The Twelve Steps are the heart of the OA recovery program. They offer a new way of life that enables the compulsive overeater to live without the need for excess food.

The ideas expressed in the Twelve Steps, which originated in Alcoholics Anonymous, reflect practical experience and application of spiritual insights recorded by thinkers throughout the ages. Their greatest importance lies in the fact that they work! They enable compulsive overeaters and millions of other Twelve-Steppers to lead happy, productive lives. They represent the foundation upon which OA is built.

The Twelve Steps of Overeaters Anonymous

1. We admitted we were powerless over food — that our lives had become unmanageable.
   
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
   
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
   
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
   
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
   
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
   
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
   
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
   
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
   
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
    
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
    
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to compulsive overeaters and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Hi mary,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble but I just want you to know that you are not alone. without the recovery that oa offers, you may never get over the food. compulsive overeating is more than just what we put in our mouths, its a disease. but the good news is that we dont have to live our lives like that anymore if we just choose to start recovering. you've come to the right place. just keep going to meetings and you will see. it does get better.:Dancing_sorry::Dancing_wub:

Thank you for starting this thread. I had stayed away from this site for awhile because I had discovered I really did have a food addiction. I never believed it until I got banded and then started fighting the band. I thought only "idiots" did that, but now I know the word is "addicts." Being a food addict felt so lonely. I tried to talk to a friend who is in NA and she dismissed my issues as being nothing compared to her addiction. I stopped talking to anyone but I wanted to say, I'd give anything just to stop eating. I know I have a compulsive nature but I stopped drinking and stopped shopping (gave up credit cards) and am very careful not to get addicted to my medications (although Xanax is a struggle). I have been roaming the Internet reading up on FA and then came back here and found this thread. The band helped me lose weight (30 pre-band and 20 post-surgery) and it stops the binge before it can get too out of control. I read last night that it takes 10 days to get out of the addictive behavior loop and today was Day 1 of no sugar. Tomorrow I add flour. I'm not ready to give up coffee, but I'll start looking for an OA meeting. I went to 1 about 20 years ago, but left because I was too proud to think I had anything in common with the OA group.

Thanks for reading this, but I had to get it off my chest. Thanks for letting me know others are fighting FA and balancing the band.

I was wondering if we could talk a little about how are people working their AO recovery,I missed my meeting Tuesday because one of my kids was sick. I get lost in my Mom world, if I dont stay connected,I forget I have a disease and think I can do it on my own. I thought if I started this thread it could help other people. What are people doing to stay abstinant.or working their program.

Mary

I haven't started attending meetings yet but am working on removing sugar and chemicals from my diet. I am allowing myself to eat and food that has 1 or 2 natural ingredients. My box of raisins just says "California seedless raisins." I also snack on dry roasted edamame (soybeans) which only contain soybeans and sea salt. I can also eat meat, vegetables, etc. I tried eliminating all flour, but they had a free turkey dinner at work yesterday and I ate the stuffing, etc. But I get my 3rd fill Monday and will ask my doctor to be a little more aggressive with the fill. I am going to try to attend a meeting, but I'm nervous about walking into my first meeting. So many people downplay that FA is an addiction; I feel embarrassed to admit it to anyone.

I haven't started attending meetings yet but am working on removing sugar and chemicals from my diet. I am allowing myself to eat and food that has 1 or 2 natural ingredients. My box of raisins just says "California seedless raisins." I also snack on dry roasted edamame (soybeans) which only contain soybeans and sea salt. I can also eat meat, vegetables, etc. I tried eliminating all flour, but they had a free turkey dinner at work yesterday and I ate the stuffing, etc. But I get my 3rd fill Monday and will ask my doctor to be a little more aggressive with the fill. I am going to try to attend a meeting, but I'm nervous about walking into my first meeting. So many people downplay that FA is an addiction; I feel embarrassed to admit it to anyone.

It is very hard to go to your first meeting. You will find the courage to go though. You are admitting to yourself that you have a food addiction, so the next step is admitting it to others... My experience has been that you will not be judged. You will be in a place where all others have felt the same way you do. Shame in overeating, fear of not being in control.... all the rest.....

The only thing I am unsure of is how others will react to your banding. You might want to save that bit of information until you feel comfortable with your group.

hi everyone, I attended my first OA meeting tonight and it was a great experience. It was wonderful to hear other people's stories - people who I never would have guessed had similar issues with food. For the first time in a ver long time, some of my shame around complusive eating didn't feel as heavy.

i haven't been banded yet and I've been worried how I would deal with my emotional eating issues post band(cause couselling and self help books aren't enough). I think that maybe OA might be just the ticket for me... we'll see.

Hi, I love this thread. I will be banded 12/15/08 and have been back in OA since May. Have lost 48 pounds going to meetings and eating healthy. Have given up white flour and switched to whole grains and have given up sugar--with a few slips, of course. I am a binge eater and food addict. Because I have a sane eating plan, I now dare to have the lap-band procedure--otherwise I could eat despite it and undo it.

There are people in OA who are prejudiced against it but there are many in my area who have had weight loss surgery. I announced it to my home meeting and people have been supportive--even my sponsor. I view this as another tool to help me lose the weight and keep it off--to stay alive and healthy. I know this is just the beginning but believe that with OA and lap-band that I can do this. Working the 12 steps are a joy, and the support of others is a miracle. Thanks, guy, for listening. Kathy

Oh, one other thing. About my eating plan. After the post-op period I have been told that I will be able to go back to the eating plan I use now, just the portions will be smaller. Kathy:thumbup:

Hi folks. I recently joined OA on 18 Nov. Deep down I still know wls is needed also. I haven't read the rest of the posts yet but I will. I have an online sponsor but i am struggling. I tried to call her today but couldn't get through, must be busy due to the holidays.:tongue2:

Thank you! You have no idea how reading tis has helped me! I was banded in Feb 08 and I feel like i have fell off the wagon a little. I felt defeated. After reading this I realize that there are still some things that I need to overcome....thank you.

Hi Everyone!

I'm scheduled to be banded on 2/18 and am having serious second thoughts. About 5 years ago I was in OA and dropped 75 lbs. I stopped working the program and have slowly put it all back on plus some more. About a year ago I decided I wanted a lap-band. Fast forward to the date of my approval last month, and I've started doubting my decision. All I think of is the food I won't be able to eat anymore! I know I am a compulsive overeater, food addict and am powerless over food. Knowing that, is lapband really a good idea? I know I want to be healthy and regain freedom from compulsion - but I'm not sure this is the best way. Am I being impulsive to think this will be some kind of miracle to make me not want to eat (even though I'm well aware it isn't) - wouldn't it just be best to get back into the rooms and work it naturally? I'm ashamed and embarrassed that I've come this far and now want out! I've told people about my surgery and planned time out of work to accomadate it. What am I going to do? My surgery is all I can think about - it's truly driving me nutty. I've been on my pre-op diet for over a week now, and have majorly cheated twice - a box of oreos on one occasion and another time 2 slices of chocolate cake. If I can't even get through the "diet" how can I get through the new lifestyle??? I'm so sorry for rambling, I'm just so lost in my addict head right now! Can someone help me?

Hi Everyone!

I'm scheduled to be banded on 2/18 and am having serious second thoughts. About 5 years ago I was in OA and dropped 75 lbs. I stopped working the program and have slowly put it all back on plus some more. About a year ago I decided I wanted a lap-band. Fast forward to the date of my approval last month, and I've started doubting my decision. All I think of is the food I won't be able to eat anymore! I know I am a compulsive overeater, food addict and am powerless over food. Knowing that, is lapband really a good idea? I know I want to be healthy and regain freedom from compulsion - but I'm not sure this is the best way. Am I being impulsive to think this will be some kind of miracle to make me not want to eat (even though I'm well aware it isn't) - wouldn't it just be best to get back into the rooms and work it naturally? I'm ashamed and embarrassed that I've come this far and now want out! I've told people about my surgery and planned time out of work to accomadate it. What am I going to do? My surgery is all I can think about - it's truly driving me nutty. I've been on my pre-op diet for over a week now, and have majorly cheated twice - a box of oreos on one occasion and another time 2 slices of chocolate cake. If I can't even get through the "diet" how can I get through the new lifestyle??? I'm so sorry for rambling, I'm just so lost in my addict head right now! Can someone help me?

Hi Melissa; I can sympathize with your delema.

I was banded 1 1/2 yrs ago and I am too a C.Overeater.

The LAPBAND is around your stomach and NOT your head.

Therefore, you must work your OA program in combination with the lapband.

The lapband will make it easier to eat smaller quantities of the "right" food, But caution! Sugary, Greasy foods SLIDE right thru the band and you can still eat them.

Cookies, pies, Icecream, Fried chicken, F.Fries etc... so don't expect the BAND to stop these foods from going in... they will!!! Its refered to as "eating around the band"....

Even after spending $16,000 on my band I STILL have trouble with the Head Hunger (for junk)...

The band is a "tool" in the weightloss arsenal, not a CURE!

Best of luck

Peaches

Peaches, thanks so much for your advice and honesty. Sometimes God works in mysterious ways. I was due for surgery today, but because I caught a cold over the weekend they had to cancel it. I'm in the midst of changing jobs and may not be able to work in the surgery. Maybe it's just not the right time.

Hi Melissa,

I'm sorry your surgery was cancelled because of your cold. The #1 thing to remember is we have all been where you are right now.

Sure, there are things that will slide right through the band and I am definitely addicted to food, but I still managed to lose about 70 lbs. Every day is a new challenge and I have more to lose, but I keep plugging away.

I think the thing that helps me most is making sure I keep the problems foods out of the house. Sure, I slip, but for me finding subsitutions for my fav. foods has helped me a lot. I make diet hot choc. for my choc. craving and drink a lot of chocolate Protein drinks. A good one that I like is Designer whey. I add a little powdered sugar free choc. pudding and tons of ice. If you can get through those nasty cravings you are half way there.

Please don't feel discouraged, we are all in the same boat. You can do it if you follow the lap band rules and keep in VERY Close contact with the weight loss clinic. They help me a lot, even the psychological support is there for us to use.

Private message me if you want. I would be happy to answer any questions for you and best of luck!

:mad2:

read "dignity of choice" put out by OA. You choose what your plan is !That why I'm still going to OA. OA has no opinion on lapband surgery as it is an outside issue. I'm two months away from surgery. OA will and is a big part of my recovery from complusive overeating.