I've come to the realization that I'm addicted to over-eating. I'm am a binge eater. I have attended my first telephone OA meeting and I have to say it was amazing...there were 29 other callers on the phone who were in the same boat I am. Safety in numbers right? Also comfort in that fact somehow.

It was difficult for me to admit the first step: I am powerless over food and my life has become unmanagable. I have always been a person who is in control of everything...to admit I'm powerless...that's so raw and so humbling.

Today we discussed the 3rd step: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood HIM. They had a guest speaker who hit upon something profound. Your will can be different than your life. It is easy to turn your life over - but to turn your will over - this was difficult for her. I can totally see this being the same issue with me. This goes back to my need to control everything.

Anyways - I have really enjoyed my first meeting and I may be attending more today I like that you can do this via chat or via phone and there's ALWAYS a meeting going on.

Thanks to Chris Winters, Coach Stoney, Bill Phillips and Marty Goldman for steering me (whether you were aware or not) to OA.

WHOOOHOOOOOOOOOO Congrats girl! BIG step..the first is one of the hardest! I'm happy for you. Keep on!

I have "attended" those meetings too and have found them magical. Totally true, strength in numbers. What I have learned is that a drug is a drug - and we use whatever we use to "not feel". Food easily falls under this category. Great step forward, Floorance - I am here for you.

What you wrote hit home. Gives me something to think about. Cindy

Way to go Julie!!

Great news Julie! I just went to my first OA meeting this past Saturday. I am trying to figure out how to work more meetings in.

I hope you are doing well.

Love and hugs!

I'm feeling lost about where to turn for help with whether to go back to OA now... where I used to live (2.5 hours away) they meetings all around the area everyday of the week and I had a great Sponsor - but never fully commited myself. Now after having lived back in my hometown for over a year - there are only a couple of meetings within a 30mile distance and have only a couple of members and little recovery. I've checked out a couple of the meetings but one would not work with my work schedule. I believe that God may want me back in the program as I feel I've been lead here and there is so much discussion about Recovery for addiction... maybe I will have to find my support through online/telephone meetings and get back to a meeting or 2 back where I used to live and make a whole day/weekend of it. I need some accountability because everyday I say tomorrow... and then tomorrow comes and it's no different. I've thought about trying to find open AA meetings to sit in on and just maybe keep my mouth shut about my own addiction just to be around others in Recovery. Back and forth though I keep telling myself that if the resources aren't really here locally, than maybe I'm not supposed to tackle the addiction through a support group/sponsor. Just maybe keep writing it out and being present around this community and cheer those of you on who have made a joyous recovery. Part of the process is always going to take some white-knuckling anyway, maybe that's where I have to be right now to just get my transformation started. I don't mean to sound as if to pity myself - I just feel like I'm lost as to how to make a plan that would include using OA and the tools of recovery needed. Prayer about my options...keep my spirits up while I feel low. I've thought of taking a risk and seeing if one of the people I knew in my old groups back where I used to live might sponsor me long distance... I fear he'll say no because I've been gone so long, and he may only sponsor other men which is really needed in that area. I just want someone who is going to give things to me straight and honestly to the best of their ability. Or I won't ever get well. I can't see past the pain of the way life is now, to the other side yet. I just can't see it. I can hear about it from others, and I can celebrate what they've accomplished...but I can't seem to get there on my own yet.
Eh...maybe things will seem clearer in the morning?...
Shellie

Shellie,
I hope things are looking up for you this morning. We all get down on ourselves, sometimes it is such a roller coaster ride. I believe the hills and valleys will get smaller the longer we hang in there. Celebrate even the smallest things you do everyday for yourself. Progress not perfection. Reach out. Cindy

Hi Shellie - I am sorry you are having problems with finding good meetings. I only went to one so far but they did say or I read in the starter package that OA will hook you up with a sponsor from another city if that is what is needed to get you recovering. Maybe go to their website and see if there is a phone number. Call them and explain your situation and see what they suggest. There are a lot of meetings around where I live but no lunch meetings which would work out much better for me. There is a 10 am meeting everyday, but that is too difficult to pull off at work. Then there are morning meetings, but that would interfere with my workout plans because they are at 7:30am. The night meetings are probably the best option for me, but I never go anywhere at night and hate the idea of making my days so long, not to mention I have no idea where I would tell my SO I was going. I guess for me I just need to make the commitment. When I am in town, I can go on Sat or Sun, but I think the more meetings you can get to the better. I was wondering how effective the online step program was as well.

Please let me know what you decide and know that we are here for you!

Love and hugs,
Ashley

Ashely-
I am so proud of your for going to the meeting. You have inspired me to do the same. I am going to a newcomers meeting on the 21st. I might also check to the phone meetings. Have a great day!

Awesome Lori! Thanks Julie for trying out and reporting back on the phone meetings. I never would have figured it would work or how it would work. Super cool. It is really tricky to find enough meetings to attend physically because of the times and locations.

I hope everybody has a magical and wonderful Wednesday!

Love and hugs!

WAY TO GO!
I started OA three years ago, online. It was a GREAT was to get started, there are online sponsors available, online meetings every three hours around the clock. Send me an email and I can give you the address.

There are also phone meetings--I don't know about phone meetings for "regular" OA, but for OA HOW (Honest, Open-minded, Willing) there are several phone meetings a week, with sponsors available.

I am a sugar addict and have three years of abstinence with a few breaks. I have to say that while it's a lot of work right now, doing Transformation work is taking my recovery to a new level, and I am really grateful.

You are each courageous in naming the problem, claiming the promise of recovery.
warmly,
Rise

Awesome Julie, I go to 3 or 4 OA meeting a week. I am just finishing up the steps and they work!!!! I have been abstinent from bingeing/purging for 32 days!!! I never would have dreamed of this just a few months ago, I am so grateful for my abstinence and OA.

Try to get to a face to face one if you get a chance!!

Steph

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rise WAY TO GO! I started OA three years ago, online. It was a GREAT was to get started, there are online sponsors available, online meetings every three hours around the clock. Send me an email and I can give you the address. There are also phone meetings--I don't know about phone meetings for "regular" OA, but for OA HOW (Honest, Open-minded, Willing) there are several phone meetings a week, with sponsors available. I am a sugar addict and have three years of abstinence with a few breaks. I have to say that while it's a lot of work right now, doing Transformation work is taking my recovery to a new level, and I am really grateful. You are each courageous in naming the problem, claiming the promise of recovery. warmly, Rise

I can relate!

I'm a sugar addict too, and I have cut it out of my diet, which has helped me stay abstinent. Sugar is metabolized the same way as alcohol, and it gives me cravings just like alcohol. Cutting it out has given me such freedom!!

Here's a link to online OA meetings that are every three hours (12:00. 3:00, 6:00 etc Eastern time)

JavaChat

Julie ~ Thanks for leading others in the right direction by posting your first meeting. For me the stigma to myself of being one of those people who attends a 12 step program delayed my first meeting for years. By sharing your experience and on-line option I know there are others out there that will reach out from the comfort of their computer and start the healing process.


Reach out past the imaginary boundaries of social stigma and the world will heal you!


Chris Winters

I am in awe of how all of you openly share your struggles with overeating. For so many years, I was ashamed to admit I suffered from every eating disorder in the book: anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and compulsive eating--since I was 18. I felt so lonely. After years of counseling AND T-Com, I want to give you hope and tell you there IS a light at the end of this tunnel!

Do not give up, especially when you WANT to quit, and continue to seek help and support, just as you do now. As you can see (and read), you are not alone. More people than you can imagine share the same issues with food.

I admire how you understand and want to help one another. How are you all doing now? Please keep me posted--I sincerely want to do my very best to help.

Love Jenny