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.
“I knew I had huge self-will…” says one member who came in broken after trying to work the program her own way. But she was also desperate and willing, and her willingness led to progress, and her progress eventually, and inevitably, led her to her dream of “a peaceful and serene life.”
Sharon’s old life was one of constant bingeing and restricting and a false belief that being thin meant being happy. That all changed as the result of working the Twelve Steps, and in this story, Sharon shares her two main methods for working the Steps: 1) quickly every day and 2) slowly and thoroughly over weeks and months.
Bonnie, a longtime OA member, came into OA as a teen in the 1970s and reflects on the challenges and benefits of fitting in with older OA members. Bonnie says, “More young people who need OA are out there … I want to be the hand that says, “Welcome to Overeaters Anonymous. Welcome home.”
When I first came into Overeaters Anonymous, I quickly learned to respect anonymity: who I saw, who said what—none of that was mine to share with anyone.
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.
After a heartfelt visit with a friend who shared unconditional love and understanding, I felt an undeniable grace that inspired me to break free from the grip of sugar addiction and commit to abstinence—one day at a time.
Inspired by a Lifeline article, an OA member in 1981 kept hope alive by sustaining meetings as the sole participant, paving the way for her lasting recovery and abstinence since 1983.
Before I’d ever heard of OA or its Principles and practices, my only desire was to lose weight. I was tired and bloated and felt ten years older than I was. God intervened and put the words “Maybe you could try Overeaters Anonymous?” upon the lips of a good friend. I went to a meeting and immediately felt at … Continued
From the brink of death at 534 pounds to a miraculous recovery through Overeaters Anonymous, Carrie recounts how her journey of faith, support, and the Twelve Steps transformed her life, health, and spirit.