There’s a popular TV game show that I used to enjoy. I hadn’t watched it in maybe ten years, but recently my wife and the national news were excited about it because a professional sports gambler from Las Vegas was wowing the world, having already won just under a million dollars in only thirteen appearances. He was playing again on …

We recover together or not at all. This is the “we” in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. OA is not an “I” program. I tried the “I” program. It was all I knew; wasn’t I supposed to apply my will to problems and overcome them? But my food issues were impervious to my efforts. I was stuck. And I …

Freedom from compulsion and excess weight is the treasure that those of us plagued by food addiction covet most! What does this freedom look like? A wise man said, “It’s a sparkle in the eye that exemplifies it.” Another source says it’s the genuine, natural smile on one’s face that whispers acceptance of others—after all, a smile is the universal …

I have been working with the Voices of Recovery Workbook and my sponsor suggested I submit my response to the questions of January 8: “How would I describe my recovery tapestry? What are the program threads I’ve used to weave it?” (p. 4). I am so lucky to have found this program. I would have to describe my recovery tapestry as …

I didn’t know what I needed when I came through the doors of OA. I wanted to lose weight, but it what I really needed was love and acceptance. I needed to find out how to love, accept, and respect myself and my relationship with my HP. Today I give to others what I needed. I don’t talk down to newcomers. I don’t tell …

My paternal grandmother was full blooded Tarahumara, the tribe of indigenous people in northern Mexico known for long-distance running. My daddy was a runner, and always told me that there is a runner somewhere in me too. I never believed him. A few weeks ago, I signed up for a 5K training program with my 16-year-old son. I don’t even recognize …

When I first became aware of the Traditions, I could see how important they were. And without Tradition Seven, we would have no OA, because how can any organization run without funding? When one member of OA is not able to contribute much, all of us can contribute more to ensure that the expenses are met. The whole concept of …

I was looking for a diet. But what I’ve gotten is so much more. What’s different about my life today? The more appropriate question is, what’s the same? At this moment in time one year ago, I found program—or rather, program found me. Since then, I’ve lost about 40 pounds (18 kg), quit one job and started another, and I’m …

A gratitude item of mine has been “Learning to slow my roll, so I can learn my role.” And it still holds true every day of my OA program of recovery. What a gift! When I slow down, my Higher Power can show me the right path to take, the right choices to make, the right words to say, the …

I believe that a Power greater than myself can restore me to sanity because it has been proven to me over and over in so many situations. Moreover, I believe that only a Power greater than myself can restore me to sanity because I never could stick with any plan of eating when I was relying on my own Power. …