Cornerstones of My Recovery
E.C.’s has persisted in OA for more than 20 years, and the inevitable result is abstinence from compulsive overeating and a strong program of recovery.
Tools
Take Action — Reach for a Tool
I’ll never forget my last close call with bingeing. I had just left the doctor’s office after a check-up in early May 2006. It was my first time meeting this doctor. I was 35 pounds (16 kg) overweight and two weeks back into program. She was professional and told me I needed to lose weight … Continued
The Fork in the Road
Karen, who has maintained a 210-pound (95-kg) weight loss for more than fifteen years, uses the Tools of Recovery to maintain her program just as diligently as she uses tools and resources for automobile maintenance to keep the first car she ever bought new in good running condition. The road in OA, she notes, is ”not always smooth and comfortable, but it is leading me to freedom” (For Today, p. 288).
Writing Opens the Door
Writing can clarify emotions, reveal character defects, and enhance recovery. When it is shared, writing can even help other OA members with their own recoveries.
What Would My Sponsor Text?
Food and rage were Judith’s ways of dealing with stress before OA. In this story, she recounts how using the telephone Tool both to call and text her sponsor and other OA members helped her take her next Step and truly feel the support coming from her Higher Power.
Beginning at Dusk
By beginning each day at dusk, I’ve embraced a routine that fosters serenity, aligning my evenings with Overeaters Anonymous principles to prepare mindfully for the day ahead.
Carried Clearly
At an OA retreat, Heather responded to the question “How do you carry the message in meetings, as sponsors, with fellows, and in your everyday life?” We are happy to publish her response in Lifeline.
Many Ways to Serve
There are countless ways to serve in Overeaters Anonymous, each offering an opportunity to support recovery and extend the hand and heart of OA to others.
A Boost With Lifeline
A simple (but not easy) note of gratitude for all who contribute to Lifeline.
Stories From Others
Naomi expresses how valuable it is to her recovery to hear the recovery stories of other OA members.