Just as walking around Green Lake starts with a single step, beginning the journey in OA starts with a single step. Others who have been on the path before, can help you on the way.
1. Go to a meeting.
Try 6 meetings as they’re all different.
The meetings now are all online.
You can turn off your video if you don’t want anyone to see you. You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to.
2. Call someone. At meetings, people give out their phone numbers. People like to get calls or texts as it helps them as much as it helps you. (Step 12).
3. Click here for the free “Where Do I Start?” pamphlet.
Click here for a Young Person’s pamphlet.
Click me for the .pdf form of the pamphlet “Compulsive Overeater – An Inside View”
4. Get a sponsor. A sponsor will guide you through the 12 Steps and Traditions. They also can help you sort out your abstinence and plan of eating. For strategies on how to get a sponsor, see the Sponsorship page.
5. Find a Recovery Buddy. It is fun to notice if someone comes in the program at the same time as you. You can say “hi” to them and get their number. If you ask “How are you?” and listen – this is actually a 12-step! When we are new to the program we are often in self-pity or self-loathing and this helps to change our thinking.
| Vocabulary | |
| Abstinence: “The act of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight.” Each member defines their own abstinence. | Plan of Eating: A plan of eating helps us abstain from compulsive eating. You may hear, “I’m on a 3-1-1 Plan…” which translates to “I eat 3 meals a day, one snack, one day at a time, with life in-between.” Each member chooses their own plan of eating. The Dignity of Choice pamphlet explains this rather well. |
| Anonymity: It is your choice if you tell others you are in OA, but who you see at meetings is strictly confidential. It’s half of the name, “Overeaters Anonymous.” This includes around the neighborhood and on Social Media. | Share/Crosstalk: At meetings people share their experience, strength and hope with each other. The OA literature doesn’t mention crosstalk but people like to share without interruptions. We don’t mention people’s names or give direct advice. Discussing specific diets is something we don’t do. Please hold any questions until after the meeting. After the meeting – PLEASE ask questions. |
| Fellow: In the Big Book, they always say, “our fellows” instead of men and women, so that stuck in OA. | Big Book: The basic textbook of Alcoholics Anonymous is acceptable reading in an OA meeting. All AA books are OA approved literature. There are free Big Books online. |
| Home Group: A group where you feel “at home” and they may ask you to do some kind of “service.” Service is helping out the group in some type of task, like volunteering to read during the meeting or saying hi to another newbie. | Special Topic: Each meeting has a mind of its own – you will find meetings on the Big Book, OA literature, special topic, 12 Steps, and sometimes a speaker shares for 20 – 30 minutes. HOW meetings have a more structured approach to Plans of Eating & Abstinence. |
| Focus: We treasure diversity in every meeting, but OA also has Men’s meetings, Spanish Speaking, LGBT, ABC, and Ebony Meetings. LA meetings have a wide variety of special focus meetings. | ABC – stands for Anorexic Bulimia Focus. We welcome you at every meeting, but if you want more help here are some ABC meetings. Tuesdays 7:30 am – Pacific Time – click here Saturday 11:00am -Anorexia/Bulimia Focus (Phone) PHONE: 515-604-9094 PIN: 715894#. |