Comments on: Overeaters Anonymous (OA) Meetings – An Inside Look

By: linda

linda — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:58:27 +0000

hi great website just got on to it

By: Min

Min — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 02:38:23 +0000

Sandy,

I know you posted months ago but I am in need of someone to chat with that truly understands what I am going through. I hide in my embarrassment every day and then punish myself every night by continuing this cycle of out of control binging. I just hit the 200 pound mark . . . I weighed that when I gave birth to my daughter 21 years ago and I swore that I would never get that big again . . . here I am. I am so depressed and feel so alone with this monster hovering over me all the time. I just need an honest, pity-free, shoulder to hear me and not sugar coat every feeling that I share. I am so tired of people telling me,’it’s not that bad’, ‘you’re not that overweight’, ‘you just need to eat smaller portions’, etc. Come on people! Get real, be real with me! Wow, that was more than I have said out loud (in writing) than I ever have before. Thanks for listening.

By: barbara

barbara — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:03:52 +0000

wow, just finished reading all the comments, I am so a compulsive eater, espcially at nght watching tv. one bit of sweet and the carton or package are gone before I go to sleep, I used to wake up in the middle of the night to eat if I knew there were goodies in the house. I feel alot of shame about my size and summer is here, that makes it even worse. I controlled my weight for many years, exercised like madwoman, taking my 35 lbs of weights and tape wherever I went, even to the Carribean, health spas. just nuts an I thought I was fat then. Now I’m 190 not 125, how could this happen? I know low self-esteem is a big part of it, hiding clearly is too. I do believe this program works, I’ve seen it. Believe and do the work is the answer. Feeling ok in your own body is what I want and to be healthier and stronger for now and old age. I’m sixty now and can’t let go of the past thin days, men looking at me, that kind of thing that I thought could never happen again. When I was young it was from the outside in, now its from the inside out.

By: barbara rosen

barbara rosen — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:41:22 +0000

Istared going to meetings a few weeks ago, but didn’t speak. Today my AA sponsor told me it wasn’t aboout weight it is about the spiritual program. I am a night eater and also ate food while babysitting – half a cake, a little at a time. Through my thirties and into my 40′s I was a thin, healthy eater. Then I ruptured a disk and spent alot of time in bed (probably hiding from my job) I gained over 20 lbs. Atkins dient for 6 months and 10 lbs off. Another 10 yrs, back at the same job and over a 5 year period gained anoter 40 lbs. This is my first day of abstinence,
have read the beginners pamplets and orderd some books through Central Services. I am having to remind myself that its not the pounds of self-disgust that I have to think about. It’s one day at a time, taking it easy, praying, reading, writing, staying on the program. I have to stop thinking pounds and start thinking Higher Power not so easy.

By: sandy

sandy — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 06:04:49 +0000

i am another night eater. i am obese i really need to find more info on OA . would love to chat w/ others w/ same problem.

By: Kerry

Kerry — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:30:22 +0000

I have been around OA with little success for about 5 years. I think the program works if you are committed to it and if you want to stop eating more than you want to eat! Another point I need to stress is that there is a huge difference between needing to loose weight and being a compulsive overeater. I am definately a COE I will eat until I am physically sick. I eat even though my doctors have warned me that I will develop serious complications if I dont stop. (I am an insulin dependant diabetic). There have been times in OA when I have managed to be abstinent but I must stress that these were periods when I was connected to God and had a stong spiritual life (as sugested by the program) Good Luck to all of you. We all suffer and need to give and receive support. Just one more thing…OA has a tradition of anonymity and as such nobody should use their surnames on line.

By: Mary Hardy

Mary Hardy — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:28:19 +0000

try natures own whole grain sandwitch rounds with smart squeeze fat free butter and sugar free syrup(smukers) It will get u through until the cravings for sugar subside. It takes 10 days for the sugar craving to go away. This will help u get off the sugar. Also Pumpkin mousse 1 small box of sugar free pudding, 1 sm. box of butterscotch pudding, mix 3 cups 1% milk with wire whisk, then fold in 3/4 cup sugar free cool whip. Serving size 3/4 cup

By: TLC

TLC — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:13:52 +0000

Susan,
Your story is my story exactly!!! I cannot believe how much we have in common! I have been looking for someone to be my on-line O.A. buddy. I see this was posted in August so you might not even see this reply but if you do, but would you want to try sponsoring each other? I just think talking to someone who knows what I am going through would be a big help. Let me know if you see this and want to keep in touch. We could exchange e-mails!
Thanks!
TLC

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 05:03:43 +0000

hi this is the first time Ive seen this website had heard of OA but there isn’t one where I live Did go to TOPS for awhile which was good but now I work evenings and my EATING is totally out of control like so many I eat so much at night would love someone to just talk with about this problem I think it would help if I was accountable to someone anyone interested thanks

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:39:15 +0000

Hi Sue
I read your post and felt compelled to write- have never written a blog of Any kind!
I can TOTALLY relate to what you are going though. I too have gained 12 pounds since January (Almost 48 years old). I am struggling to stop the night eating/ bingeing. I do fine all day on most days, then that same “switch” you talked about flips and I just lose all control. My clothes don’t fit, I feel bloated and I have canceled plans with friends due to how horrible I feel about myself.
Ive looked online at the possibility of attending an OA meeting, but i had the same fears as you about running into someone I know. I’m completely ashamed of my behavior and am afraid to admit it out loud! My husband does not even know-I just complain to him that I feel bad about having gained weight, but he has no idea about my binges. I’m sometimes not very nice to him because I feel so bad about myself! That’s so wrong!
I’ve tried diet pills, laxatives, weight watchers …..and I exercise (a lot!).
From the outside, I look pretty normal – not horribly overweight and I have a lot of great things in my life. From the inside , I am literally tormented over how much control food has over my life- and has since the age of about 17!! I feel like I am 150 lbs overweight – not 15!
Have you found any online support ? I thought I saw that there was an OA online meeting but am not sure how to find it.
From the number of posts, it looks like there are a lot of us who struggle with this..I wish there was an easy answer!
I need to get a handle on this-

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:01:05 +0000

Me too…. I binge at night and it’s sweets I crave…. I know someone who gave up sugar, but I think I’d feel too deprived. And, I ***LOVE*** to bake (and am quite good at it .) I know I need to find another creative outlet that doesn’t involve sugar, but cooking doesn’t satisfy me the same way. I do other creative things, but baking is my favorite…..

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:58:56 +0000

Me too…. I replied to Samantha too….

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:57:27 +0000

I eat at night too. I can usually make it through the day with “minor” eating “indulgences” like a piece of dark chocolate after meals. At night, it’s a totally different story. I binge. It used to be worse, in terms of it being rather mindless and boundless. Now, I’m much more aware of the FACT that I’m eating, and I try to “contain” the binge. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

I’m about 30 lbs heavier than I’d like to be, and I have gained 12 of those lbs since February!!!! I turned 42, and it’s like a “switch” flipped and I started gaining weight. I “torture” myself by getting on the scale, and then I get upset when my weight is up. I hit 180 this week. I haven’t been that heavy in a LOOONG time, and it made me cry.

My binges haven’t changed (if anything, they’re a bit less severe, as I mentioned above…) but for some reason I’m suddenly gaining weight. I’m also taking progesterone to help w/ migraines and PMS (which it has helped…) and my Dr says my weight gain is not related to the hormones.

I know I need to exercise more, even though I’m exercising more than I used to. But I’m having trouble starting a routine and changing my lifestyle.

A bunch of my clothes don’t fit me anymore, but I don’t want to go buy bigger clothes – I gave away the bigger clothes I’d worn since the birth of my 2nd child (8 1/2 years ago!!) as I lost weight and “grew out” of them. I “recalled” a few skirts but I had told my friends I didn’t want the clothes back (which I don’t) so I’m not even sure who has what anymore or if they still have them.

I’m looking into OA but I feel ashamed of my inability to control it myself. I live in a relatively small town, so I don’t want to go to a meeting in my town or the town where my kids go to school. I don’t want to meet anyone I know there. I know it’s anonymous, but if I meet someone I know I’ll be uncomfortable when I see them in other places in town. I might consider going to one where I don’t think I’ll meet anyone I know, or maybe just doing an online group.

I commented on a book I saw on amazon, and I was emailing with a few women for a bit, but it didn’t really go anywhere. I wouldn’t mind an “email pal” who can relate….

By: marlene

marlene — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:49:36 +0000

Hi Samantha! How you doing with that night eating? that seems to be my problem too.Just read your post tonight. Are you lonely at night? do you watch tv and eat at night? that is what I do. My husband goes to bed early and then I celebrate my day with food…why do you neeed to restrict to eating yogurt or fruit-when maybe what you and I really need is emotional support and unconditional love? I am running from feelings, I think; how about you? Hope to hear back from you.Bless you.

By: marlene

marlene — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:43:51 +0000

well-here I go again-another addiction! the last one I labeled was called co-dependency. I have been eating out of control this past year..dealing with lots of emotional issues/events. How do I get off this treadmeal(pardon the pun and my bad spelling-maybe it is treadmill!)? I think I need to get support from others going thru the same stuff. Don’t want to go back to Weightwatchers either….would be good to check in with someone who is going thru the same stuff so we could encourage each other?

By: debbie

debbie — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:28:43 +0000

i have been back to my grey sheet abstinance for a few weeks and it feels amazing to lay all my food down and just eat my planned foods….are there any other grey sheeters out there.

By: Liz

Liz — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:53:13 +0000

I am convinced my life would be healthier without sugar. I have done a bit of reading and sugar is like a drug. It causes all kinds of health problems and depression. Has anyone got any stories to feed my mind with so I can be encouraged on this path.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:48:40 +0000

I am struggling and have been for many years with night eating. I need a plan of night abstinence. Eating at night has become like a mother and a god to me. I would like to begin by committing to eating a plain yogurt and a piece of fruit each evening. (as opposed to my current free for all). Does anyone else have this problem? If so, we could be email supporters.

Thank you!

By: Debby Oliver

Debby Oliver — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:25:06 +0000

I have been an overeater most of my life. Emotional eating, fearful eating and just plain ole enjoyment eating. I need help. I’m in weight watchers (notice I say in not doing the system) I’m “good” 2-3 days a week and cheat the rest…but who am I cheating? Me. I can’t seen to find a meeting and I’m not sure I could go – yet…fear. Fear has ruled me for a very long time. Do I have to go to the meeting to find out the 12 steps? Not sure I could even do one….but I’m trying to find my way.

By: Gerri Walsh

Gerri Walsh — Sat, 15 May 2010 11:40:33 +0000

HELP HELP
I am definitely an overeater. I guess I have been all my life at different points. I certainly can remember binging on food for comfort at certain points in my life. My challenge is Can I join this group online? I live in a middle eastern country and am pretty suret there is no support group meeting here. Can anyone tell me how to find out.
Thanks
Gerri Walsh

By: Meredith

Meredith — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:29:48 +0000

Lucinda R,

Go to your meetings! Your recovery and health are far more important than whatever issue(s)you have with this person who is not so nice. Unfortunately, in life there will always be someone like that you will have to deal with at work, or church, etc. Whoever and wherever that is, you have to be bigger and better and do what you need to do for yourself to live your own life. Look beyond and don’t let anyone get in your way, is my wish for you.

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:55:06 +0000

Its very interesting how you came to the epiphany that you, and the other members at OA, just “reacted to food differently”,in the whole baby sitting situation. I don’t know whether its Genetics, childhood upbringing, or something else; but it seems to me that when one is overweight, he/she just treats food differently… It starts with letting food control you, instead of just treating food as a source of nutrition.

Anyways, good luck with the program. But just one more thing, the title “Overeaters Anonymous” put another thought in my head. From talking to people, and responses on my weight loss blog, its seems that fast eating often leads people to overeating. I’ve just recently discovered that when I chew my food (especially carbs), as much as I possibly can, I get full much faster. I definately used to beat an “overeater anonymous”; I would eat so quickly that I wouldn’t know when to stop, and I’d consume way too many calories, which really contributed to my weight. I’ve really been making a lot of progress with weight loss by just thoroughly chewing my food and not changing anything else. Strangly, I’ve been able to eat less, and have stayed full longer. I havn’t eaten desert this past week, haha, hopefully my little epiphany is of some help!

By: Israel Lagares

Israel Lagares — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:48:33 +0000

Go to their official website linked in the article above. There are people you can call to find out.

By: Kieran Loughman

Kieran Loughman — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:00:53 +0000

do you know of an online meeting?
Kieran

By: Jenny Clark

Jenny Clark — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:09:12 +0000

I’ve been thinking about writing a follow up to this, but so much of my recovery is just too personal. I don’t think I have a whole post worth of info, but I did want to follow up and say that I’ve now been abstinent for 6 months. I’ve lost 52 pounds! I’m stunned by the changes in my life on a daily basis. Thanks again Israel for letting me share!