When I was coming out of relapse six months ago, I used a practice that had worked for me before: getting a Partner in Recovery. A “P in R” is a peer in the program who is available for a daily check-in. I had learned this technique in Portland, Oregon, but since then had moved to Austin, Texas. At my …

In our readings and in many other ways we are told, “Once we compulsive overeaters truly take the Third Step, we cannot fail to recover” (The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, p. 27). That’s quite a promise. When I was a newcomer, and again during my horrible three-year relapse, when I gained 60 pounds (27 kg) and …

If this were a highly complicated program requiring complex levels of thought and planning, I would have nailed it long ago. But a simple program of recovery? Nope, that’s baffling! As wise fellows have said, “You can’t be too dumb for this program, but you can be too smart!” I have this vision of me versus God. I’m on my …

Before my second time around in OA, the God of my life was vengeful, punishing, unloving, and terrible. God demanded that my parents abuse me verbally, physically, and emotionally through beliefs such as “Spare the rod, spoil the child.” When I first came to OA, God was a huge stumbling block for me. OA is a spiritual program, but all …

I was the self-appointed poster child for OA: I had physical recovery, I performed a lot of service, and I had several sponsees. My phone rang day and night. I was asked to speak at marathons and retreats. I wasn’t anonymous, and I didn’t want to be anonymous—I was a star. I was lacking in self-esteem, and OA offered a …

I’m one of those compulsive eaters with a wide experience of diets and other weight-control alternatives. For more than thirty years, I would do everything I could to lose weight and was successful in almost 90 percent of my attempts. It was wonderful—for a short time. I’d get new, smaller clothes, compliments, and the clear sensation of having settled all …

My favorite slogan is “Progress, not perfection,” from Chapter 5 of the Big Book. It says, “The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection” (Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., p. 60). When I joined OA four years ago, my character defects of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and fear of rejection were in full …

Slogans—I love them! Since my return to OA, I seem to be using them more and more. To me they are triggers, good triggers—words and sentences that help me remember the teachings of the Twelve Steps. The one that seems to come to mind most often these days is “let go and let God.” When I returned to OA after a …

Taking life on life’s terms is one of the most important ideas that OA has given me—it’s such a meaningful concept. My sponsors remind me it’s my job to fit into my Higher Power’s plan, not the other way around. Looking back, it’s clear to me now that early years of abstinence gave me lots of practice in accepting life …

I have experienced the 100-pounder (45-kg) status twice: first as a newcomer, and three years later after a six-month relapse. Recovering, I reached a 30- to 40-pound (14- to 18-kg) loss and then plateaued. I felt like nothing was working. Desperate people are willing to take desperate measures. I finally admitted I needed help from a food sponsor, who was willing …