[marny]

Listening to others' stories at OA meetings is so helpful. But, what I'm most thankful for is their honesty. I've never been anywhere where people opened their hearts so wide, and shared so deeply with others. It's this honesty that gave me the strength to look in my own heart with fully open eyes. I shared for the first time tonight. I had to write down what I was going to say or I knew that I would never get the words out. It felt good to finally be able to give back to the group with my own story. It's so freeing to finally understand why I can't stop eating sometimes, and why diets don't work for me. It's such a blessing to know there is a way. I'm so thankful for this program and the people in it. I'm finally ready to let someone help me. I talked to a sponsor tonight about helping me, and I'm going to call her this week.
Marny

[hoodj0080]

I'm so happy for you Marny! I'm so glad you have people you can talk to!

[ellis]

Marny, how did I miss your post!?
I'm so glad for you, and hope that things are going well, hon.

[marny]

Ellis,
Thanks for checking in. Yes, things are going well. I've been abstinent for two weeks--maybe a bit longer. So far it has been relatively painless...so I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Then again, that's my past talking from other types of experiences. So, it may never drop. I just have to keep doing my part: praying, calling my sponsor, going to meetings, reading, and writing. I've found that getting to church twice a week really helps too. Wow, now that I've written all that down it seems like I've been doing a lot, but they are all enjoyable things, so they haven't felt like "work." I would rather fill my day with that stuff than fill my day thinking about food that I can't eat, want to eat, did eat, shouldn't have eaten, might eat...

[ellis]

You ARE doing a lot, Marny! And I'm glad it doesn't feel like work.
You have such a good attitude, hon... you're a real inspiration.
You know, even if that other shoe DOES drop, you're capable of moving on. You have the skills and the willpower, and that is huge.
Keep it up.

I just saw the doctor at my weight loss clinic. I've been having a bit of a struggle the past two weeks, and have been having some binges.
But he got me right back on track. He's having me set goals this week (short term, long term, and ... something else... I forget what), and said, "This is what you have to do to lose weight. Eat your three meals plus three snacks a day, and you won't binge from hunger."
I KNOW that... it's so simple, but I just needed to hear it again, you know?

So I'm off to track, set my goals, and have my afternoon snack.

Keep at it, Marny... we can do this!

[marny]

I know what you mean about needing to hear it again. I need to hear it again and again and again! Hurray for you for seeing your doctor and getting focused.

[ellis]

Thanks, Marny!
Here's to a good day for all of us!