Not all of us here have a food addiction but many of us do. I know that I have had one since I was about 17. I was skinny then but I was obsessed with food. When I was on a date, all I thought about was what I was going to order or what would the guy be able to afford to buy me. To this day, I will remember what food was served at an event more than whether I enjoyed it, who I was with or even what I wore.
It wasn't until May 5, 1995 that I walked into my first OA meeting. Althought I don't attend meetings now I have my tattered and torn "For Today" book close by to read and reread. Another great 12 Step book (for codependents) is "The Language of Letting Go"---again, my copy is so beat up looking. And, finally, a great personal testimonal book to have is "Abstinence". In AA, living without alcohol is called "sobriety". In OA, living without excess food is called "abstinence". My name is Pam and I am a
recovering compulsive overeater.
Addiction is best "arrested" when you acknowledge that it is on many levels: mentally, emotionally, physically and, yes, spiritually. "Recovery' is about making choices that will support a new life that is free of addiction. There is no "cure" for any kind of addiction but if you practice healthy living you may have one 24 hour period
free of all of the elements of addiction. I think, the hardest part can be realizing that all we can ever expect or ask for is one
free 24 hours. Freedom of choice is the ultimate goal. Freedom to choose to what is in our best interests, no matter how difficult that can be sometimes. There is a saying about living without war, the same could be applied to without excess food.
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance". Someday, you will guard that freedom with every fiber of your being. It will mean that much to you.
Congrats on the
freeing moment you had. Thank you for sharing this. I hope that you will have many many more in the future.
Self Revelation
Rick got some ice cream and candy; he offered me some I said no. When he offered me some ice cream I wanted to KILL him!!! What’s WRONG with him? OF COURSE I WANTED SOME! DUH! Then he offers me some of his candy, it took A LOT of willpower to #1 say NO, #2 NOT take any…not even ONE little piece and #3 NOT slap him upside his head…WHAT WAS HE THINKING??? So here I am all bent out of shape thinking “How COULD he???” When I realized that I was being a brat. *I* am the one with the food addiction, *I* am the one who didn’t control my eating habits for YEARS, *I* am the one who gained all this weight, so why should I be mad at him for enjoying some candy and ice cream? That’s when I made a promise to myself not to begrudge my family the little treats and goodies that they indulge in every now and again, they don’t do it to slight me or make me mad or to tease me. So all-in-all I think I can classify today as a success!
