[BeccaBelle]

I have so many problems just dealing with life right now but my main problem is overeating and feeling horrid about myself. I just hate myself sometimes - I feel like I should have my life together by now! How do I start on the right track? I am messed up physically, emotionally and spiritually (luckily my financial life isn't a mess . . .)

Help?

[marny]

Hi there Belle-

You are definitely not alone with your feelings. Those of us in OA know how you feel. Have you visited www.oa.org? There is a lot of information there. You can also find out where and when your local meeting is.

I also suggest that you read through some past posts on this board. You may find what you need.

[Bikini Dreader]

We are here to support you.

I know I have posted this a few times but the book The Secret has changed my life. Try not to get down on yourself about yesterday's choices. What has helped me is to visualize myself at the state I want to be: Happy, healthy, etc. Whatever your goal is, see yourself in that goal and assume it will happen. I find this helps me with my choices; if I assume I will get to my goal weight, then overeating and bingeing is not really an option. Everyone is different. I think loving yourself enough to treat yourself well is really important. You deserve to be happy and you will be.
When I am in a binge, I find it helps to do something distracting like coming on this site. I also find not having any of my trigger foods in the house makes a huge difference. Try to do something nice for yourself instead. I have a list of things I could do on my fridge so that when I find myself continuously reaching for food, that list stares me in the face, reminding me that there are more healthy choices I can make.
Be proud of the good choices you make each day, there will be times when you aren't making the best choices, but I am sure with effort, you have already made changes that you can praise yourself for.

Keep up the good work and appreciate yourself!

[blender]

Welcome Belle! I can completely relate to what you're saying. I am new to OA (about six weeks) but have definitely found here what I need. If you haven't yet, I really encourage you to attend a meeting and listen to people's stories. It's amazing to feel the acceptance and realize that someone else so fully understands how you feel.

[Bikini Dreader]

Here's just a little blurb that I found about the movie and book he Secret. I will stop talking about it now but I'm jsut so grateful to have heard about it.

Success requires more than just having a positive attitude. According to the film, some of the keys to using "The Secret" are:
Expectation: Expect the things you want and don't expect the things you don't want.
Gratitude: Be grateful for what you already have, and you will attract more good things.
Visualization: Create pictures in your mind, imagining yourself enjoying the things that you desire as if you already have them. Then you'll attract them.

[blender]

Bikini Dreader - Is "The Secret" an OA book?