any overeaters been to an OA meeting?

what are they like? are they helpful? do they help you with an eating plan at all? I must admit I'm turned off by 12 step programs...

Hello Suki,

Yes, I am an OA member and have been to meetings - both online and face-to-face. For the first couple of months, I went to online meetings only and they were great! But when I attended my first face-to-face meeting, I realized that being with others in person is a very different thing, in a good way. Since there's only 1 meeting a week in my area, I attend one online meeting every day.

I can personally say that OA has helped me tremendously, since I joined almost 7 months ago I have been abstinent from binge eating. The steps are simple - notice I said simple, not easy! Footwork has to be done in the program, but I would venture to guess that if someone genuinely worked the 12 steps to the best of their ability, trusted in their version of a Higher Power (that can be anything you want, doesn't have to be God!), and work the tools of the program, then recovery and abstinence are indeed possible.

The group doesn't focus on eating plans, but OA does have a pamphlet about different food plans that you can purchase online, or in a face-to-face meeting. There are tons of different pamphlets on different subjects of program, and they're all very cheap. Overeaters Anonymous does not endorse a particular food plan...we are all individuals, so why should we eat the same? They encourage to find a plan that works for you, and doesn't include any "trigger" foods.

I am now a sponsor to 2 people, and leading 4 online meetings a week. I love being able to give back to the program that has saved me from binge eating. I hope you'll consider trying it out with an open mind - remember that your Higher Power can be anything you want! Many people get scared from the term "God"...but it could be anything. Music, friendship, the power of the OA group, mother nature...anything.

Please feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

thank you, Melissa! I truly appreciate your response. I may check out an online meeting first.

I'd love to hear more about OA, especially from agnostics and atheists...how do you manage the "higher power" thing? I like the idea of meetings but OA always seems to be held in churches-awkward!!

I am an atheist and I find another problem with OA meetings - AA with its long history has not proven successful. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol...#Effectiveness
I would prefer just plain get-togethers without "higher power" because I do not have "higher power" be it God or music. I am just an atheist, simple. I would like a meeting where members can discuss what is going on in their lives, sometimes with sadness and frustration, sometimes humorously, and feel that they are not alone.

Agreed! I have seen that article on 12 step effectiveness. Wish there were more choices.

I thought Weight Watchers would "do it" for me but the leaders are so fake-cheerful it is hard to talk about having a bad week--these cheerleaders are always trying to force the conversation towards the positive!!! Blech! Sometimes a bad week is a bad week. If I wanted fake cheerfulness I'd binge at Fridays and lie that it's my bday!!!

Funny, thanks!

I had just read about Overeaters Anonymous yesterday, and I struggle with binge-eating-- it's nice to see that there are people who've been there!

The Higher power thing upsets me, I understand it could be a door knob if you wanted it to be but I was brought up Catholic and God is God in my mind. Also when I want to binge it could be McDonalds or Ryvita, it really doesn't matter to me I just want to EAT. I wish I could take a pull and never have to eat again.

I've been overeating (binging) for a long time. Sometimes this leads to purging. When I can't do that anymore restriction of all foods. Could OA handle that or would they refer me to a T?

OA accepts people with any eating issues - not just overeating. However, they're not against additional help. I see a therapist for mental health issues because I feel that, as wonderful as OA is, they can't provide the help I need for other areas of my life.

That being said, this program is the only thing that has helped me with my binge eating. Before joining, I was scheduled to see an eating disorder counsellor and when I found OA I cancelled the referral, finding that I didn't need that additional help.

It does sadden me to see that many people out there are wary of OA due to the "Higher Power" thing. What it truly means though, is acknowledging that we are not the biggest thing in this universe. There is something bigger than us in this world. For many people who join OA, their power becomes the power of the OA fellowship. For someone on this site, they could choose the PC group as their higher power. Some people choose their "Higher Self", although I'm still a little confused on what that means.

I guess what I'm trying to say is...we don't need to be religious to join this program. I love how OA is accepting of everyone - regardless of age, sex, spiritual beliefs, eating issues, backgrounds, etc. What matters is that we have one thing in common: The desire to stop eating compulsively.

Wow, thank-you so much for your description of OA. I'm not wary of the higher power thing just the mental illness and gay things. I will look up the website for meetings close by.