Overeaters Anonymous is a Fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience and mutual support, are recovering from compulsive overeating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine; we take no position on outside issues. Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive overeating and to carry this message of recovery to those who still suffer.

Steps is published quarterly by Houston Metro Intergroup (HMI) of Overeaters Anonymous, P.O. Box 741836, Houston, Texas 77274-1836, 713-973-6633

Editorial Policy: Opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and not of HMI or OA as a whole, unless otherwise noted. We reserve the right to edit all submissions with the intent of preserving the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous

You May Be Stark-Raving Abstinent If...

...if your daily inventory reads like a country western song.
...if you're giving serious consideration to changing your occupation to Serial Killer.
...if you find yourself explaining to the policeman that your car refuses to go under 65 MPH and it's none of his darn business, anyway!
...if you can't stop thinking about the fact that your boss looks like Charles Manson.
...if the only person you want to invite to speak for you at your Abstinent Birthday is your dog; everyone else really gets on your nerves.
...if the doorbell rings and you're absolutely certain it's your third grade teacher planning to expose you for the fraud you are.
  *Of course this is an exageration, but if you tone it down about ten decibels, you'd have a good picture of Abstinent Relapse.  Stark Raving Abstinent is Clean Relapse.
*If you're in Abstinent Relapse and have comforted yourself by saying, "I'm not eating compulsively, so I'm okay,"  think again.  Relapse is a process.  One thing happens in logical sequence before another, mor severe thing happens.  A loss of abstinence is always preceeded by Clean Relapse.
*Though lots of us don't recongize our personal Clean Relapse, we easily point out our recovery friends in Clean Relapse.  Haven't you?  Why not ask them if they see you this way?
*If you realize you've been living in Clean Relapse, don't panic.  Got to work.  Apply the basics of the program, and we'll provide some additional help here.  Don't settle for merely abstinent when Abudant Life is within reach.
--adapted from an article found on the OAsis bulletin board, written by Linda F.

--adapted from an article in "The Sanctuary," reprinted in "Sharing Hugs"

Overheard At Meetings

• If you don't want to do it, you do it anyway, and you can't stop doing it, THAT is powerlessness.
• Your attitude is a choice.  Having a bad day? Change your attitude.
• OA is like the Mafia:  You can't ever leave because you know too much!
• Stop doing the Twelve Step Waltz:  Steps 1,2,3....1,2,3....1,2,3....
• If the program makes you leave, the food will bring you back!
• I don't have a problem.  I have a solution that I don't like!

The next HMI meeting will be on May 12 at 10:00 a.m. at the OAsis.  Does your group send a representative?
All are encouraged and welcomed!

Have you registered for our Region III Assembly and Convention?   Pick up a flyer and register today!
See you in October!       Link here to go to online brochure and registration form.

"Win With the Stickers!"  Hear speakers share how the stick with the program.
Speaker Meeting, May 5 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the OAsis Club.
Link here for directions to the OAsis Club.

EDITOR'S CORNER
 

        I must admit.  One of my biggest character affects, sometimes a character defect, is that I have to have continuity.  I am very similiar to my four year old son, who throws fits when I change his routine.  If I take him to school a bit late, his whole day is thrown off.  He is grumpy, whiney, and difficult to deal with.  Me?  I'm no different.  I need my routine.  This is a character defect whenever it comes to living life on life's terms.  I don't adapt well to change.  In fact, I fight it, tooth and nail!  I turn into a four year old: grumpy, whiney, and difficult to deal with.  Sometimes, though, this defect actually works to my advantage.  As I yearn for routine, my meeting schedule and abstinence are greatly helped.  I MUST have my Saturday morning and Wednesday evening meetings.  I don't do well without them.  This is a good thing!  I try very hard not to miss meetings, as it makes me feel a bit "crazy."  I begin to get rough around the edges, my food, friendships, marriage, and work begin to suffer.  I also have to have routine in my abstinence.  I try very hard to eat my meals at the same time for every day.  Does that mean that I don't miss a meal or eat a meal a little late?  No.  But it puts perimeters on my food intake.  I have had days out of program that were spent eating, with no time or division to delianate one meal from the next.  Just a contstant grazing.  My abstinence does not allow that.  My routine does not allow food to be the center of my life.  I have too much going on.  Today, I have a family who will say to me, "Don't you have a meeting to go to?"  That is my cue to get back in my routine. What a great routine it is!  I wouldn't trade this character affect for the world!  What a gift it is to hear my son playing house, get on one of his riding toys and say, "Bye, Mommy.  I'm going to a meeting!"  What a blessing living the Twelve Steps is!