New to Group, but not new to addiction
wizbeth1218
Posts: 358 Member
Hello all,
I am a long-time binger but a recently admitted food addict. I am now relying fully on God to overhaul my life from the inside out, and I am finding that losing weight and feeling healthier are some of the happy side effects.
The friends I have made here on MFP have been invaluable and I am incredibly grateful that I found this site. But even as supportive as they are, I find that most don't fully grasp the concepts of addiction and abstinence. I would love to be able to connect with others who compulsively overeat so that we can share tools and encourage one another.
I hope to hear from you and make some new friends.
Elizabeth
I am a long-time binger but a recently admitted food addict. I am now relying fully on God to overhaul my life from the inside out, and I am finding that losing weight and feeling healthier are some of the happy side effects.
The friends I have made here on MFP have been invaluable and I am incredibly grateful that I found this site. But even as supportive as they are, I find that most don't fully grasp the concepts of addiction and abstinence. I would love to be able to connect with others who compulsively overeat so that we can share tools and encourage one another.
I hope to hear from you and make some new friends.
Elizabeth
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Replies
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Elizabeth,
We are a big group but not a very active one. I would love to change that. So I really appreciate your post. We benefit so much when we reach out to others who understand.
I agree with you about the motivation on this website. There are some very loving and compassionate people on this site (and some not so). But many do not understand about food addiction. And even fewer have the benefit of having Overeaters Anonymous in their lives. OA is such a blessing. So many people out there have problems with food and other weaknesses but they do not have anything in their lives to help them change.
Welcome to the group, Elizabeth. Hopefully you can help us change our group to be more active.
Kris0 -
Welcome! I'm Jessie, relatively new to both MFP and this group myself. Glad to have you!0
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Thanks for the welcome, ladies! I would love it if this group was (were?) active. I am on MFP daily and I find great motivation in being encouraging to other people.
Just before Thanksgiving I saw a lot of posts in the forums regarding eating over the holidays, and so many of the responses were "eat anything you want, just limit your portions." It made me realize that we may all be here to get healthier, but that doesn't mean we all have the same struggles.
I look forward to getting to know more folks and being able to help where I can. 0 -
Elizabeth I saw where you posted here and followed you! So not a stalker, I promise! LOL
I'm not sure if I belong here but I know that it is worth my time to research it. Thanks for leading me here.0 -
I like how you put it... we may all be here to get healthier but not all have the same struggles. I agree. Thanksgiving was tough for me, not necessarily worse than others, but it seemed different. I don't know how to indulge "a little." The enormity of food present makes me anxious. Permission for a "cheat day" has consequences beyond a few extra calories. I don't have this all figured out ... but I know/accept that having an obsession with/addiction to food requires a different mindfulness... different attention. Keep writing, talking, sharing. This isn't the quietest group on the web... maybe we're on our way to a "revival." 0
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Welcome!-let the good times roll... And the bad.....roll? Oh know ya ever notice food is ubiquitous??0
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Oh know ya ever notice food is ubiquitous??
Ubiquitous! Good word! Means everywhere. Food is truly everywhere.0 -
Elizabeth I saw where you posted here and followed you! So not a stalker, I promise! LOL
I'm not sure if I belong here but I know that it is worth my time to research it. Thanks for leading me here.
Hey girlie! You may stalk me any time!
Food addiction and compulsive eating are tricky little devils because (at least to me) they can disguise themselves in all different ways. Sometimes when I think I have my eating under control, I realize I am over spending like crazy. The steps, traditions, and tools in the OA program help me to deal daily with the cause, not just the symptoms, of compulsive eating.
I think it's awesome that you are taking the time to research here. I'm happy to help if you have questions... although my help will likely be to direct you to someone far more knowledgeable than I. 0 -
I don't know how to indulge "a little." The enormity of food present makes me anxious. Permission for a "cheat day" has consequences beyond a few extra calories. I don't have this all figured out ... but I know/accept that having an obsession with/addiction to food requires a different mindfulness... different attention.
Beautifully and simply put! I think "different mindfulness" may just be my mantra for the day! Thank you!0 -
Hello sister OA person! Welcome to the group!
There's a book out saying that COE is the "good girl's addiction" IOW, there but for the grace of G-d go I with addiction.
Welcome welcome with open loving arms. You're home now.0 -
Jane, that was a book that led me into OA. Food, the "good girl's drug". And I've found it's very true. I am finding my struggles less around large quantities of food, for which I am very grateful. But I still have far to go. And I am glad to be here.0
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Add me to your list of followers (not Stalkers!!). I fell off the wagon AFTER Thanksgiving when I went on a work related trip then just kept eating and avoiding MFP purposefully. Got on today trying to feel motivated but really feeling mad and depressed about gaining back half the weight I had lost. Wanted to just keep pretending and wait until New year's resolution time but then went back and read some of your blog entries and realized to keep waiting is to keep gaining. I am trying to get back on the wagon. As I used this term it occurred to me I sound like an addict and looked up OA on MFP and saw you my friend----it has to be a sign! Anyway, wish me luck---the journey begins AGAIN!0
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Add me to your list of followers (not Stalkers!!). I fell off the wagon AFTER Thanksgiving when I went on a work related trip then just kept eating and avoiding MFP purposefully. Got on today trying to feel motivated but really feeling mad and depressed about gaining back half the weight I had lost. Wanted to just keep pretending and wait until New year's resolution time but then went back and read some of your blog entries and realized to keep waiting is to keep gaining. I am trying to get back on the wagon. As I used this term it occurred to me I sound like an addict and looked up OA on MFP and saw you my friend----it has to be a sign! Anyway, wish me luck---the journey begins AGAIN!
Welcome back, my friend! And remember that every time you draw a breath, it's another chance. Another chance to choose. That means you never have to wait till next year, or next month, or next week, or even the next day. With each breath you can choose to get back on the wagon. 0 -
[And remember that every time you draw a breath, it's another chance. Another chance to choose. That means you never have to wait till next year, or next month, or next week, or even the next day. With each breath you can choose to get back on the wagon.
Couldn't say it any better!0 -
Went to my second meeting on Saturday morning. Once again impressed by the warm welcome from the group. Will go to a third meeting tonight. My town has a total of 3 meetings a week available; Monday and Thursday nights and Saturday mornings.
How often do you go to meetings? Do you have favorite meetings? What format do you prefer?0 -
Gosh, I'm embarrased to say that I haven't been since having children. The oldest is now (a-hem) 5. Your post inspired me to look up my local meetings, since I haven't been since being at my current address. I'll have to get back to you on how it goes!0
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Food addiction and compulsive eating are tricky little devils because (at least to me) they can disguise themselves in all different ways. Sometimes when I think I have my eating under control, I realize I am over spending like crazy. The steps, traditions, and tools in the OA program help me to deal daily with the cause, not just the symptoms, of compulsive eating.
Oh that is so true for me! I have to hand my life and my will over on a daily basis ( I use the 3rd Step prayer) and often through the day too I agree that this OA programme is a blessing and I am so grateful for how it has changed my life.
Glad you are here and it is very good to have a place here where people understand about this disease. Welcome home0 -
I just came across this group. I discovered OA about a week ago and have "attended" a few online meetings, mostly just observing. I have ordered the book "The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous". I wasn't exactly sure where to start, so that sounded like a good place. I don't have a sponsor. I haven't decided if I want to try face to face meetings and find a local sponsor, or if I want to stick with doing it all online. Anyway, I am happy to have found this group.0
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It took me about 15 years to be willing to -- once again -- face my addiction to food and compulsive overeating. The awareness that has risen in my in just the last six weeks of returning to meeting is huge! I am now re-aware that I have a compulsive thought before I take a compulsive bite. Duh. Not rocket science. The thought "I will eat this" is followed by the "it's only just this time" thought process (words are often interchangeable).
I do know one thing pretty clearly: I am angry at having to "do" this. To not be "normal". To "have" to come back to OA, work the steps, find a sponsor, make changes. Just as clearly, I know that this is in my life again for a reason: that reason is My Life. The freedom that comes from having a Plan of Eating (haven't done that yet), writing on the Steps (kinda doing that), using The Tools (good with literature) -- taking ACTION on the 9 Tools means I HAVE A LIFE. I mean, I've had a life since I've left OA, but it hasn't had the same kind of freedom quality to it.
I want that. I want that a LOT. "Willing to go to any lengths" means I will live that on a daily basis. That can either be a struggle. Or the blessing it was designed to be. The choice is mine. In each moment, in each moment of abstinence. The Choice Is Mine.
:flowerforyou:0 -
It took me about 15 years to be willing to -- once again -- face my addiction to food and compulsive overeating. The awareness that has risen in my in just the last six weeks of returning to meeting is huge! I am now re-aware that I have a compulsive thought before I take a compulsive bite. Duh. Not rocket science. The thought "I will eat this" is followed by the "it's only just this time" thought process (words are often interchangeable).
I do know one thing pretty clearly: I am angry at having to "do" this. To not be "normal". To "have" to come back to OA, work the steps, find a sponsor, make changes. Just as clearly, I know that this is in my life again for a reason: that reason is My Life. The freedom that comes from having a Plan of Eating (haven't done that yet), writing on the Steps (kinda doing that), using The Tools (good with literature) -- taking ACTION on the 9 Tools means I HAVE A LIFE. I mean, I've had a life since I've left OA, but it hasn't had the same kind of freedom quality to it.
I want that. I want that a LOT. "Willing to go to any lengths" means I will live that on a daily basis. That can either be a struggle. Or the blessing it was designed to be. The choice is mine. In each moment, in each moment of abstinence. The Choice Is Mine.
:flowerforyou:
I am sitting here with a grin, nodding my head, feeling motivated, connected. You're doing a lot of work, and thanks for putting it to "paper" and sharing it. One choice at a time.0 -
hello and welcome! i am an compulsive overeater, been in OA since 2005...some periods of recovery and loss, some of relapse and return to disease. currently abstinent a little over a month.0
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Went to to another meeting tonight! We have only had a Thursday night meeting for as many years as I can remember and tonight I was blessed with "checking out" the new meeting and it was AWESOME!! A speaker meeting, the speaker was amazing.
Interestingly enough, when I "checked out" of OA in 1996 it was right after the retreat -- returning now, we've just had the retreat. Ain't it funny how life works? LOL
Gotta Love HP!!
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Hi, when I found OA, I was in the mall, looking at the poster board. I grabbed a slip from the tear sheet they had, emailed the group. I attended my first meeting that week. I didnt know a single person, but after the meeting, I couldnt remember all their names.
Local groups are so wonderful. No judgements, No pressure, Nothing. They are there to support you in any way you want or need them too. You will never regret attending a meeting. I have never missed a meeting since I started except for out of town doctors appointments. I look forward to my Tuesday night meetings. I am usually the first one there. You may feel out of place the first time you go, but the second time, its like being home. We all hug each other as we leave the meetings, keep in contact with each other through text messages and phone calls.
Not once have I regretted my decision to attend my first meeting. :flowerforyou:0 -
Hi everyone, and welcome if you are new here
I have been a member of OA since November 2011 in a local UK meeting on Thursday nights. This week we started a new meeting on a Monday morning in a different area of the city. Wonderful to have 2 meetings. Every meeting I learn something, hear something I need to hear, share my story with someone else and always come away feeling glad I went. Today I am remembering that acceptance of 'life on life's terms' is what I need and that I don't need to eat to feel better about anything or any situation.0
