I never knew there was an Overeaters Annymous.

I know that I feel like I "munch" all the time at work (I am a transcriptionist) and usually I feel bloated later in the day, like tonight, I don't feel like eating dinner because I feel bloated but yet I feel hungry. Then when I do eat, I have a tendency to eat so fast that by the time I feel full, I have gone way past the point of being comfortable. I have also noticed that I am experiencing alot of heartburn these days. When I am eating it is almost like I am afraid someone is going to take it away from me. You'd think I grew up in the depression or something. When I was younger I was a single mom and yes, there were times that my children ate and I didn't because we didn't have the money. I think this may be why I am like this now. Do I eat when I'm depressed...sometimes. Do I eat when I'm bored....sometimes.

So do you think I am an overeater and could benefit from this program and forum?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice/suggestions.

Hi there! Welcome!

Only you can decide if you are a compulsive eater. I suggest that you visit www.oa.org There you can get more information about the disease and the 12 step program. You can also find out where your local OA meeting is.

I'm glad you found us.

Thanks marny...I will check it out.

I would like to join this group on the site. I am from Canada. Any other Canadians out there. I have attended OA for many years and agree with everything but have never gotten any recovery physically. Whenever I got abstinent for a couple of weeks I would get overwhelmed with the emotions and fall off the wagon so to speak. Some of you have done great. The OA in my area has really died off as far as meetings go. When there is no physical recovery in the group it started to seem pointless. Maybe I can get some motivation here. Anyhow Hi from Canada.

Welcome! Glad to have you here hijude.

Those first couple weeks of abstinence are very, very hard. I remember that my body was going through withdrawl, and at the same time I was having to deal and feel my emotions instead of stuffing them with food. I held on tight to program. I kept my books with me and read them. I called my sponsor a lot. I prayed over and over. I remember how rough it was. It got better. The withdrawls and cravings passed. Through working the steps I dealt with the feelings in a beneficial way. We're here to support you. With some investigation, you may find a "new" local group.

There are a few but the one downtown is mainly anorexics now. There is one near me but no one has any recovery. I actually was going to Alanon and liked that program. I know it is a different issue but I have learned to work the steps well. Staying focused is hard. Had a great sponser at one time but she left the program. I like this web site and enjoy the conversation. You have done great. Saw your photos up. I am 58 and so am closer to your moms age. Not that it matters. So I will keep posting on the site and it will help me in the tough times. I am going for the abstinence starting today. I have a plan and will stick to it. Just for today. Thanks Marny for the memories. It has been a while but I know it is the way.
Jude

i read in the big book of A.A. that i think Bill still had cravings for 2 and half years but he just took it one day at a time. for me that cleared my thoughts and when i start to have stinking thinking i just remember those words. keep strong you can do it!

jaceycat28 - Thanks for the reminder about Bill and his cravings. I'm going to bring that up at my meeting tonight.

hijude - Hi, and Welcome! No one in my group has had physical recovery either so it's discouraging to me. It's nice we can have this group here!

ewefluffy - Hi and Welcome to you too! I think everyone can benefit from the 12 steps, but only you can know if you are a compulsive overeater. I know I am - and I've known it since I was in elementary school!

Hi Jaceycat28, hijude, ewefluffy, & blender,

Welcome!

I'm sorry your meeting isn't experiencing a lot of recovery right now. Meetings change as people come and go but in my meetings there is a core group of people that have had amazing recovery. Some of them for years and years. Sometimes there are 12 people at a meeting and sometimes there are just two of us. Both types of meetings I like and have really gotten to know the people that attend regularly and look forward to seeing them every week.

Maybe you can start the new trend of recovery at your meeting and inspire others!

You can always come here for support My life is so different than it was just four 1/2 months ago. Throughout my life I've experienced bouts of anorexia, bulimia but always compulsive overeating. I never want to go back to living that way and am so grateful for a program that gets to the root of my eating and helps me develop a plan of eating that's best for my life but most of all and I think this has been key to my success thus far, an amazing support system in others who understand.

If I can be of help in any way, I'd love to

Charlene