratitude Recovery Rediscovery and Realizations There are so many things I am grateful for in my recovery. Here are a few: First and foremost, not doing that compulsive hand-to-mouth behavior. Early in my recovery, a large part of the “pink cloud” for me was euphoria at being released from decades of abusive eating. When qualifying, I shared that I was amazed at how many of … Read More
Diversity Newcomers The Only Day Being abstinent all of three whole days, I looked in my mirror to see if my body looked smaller. It didn’t. I was mad. “This doesn’t work.” “What a bunch of B.S.” “I’ll never get thin.” “I can’t do this.” “It’s taking too long.” “I’m doomed to be fat.” ‘I’m doomed to live like an accordion, in and out, up … Read More
Recovery Relationships Present and Available I’m very grateful my partner is not a compulsive overeater or a manager of my recovery. Recovery has helped me have a more genuine relationship with him. Before OA, I just wanted him to go to bed so I could binge. I realized in OA that my primary relationship really was with food. This food focus also applied to friends … Read More
Relationships Placed Where I Belong I stand naked in front of a well-lit, full-length mirror every morning, throw my hands into the air, and say, “I surrender to the possibilities of this day.” Then I thank God for getting my “sturdy” body up and going once again. Though I have a lot of health challenges, the minimum basics of my daily action plan haven’t changed: … Read More
Literature Momentous At my first OA meeting, a kind soul offered to buy me a book of my choosing from the OA library. I had no idea what I was even doing there, and every piece of reading material looked foreign and, quite frankly, just weird. I rifled through the stacks of books, and one caught my eye like a beacon in … Read More
Share It Staying With It Thanks so much for the article “One Small Part”. Staying in the moment and paying attention to what’s in front of me has been something I have always struggled with. Years ago, I discovered that when I did not want to do something at work, I got hungry. I’d want to stop working to eat a little snack. It amazed me … Read More
How OA Changed My Life Present Energy Before OA I never lived my life for today. I spent all my time rehashing the past or dreaming about the future. No wonder my life was in such bad shape: It was as if I was only existing through today to get to that great tomorrow. But the miserable truth is that tomorrow never comes. When I wake up in … Read More