I am eating constantly. I'm always hungry, and all I think about is food. It's getting REALLY old! I'm making better choices at what I am putting in my body, and I'm eating FAR less calories... but I still can't stop eating!

This is just rediculous! I can't stop eating for the life of me! I can't stop thinking about food. I can't stop!

Are you willing to commit to being abstinent between meals? The planned meals can be anything you want. I started out with 3 banquets a day. I ate whatever and as much as I wanted at each of the 3 meals. But, I was commited to not eat at any other time during the day. It's a place to start. I felt real success with it. I was no longer eating all day.

hmmm... I hadn't thought of that! perhaps...

perhaps is the start of being willing. :-)

That it is!

I feel like I want to do it, but I'm scared. (Does that make sense?) I tend to eat light on meals as it is... and then snack a lot! (of course because food just doesn't come off my mind EVER!)

Being scared is normal. It's also one of the biggest obstacles that we face. Fear prevents us from moving forward. I've been dealing with my own fears in the program by consciously stepping out of my comfort zone and toward the things that I fear. So far, it has been a miraculous experience. It's difficult, but there's no other way to move beyond where you already are.

Isn't it strange the things we fear? I agree that we all do it though. I am going to try the between meal abstinence myself. I tend to do the same thing that you do Jac... eat pretty decent meals and then the snacking is what gets me. Most of what is on my backside is sugar and Coca-cola

*puts the cheetos down to type*

The more I think about this, the better the idea sounds. I'm so glad that I'm on my way to an OA meeting tomorrow at noon! I don't know what I'd do otherwise!

Abstinence is awesome. When it isn't meal time I don't have to decide if I should have a bit of this, how much I should have, wish I hadn't, or let it lead to more snacks. I just don't. It isn't ever a choice of should I or shouldn't I. There's no gray area, no room for binging. It's a wonderful feeling to be free of making a bad choice!

When I first started I had some cravings from time to time and really had to use all the OA tools to get past them. But, now it's very rare that I want food when it isn't a meal time. I thank God for this gift.

I'm so proud of you guys for being here and opening your hearts to the idea and the steps. Having the willingness to try something new and perhaps scary is huge.

Marny,
Thank you, as always for your inspiration! I'm still mulling over this possibility. For fear of adjustment. Fear of saying goodbye to the food that's ruled my life for so long. It's a friend, it's my support, it's my controller and I'm trying to control it for once. It is just like ending a crappy relationship, one that you'd been so blindly in love that you hadn't realized it was so nasty. And I'm like that abused lover, I just don't want to let go...

jac-
I can totally relate. The idea of giving up something that feels normal and is part of your every day life takes a lot of thought. Keep in mind the idea of one day at a time. You can try being abstinent for one day only, and then decide if it's worth it...if you like it.

One day at a time... it's so frustrating sometimes that this journey is one day at a time. I know my problems didn't surface overnight, but I still want them all to vanish overnight anyway...

Me too! Too bad it isn't that easy.

Isn't that the truth!!