Overeaters Anonymous

Leauxra

Has anyone gone to a meeting? Apparently it's a 12-step program just like AA.

I'm 165 pounds, but I think I need to go. 2.5 years ago I was 245 pounds because I was an emotional eater. I'm not entirely "clean" now and I've been under so much stress lately that I just need some extra support.

I'm scared to go because for the most part I've fixed the problem, but I still feel like an addict. I don't have food cravings at all anymore unless I'm stressed, then all I can think about is eating a whole chocolate cake or a packet of cookie dough. I can overcome it most of the time, but the urges are extremely intense. I need more help than I'm getting right now.

Do you think they'll be supportive even though I'm not plus sized?

hollytrolly91

Hey. Congrats on the weight loss so far, you've done awesome

At a real low point where the days were just one constant crazy bingeing nightmare, I went along to a couple of OA meetings. I didn't talk at them, and just listened. I found I could relate to most people's struggles, but didn't find the help that I was hoping I'd get. I was probably around 170lbs, absolutely no judgement on size (there were people overcoming anorexia and bulimia there too, so a big range of sizes)

I guess it's worth a try, go along and see for youself. Feel free to add me as a friend if you want to chat

ummijaaz560

If your health insurance covers it, I would recommend a therapist specialized in eating disorders. I say this because they may help you get ahold of your triggers for binge eating and anxiety in general.

Good luck.

mbaker566

while i haven't been to OA, i've been to other 12 step meetings.

I get a lot of help but you have to be willing. also know that not all meetings are the same. you can try as many as you want only limited by the amount near you.

therapy can help too. you can do both. or neither. but I'd certainly try

momnom27

I've wondered about this too. I wasn't sure if people are welcomed who are not obese.

cbelc2

I checked it out for a work project. They are incredibly polite, successful, and supportive of each other! It's a donation - based 12 step program. They won't let you donate your first time, so go and check it out. You'll be hard pressed to find a group of people more supportive, kind, or understanding.

cbelc2

...and yes. You can go if you are not obese. One girl was too thin, bullemic, and she proudly told how many days she had been symptom free.

distinctlybeautiful

They have online meetings too, or at least they used to. I "went" to one once, and it was like a chat room but with rules about how you show you want to talk and stuff.

mbaker566

all people with eating/food issues are welcome from my understanding. It's about reestablishing a healthy relationship with food

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Need2Exerc1se

Leauxra wrote: »

Do you think they'll be supportive even though I'm not plus sized?

Yes, I do. I think OA is an excellent resource for people who feel addicted to overeating. Go try it out. If you don't find it helpful you are under no obligation to continue. So basically you have nothing to lose.

atalanta7145

First of all, size does not matter with OA. It is a 12 step program to help in recovery from an unhealthy relationship with food. I used to attend meetings and was amazed by many things, but the one commonality that we all had (when I say we - there were people of normal size, plus size, morbidly obese, anorexic): we all had a very unhealthy relationship with food. And the focus was recovery from that addiction.

Second, as Need2Exerc1se stated - if you attend a meeting and find that it's not for you, no harm no foul. Really. People will be very welcoming, but anonymity is a strongly held belief.