Working the Program Paperless Process I am a compulsive overeater, abstinent one day at a time since October 15, 2012. I’ve shed 120 pounds (54 kg) along with a frighteningly long list of ailments and medications. My liver had been failing, but now it’s fully functional. My physical healing has been truly miraculous, but the emotional and spiritual healing is far, far better. In approaching … Read More
Steps Step 11: Learning to Listen My first Step sponsor told me I could begin to practice Step Eleven early in my OA program. I did not need to wait until I had worked the preceding ten Steps. Prayer for me, until then, had just been asking God for things I thought I needed; basically “God, please give me _____.” But my sponsor had me stick … Read More
Higher Power Writing Meditation Each Tool of Recovery has its own joys. There is the fellowship of meetings, the comforting security of a food plan, and the reassurance of a timely phone call. But the fifth Tool, writing, connects me to my Higher Power in ways nothing else can. Somebody told me that prayer is talking to God and meditation is listening to God. … Read More
Service Card-Carrying Member The number of members in Overeaters Anonymous is small compared with the number of members in Alcoholics Anonymous, but OA is as valuable a program for compulsive overeaters as AA is for alcoholics. I have been in Overeaters Anonymous since January 1987. I entered the program weighing 193 pounds (88 kg) and have maintained a weight loss of slightly more … Read More
Service Divine Packing Lack of connection to my OA Fellowship is my biggest challenge while on vacation. My regular meeting isn’t available, and my cell phone doesn’t work for making outreach calls when I travel outside the country. Isolation from other OA members, minus my usual routine, is a dangerous formula for me. My last trip to Germany was quite challenging. I was … Read More
Service Raised Voices My sponsor asked me to consider the Tools of literature and writing. Reading OA literature and writing my thoughts about what I read are essential to my recovery as a compulsive overeater. Here is my perspective on my fifty-eighth day of abstinence: Reading literature is another way of listening to someone’s voice. With OA literature, I can train my ears … Read More
Service 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
Service 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
Service 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
Service 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
