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.

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.

 This reminds me that I cannot work this program alone. It is a "we" program not an "I" program. The fellowship I have found in OA is a big part of my recovery.

One of the most rewarding events of fellowship for me is our annual convention. There is so much love and acceptance shown during one of those weekends that it makes it hard to leave and go back out into the everyday world.

I make every session and workshop that I possibly can. Sometimes I have a dilemma in trying to decide which one to choose when there are two or three choices at a particular time. It’s like a meeting though – I always get something out of it. I’ve never been to a "bad" session.

The main thing is I feel a part of something. I’ve been to so many places and felt so alone while in the midst of a crowd of people. But when I go to an OA Convention I really feel part of it. I feel accepted as part of it.

Another part of the convention that I look forward to is the dance on Saturday night. I love to dance. I spent many of my young years along the sideline because no one asked me to dance. I don’t have to wait for that at an OA dance. I can get out there and dance all night. Since my husband does not like to dance this is my one time a year fling – in safety and love.

Conventions are a real boost to my program and I look forward to the next one.

Helen, Missouri City

I attended my 1st OA meeting 6/91 and my 1st convention 9/91. I've been very blessed in that I've been able to attend every Houston OA convention plus a few out of town. I'll never forget the 1st convention speaker I heard. He shared a story very similar to mine. He not only talked about the compulsion to overeat but he also talked about his addiction to drugs and how by the Grace of his Higher Power he was able to stop drugging and become abstinent. I heard what I needed to hear and applied what I learned to my life at that particular time. He gave me great hope that I could do the same. By the Grace of God I've been abstinent from the bulimia and the drugs for 7 years. I still struggle with the food but I have hope that one day I'll have an abstinence that I can live with.

I've heard speakers share how they became abstinent. I heard one lady share that she'd been in program for 31 years and had 13 years of abstinence. I've heard speakers share how they were abstinent and then relapsed in program but they kept coming back & obtained abstinence again. I've heard speakers share their joys and sadness and how they were able to remain abstinent. I've heard speakers share how depressed and lonely they were and how their life has changed since they came into program. I've seen members grow spiritually from one convention to another. I've met people at conventions that I only see once a year and when we see each other again it's as if we had talked yesterday. I learned how to dance and have a great time without having to be drunk. There is always something new I can learn. Being able to hear others experience strength and hope is how I learn to live life one day at a time.

I attended my first OA Convention in October 1999 in Houston. I didn’t know what to expect but I was very excited to go after hearing my group share their past experiences. I wasn’t disappointed. Everyone was so friendly and showed his or her innermost feelings which helped me to open up and be honest with myself. Being the compulsive person that I am, I wanted to go to all the sessions and do everything right, but I ended up exhausted and overloading on information. It was a lot to process in a short time. Next time I plan to RELAX! -- Anonymous

Past conventions - speakers who still struggle with food at times (versus ones who claim to be abstinent for long periods and no longer have any (or little) struggles with food) are easier for most of us to relate to.

I enjoyed A.G. the times I have heard him share at conventions - he relates well to those of us that are still struggling with food. Hope is what I need and received from OA, also the concept of "one day at a time" and all the promises in the Big Book.

Big Book study would be beneficial and ways to apply steps in everyday life. Encouragement and support of one another are also very important! - Anonymous

Tradition Ten:

"Overeaters Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the OA name ought never be drawn into public controversy."

I joined OA this year and was having a hard time with some of its concepts. What were the steps and how would they fit into my life? I attended a Houston conference and was overwhelmed with the information I sought, and the dedication and concern of so many members. I enjoyed the workshops, fitting in as many as possible, especially the candlelight workshops. The members are so open to each other and to making our recovery easier. I loved the tape exchange and have been enjoying many hours of workshops I could have never attended. Janet D.

Walking through the doors at this year’s convention, I was struck with a feeling of "coming home." While attending conventions have brought uncomfortable feelings to the surface, it also has given me a sense of community and belonging. In a society so focused on fad diets and quick fixes, it is comforting to be with people who understand the best solution to compulsive overeating – the OA program!

Every convention I’ve attended has given me insights and showed me that there are many different ways to approach the program and also given me an opportunity to do service. Probably one of the highlights of each convention has been the Saturday night dance. I love to dance! But since my husband doesn’t, this is the one time a year I get to put on my "dancing" shoes. I also have enjoyed getting to know people I otherwise wouldn’t have met. Christine S.

Tradition Eleven: "Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, television, and other public media of communication."

1. If you don’t already have a sponsor, get one.

 

 

Don’t procrastinate. I didn’t have a sponsor for my first two years in OA. Although it was good that I kept showing up to meetings, my recovery didn’t begin until I got a sponsor and started working the steps. When no one was available to sponsor me locally, I got an interim sponsor through the "Sponsor By Mail" directory from OA World Service Office. I also found a sponsor on the OA e-mail list.
 

2. Always be honest with your sponsor.

 

 

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lied to my sponsor. I would have a food slip or outright binge and shame would keep me silent. After all, if I told my sponsor what I had done with food then my sponsor might think I was an overeater! But the OA program reminds me that it is "weakness, not strength that binds us to each other." Even more importantly, the basis of our recovery is rigorous honesty. Lying to my sponsor keeps me in my disease and stops me from getting well.
 

3. Maintain frequent contact with your sponsor.

 

 

I try to call my sponsor every day, even if it’s just to leave a message on the answering machine. As a newcomer, I used to think that phone calls were a way for my sponsor to keep tabs on me, to make sure that I was eating the right foods in the right amounts. Now I know that calling my sponsor is something that I do to help me stay aware and focused on how I am working my OA program. And because I never have to do anything alone in OA, my sponsor is there to help me build self-awareness. The more contact I have with my sponsor, the greater my chances of recovery.
 

4. Don’t be afraid to ask your sponsor for what you need.