Normal weight up till 11 when my Dad died.

In HS I was 4'9" and 250.

My mom put me on every diet available and none worked.

1st time in OA I  lost over 100 Lbs but it brought up issues I was unwilling to deal with.  OA works if you work it. I didn't.

Came back with a clearer understanding my step one.

I lived with the paradox of the my weight saying 'Notice me' and also wanting to be invisible.

My 2nd time in ended with one bite of See's candy.

I came back a 3rd time with a commitment not to leave, no matter what.

Today I am comfortable in my body, I am healthy and happy. 

I know OA saved my life, gave me self-esteem. I exercise regularly, talk with my sponsor and more. 

My food plan varies based on an honest evaluation of my relationship with particular foods at particular times.

I have had all the promises come true and can still be a jerk.

I came into program 40 years ago. 

Living in Woodland hills drove to LA to meeting. the obsession hit and I bought food on the way home but was to sick to eat it. 

GOD = Gift of Desperation.

I came in angry at everybody and everything. Today I am a safe person.

Find someone you trust and can really talk to.

Happy joyous and free is feel safe and secure in yourself.

At the end of one successful diet I gained 17 lbs in one week.

I still report my food in every day. It is what works for me. 

Never a time when food wasn't the most important thing to me.

First OA Meeting when I was 12.

At 23 I was my top weight 423 but because I was young the physical damage was not that bad yet.

I broke toilets, lived through surgical complications and more all because of my weight without any change.

My body was killing me and I couldn't do anything. It was the only body I knew

When I fanallly return to OA that meeting was about death and I felt at home.

For the first year I  sponsored myself rigorously and had some results until I hit my own plateau several times.

Regardless of where I was food wise I never left the program.

I am two different people. My life in the food and my life in recovery.

Today I have a life where I am trusted, I experience love in both directions and I have self esteem.

100 Pounder multiple times.

I lost the weight but i was still me and my best friend was food.

I am a survivor of abuse as a child. As an adult I addressed my part and moving from victim to survivor.

I was always my own worst critic and I was brutal.

When I found my first OA Meeting I was broken and hopeless. They welcomed me. 

Current weight loss is about 155 lbs.

Service has saved my life. I recommend it.

I continue to connect the dots from my past to adjust my future.

My disease wants me dead. Today I want to live.

Top weight over 500 lbs in high school. Now around 195. 

I flucuated between 350 and 500 many times.

Coming into OA I had a food plan AND I restricted. I started lying, the food and weight was coming back and I acknowledged I was in relapse.

I eventually ended up praying, had a spiritual experience and the journey to recovery started for real.

Rigorous honesty became a way of life as I made my amends.

I still want more - That is my disease.  But I don't act on it - That is my recovery.

Cannot remember a time when I was not obsessed with food.

Major disappointment when I realized my size was related to my food and thought it was my fault.

Going away to college opened up all the doors.

Top recorded weight was 236. now about 135.

On my own I lost weight but was super unhealthy and the stress was still terrible. Why can't I control this?

Came into OA realizing I was an alcoholic with food. Crazy for the first few moths, Then settled down as I did the steps.

Some of the tools every day.

No matter how long I have been in the program I need to be accountable for my food.

I gained 110 Lbs in my last relapse which brought on a host of physical problems

When I took my 1st compulsive bite 4 years ago it did not occur to me downhill path I would go down.

I never stopped going to meetings or the OA birthday event.

In a moment without my intention I jumped back in. got a sponsor and took direction against my will.

Day by day I developed and improved a relationship with a higher power. . for REAL.

Now I have 2 years.

A ropes course became the metaphor for my not having and then reconnecting with my higher power.

Joined OA In San Fernando Valley for a year.

The premise ' I can do it in my own' did not work. My intellectual armor was the wall I kept banging into.

Coming back to OA it was a spiritual focus on the steps and tools which  relieved me of the bondage of self and made the difference for the long term.

Our food plan is personal based on our PARTICULAR way of eating compulsively.

I was packing food. Loved being full.

Day after day - "I'll never do this again."

I married the first guy who asked and had 2 kids by 21.

I believed I was a victim . . .of my husband, of my disease of everything.

It was always a diet, Goal weight and immediately 'game on'

I got caught eating a spoiled sandwich for the first time I was outed for a particular behavior.

When I admitted I was  a compulsive over-eater I had my own identity for the first time.

I embraced the concept of 'No Matter What' from the beginning.

I feel anxiety over any change in my food plan.

I avoided the God stuff in the beginning. then it changed.

When I ate I got things done.

I was choosing food over shelter.

A 300 lbs I felt small.

I went to OA, got embraced, hooked and started my recovery. I get an apartment and a job the first week.

The foundation of my recovery is honesty. That creates the space for God to come in.

My recovery is not a return but a discovery and becoming who I am.

I am in multiple 12 steps programs and I need to be. but OA is my home base.

I have been through a lot of emotional events and stayed abstinent.

Question begin @ 26 minutes.

Thin to normal until late teens.

by 24 years old I added 3 kids and 125 pounds.

Tried to manage my weight myself with little results

Came to OA 2 years ago, Had 1 short slip after 6 months and now a back on track.

I have medical issue and medicine that affects my weight.

At one point I would try to make my husband responsible for what I ate.

As a child my constant discontent was only salved with food.

Joining the service kept in under control . . for a while.

When everything failed even in the program I finally surrendered and got a sponsor and followed direction. and i worked.   Who knew?

I am not an occasional or moderate over eater. I am addict as outlined in the Big Book

My relationship with my higher power mirrors my recovery.

My recovery jumped into high gear when I started working the program as outlined in the Big Book.

We are united by a very personal and individual disease.

well over 300 LBS a number of times was one way my disease manifested in my life.

Rapid weight gain and rapid weight loss was a recurring pattern.

My therapist 'suggested' OA.

I became abstinent immediately. It was a shock. I found I was able to out foods down for one day . . repeatedly.

The Doctor's Opinion in the Big Book meant a lot to me.

I Liked the effect of my reaction to my addictive behavior. As a result of this program I HAVE experienced the psychic change.

I had my stomach pumped at age 5.

I ate over every single feeling. My family tried everything, doctors, bribes etc, some worked . for a second.

Food was my second addiction, Poor me. Joined a very strict  program, Felt great for two years, then back out and plus 100.

Important to trick the fast food clerk that it wasn't all for me.

Found OA in order to work the steps on food through the Big Book.

Honesty was a real problem for me. Or rather lack of honesty.

First miracle was starting on a Thursday. This time through the steps was an eye opener (understatement). Doing what was asked yielded real results.

Zoom is gift of Covid allowing me to sneak back into the rooms before I was perfect.

Today I do morning prayers, text my sponsor, read from the Big Book. commit my recovery to my higher power.

Still working on my honesty.

I had a good childhood. No major drama, church etc.  However Love = Food and I wanted love.

with weight - Loosing =Good, Gaining = Bad.

Only in hindsight do I realize food was my drug even as a child.

I was active which helped keep my weight down but I still used pills.

Left on my own in college - Game on! 

Through marriage, kids the YoYo got bigger, more expensive, and more devastating.

I knew there was a spiritual problem but knowing it didn't work.

I ended up in OA,, surrendered to God, have given up 197 Lbs, and maintain it.

Stats - came in 2011 at 35 years old and 320 Lbs. Now maintaining a 150 lb loss for the last 4 years.

Only one of 5 kids who was overweight.. I was a participant in my life. My weight did not define me but it was always with me.

Lost 90 lbs before getting pregnant, Put on 100 during and after.

I had heard about OA from my mom forever so I knew where to go when I was ready.

3.5 years for physical recovery. Finally hooked up with a sponsor and worked the steps from a phone meeting way before Covid forced it upon us.

Going through the steps and the Big Book transformed my recovery, my relationship with a Higher Power and I achieved food neutrality.

I ended up overeating with fruit which was triggered by dextrose in salt pack at work AND because I did not tell the truth to my sponsor.

Today I maintain my weight and my clothes always fit.

I can be with my family without enjoy them enjoying thier food.

I work the steps every day as need without shame. and wrap my day up with a review of my successes and a ask God to help me get better in other areas.

I put on 250 lbs in high school.

I had success with a soup, Valium and scotch diet, for a minute.

I thought drugs would be my solution. I had highly negative side effects.

I ended up in OA with 3 three meals nothing in between one day at a time and today I have a level of serenity and acceptance beyond anything I could have imagined.

My goal weight is what I weigh today and adjust my food plan  accordingly when it drifts.

I can find an abstinent meal in any restaurant in the world.

My never ending journey through the steps has ups and downs with continuous improvements in my behavior.

My dreams are coming true because of OA.

Young trauma, Covered it up with food. There was a moment when I really did eat a full dinner for 5 by myself.

I used my size and was successful in football and still wanted to avoid the spotlight.

My binge was a cycle. dramatically dropping weight for specific events.

I struggled with letting people in. Good at work but no social skills.

A woman, God and church came into my life and chased the binges away - for a while.

I was sure if anyone knew how I ate they would reject me - horribly.

I had a medical emergency which turned into a miracle. Then  ate up to 670 Lbs

Treatment ended up in white knuckle recovery. worked for a year. Back up and back to treatment where the OA seed was planted.

Miracle after miracle led be into my current successful recovery and a quality life.

I come from an obese family so we were all big boned.

I was able to be a large drug addict.

My 20's and 30's was a series of Pay and Weighs.

I started out as an OA Rockstar led to 'I got this'.  Back up to 300.

I came back and have been weighing and measuring for over 5 years. It works for me.

It took me while to find my spiritual groove for my life and my food. Everyone is different.

I have been in the same weight zone and have been the same size for years. I no longer weigh myself so I am not affected by the number.

I wish I could include my family on me recovery journey but that it is their choice.

I am no longer envious of 'normal' eaters.

I did not realize I was overeating until I found  family photo when I was 9. I was devastated.

I believed I was a hopeless case.

Came to OA at 29 and found my people. Got a sponsor and got up to step 5. Then I met him.

Got to top weight. The was series of OA meetings I didn't go to. Finally back to OA 26 years after the first time.

I have done the steps multiple times; each time different because each time I am different.

I thought nobody did what I did, lied, hid etc

I have had the same food plan for 18 years.

Today food is fuel for my body. I came in just to change my body, what changed was everything.

As I read the big book I identified with so many of the stories.

I have admitted, accepted, surrendered and changed.

My sponsor says "What do you want to talk to me about that you don't want to talk to me about?"

Action is the magic word.

Now my life is the opposite of the Bedevilments (Big Book P. 52)

Geographics, Hair/no hair, nothing helped me stop eating.

Today I have over 15,000 days abstinent.

I thought OA was going to be a cult, I went to a meeting halfway out the door. Instead I heard MY story and had recovered.

I resonated with the term ' Food Addict'.  I Did go through withdrawal. and I only had to do it once.

Aha - If it works for you it might work for me. Worth a try.

Much to my chagrin the day I hit goal weight was just another day.

Our spirituality is based on service.

1st abstinence after my third son for a few years and thought 'I got this' and did not leave meetings.

Thought I couldn't do school and OA, -I Picked school.

Ended up in pain unable to walk much and all the physical stuff. I was scared I would die in my sleep.

Controlling my program got me to 242.

Following a food plan gave me food neutrality.

My life is not perfect but I am not in the Hell I had with the food.

The least of my positive results is my weight loss. My family relationships are so much better. I aspire to behave as a woman in recovery one day at a time.

I know in my heart ' It works if you work it . . with a sponsor.'

Food was my little buddy. Didn't know how to be without it.

In Jr High I controlled my weight but I was an emotional wreck.

I vacillated between managing my food or my emotions but not both.

I had the lap-Band surgery and gained 20 lbs because I was always a grazer, small amounts all the time.

Second surgery for sleeve, same results. just took longer.

Covid was my last food failure but OA on Zoom became my Savior.

I got a sponsor who gently dragged me through the steps and I have some recovery.

My relationships, my finances, my self talk has all improved - ALOT.

Daily 10th step keeps me emotionally present.

Missing First 15 Minutes of the speaker.

Outreach calls are gestures to God that I am willing to participate.

We do not have to face this disease alone.

I was trained to be open and tell the truth.

I got the sponsor and threw myself to the steps. I wanted to make my amends abut my sponsor made me do the steps in order.

Her amends are inspirational.

35 years of service in OA has uplifted my program and my fellowship.

My 27 year amazing marriage was a direct result of OA.

I was obese and active, leave me alone.

My OA Journey started 5 years ago when I was traveling. But I didn't have a problem. Even though 5 doctors had told me to loose weight.

I was already a member of several 12 step programs but OA started to drip into my consciousness opening the door to listen and change.

OA Birthday parties always kicked my program back into gear.

Suddenly 7 months in I am in a hotel with a microwave feeding 2 for months. It wasn't pretty. I did it better each of the next 5 times.

My open heart surgery was a major turning point to make more healthy food choices . .seriously!

I have let some foods go and embraced new foods. Its a healthy adventure.

Begin anytime. and begin again anytime.

Today I am excited to see what my Higher Power has in store for me.

I was an outsider in my own family.

I ate a lot at meals and more is secret.

I discovered I judged others to feel better about myself.

Sometimes I had hard time sleeping so I found meeting for 24 hours a day.

I got recovery when I followed the program suggestions.

I can find an abstinent meal at any restaurant.

Today my life it full of 'Thank You God' moments.

My mom threw lots of money at my weight.

I came into OA for the diet. Today I will never diet again.

At my high weight I was a physical and emotional wreck.

First I wrote everything I ate, then three meals a day, incremental additions became my recovery.

I thought my Higher Power was my servant. Eventually I reversed it.

My weight loss was a by-product of focusing on my recovery.

I no longer steal my children's food.

Today rather than fixing everyone and everything My Higher Power helps me seek to adjust my mind. my attitudes, my behavior,

Three legged program - Physical, Emotional, and spiritual.

Today I am willing to wear red pants.

I went to church and had a relationship with God, Not one I liked.

Growing up I turned to food and as long as I didn't eat the last one,  avoided trouble .

My disease manifested as a single path to isolation.

Today I am surrounded by loving friends and I believe them.

22 years in program.

I am 5' 6" and was a shade under 600 lbs.

I returned after a 6 week relapse with a renewed commitment leading into a spiritual change. . but not right away.

Not only do I have a toolbox of recovery, I have learned how to use the tools and DO.

I know my problems, OA offers me the solutions.

I work the 12 steps AND the 12 traditions.

My first psychic change was in 1973  - Before OA.

I can still be willful, vindictive and have learned to make amends.

There are other weight loss programs. This is a spiritual program.

I eat my entire food plan and no more.

Today I have a conscious and continuous contact with my higher power.

My family relationships are less than perfect. So it goes.

Abstaining member of OA for more than 36 years. and a recovered liar, sneak, cheat and thief.

I was 340 LBS, miserable, my job in jeopardy and I could not stop.

I bought the book so I could find the secret.

OA didn't teach me how to eat. It taught me how to stop. . . for one day.

Little by little I made different choices and avoided certain food. OA was working in my life.

Once I was powerless over my addiction I was able to accept help from a higher power.

I get to practice not eating compulsively all day today.

I use most of the tools every day. (not big on writing)

Don't have any memory before food.

I was over 400 lbs by 14 years old.

This disease stole so much of my life.

I have always felt bodily and mentally different from my fellows.

Fear of what can happen to me only sent me deeper into the food.

Today, working the steps, being free from my food obsession, my life is a constant miracle.

I have lived in the same place long enough to have them raise my rent, What a gift.

I was stealing and lying about food as a young kid.

Supplements, diets, all worked for a short time once.

Got the 15 questions of OA in the military. Did a treatment center, Spiritual retreat and got a sponsor. Ended up more sober than abstinent.

Left military, college on GI Bill - up over 300 lbs.

Got back into OA, 4 years of abstinence but minimal recovery. led to relapse.

Once I got back I got enrolled into Service at the Intergroup level and more but stilled bounced up and down.

Today I have a sponsor, do service, stick to my food plan and am close to my goal weight and just stay here.

Everything hopeful started tomorrow, Monday or 'on the first'

I was my own worst critic.
Lies I told myself about me.  - Fat people are lazy, unlovable, ugly, have no will power, hopeless.

Compulsive overeating is a lonely pass-time.

I always wanted to be thin. I was not willing to do what I needed to do.

2008 I went back to OA through a convention. I surrendered with a prayer 'God, I can't do this alone'. I got a sponsor that weekend.

I got abstinent 4 days before Halloween.

If you are alive you will experience celebration, sorrow, love and loss. It is always easier abstinent.

Today I CAN hear the small voice that tells me 'Kara, you are OK.'

Came in at 16 but not a smooth trajectory.

Food was my solution to escape from my reality.

I would do anything to avoid my body being seen.

I was banned from the Soup Plantation.

I ended up growing up in these rooms which was very uncomfortable.

Today .  Abstinence is my only shot at a big, great life.

I choose feelings over food. I have intimate, honest relationships with other people.

I can get through anything as long as I don't try to do it alone.

Needed a Dr.s note for my first go at Weight Watchers.

I started as a Catholic and learned how to pray . . . for me.

I didn't worship God, I worshipped food.

I became super woman - alone.

Finally a therapist got me to consider I was a compulsive over eater and got to OA. So I wanted to learn the food plan.

The moment I actually said I was willing to go to any length, I had a spiritual experience. and my journey to recovery finally began for real.

I was over AND under-eater.

I noticed odd behavior as a child picking my friends by their snacks.

I only thought about what the food did for me, not what it was doing to me.

I was different Bobs with different people as any good people pleaser. No clue who I really was.

After a health scare I learned how to eat but could not do it. I heard of OA but it took 3 years to hit my bottom.

In program I dieted successfully until one fateful binge night brought the reality of my disease and my need for a sponsor and the steps to the forefront.

A food plan helped me resist the thoughts of 'I need more' 'I am full I should stop', Just stuck to my food plan.

It feels like my service work helps me more than the service I provide helps others.

Entered high school at 350, left over 500.

First OA meeting was not my people, That was not MY problem.

I lost 200 lbs by restricting and self will. That led to my relapse

Upon reentry into OA I still struggled with the steps. Finally had a spiritual experience when I committed to going to my Father's wife's funeral.

I still harbor the thought "I will never be satisfied'  Today it is not as loud and I have tools to work towards an alternative.

* * There are some gaps in the first few minutes of the recording. * *

My first time in I became Miss OA without doing any of the work.

My resentments with my father prevented from embracing a higher power. So I left

During my relapse I had Gastric Bypass AND started putting on weight.  Back to OA. This time with a Higher Power.

Meetings (4 a week), Big Book, I have a sponsor, do the steps and I do service. That is my program today.

Every day I am the best person I can be. Physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally.

* * Missing 4 minutes of recording @ 3 minute mark. * *

When I lost my abstinence I gained the weight.

No amount of food could fill the hole in the center of my being.

My biographical timeline is marked by food.

I was a secret eater until I got found out.

Pay and weigh worked dramatically for the weight but not for the 'me'

I left the dynamics I grew up with when I went to college, But I took me with me. Back to secrets.

College went from 175  to 0ver 300. Now to work.

3 Continuous fears. Not getting what I want, Loosing what I have, or Being found out.

As my fears got bigger, my world got smaller and I was 525 lbs.

It was a year after I asked God for help before I got into the program.

Early on my life I learned how to keep secrets, and how to hate.

Morbid obesity arrived in my 20s.

While over 300 Lbs I was neurotic about what my son ate.

I did not diet. Any weight adjustments were from changes in my activity.

When I joined OA I resisted being told what to do.

I lost 125 Lbs with very little recovery.

Rich honest emotions are a gift of recovery.

Paul D from Seattle

Annual suggestion to diet and exercise got me started, for a minute.

At one time I was taken to the hospital - FOR OVEREATING

4 Cs   crisis, clarity, colliding opportunities, commitment to a spiritual solution,

A multitude of health issues should have given me a clue about my problem with food.

I discovered Buddhism was the religion of moderation - Poof I'm a Buddhist.

I have studied OA, read ALL the literature, completed the steps and got involved in service. 

I have sent a gratitude list to my sponsor for more that 1000 days.

My abstinence is about foods, behaviors and thoughts.

I had a list of things I wanted from my relationship to OA. They have come true.

6 Months before I came into the program due to my health I considered suicide.

Prior to OA I had no idea of how my life had become such a disaster.

Oatmeal chicken chicken was not for me.

My addictive foods became VERY clear to me.

Established my recovery right out of the Big Book of AA.

I have to understand it is not about lunch. It is about a fatal disease.

Today I am a healthy member of OA and society trying to do my best and be of service.

I favor sponsors with AA background and their that approach to the Big Book.

I turn to my higher power in times of stress rather than the food.

If I go back out I really will die due to my chronic health issues.

A consistent food plan is my salvation.

I share about my issues to let others know they are not alone.

I have friends outside of OA and they are Real friends.

Over 350 when I graduated HS.

On going pattern - Loose weight, have emotions, put it back.

Complacency does not support recovery.

When I had emotional pain in any form, food and sex really did help relieve it... for a while

I no longer focus on the food, I focus on my surrender. Seems to work better.

My need for acceptance led me to some REALLY BAD choices.

For me real healing must include abstinence.

Three questions for offering help.

I didn't come to OA to suffer, I came to be free. Today I am.

My process or recovery was SLOWbriety.

My Dad locked food not knowing what to do with me.

In college I had unsupervised access to all the food I wanted.

 * * Missing first 2 minutes of the talk * * *

Diets and drama worked for a minute.

I got to 12 step though my husbands' recovery.

Real recovery is more than meetings and prayer.

Terror, fear and hunger all felt the same in my body.

Yellow light foods are really red light foods I am unwilling to give up.

I was born prematurely. That was the last time I was underweight.

Growing up we showed love with food. I couldn't get enough love or food.

I did lots of diets, They all worked for a while and only once.

Every time I thought I was doing great it led to my doing poorly and then regaining my weight.

I finally surrendered into the program over a can of oysters.

At my highest weight I was using a cane. Any physical activity was a challenge.

I recently played Basketball. Different set of emotional flooded me than I was used to.

My life was finding a way to fill the void which could not even describe.

I fled from people who liked me because something had to be wrong with them.

My eating kicked in when I gave up smoking.

OA was not my first 12 step program. Any 12 step program started improving my life.

Having a structured program works for me. I want freedom of choice but that did not work.

Black was slimming ... I thought

The most important amends that I had to make,  that took the longest, was to myself.

Abstinence did not suddenly give me social skills.

Relapse is part of my story. Acknowledging in allows me to help others who may be struggling and ashamed.

My goals ended up being limiting. God had way better plans for me.

I use tool every day.

Defiance is still one of my character defects.

Today my food plan and my lifestyle activities directly support my health.

Growing up alcohol was just liquid sugar.

I was stealing food in first grade.

As youngest of 11children  I was in the 'who could loose weight' family competition in the third grade.

I failed at anorexia and bulimia.

Sugar was my 'drug' of choice.

By 22 I was over 300 lbs

Gained and lost over 100 lbs at least 6 times.

Nailed the program. Lost weight, spoke, was a super hero for a moment.

The message of OA is welcoming, supportive and available to all who want it. All excuses are accepted.

Black and white abstinence is the only thing the works for me. I don't do well with 'wiggle room'

Nothing changed until I got a sponsor.

HOW had the food plan I rejected/needed/accepted but actually led to weight loss.

I needed the program much longer than I wanted it. Today I want it.

I was told Our built in freezer would kill me. I went in all the time.

I used food to feel better. I used Alcohol to not feel at all.

I would eat as if it was I was in a blackout.

They said it's not about the food but I wasn't buying it.

Even putting down the food did not make my life manageable.

The more I try to control others the more stress I experience.

The disease gripped me in a death grip at age 30.

I would binge on appropriate foods and lots of it.

I came to OA at 33 and the welcoming made it not scary.

I keep coming back, food continues to speak to me. I act on it by making a call.

I lost weight but I also lost most of my crazy thoughts. and I have tools when they come back.

Tonight I will talk about the 12 Traditions And the principles behind each tradition.

'A great set of explanations connecting each tradition with its fundamental Principle'

Barb 9-9-88. My "in my disease" life was a minimal closed in reality.

*  Polly Q I spent years in 'white knuckle abstinence' It was not fun. and ended in relapse.

Today my abstinence is all about my relationship with my higher power

*  Beth -  Lost 140 LBS, Gained a modicum of sanity.

* Amanda - Escape artist with food as my favorite tool

My behavior was based on my addiction.

I was advised to address 'what was killing me the fastest' It was not food at that time.

*  April In program a long time but in the background. 'I'm good thanks'

Today my journey is about surrender.

In for 12, out for 12, back in 2009 to present.

Clear precise abstinence makes is the only way it is possible for me to stay abstinent.

I had a Loose/tight problem. I had to Loosen up in some areas and tighten up in others.

How I eat today is largely influenced by how I ate yesterday.

80/20 God/me.  In reality my part is much less.

A Clear description of the intention and results from OA in his life.

Could not find clothes in Paris.

I binged because I was ashamed of being fat.

In OA I was a dishonest people pleaser.

After a brief relapse I asked the scariest woman to be my sponsor.

Certain foods became poison to me.

I identified specific 'Alcoholic' behaviors to avoid.

Kimberly goes through her experiences with the steps.

My whole life became about my loosing weight. and my family agreed.

I have certain white powders which are drugs and toxins for me.

When I finally got to OA, I dove right in (meetings, steps service) and my life changed.  Who knew???

We end up lying to ourselves when we remember what food did for us and forget what it did to us.

Heavy as a child, bullied in school.

I was a good dieter but it only lasted a minute.

I actually had a accident while eating.

I knew I was home at my first meeting.

Knowing I was crazy was my first evidence of my recovery.

T. R. U. S.T   Try Really Using Steps and Traditions.

I had the moment when there was nothing but God between me and the next compulsive bite. God was there and I stayed abstinent.

I practice the principles (Steps for me  AND Traditions for my marriage) in all my affairs.

Grew up in alcoholic family. I was paid in candy to keep secrets. By both sides.

My mom took me to Weight Watchers.

The catholic God had nothing to do with my life. I had to figure it out on my own. Food was my God.

Loosing weight did not make my life beautiful.

Tried OA @ 22 for 30 seconds. Got sponsor, she fires me, I fired OA, back to sponsoring myself.

Weight and I ballooned, Health problems came on and I ended up wheelchair bound.

Today I  hear God in my heart louder than the disease in my head. Health stats are mostly back in normal ranges.The rest are getting there.

I know it kicked in around 5 years old.

It was suggested that more will power would help me with my food misuse. Nahhhh

Diet was the next answer.

I went to my first OA meeting when I was 11.

Eating Rehab in high school. Way to much talking talking talking. If you lost weight- you got my attention.

Sponsoring myself led to relapse, weight gain, and more pain.

Got a sponsor, took direction, had great results and took all the credit. . . relapse.

Finally in 2005 I truly connected with the program.

I was hospitalized at age 6 from overeating, I was 65 years old when I entered OA.

YoYo was me. I guess I'm not the only one.

I had a lower body aneurysm that brought serious health issues. but I ignored it until I came into OA.

I was known as 'The Sleeper' At Wendy's, at the movies, at the wheel.

Weight training became an important part of my physical recovery.

I committed for one year, After the year I did not want to go back.

I couldn't loose weight, even for $5000 dollars.

Even my therapist convinced me I was different.

I was NOT a dieter.

Once in OA I never left. There really was nowhere else for me to go.

I was full of anger. OA has released me from that aura.

I even want the best for my Ex-husband - BIG Miracle.

Today I can truly look at food as art, and not miss it as food.  Really.

My Life in college was my personal brown out. Everything was dim and half power.

Health issue had me stop sugar, flour etc. It did not go well.

I went to OA because I recognized I had cravings.

Embracing my feelings was a long time coming. I am still working on it.

 I heard about OA from a speaker in another 12 step program.

Surprisingly a boyfriend didn't fix me.

For me, 3 meetings a week are required for my recovery to progress.

Today my daily routine includes morning and evening rituals.

My willingness to make ammends is now, When I get to do it is up to God,

9 years of not quite abstinent = Lying

Change in recovery is not about pain, it's a about growth.

I still don't like hearing "It takes time".

I still send my food in, do service, make a ton of calls. It seems to work

Cheryl B 10 Min
First time in program I got weight loss and little more.

Anne T 20 Min
Several periods of multiple year abstinence.

I learned to binge on food in my food plan. result = 40 lbs.

**There is a missing 65 seconds after 1:30. **

This day 42 years ago was my first OA Meeting.

Top weight over 400 lbs. Came into OA at 380.

I was an Atheist and completely unwilling to be converted.

By 16 years I was deep into relapse and terrified of being seen but went to a convention.

For the last 15 years I continue to work the steps and improve my spiritual life.

Growing up in an abusive home, in college and grad school  my best friend was sugar/candy.

My life was one crisis after another. One is not enough including suicide attempts.

I went from 88 lbs to 223 and everything in between for 40 years.

I was having physical problems, labelled as obese and that got my attention, getting me into OA.

Started out only willing to call my sponsor daily. Eventually I was gifted with abstinence.

I have had the same body for 10 years and today I love it.

I get something new every time I go the the AA Big Book. How could Bill Wilson know how I felt about my hopelessness?

I did food plans like I did diets.

Today I do the program - the steps, writing, meetings, exercise, service, higher power.

Seeing others who have lost 100, 200 300 pounds and more inspired me and helped me believe it was possible for me.

I could still eat compulsively while on my food plan.

My food choices were based on convenience. MY convenience.

The 12 steps clarified my defects which I had overlooked, denied or suppressed.

I switched careers rather than address my overeating.

Planning my food helps me avoid impulse eating.

A single mistake is not a slip. A second time... let's talk.

I have a daily 'quiet time'.

I ate lots but stayed thin through basketball.

Eventually I got married and slowed down playing and slowly moved into obesity. I started the yoyo for years.

There are some gaps in the recording and lost the last minute.

I went to OA for a while. It worked so well I left.

In my 70s I ended up morbidly obese with heart problems. This got my attention.

My wife passed and I was alone and fat.

I am back for 3 years, over 100 lbs lighter and involved.

I am a literature junkie. Even some Non OA approved readings has been inspirational.

The 12 steps exist in many spiritual

At 41 I had a wake up call with way dangerous blood results.

I found I could mess up and if I told the truth you would still allow me at the meetings.

Consistency in my program includes meetings, a food plan, a sponsor, calls and the truth.

I carry food when I travel so I am in charge of what I eat.

Daily basics every day.

Continuous member since Jan 24 1994 Abstinent from Feb 16.

I have written for my sponsor every night over 4300 times.

Resentment, remorse, rebellion, resistance cause me problems

She offered a VERY clear analysis of how she uses the steps consistently.

In NYC following an acting career I was just surviving -

I had to call back to California to find a meeting in New York.

It took me more than a year to really accept the first step.

One moment at a time, one day at a time, one step at a time OA had brought me a life of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual recovery.

Today I have gratitude for all that has happens.

Step 1-12 explained as what they mean to ME.

No matter what happens, how I feel or what I resist I kept coming back

A marriage without ANY recovery was not working.

I heard a speaker I had nothing in common with and identified with everything she said.

Working the steps will GUARANTEE you will change.

I have had the same sponsor for 20 years. AND I work with other members on specific issues.

 **  Due to technical diffuculties there is 7 minutes of sharing  missing starting @ 8:29

Didn't know what eating regularly meant until I was in a foster home.

Ate my way up to 440 Lbs. 

Today I have a routine for my food and my life activities.

Miracles don't hapen without the footwork.

I was a compusve overeater in the fasion industry.

When I got to OA I did what I was told. and it worked as long as I did it.

I keep doing fourth steps (When told to) and they are always transformational.

It is too easy to forget what works. That's why I have a sponsor.

The program keeps me abstinent, the fellowship keeps the rest of me on track ...no matter what.

Abstinent from 10/86

I was 10 when I got on my first diet from my mother worked for 5 days.

Food took me out of where I was, unsafe, and put me in a safe place.

My bravest moment was to stand, Indentify a compulsive overeater and in that moment I became 'a part of'.

It was a shock when I realized the world did not revolve around me.

I continue to improve my conscious contact with 'God'.

1st meeting 1988. 

I knew what was the right way to eat but I could not refrain from binging/eating for any length of time.

Grew up in home with no structure.

Could not imagine talking about my food in front of men.

I  got  a sponsor,what she asked me to do made no sense but I did it anyway.

Discovering a higher power is an ongoing process for me. Recovery is in the seeking.

For me it has been a slow and consistent road of recovery. Like the tortoise.

Used Lunch money to buy candy on the way to school. 

Hit 250 in high school.

Found OA in college, followed the program and.... it worked.

My relapse happens slowly, loosing one peice at at time until I was completely out of the program.

Gastric Bypass seemed like a miracle....  for a while.

The food blocked me from the joy of the American Dream.

From all out to all in was the beginning of my recovery..this time.

In the beginning, feelings seemed like negative byproduts of doing the work.

Really wanting and choosing a salad was a miracle of the program.

Graduated HS @ 270 with 50" waist. It frightened me.

Fear ruled me. I fixed/avoided with food.

I was willing to go to ANY lengths. Alone - Every diet work for a short time... Once.

46 days in OA led to my worst binge ever. It was a turning point.

I discovered a Higher Power of "MY" understanding.

Abstinence gave me lots of extra time to do my program.

Food was my crutch when I was 12.

Even pudgy brought about massive shame.

God was for uneducated, weak- willed people.

I attended meetings without participating until somebody actually talked to me.

Not a program of feeling, thinking, wanting... It is a program of action !

lost 140 lbs first time in OA.

After a major relapse I have 17 years today.

I am a skid row compulsive over eater.

I learned to show up, sit in the front, raise my hand, be of service and tell the truth.

The Doctors Opinion nails it for me.

My program is the infrastructure for my life.

I now have someone who I love and loves me. I never thought it could happen for me.

Abstinent since 9/8/2003

My addictions does not get triggered if I avoid foods I am allergic to.

I knew the foods I was allergic to but kept buying and eating them into oblivion. and wake up with another failed commitment to do it differently.

A friend from another 12 step program mentioned OA. I went but did not work the OA  program.

I was afraid to go shopping at first.

I did all the steps in order out of the big book with a sponsor. It worked.

Today I am dependent on my Higher Power ... in a healthy way,

Growing up I looked good on the outside.  But.....

Everything I did I did compulsively, Food/ Sugar was the major negative one.

I learned to tap dance at as a child and used it  physically and emotionally for years.

I created a seemingly cool life on the outside as a designer in Europe until I can back to US. Not cool = Not OK

Women were meeting is a restaurant I worked at were having an OA meeting. Ding Ding.Ding.

I picked my sponsor because she judged like I did.

I have maintained a healthy body weight for 34 years  always participating in OA, keeping commitments, sponsoring and doing the steps many times.

Stopping my compulsive behaviors is the BEGINNING of my recovery.

I always saw myself as a fat child, but in retrospect is was not always true.

I had heard about stopping hard drugs and it sounded like my trying to stop eating chocolate. Long before I got into OA.

2 weeks into OA I discovered Fear and Resentment were the underlying issue for my compulsive eating and cravings.

Growing up I never learned how to identify and talk about my emotions in realm time.

This is my current work. I can get a resentment when things are not clear and/or consistent and I can eat over it.  The work never ends. Today I write about it rather than eat over it. Yay OA

Lonely kids. I knew all the 'Lonely' songs.

Big in elementary school.

Got sober in '75. 

Introduced to OA in '76. started on to 18 years of abstinence. Was involved, did service. did not stick.

Basic instincts went awry. 

PAGGLES  7 deadly sins On me to make adjustments with God's help

12 steps in 10 words.
1  Give up

2,3 Look up
4-9 Clean up
10, 11  Keep up
12 Show up

9 of 10 Children. Family dinners were always an adventure.

If I excelled in sports I could get Dad's attention. Led to perfectionism and people pleasing and led me to my first 12 steep program.

Sugar got me so high my face would tingle.

Anytime I step on a scale  I feel bad. So i don't step on a scale.

Once I got to  OA I never left. I didn't do the program well but I never left.

I lost my first sponsor - then fake sugar led to weight gain, changing meetings, thinking a nutritionist would be better than getting a new sponsor.

Everything changed when I really started 'Doing the Work'.

This past year has changed everything in my life for the better. 

I no longer manage people except as required at work.

Recovery can bring back memories of how bad it was. A Fat American in France

I ate violently, destructively and disturbingly.

At one point I did a cost-benefit analysis of my addiction...didn't help.

My fancy education made no difference.

Once in the program I became Miss OA. My physicality came back. 

'I got this' led to an 80 lb weight gain

I finally did get this  Nov 3 2008.

Today I have a daily ritual morning and evening which includes reading, writing, step work and A E I O U  Y

I really do have a life beyond my wildest dreams by doing a few things every day.

Grew up thinking I was unwanted as 5th of 5.

Within 3 days of joining the program there was a month long orientation workshop which gave me a deep understand on the program and what I could expect.

Unity between my program, my marriage, my higher power and my life keep all the parts working.

I was a sensitive kid obsessed with my body image. 

At 15 I got diet pills, then speed and was not actually overweight.

I restricted, was an exercise bulimic and tried it all.

I stopped eating sugar because I was a people pleaser. AND just kept coming  back.

Today the program and my higher power have helped me all the challenges life has thrown at me and maintained my abstinence.

The promises have come true

In my youth I got a rush from stealing and an escape with the food.

Long term cycles of feast and famine(excersize, restriction tec.)

I was in OA for 8 years without a sponsor. 'Surprise' I had no recovery.

Today i have a daily ritual for my recovery which has led to my 2.5 years abstinent,

I was given sugar instead of a bottle.

Program worked when I laid down the food and picked up a pen.

Never, Never, Never give up.

my 4th step made me suicidal because I had no God. 

Since I developed a belief and relationship with a Higher Power he has saved me regularly.