I can say without a shadow of a doubt that OA has completely saved my life.
I have spent the last 900 days working really hard to change my life. Those changes include improving my mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Part of this journey includes an over 110-pound (45-kg) weight loss and working on how I deal with my life on a daily basis instead of turning to food for comfort. I have spent the last 900 days making better choices; some of those choices were really hard, but in the end always worth it.
I have spent the last 900 days living instead of just existing, or even worse, waiting to die. My husband is no longer a party of one. Oh sure, being a disabled person, I still have days that I’m just not physically up to things, but for the most part I actually participate in my life now. I spent the better part of the past ten years feeling helpless, hopeless, and deeply clinically depressed. I barely left my bed, which I had felt was a safe haven, but in reality, it was a personal prison. But with the help of Overeaters Anonymous and my family’s support and love, things have improved one day at a time. It’s been slow—working the Steps has taught me recovery is a process that doesn’t happen overnight—but I’m okay with that.
I still have a ways to go to achieve a healthy body weight, but I am okay with that too because I can see progress is happening. Besides, I feel like there’s a lesson for me to learn about patience and perseverance. I’m learning for myself that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as I keep trying my best—but it isn’t okay to just give up. OA has been teaching me that it’s about progress and not perfection, and not just when recovering from an eating disorder, but for life in general.
I have done things in the past 900 days that I didn’t think I could ever do. I’ve learned how to live life on life’s terms, not my terms, which has been such an important lesson. I’ve also been able to help others, which has been such a gift. And I’ve met the most amazing people. Just last month, I spent over a week at an OA leadership conference where I got to meet face to face with people whom I had only known virtually but who have been a part of my daily life for the past two and half years.
I am so full of gratitude for every person that is in my life, both inside and outside of the OA program. I have learned so many important lessons from just about everyone I come in contact with in one way or another. My family has been instrumental in my recovery, especially my husband. There’s not a single thing he wouldn’t do for me. He’s gone along on this journey with me every second of these 900 days.
I can say without a shadow of a doubt that OA has completely saved my life. I have lost quite a bit of weight, and what I have gained in return is immeasurable. Like I mentioned before, I still have a long way to go, but but it doesn’t matter because I know I will get there. And whatever “there” that looks like, I’ve learned, is actually none of my business. That’s up to God or the universe or Mother Earth or my body, but it’s not up to me. I’m so thankful about that.
I can’t wait to see what the next 900 days has in store for me. Whatever it is, I’m here for it, because I’m awake and alive and happier than I have been in forever. What an amazing 900 days it has been. Thank you OA for saving my life. Together we get better.
—Renee D., California USA
