3 Factions OA. Strict, Loose and in between. They all can work. The trick is to find what works for you.

I am a compulsive eater and compulsive dieter. I think I have lost over 2000 lbs

I quickly realized OA was much more than a weight loss program.

My current weight loss that I have maintained for 14 years is over 100 lbs and I am not looking for it.

Even after attaining my target weight I was not satisfied with me.

Who - Did I eat differently around someone.
What - What food might be creeping in that did not serve me.
Where- Were there slippery places where I tended to stretch the boundaries of my food plan. Always best at home.
When - Was there a time of day that simply called me to eat.
Why - What was I telling myself that was not true.

Today I eat to live rather than live to eat.

Growing up we did not have a lot of food so we ate all we could when we could.

Stayed thin through college and marriage until my first child. Then it was on.

I was tricked to going to my first meeting unwilling to acknowledge my issue initially.

Embraced the program slowly. Did not get a sponsor until after a year. I managed a food plan because of my health issues not because has surrendered.

Today I honestly work my food and my life with my sponsor. 

Today I don't eat over the choices I make Good or bad.

Providing service  whenever I can keeps my locked in to the program. Those I sponsors keep me grounded in the basics which is what I need.

I know the program works because it has worked for me and I have seen it work for others over and over again.

Even with multiple physical and mental issues it was in these rooms I finally felt safe.

I couldn't deal with my diagnoses and it took it toll bringing me into 3 programs. I would rather be an addict than have a mental issues.

I had to write a letter about why I hated OA. Pretty revealing.

Eventually I stopped blaming everyone else and accepted responsibility for my action. thus started my real recovery.

I use multiple outside experts instead of self diagnosing, self medicating and failing. 

I am embracing being a healthy woman, in a healthy body with healthy relationships.

I do service which keeps me in the center of the herd.

I work the steps and embrace the traditions to the best of my ability.

My emotions may jump around but they are authentic.