abstinance /obsession removed
Overeaters Anonymous uses those terms as part of their program. You acknowledge your powerlessness in the face of food obsession, and ask your Higher Power to remove the obsession from you.
Abstinence is the number of days, weeks, months or years that you have abstained, or refrained from, compulsive overeating. Compulsive overeating is eating food when you aren't really hungry, or don't want the food per se, but use the behavior as a coping mechanism in response to stress or other strong emotions. You basically eat with your brain turned off, often to the point of discomfort.
OA is an excellent resource for people who have struggled with compulsive overeating all their lives. They have an online website where you can find the meeting closest to you, with times and contact numbers.
Abstinence is the number of days, weeks, months or years that you have abstained, or refrained from, compulsive overeating. Compulsive overeating is eating food when you aren't really hungry, or don't want the food per se, but use the behavior as a coping mechanism in response to stress or other strong emotions. You basically eat with your brain turned off, often to the point of discomfort.
OA is an excellent resource for people who have struggled with compulsive overeating all their lives. They have an online website where you can find the meeting closest to you, with times and contact numbers.
"Fall down 7 times--STAND UP 8!"
Dear abuddingrose:
I have been in OA (off and on) for about 20 years. I was in it close to three years from 1987 to 1990, then left, thinking I knew everything I could learn about the program. I had lost 70 pounds by going on two diets back to back, and didn't understand abstinence at all. I thought back then it was just going on a diet.
I came back in 1995-1998, but only faked working the program, even getting a sponsor. The only reason then I went to meetings was because I was lonely in the evenings, since my husband then worked 2nd shift. I dropped out and tried more dieting again, getting fatter and fatter in the process.
In February 2006, I rejoined OA seriously this time, and better understood what compulsive overeating and abstinence were all about. I got a sponsor that first night back, and started working the 12 Steps of OA from the OA Twelve & Twelve (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions). I tried being abstinent by myself, without asking for my Higher Power's Help, but struggled for a long time. I started very slowly losing weight, weighed myself once a month, still praying, but made very little progress.
Finally, financial stress caught up with me in early September of this year, and I finally committed myself to a group called Back to Basics, which is working the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous from the Big Book of AA, as adapted for compulsive overeaters in OA.
Workiing the steps that way from that source has revolutionized my recovery from compulsive overeating. After working the 5th Step, my overeating obsession was completely removed. I no longer had this constant nagging feeling of never having enough food to eat. My abstinence became very easy, and I started losing weight easier. After this, all the feelings that I had been holding down with the excess food came up to the surface, and I was overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and worry. I came home from a Back to Basics meeting (5 weeks to do the 12 Steps), and begged my Higher Power to remove all those feelings. They were removed immediately, and I felt a calmness, peace, and serenity like I've never felt before - it was wonderful! I knew I was having a spiritual awakening, and I continued to work the Steps until I had worked through the 11th Step (improving your conscious contact with your Higher Power). After the previous spiritual awakening, I found myself willing to do anything that was my Higher Power's Will, completely surrendering to Him.
I went through hell after the 11th Step, because my schizophrenia acted up again, even though I was on medication, from extreme stress, symptoms I haven't had since I was hospitalized in 1993. I heard two voices, one after the other, which I believed were God speaking to me, but which were a part of my illness. I got medical help from my psychiatrist, took more of my anti-psychotic medication, and was relieved of the voices. I found I did have a real conscious contact, however, after the voices were removed, which gave me ideas and guidance through my own thoughts, guidance which was sensible and good for me, unlike the voices gave.
Since then, I've lost seven pounds in less than a week, am very calm, peaceful, and serene, and have no problem being abstinent at all - I eat like a normal person now, without any effort on my part, since I am in fit spiritual condition every day - and doing my Higher Power's Will every day, which is just wonderful.
I know this probably sounds crazy to you, but it's the ultimate goal of every person in OA, if they believe it is possible. The weight loss is secondary to my recovery. The real miracle is that I'm finally living in a way that I can take care of my health and my life sanely.
Hope that answers your question.
Denise Phares/highpow
I have been in OA (off and on) for about 20 years. I was in it close to three years from 1987 to 1990, then left, thinking I knew everything I could learn about the program. I had lost 70 pounds by going on two diets back to back, and didn't understand abstinence at all. I thought back then it was just going on a diet.
I came back in 1995-1998, but only faked working the program, even getting a sponsor. The only reason then I went to meetings was because I was lonely in the evenings, since my husband then worked 2nd shift. I dropped out and tried more dieting again, getting fatter and fatter in the process.
In February 2006, I rejoined OA seriously this time, and better understood what compulsive overeating and abstinence were all about. I got a sponsor that first night back, and started working the 12 Steps of OA from the OA Twelve & Twelve (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions). I tried being abstinent by myself, without asking for my Higher Power's Help, but struggled for a long time. I started very slowly losing weight, weighed myself once a month, still praying, but made very little progress.
Finally, financial stress caught up with me in early September of this year, and I finally committed myself to a group called Back to Basics, which is working the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous from the Big Book of AA, as adapted for compulsive overeaters in OA.
Workiing the steps that way from that source has revolutionized my recovery from compulsive overeating. After working the 5th Step, my overeating obsession was completely removed. I no longer had this constant nagging feeling of never having enough food to eat. My abstinence became very easy, and I started losing weight easier. After this, all the feelings that I had been holding down with the excess food came up to the surface, and I was overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and worry. I came home from a Back to Basics meeting (5 weeks to do the 12 Steps), and begged my Higher Power to remove all those feelings. They were removed immediately, and I felt a calmness, peace, and serenity like I've never felt before - it was wonderful! I knew I was having a spiritual awakening, and I continued to work the Steps until I had worked through the 11th Step (improving your conscious contact with your Higher Power). After the previous spiritual awakening, I found myself willing to do anything that was my Higher Power's Will, completely surrendering to Him.
I went through hell after the 11th Step, because my schizophrenia acted up again, even though I was on medication, from extreme stress, symptoms I haven't had since I was hospitalized in 1993. I heard two voices, one after the other, which I believed were God speaking to me, but which were a part of my illness. I got medical help from my psychiatrist, took more of my anti-psychotic medication, and was relieved of the voices. I found I did have a real conscious contact, however, after the voices were removed, which gave me ideas and guidance through my own thoughts, guidance which was sensible and good for me, unlike the voices gave.
Since then, I've lost seven pounds in less than a week, am very calm, peaceful, and serene, and have no problem being abstinent at all - I eat like a normal person now, without any effort on my part, since I am in fit spiritual condition every day - and doing my Higher Power's Will every day, which is just wonderful.
I know this probably sounds crazy to you, but it's the ultimate goal of every person in OA, if they believe it is possible. The weight loss is secondary to my recovery. The real miracle is that I'm finally living in a way that I can take care of my health and my life sanely.
Hope that answers your question.
Denise Phares/highpow
(deactivated member)
on 10/29/09 12:01 am
on 10/29/09 12:01 am
HELLO, MY NAME IS ALINA AND TODAY THE DAY DAY THAT ALL TOGETHER SINCE I WOULD SAY 6-8 YEARS AGO I LOST 69 POUNDS ON MY OWN.. I AM THRILLED.. AS OF JANUARY OF 2009 I LOST 49 LBS. I FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT IT AND I WANT TO SHARE MY SUCESS.
1. FA MEETINGS - FOODADDICTIONS.ORG. THEY R ALL OVER THE WORLD
2. SPONSOR TO HELP ME
3. 3 MEETINGS PER WEEK
3 MEALS PER DAY NO SUGAR NO CARBS.
4. 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK EXCERCISING AND WALKING EVERYDAY AN HOUR..
LOOK AT MY PICTURES, IF YOU WANT WHAT I HAVE AND WILLING TO GO TO ANY LENGHT TO GET IT, JUST HOLLOR I WILL HELP..
ALINA
November 5, 2009
Dear Alina:
I am writing again, further in my recovery. I have just recently given up sweets, junk food, white flour products, etc. They actually make me sick! I understand where you are coming from in FAA. I've seen their food plan, and it's a good one, mainly vegetarian! I eat vegetarian now, too, and love it!
I'm currently looking for another sponsor in OA, but may try FAA meeting again. I know there is one in Middleburgh Heights on Friday, that a friend of mine goes to. I have a feeling that if I attend it again, this time I won't be threatened by their diet!
Take care,
Denise Phares/highpow
Dear Alina:
I am writing again, further in my recovery. I have just recently given up sweets, junk food, white flour products, etc. They actually make me sick! I understand where you are coming from in FAA. I've seen their food plan, and it's a good one, mainly vegetarian! I eat vegetarian now, too, and love it!
I'm currently looking for another sponsor in OA, but may try FAA meeting again. I know there is one in Middleburgh Heights on Friday, that a friend of mine goes to. I have a feeling that if I attend it again, this time I won't be threatened by their diet!
Take care,
Denise Phares/highpow
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