Conference rocks::weight_control

    
    I used to go to OA but haven't been in several years.  It was 
    quite helpful to me at the time as I was in a difficult relationship
    and tended to eat out of frustration, anger, etc. -- not due to
    hunger or feeding my body.  To me, OA is more for dealing with
    eating disorders than Weight Watchers.  WW seems to deal with 
    changing eating behavior (as you said) whereas OA deals with
    overcoming actual eating disorders. (Bulemia, Anorexia, binging,
    etc.)  
    
    In the group that I went to there was no specific diet.  Each person
    was encouraged to follow what worked for them.  Also, faith, religion
    was not a big issue but just the belief in a "higher power" and
    that higher power could be whatever the person wanted it to be....
    if I didn't believe in the same God as the person next to me, that
    was o.k.  Hence, there was no specific religion either.  
    
    I'm currently seeing a medical doctor who specializes in weightloss
    so don't attend OA anymore, but that's because I feel I've gotten
    my eating under control.  I still use their books for support and
    would go back to meetings immediately if/when I started binging/
    feeling my eating was out of control again.  I read "The Thin Book"
    daily, and utilize many of the philosophies that I learned there
    in my daily life.  (One day at a time.  Easy does it.) These slogans
    help me to remember to control my eating.  And of course, the serenity
    prayer is a help many times!  (With more situations that just food!)
    
    All in all, it's a great support group.  I found the people friendly,
    non-judgemental, and very helpful!  
    
    My

    re:  .0
    
    Ginny,
    
    I went to a couple of meetings a few years age.  I don't know what
    group you went to, but the group I was in didn't perscribe any
    particular diet.  They seemed to focus heavely on learning not to
    eat compulsively.  I stopped going because I would come out of each
    meeting feeling very depressed.  There were people there that had
    tried to commit suicide, gotten divorced and had children who were
    in jail and they all blamed it on their over eating.  I guess that
    they subscribe to the same principals as Alcoholics Anonimous, except
    they substitute the word "food" for the word "alcohol".  tThey really
    encourage you to speak your mind, which is good, but one time they
    all jumped all over me.  A lady had just detailed an experience
    where she was at her grandson's birthday party.  She tearfully told
    of how she actually ate a piece of cake inspite of the fact that
    she knows that food has been the primary distructive force in her
    life.  I suggested that she should lighten up on herself.  "Your
    talking about eating a piece of cake, for goodness sake, not
    firebombing a nursery school!".  I was really only trying to inject
    some levity into the situation, but the comment was not taken well.
    In my opinion this group is takeing themselves too seriously.
    Bear in mind, however, that this was one group.  Since the organization
    is sort of "free form" (no particular diet, no particular rules
    etc) this was probably a characteristic of that group only.  Perhaps
    you should attend a couple of meetings.  Since there are no membership
    fees (they ask for a contribution that you can afford) and no
    obligation to continue if you don't want to, why not see if the
    group near you fills your needs better than they did mine.
    
    best of luck
    
    Marion

    
    re.:  .2
    
    >In my opinion this group is taking themselves too seriously. 
    
    	You have to realize that this group deals primarily with 
    people who have eating disorders.  This is quite different from
    those who are just trying to lose some weight and are able to 
    follow a diet fairly reasonably.  For some people, eating that
    one piece of cake leads to eating the whole cake and more!  That
    is why they stress abstinence from foods containing sugar because
    sugar to some people is like alcohol to an alcoholic!  I found OA
    to be a wonderful support group as I was experiencing an eating
    disorder at that time.  Maybe the lady was just being too hard on
    herself...or maybe she really felt out of control since she had
    eaten that one piece.  
    
    	In addition to OA I have some experience with Alcoholics Anonymous
    due to being married to an alcoholic several years ago, and I feel
    that helped me understand OA.  Yes, OA is patterned after AA as
    you said.  They use the same principals.  
    
    	Myra

ERASER::GEER                                          5 lines   3-MAR-1988 10:07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I'm wondering if there's an Overeaters Anonymous group in the
    Concord/Acton area.  There's a toll free Worcester number but they
    couldn't help me.  Does anyone know the whereabouts of this group?
    
    Beth
================================================================================
Note 236.1                    OA east of Worcester?                       1 of 2
HERBIE::LAPOINTE                                      4 lines   3-MAR-1988 10:11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry I cann't help you with the whereabouts of a group there, but if
    you could send me the number of the one in Worcester?
    thanks, Robin
    
================================================================================
Note 236.2                    OA east of Worcester?                       2 of 2
AKOV77::GRIFFITH                                      2 lines   4-MAR-1988 07:01
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A friend of mine went to OA meetings at Emerson Hospital in Concord.
    Try calling the hospital.

    There is an OA group that meets Thursday nights in Marlboro.
    I'm planning on attending (my first meeting) this week.  If you
    want more info, send me a note at WJO::GOLDEN.
    

NHL::ARNO                                            20 lines  29-JUN-1988 06:21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    
    			OA meetings
    
    
    I would like anyone around the Westford,Chelmsford,Lowell
    area to tell me where the meetings are held.. ?
    
    The times and places...
    
    
    Also does anyone know about the one in Lowell General?
    
    The time and what room ?
    
    
    Thanks alot
    
    Ann
    
    
================================================================================
STAR::YANKOWSKAS "Paul Yankowskas"                   10 lines  29-JUN-1988 06:32
                               -< Call 927-2419 >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    re .0:
    
    See also note 88.
     
    The Lowell phone book lists a Beverly number for OA, 927-2419.  
    I imagine that if you called them, they'd give you the info that
    you're looking for.
    
    
    Paul

    
    I believe that Emerson Hospital in Concord hosts OA meetings. I
    am not sure of the day and time, but you can call there and find out. 
    (I know for a fact that they host NA meetings. I *think* I remember
    seeing info about OA as well.)
    
    The main hospital number is 369-1400. The Community Services Office is 
    Extension 438. I *think* this is the right office to talk to.
                     
    -Amy.            

    A friend of mine would like to find out when and where OA meetings
    are held in the Haverhill/Lawrence/Salem NH area.  Can anybody provide
    some info?
    
    
    Thanks,
    Paul

Paul,

Have your friend call Overeaters Anonymous in Massachusetts at
617-641-2303; they can give him info on meetings in different towns in Mass.
They also have some info on NH, so he can ask for that, also.

Jill

    Thank you Jill.
    
    
    Paul

    I was going to OA back in 1985. At that time there was a diet. Has
    it changed??  It used to be: No sugar, no flour and no eating/drinking
    anything after 8 pm.  There were portion restrictions on the amount
    of protein but all veggies were unlimited.

    I have attended OA in several different cities and there is no official
    diet policy in OA.  They do not distribute or advocate any diet
    or restrictions.  However, I have heard of certain chapters that
    have something called a 'grey sheet' that has a diet and some
    restrictions that is passed out to members.  
   
    These sheets are not a part of the OA format from the international
    office.
    
    Inez 

    I don't have it here with me at work, but I was also given an extensive
    list of Massachusetts meetings.  I will try to answer the questions
    above about Mass. meetings.  It's way too long to type in!
    
    Let me know if I can answer any specific questions.
    
    Holly

    Can someone please shed a little more light on this group?  I have
    read things about you must become abstinent from sugar and flour.
    I think I could live without sugar, but I'm not sure about the flour
    part.  Any help would be appreciated.
    
    Virginia

    If anyone would like a brochure explaining Overeaters Anonymous,
    please send me a VAXmail with your name and mailstop and I will
    send you a copy. 
    
    					CSSE32::MYERS

To obtain OA meeting information in your area, I suggest one of the 
following suggestions.

    1.  Look in your local phone book under Overeaters Anonymous
	and call that number.

    2.  If the phone number is not listed alphabetically in the phone
	book, try looking in the section listed 'self-help' which is
	usually in the front of the book.  Sometimes OA is listed there.

    3.  If neither of the above work, then you can write to:

	OA World Service Office
	P.O. Box 92870
	Los Angeles, CA  90009

	and specify to them where you are located and that you need
	meeting information for your area.

NEW HAMPSHIRE Meeting Information.

    There are 'numerous' OA meetings in New Hampshire. Since meeting
    information (location, time and day) could change and this
    note would have to be constantly updated, please obtain meeting
    information via the method listed below.

    Call 434-7578 (Derry, NH).  The '24 hour' answering machine will 
    supply DAILY meeting information.

    If you wish to talk to someone from OA, you can leave your 
    first name and phone # on the answering machine and someone
    will call you.                            

    If you would prefer a NH meeting list mailed to you, write
    to:

	New Hampshire Intergroup
 	P.O. Box 166
	Hooksett, NH 03106

	Are you a compulsive overeater?

					Yes	No

Do you eat when you're not hungry?    ______   ______
Do you go on eating binges for no
  apparent reason?		      ------   ------
Do you have feelings of guilt and 
  remorse after overeating?	      ------   ------
Do you give too much time and thought
  to food?			      ------   ------
Do you look forward with pleasure and
  antipipation to the moments when you
  can eat alone?		      ------   ------
Do you plan these secret binges ahead
  of time?			      ------   ------
Do you eat sensibly before others and
  make up for it alone?		      ------   ------
Is your weight affecting the way you
  live your life?		      ------   ------
Have you tried to diet for a week (or
  longer) only to fall short of
  your goal?			      ------   ------
Do you resent the advice of others 
  who tell you to "use a little will
  power" to stop overeating?	      ------   ------
Despite evidence to the contrary,
  have you continued to assert that
  you can diet "on your own" when-
  ever you wish?                      ------   ------
Do you crave to eat at a definite
  time, day or night, other than
  meal time?			      ------   ------
Do you eat to escape from worries
  or trouble?
Has your physician ever treated you
  for overweight?		      ------   ------
Does your food obsession make your
  or others unhappy?		      ------   ------

How did you score?  If you answered yes to three or more of these
questions, it is probable that you have a compulsive overeating
problem or are well on the way to having one.  OA members have found
that the way to arrest this compulsive problem is to practice the
Twelve Step Recovery Program of Overeaters Anonymous.

Note # 88.17 and 88.18 (New Hampshire) contains directions on finding
     an OA meeting in your area.

    Hi,
    
    I've heard so many positive thing about OA, and I'm at the point now
    that I am seriously considering going to a meeting.....even though I've
    always cringed at the thought of sitting around with a million people
    like myself swapping fat stories.......and I'm trying to change my
    attitude about this because obviously, OA has been very successful for
    alot of people.....
    
    Can anyone tell me exactly what you're supposed to give up according to
    OA?? Is is whole wheat products and refined sugars???  I thought whole
    wheat was good for you...does anyone know the reasoning for this??  I'm
    really desperate to do something about my weight....I'm about 50 lbs.
    overweight right now, and if I get any fatter, I will totally lose my
    mind....I am on the verge right now (as I woof down peanut butter
    crackers!)  
    
    Also, does anyone know locations and times??  I live in Leominster, but
    I absolutely do not want to go to any meetings in town....I couldn't
    handle seeing anyone I knew...and I know that they'd be there for the
    same reason I would be there, but it woukd still make me feel VERY
    uneasy.....and I don't need any extra stress or anxiety......so I guess
    I'd be interested in meetings in maybe Worcester or some other city not
    too far from Leominster....oh ya, but not Fitchburg...I went to school
    there......
    
    Thanks for any help anyone can give me on this......
    
    Gen 

    It's a personal program.  All 12 step programs say "Take what you need
    and leave the rest".
    
    I abstain from sugar, but eat flour in certain forms (wheat germ, whole
    grain breads, etc.).  I am careful about amounts of flour/starchy foods.
    
    Many people in OA abstain from sugar and flour and weigh and measure
    all their food.  Other people do a very strict "gray sheet" food plan.
    
    I only weigh and measure certain foods.  Because I travel for business,
    I decided early on to work on choosing appropriate quantities without
    measuring.
    
    My feeling is you do whatever it takes to define abstinence for
    yourself with the help of a sponsor, nutritionist, and/or physician. 
    It could take many different forms.  Once you have defined your abstinence,
    to me, the key is being honest about working that food program and not
    deviating from it.  If you need to change your plan, do it honestly and
    with support.
    
    The way you know that your program is working is that you maintain
    your abstinence, lose weight if you need to, and feel better.  It's a
    program of recovery on 3 levels, physical, emotional, and spiritual.
    Working the program gives you the tools to maintain your weight loss.
    
    There are certain tools that you are encouraged to use in OA:  sponsor,
    meetings, higher power, abstinence, anonymity, service, telephone, 
    literature, and writing.  You will learn about these in the meetings.
    
    The program gives you a chance to work on your food addiction issues
    more than anything else.  Most people come to lose weight, but realize
    in the process of doing so that they have gotten much, much more.  
    
    When I was heavily into my addiction 13 months ago, I could not have
    even begun to understand things that are beginning to make sense to me
    now about recovery.  As long as I was centering my life around my food
    addiction, I was blind to so many things that are extremely valuable to
    me now.
    
    Holly