Hi, my name is Jeanne K and I am a compulsive overeater. I first came into OA in August of 1978 after struggling with several paid weight loss programs. While seeing a professional for other issues, he suggested OA. I had never heard about OA and requested a meeting list from the OAMBI office and started going to meetings.

The first woman I heard speak inspired me, so I asked her to be my sponsor. I attended meetings in the morning (if babysitting was available) and in the evening. My sponsor started a closed step meeting (somewhat like our AWOL’s now) and I proceeded to work the steps with this group. We used all AA material because there was not much by OA at that time. We went through the AA Big book, the little red book and a daily reader – One day at a time

My life was transformed – I went from 192 to 172 and was encouraged by my sponsor to do something I was afraid of –going to college! I was very shy and fearful of talking to people I didn’t know but because of the encouragement of my sponsor I went anyway.

First lesson I learned – don’t stop going to meetings—No Matter What! But it seems I had forgotten that and I left after first year in college and didn’t come back into OA until July 1985 at 247 pounds! I got a sponsor, worked the steps, and got down to 185 lbs.
However, the lesson about stopping meetings was obviously forgotten and I ballooned up to 283 pounds! But this time I was too ashamed to go back to meetings. Pride?

Finally, after trying two other programs, I came back to OA on September 4, 2004.
I now weigh 162 pounds. Nothing much I am saying here is not in OA literature, I am only saying that it works for me!

Second lesson (first lesson repeat) DON’T STOP GOING TO MEETINGS!!

3. Get a sponsor! Write down a food plan and FOLLOW it.

4. Make 3 phone calls a day!

5. Go to at least 3 meetings a week (live, phone, or recorded—JUST DO IT!

6. Read literature everyday – One Day at a time, Voices of Recovery, or other OA Literature

7. Writing – I never understood why I ate until I started writing about my feelings. Nothing fancy, just write whatever comes into my head and I am always surprised. I don’t think I knew I had feelings until I started writing.

8. For me working the STEPS was the key. I had to write, I had to think, and I had to look at myself and my relationship with others. The first time working the steps, progress was made, the second time more progress was made, but living the steps has brought me to this point. I have good relationships with family and I believe with friends as well. Also, my husband went from saying “Why are you still going to meetings?” to realizing the best wife is the abstinent one!

9. Try to remember to rely on my higher power always.

10. Remember slogans that help, i.e. One day at a time, First things first, etc.

11. Get involved! Help at meetings, intergroup, and all levels. Involvement made me want to stick around.

NOTE: I can’t say that I do all these suggestions perfectly—perfection is one of the things I realized I had to give up and Let Go and Let my higher power guide me. (I am writing this as a reminder to myself!)
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