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Conference rocks::weight_control

Title: Weight Loss and Maintenance
Notice:**PLEASE** enter notes in mixed case (CAPS ARE SHOUTING)!
Moderator:ASICS::LESLIE
Created:Tue Jul 10 1990
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:933
Total number of notes:9931

454.0. "Looking for support and answers" by AIMHI::DONOVAN () Wed May 17 1989 13:16

    Hi!!! In the past I have been a broser of this file---never written.
    But I am feeling a real need for some feedback right now...
    I am a binger (of the best kind) and in the past 3 weeks I have
    decided to attend OA.  I have gone to 3 different meetings.  The
    first 2 just did not click but last night I attended on in Derry
    that I really felt very comfortable with.  
    
    Okay...this is my problem....I was feelling great after the meeting
    with all good plans to go back next Tuesday.  The whole way home
    I am saying to myself, "no binging".  I walk in the door and what
    do I do but open the cabinet and stand at the counter stuffing my
    face.  Why???  
    
    I know there are quite a number of people that have attended OA
    in this notesfile.  Did you have any experience with this peculiar
    behavior.  It does not make sense.  Need I say I am very mad at
    myself right now.  
    
    Looking for help. Thanks.

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454.1Fear?????TFH::LAPOINTEWed May 17 1989 13:3012
    I believe for me it's a fear of commitment.  Afraid I might succeed. 
    That my goal of 15 years will be done with.  What will my goal be
    than??
    
    or maybe theres a power out there that doesn't what me to succeed!!
    	You know......The devil made my do it!!!!!!!!!
    
    Seriously....I think it's fear....fear of the unknown.  Will I be
    different at my new weight?  Will the people around me be different?
    When I think about all these things I want to eat.  Eat to make the
    fear go away.

454.2only you can answer 'why?'ANT::ZARLENGAa very frustrated Mr PeabodyWed May 17 1989 14:0113
.0>    face.  Why???  

    	It could be a lot of things.
    
    	Some people habitually abuse themselves as punishment.
    
    	Some do not like the attention that success brings.
    
    	Some view food as an old friend and do not want to say 'goodbye'.
    
    -mike z

454.3Eating Disorders are complex diseasesATSE::BLOCKBack in the High Life againWed May 17 1989 15:0819
	The way that you eat is a symptom of the problem; it can be very 
	frightening to start looking at the possibility of dealing with 
	the issues we've been burying with food.

	Don't ride yourself too hard about it; going through this doesn't
	mean you're a "bad" person -- Compulsive Overeating is a disease.

	I'd suggest that you focus on getting to more OA meetings.  Don't
	worry so much about the food itself, and don't beat yourself up 
	over setbacks.

	If you'd like to talk, I think I sit near you (I know some AIMHI
	people are right next door to us).  I'm one office in (away from
	the window) from MKO1-2/E30.  Feel free to drop in.

	Beverly


454.4SUPER::HENDRICKSThe only way out is throughWed May 17 1989 18:3929
    Lots of people in OA need some support from people in the group
    before they get their abstinence.  I have heard lots of stories
    like yours.
    
    The important thing is to keep going to meetings that you like and
    to look for someone to be your sponsor whom you like and respect.
    That's how you get the day to day coaching about recovery that helps
    you get and stay abstinent.
    
    I also recommend getting some of the OA literature to read.  It
    helps me a lot.
    
    I really admire your efforts, and your good intentions.  But for
    those of us with the disease of compulsive overeating, more than
    good intentions are necessary.  We are powerless over food.  Having
    an experience such as you did, and asking for help tells me that
    you are taking the first step:  
    
    Admitted that we were powerless over food and that our lives had become
    unmanageable.
    
    Compulsive eating is a disease of isolation.  You do not have to
    know how to manage the food right now.  You are taking this first
    step as all of us in OA did and continue to do.
    
    Take care.
    
    Holly 

454.5KEEP COMING BACK TO OA!NECVAX::DESHARNAISMon May 22 1989 13:0723
    Congratulations on taking that first big step to attend an OA meeting.
    I did the same thing you did after a few meetings. I was scared
    about actually controlling the compulsive eating disorder I have.
    But I kept going to meetings. They suggest you attend at least 6
    meetings before you decide if this is for you.  I didn't find a
    sponor for a few weeks and went to a meeting at St. Joe's hospital
    in Nashua on Wed nights. That made all the difference and reading
    the literature every day keeps you strong. I have lost 43lbs since
    January 4th and I can't believe it.  I find such strength in certain
    meetings I attend.  The one at Lowell General Hospital at 7:30 on
    Thursday is a large meeting and the stories of recovery and how
    people handle their compulsion is fantastic.  The Chelmsford 2PM
    Sat meeting is another strong meeting. I live in Nashua and I attend
    those meetings plus one in Dracut on Friday evenings.   The Nashua
    meetings didn't do anything for me so attend different meetings
    because they are different.  Good luck and if you want to call me
    I'm at MKO2
    
    Good luck,
    
    Barbara
    

454.6OA meetingSUPER::HENDRICKSThe only way out is throughMon May 22 1989 18:153
    I hear that the Wed. night at St. Joe's is moving to Monday night
    at Brookside Hospital sometime in June.

454.7June 5th O/A MeetingNECVAX::DESHARNAISWed May 31 1989 14:176
    Yes, the meetings start Monday June 5th.  They told us 
    "across" from Brookside hospital.  I didn't know there was
    a  building over there, but I will find it.
    
    

454.8SUPER::HENDRICKSThe only way out is throughFri Jun 02 1989 02:4113
    It is supposedly behind Zayres.
    
    Take 101 (exit 7w) to a landscape place at a set of lights.  Go
    left towards Brookside Hospital.  
    
    The building is a row house, and the right one is #14.  The street
    name is something like Silica -- Seneca??  Not sure, but behind
    Zayres should help.
    
    I'll post more info when I get it.
    
    Holly