The fellowship and help of OA encouraged me with more than just food issues—I no longer felt all alone.
A person I sponsor committed her food plan to me and said, “I have everything planned and prepared; it is so freeing to be ‘out of the food and into my day.’”
I heartily agreed. My mind went back to the days I buried myself in the clutches of my disease—lost days and years when I did not live life, but endured it, surviving the pain of poor choices and boredom, a time when I had no purpose and no hope my life would improve.
As soon as my child went off to school and my husband left for work, I got into the food and out of the day. I spent days watching mindless, inane television reruns while eating continually. Nothing brought me any pleasure, just numbness. As much as possible I hid my eating from my husband, but I couldn’t hide the weight I gained or the housework undone. When my husband left us, I got a position with a major corporation and began to work my way through the ranks. Through two breaks and a lunch period, I ate, besides snacking while hidden at my desk. Food still was my constant companion and consolation—that and resentment. I resented that promotions seemed to come more readily to women who were slimmer.
Then came desperate attempts to lose weight, but nothing worked. I wanted to be thin but not give up the food. I tried fat-free and sugar-free foods, but eating full cartons at once didn’t help. When my weight reached 206 pounds (93 kg) and I neared the point of being morbidly obese, I became frightened.
During my turmoil, I heard about Overeaters Anonymous and called. I attended meetings and found a great sponsor, whom I called on my breaks and at lunch. The fellowship and help of OA encouraged me with more than just food issues—I no longer felt all alone. Here were folks who understood my struggle. After I shed about 66 pounds (30 kg), my company promoted me to a position I really wanted. I thought I had it made and quit going to OA.
Years later I came back: I had regained 46 of those pounds (21 kg). This time OA helped me look to a Higher Power. I soon found more serenity and stopped bingeing. Later I found a sponsor and began working the Steps and calling in my food. These actions helped me let go of my will and surrender to my Higher Power.
During my first year of abstinence, I shed about 50 pounds (23 kg). The Ninth Step promises began to come true for me. I am finding more peace and more happiness. The love and understanding I have found in OA is so valuable: I don’t feel like a misfit any more. Most of all, I have a life. When I’m out of the food, I truly am into life.
—Rosanne, Oregon USA
