Overeaters Anonymous

Great idea; I'll bring the chips!

I considered that sort of support group early on, but once I started out on my own I found the urge to overeat went away pretty quickly.

Plus I rely on this forum for it's expert advice. What could go wrong?

I need the help too... :-( what's the website and is there a meet in NYC?

I try and plan a couple "binge" meals a week. These binge meals will be HUGE salads, or piles of vegetables deliciously prepared. I don't know why my brain/body wants to feel overly full- but doing it this way has helped a lot.

They have great podcasts online line. If you are shy about going in person, check those out. LA chapter has a ton of podcasts featuring many folks who have lost - and kept off - a ton of weight. They also have online meetings if there is not a convenient meeting near you or if you want meetings in addition to those you attend.

Excellent program that does not sell you anything. Good for those who binge, purge, over exercise, all types of eating disorders. It's curious why it is not as we'll known as AA. Some people are thin but have eating issues. Open to anyone at any size, age, faith, etc.

When I went decades ago, it was okay for emotional support but I wouldn't go back now because it doesn't fit me or my style. They did not recommend any certain foods or diets (by policy) but they are a 12-step program and thus rely heavily on the 12-steps based in a "higher power" having control over you and you being helpless to your own body's functions and control. I didn't care for that. I also found excessive "therapy" and not enough talk about technique, approach, success, etc. It was pretty much me listening to lonely housewives complain about their husbands and how it made them all eat. Not my bag!

That said, if you have a high tolerance for listening to others talk about how helpless they are and how God is not yet aaving them from themselves, it could be great. I'm really not trying to be flip, and sorry if I sound that way but I found the approach backwards.

That said, many have had great success and need that sort of environment in order to deal with their issues.

And it's free, but they usually take up a collection and expect you to contribute if you keep coming back. But a $1 is plenty.

I have been in and out of OA for many many years. I recently decided that it's not right for me, at this time.I just need a different type of support, currently. I can't comment on whether it's the right choice for you, but I encourage you to try going to either a face to face, or online meeting, to see how it feels.

I just want to point out that OA does NOT endorse any plan of eating, and there is NO list of restricted foods. Each member makes their own plan of eating. I know that the person above me mentioned that, but it bears repeating.

The only requirement for OA membership, is that you are someone who wants to stop compulsively eating.

Good luck!

I think the help everyone needs is different and how people responds is different. I know I don't do well with groups like an OA. I get defensive and I don't listen. I LOVE the calorie/food tracker on MFP because I feel like I'm doing the work myself. Another friend I have refuses to count anything but is on a strict clean diet. So do what works for you and what helps you to stick to a routine.

I think that at different points in our lives, we are more open or more closed to particular ideas, suggestions , etc. Whether it's weight loss advice, religious messages, political idealology, etc. We are all a work in progress.

I think you have gotten some really bad responses here, as well as some decent ones. Try a meeting. And don't just go once. It takes times to decide if it's really right for you. I belong to a wonderful group of extremely supportive ladies who are having success in the program.

There are two forms of OA. There is a group called "HOW" which is much stricter. Some people need and want that. Get information on both.

There are also tons of telephone and online meetings taking place 24/7 if you wish to try those. Basically, don't knock it till you've tried it.

They also have online meetings that I used to attend to. It was pretty cool. I tried to go to a local one once but couldn't find the darn place, so I never went

I've attended online and face-to-face meetings, and I enjoyed both, but I prefer online meetings because of the anonymity. I also have several of the OA books, and they are very helpful (and inexpensive). I am a terrible compulsive overeater and emotional eater, and the people I've met through OA have been truly wonderful and supportive.