Hi All,
Haven't been on here since October 2007 and low and behold, I gained most of the 45 pounds I lost back. I'm feeling really frustrated. I just turned 39 on Friday and I really want to enter into the next phase of my life not obsessed with food, weight and when I'm going to eat next. I believe in OA, however the area in which I live is really lacking good recovery in the rooms. I find the meetings rather depressing and I tend to feel worse after I leave the rooms. I have tried and tried to abandon judgement, but I just have difficulty relating to most of the individuals I come across. I hope I don't upset anyone in saying this, but it's a real struggle for me and I'd love feedback.
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hey Laura-

Those are honest emotions. It IS hard to find hope when all those around you are feeling hopeless! Do you have the books "Overeaters Anonymous" or "Abstinence"? They are both full of personal stories of recovery. They are great for lifting me up and building my hope.

Another great place to look for recovery is OA podcasts. You can find them on itunes for free. There are lots of recordings of speakers with recovery.

The recovery in meetings ebbs and flows. Right now it's lean, but you may find a change in a few months time. Don't give up on the relationships and community in your meetings. Perhaps you could ask about having some speakers from outside of your area coming to your meetings. Or, perhaps you can suggest that your meeting focus on a book with lots of recovery such as one of those that I mentioned above.

thanks. those are some great ideas.

Laura,

I think it was Ghandi who said "Be the change you wish to see." or something like that. Any way, maybe you could be the one to infuse life into the room.

T

Marny, thanks for the great idea! It serves as a further "introduction" to OA. I've read the websites about it, here's my next step. Thank you!

Laura, all great suggestions already given. We can make a difference and it's great to remember that in down meetings. I go to AA meetings also and sometimes they get really down and we have one man that always ends it on an upbeat note so one person can make a difference. May you be that person.

Keep coming back it works when you work it!

hugs
patd

Laura -- I was watching PRIME SUSPECT last night, the final one, where Helen Mirren goes to AA meetings, and she starts out really skeptically, and then begins to see how it works. I went to OA for about a year and a half and learned an amazing amount about addiction and about how to let go of the bad stuff. Remember another OA saying which is "take what helps you and leave the rest'. I began to have trouble because I wanted to remain fundamentally anonymous, which is hard to do. But seeing the show last night made me think seriously about going back, but with a clearer sense of what I want from it. For example, I think I will skip having a sponsor this time around, because my trouble at OA was made sharper by the fact that my sponsor (who was a wonderful person and in recovery for decades) was very religious in ways that I couldn't deal with. BUt I do think there is a lot to get and to give in OA. But remember that your input is crucial ,so if you are feeling uncomfortable with the atmosphere, talk about it in the meetings. RubyJan

RubyJan~ This is kinda off topic, but I love that Prime Suspect movie. That was an excellent episode, too, w. her going to the AA meetings... :thup: