Comments for The Wobbly Path of the DuckyChick

Comment on Thoughts on Overeaters Anonymous by lee3fc

lee3fc — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:33:26 +0000

The interesting thing about the “feminist” criticism of OA is that they are criticizing a program that began with AA - which was almost all men when it began. So to me this criticism does not hold water - and I joined NOW back in the early 70s.

Beyond that, I hope that you (and anyone who is considering OA) would read the book entitled simply “Alcoholics Anonymous” (called “the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous”). You can probably find it at your library or you can buy it from Barnes & Noble (and probably Amazon). It explains what concepts like sanity, a Higher Power, turning our will over, and moral inventory mean in the context of Twelve Step programs.

I know this post is old but I was looking to see what had been written about OA in the 3 Fat Chicks blogs and ran across it. I was sorry to see you had stopped blogging and hope you are well.

Comment on When you fall off, get back on! by guttergirl78

guttergirl78 — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:43:54 +0000

yes yes yes! I’m starting my diet tomorrow (wonderslim) which will be eliminating all the carbs that have been sabotaging me and SODA. Its gone. I have no choice unless I want to be like this forever. I switched from coffee to green tea years ago. it does take some work, but it can be done (I threw away my coffee pot and stopped buying coffee). Only problem is I don’t drink the tea…. I opt for a soda to give me a boost.

Good luck!

Comment on Compulsive Eating Disorder by payday loans

payday loans — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:57:08 +0000

I always wanted to write in my site something like that but I guess you’r faster

Comment on Thoughts on Overeaters Anonymous by John

John — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:42:21 +0000

I’ve done the 12 step program thing with Alanon (friends and relatives of alcoholics). I was involved for about 4 or 5 years and it helped me a lot with my addiction to the alcoholic people in my life and trying to change them, but since I’ve been away I’ve slipped into food addiction.
I struggle with my belief in a God but not in a higher power. I know there are many things more powerful than me. That’s what step one is talking about, the fact that we are out of control with our eating or whatever the addiction may be. If we’re not powerless than why are we eating excessively when our brain is telling us we don’t really want that whole box of cookies. I don’t know how many times I hid my eating from others because of embarrassment. That’s pretty insane.
Step two came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Well you’ve seen what the power of these meetings and the support of other people can do to help with the food addiction. In your own words it has helped people you know.
I’m not going to go through every step but there are ways to work the program without a belief in God. I was always told by others in the room that your higher power can be anything you want, the people in the rooms or a vent in your bedroom that you talk to a night. It doesn’t matter.
As for the Feminists, why would they have the need to put down something that’s been the only thing that has helped so many people? My feeling is that ego and pride are the main obstacles to everyone’s growth and maturity. Sometimes we need to humble ourselves and admit we don’t have all the answers and we need help.
Well that’s my opinion anyway. I found your site looking for information on Overeaters Anonymous because I think I’m ready to admit I need help with my addiction.

Comment on Week Three Begins! by round

round — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:44:31 +0000

HI Duckychick,

Congrats on getting off to a good start - that always helps the motivation!

I don’t think i understood the dates on your long term goal of 199 by Nov 1? The others looked good and fairly acheivable to me, but that one looks too aggressive.

I read your post on OA. I’m not a binger but a few times I looked into OA I came to pretty much the same conclusions that you did.

For an interesting perspective on hunger and why we feel compelled to eat and eat when we are fat, NOTHING I’ve read hit home with me as much as a book “Good calories, bad calories” by Gary Taubes. It’s not light reading - he’s a science reporter, but even if you disregard his theory on what we should do differently, he does a great job of explaining hunger, insulin, the fat body’s drive to get more calories and why we become so damn good at packing on fat & keeping it there. I found reading his book extremely comforting, because I’ve been fat all my life and for most of my 40 years on the planet I blamed myself & considered it weak willpower or some such thing. In 2002 I lost a lot of weight through a draconien diet and exercise program, and that taught me that my willpower was not the problem. I’ve since regained a good chunk of that weight (that I’m now losing again). Anyway, this book helped me come to peace with having a geneitc makeup that would be very beneficial in harsh Russian winters and famines, but puts me into bigtime trouble in the modern world.

Comment on Yummy Sweet Potato Muffins! by jigglybits

jigglybits — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:03:57 +0000

that muffin sounds yummy! I would have tried it had I not been cutting down on carbs for now
You seem to have just started blogging just like me, keep it up, it will help keep you accountable

Comment on Compulsive Eating Disorder by duckychick

duckychick — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:32:48 +0000

I thought I should share my answers. The first step (whether you’re following THE steps or not) is an honest evaluation of the problem.

1. Do you eat when you’re not hungry?

All the time. In fact, on occasion I’ve kept eating until I made myself sick.

2. Do you go on eating binges for no apparent reason?

Yes. I eat when I’m bored, when I’m down, when I celebrate. My family uses food as a reward system, as well as the center of all our celebrations.

3. Do you have feelings of guilt and remorse after overeating? Not anymore. That’s one thing I managed to give up.

4. Do you give too much time and thought to food?

I don’t think I give it enough — or any, really — and that’s a big part of the problem. Or when I do pay attention, I’m obsessive. I can’t seem to find a happy medium.

5. Do you look forward with pleasure and anticipation to the time when you can eat alone?

Sometimes. I don’t like having to share my food.

6. Do you plan these secret binges ahead of time?

Yes. I have to make sure I have money.

7. Do you eat sensibly before others and make up for it alone?

Sometimes, especially if I’m sneaking food.

8. Is your weight affecting the way you live your life?

Somewhat. I think subconsciously I don’t want people to notice or interact with me, and being fat lets me hide.

9. Have you tried to diet for a week (or longer), only to fall short of your goal?

Many times, but once seriously when I did it right with good eating and exercise.

10. Do you resent others telling you to “use a little willpower” to stop overeating?

I ignore that — I learned a long time ago it’s not that simple. I am responsible, but other people telling me that does nothing. It has to come from inside.

11. Despite evidence to the contrary, have you continued to assert that you can diet “on your own” whenever you wish?

This is the first time I’ve admitted I need help. I have a lifelong issue with food and control, and I think it’s deeper now than just “eat right and exercise”.

12. Do you crave to eat at a definite time, day or night, other than mealtime?

Especially at night after dinner.

13. Do you eat to escape from worries or trouble?

All the time. I have said on more than one occasion lately that food is the only happiness I have right now.

14. Have you ever been treated for obesity or a food-related condition?

No, although I am being treated for anxiety and depression, which are all interrelated with my compulsive eating.

15. Does your eating behavior make you or others unhappy?

Only me. I don’t think my family is aware of it.