[Joyfull]

The all or nothing - bite off more than I can chew -approach is something I keep falling into. Is anyone else like that?
Would you like to try a mini goal this week with me? OA is for me because any confrontation, anytime a decision is needed or any time I'm faced with anything unpleasant I automatically reach for food. What do you all do in that split second to stop the food grab so that the stressful situation can be dealt with in a healthy way?
Maybe at least once each day when a stressful situation arises we could turn to God instead of food for peace and comfort.

[marny]

You asked what I do in that split second to stop the food grab. OA teaches us to use HALT. We stop, we think about why we want to eat. We ask ourselves are we:
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired

Once we identify the feeling that is moving us to want to eat, then we can deal with the feeling instead using OA tools.

Have you been to a meeting?

[Joyfull]

Hi Marny,
HALT sounds like a very good plan.
I've not been to an OA meeting but I'm familiar with 12 steps plans through attending Al-Anon. OA sounds like a better fit for me because I realize, I can't control or change anyone but myself. The best thing for my family is for me to be as healthy as I can be. Compulsive overeating is something I struggled with all my adult life - it's a symptom of root issues that I hope to identify and resolve.

There is no OA in my city but there are 3 in towns 40min away. It's needful but hard to commit to that.

[marny]

Hey joyfull-
Would you drive 40 minutes to get the perfect thing to eat?
Would you drive 40 minutes to save your life?
Would you drive 40 minutes to spend time with people who understand you completely and love you unconditionally?

[charlenej]

Joyfull, That's a great start to turn to a HP instead of food.

I have two meetings near me and I still sometimes drive 35 minutes to a different meeting when I need it.

If you've gone to AlAnon then you probably know that the meetings are so much more than about addiction issues. I get so much from them and have really gotten to know people and look forward to seeing them every week. I'm blown away by the honesty that people have the courage to share. It encourages me to dig deeper and get to the core of myself and more and more as I do the step work I'm starting to feel so clear headed and happy