Started going to OA , in June 1980, I still go
...I was supposed to go to a meeting yesterday, June 9..but I overslept. I also go to other 12 step programs. I started the program weighing 215 pounds. (5 foot 6 inches tall) Now, I weigh about 160, and I have kept the weight off, and I have been at a normal weight for over 35 years. After 2 years in the program, I threw away the scale, and do not own one. (been going to Overeaters Anonymous regularly since then)
.... I was also hooked on some powerful meds for many years, but I got off of them too. (most AA meetings accept pill addicts, I am very thankful for that.) Got off pills by going to AA........got a meeting on Monday..
...Is it easy? NO...sugar is more addictive than booze. Am I perfect?? NO..,, I have been sober for many years...but perfection in OA is very difficult. What does it all mean? ........................................
........................................................................................................................................???
.......It means this: The 12 step program has saved my life in more than one way......
Often, I say the serenity prayer...over and over..and that calms me..some..I am lucky to be alive.
........and I am grateful... One Day At A Time....grateful....not always...but I try my best to be
................grateful....not give up....and attend another meeting...if possible.....
..................Thank You for reading this...........Stuart
= new reply since forum marked as read
I need all the reminders I can get these days. I've been very depressed because my AA sponsor - who has been there with me since 2008 - just moved away, entered a nursing home near her family.
I have also gone to other 12 step programs. When I first came to AA back in 2008, my sponsor took me not just to AA, but we also went to Alanon, CoDA, OA - and I now go to ACOA on my own. My sponsor was also long time OA, and I continued going for quite awhile, too, since I did have issues with eating, back when I drank I didn't eat and that was dangerous, as well.
I still know people in OA and I agree that it's very tough. They talk about "abstinence," which means one thing if you're in AA, but everyone has to eat. And we used The Big Book in OA, too.
Thank you for the timely reminder. It's been a tough week and I need all the recovery messages I can get... 
If it were easy, it would be "easy".......We can get through today...for today is just one day...
I have had a number of challenges lately. Sometimes we have to get through today..without drugging, or drinking or doing something mean and hurtful to ourselves. I have been and am now my own worst enemy...Got to get through today....