Overeater's Anonymous?

Does anyone have any experience with overeaters anonymous? I am having some troubles and have once again eaten myself sick. Not fudgesicles sick, just I didn't stop when I felt full. And now of course I feel like crap. So now I am disgusted with myself and feel like a HUGE failure. I need to get this under control. I'd go back to the psychologist, but I think I need continued therapy and I just can't take all that time off from work. I'm really needing some help right now. Kathy

Kathy... here's a listing of local meetings.. they also have a website " www.oa.org " Meetings Near You Click on meeting place to bring up meeting information, address and contact person. Printer Friendly Version City State Country Day Time Meeting Place GREENVILLE SC USA Saturday 10:00AM ST FRANCIS WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL GREENVILLE SC USA Thursday 10:00AM SAINT MICHAEL****HERAN CHURCH GREENVILLE SC USA Thursday 6:00PM ST FRANCIS WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Thanks Stephanie Have you ever used them? Its not like Weigh****chers right? Its more like group therapy? If this doesn't work, I'm gonna have to hire one of you guys to come kick me in the rear on a regular basis. Kathy

I looked into OA once when I was in my low points. It looks like a good program. Something like a 12 step program like AA. It didn't appear to be like WW. I'm sorry you are down right now. Call me if you need to talk. Rachel

Sorry youre dealing with this Kathy!!!! That was a huge problem for me before surg.. Seems like everyone is having a tough week! Ill be thinking about u.. call if u need to talk Jen

Kathy, I don't know anything about OA, but I just wanted to tell you that you are not a failure. You are an inspiration. We are all going to have times when every wrong button we have is going to get pushed and no matter how hard we try, we are going to look back at how we use to handle things. We are not perfect people and no matter how hard we try.....we never will.....we are human!!!! Sometimes you just have to focus on this very moment. YOu overate...you felt like crap....but now it is a different minute and you are going to make it through this minute and when it is over you will concentrateon the next. Pretty soon you will be looking back on your accomplishment today!!!!! Hang in there kiddo!!!!! (I just said that to Rachel too!). Call me if you need to talk. Melissa

Hi Kathy ... Rachel is correct... it is like a 12 step program / group discussion... like everything else... it's a tool.. Don't y'all have your "Upstate Ladies" meeting tonight? Bring how you're feeling up there... From what I've read, the ladies that attend are understanding and can relate to you as well... ((((((( BIG HUG )))))))) Hope you feel better....

I have not been there for a long time, but OA is a 12-step program, using the same steps as AA. I remember the desperation I felt before I went there, I was at my lowest ever. I remember cooking 2 boxes of mac and cheese (my comfort food of choice) and ate it out of the pot. I was so sick but still crammed it in. I was miserable, and I had thoughts of suicide. Scared me into going... The first time I set foot in the room, and I listened to the ladies there, I began to weep. For the first time in my life, I felt I was in a place where I was understood. I never knew anyone else felt the way I did. That I was not alone. But the bottom line for me was there was a lot of very difficult changes in my life then, and my expectation that life would be wonderful because we did something we "knew" we were supposed to do. There were many challenges, many life lessons. I learned some coping skills in OA, and I learned to be more honest with myself. Bottom line, you are not alone. You have blown it. I am sure you are afraid since you failed big-time that you are on a slippery slope and sliding away. But, every moment gives you a new opportunity to start over. This afternoon is gone. What you have done is in the past. One motto of OA is "Let go and let God" or "whatever you choose your Higher Power to be." Recognizing and accepting that this compulsive overeating is bigger than you and you cannot stand against it alone. Recognizing that there is a Higher Power who can help. Letting that Higher Power help you. I will be praying for you. You can and will make it. One day at a time, one step at a time, sometimes, one moment at a time. Give yourself a break from desperate perfectionism. One thing that helps me at my lowest times is to pray for someone else who struggles with the same thing I do - or worse than what I struggle with-- and that helps me take my mind off me and I do something constructive. Or when someone really TICKS ME OFF or hurts me, to pray all the blessings I want for myself FOR THEM. That humbles me, and take me focused outward, not inward. Sorry this is so verbose. I hope I have helped somehow.

Hey, Kathy, its okay....you don't need Overeater's Anonymous Just you coming here and talking and sharing is a step. I have been having the same thoughts lately, but then I jump on the scale and I have lost more. I find that I have gone through periods of eating lots and then eating not a lot and when I eat more (or it seems like more to me) I end up losing more. Now, I did the same thing lately and I totally relate to what you are saying. I did it yesterday and today. I started to eat more slowly...maybe you are eating too fast?? Then I am trying to eat more frequently, smaller meals throughout the day...but the past 2 days have not worked. Go back to basics...its what I have been doing.... Protein first....like basic protein, boiled shrimp...then you have to peel it, so you eat it slower, and plain grilled/baked chicken, chicken salad...things like that Southwestern Taco Salad is an alltime favorite, my staple for many months now, I don't add the tortilla strips or dressing or sour cream, but I just dump the chili on top, and I usually can't eat even half of it. Just go slow and if you are home a lot, go do something. I have been out everyday shopping...dangerous, but I don't buy much, cheap stuff...just to stay out of the house. If you are away from home, you can't eat as easily!! Take care girl and like I told Rachel, try telling your pcp and get some wellbutrin, it really does help in pinches like this. I will take it for a couple of weeks, until I am under control, then go off of it. It is okay to use it this way, and its really helped me through some tough times!! I have been thinking about doing this again lately, taking the wellbutrin XL Email anytime if you have questions or need anything I am home lots!! Love you, wish I was back in SC, I would drive up and give you and Rachel a big hug, and we could go walking in the mall or something!! Eat slowly....old habits die hard (that is what I have been telling myself lately) So, everything I am saying to you, I am also saying to me!! love ya!! Deb

Hey, sorry, one more thing... If you are more than 5 months post op and getting sick lately....you may have some adhesians or scar tissue forming that can cause you to get sick easier...it happens a lot in post ops, but closer towards 1 yr post op, which is what the doc thinks is happening to me. Tell you pcp, and see what he/she says. Deb