Metro Memo

Historically, I had always thought of January 1st (or better still 2nd) as the perfect time to start my diet, exercise program, lifestyle change. Unfortunately, for me and countless other compulsive overeaters, January passed without the change lasting for more than a few days – after all there were all those holiday goodies to “get rid of”. February was Valentine’s Day so no point starting until the 15th or 16th and why start a new endeavor in the middle of the month? March was my escape to warmer weather, and no one goes on a diet before vacation, better to …

Jealousy is a defect of my character most shameful to admit. I am jealous of my peers. A lot. At work, I experience fear when people make more money than me. I don’t want my friends having a better time with each other than they have with me. I don’t want my friends dating hotter women than me. I secretly wish I was as smooth socially as some of my friends. I wish I was taller, handsomer, more muscular, wealthier, more popular etc. I have a hard time feeling genuinely happy for the good fortune and success of others. I …

Wow! 1300 members of OA converged on the Boston Copley Marriott Hotel to participate in the above convention which ran from September 1st through the 4th. They came from all over the US, Canada and 27 other countries. There were all kinds of workshops, a keynote opening speech and, of course, a closing speech.  There was a banquet as well as a dance party. Workshops ranged from “An Attitude of Gratitude” to “The Joy of Aging in Recovery.” All were given by experienced members of OA who spoke their truth. There was also a meditation room, a bookstore, a bulletin …

In July, we entered a new term and welcomed a new board of elected officers and trustees to the OANYC Intergroup. We want to introduce them to you by having a monthly spotlight. This month, we are featuring Mollie T., our Corresponding Secretary. Today I turn 34 years old, but I feel as though my life only truly began when I entered OA and became abstinent two years and 8 months ago. Since then I have let go of 45 pounds (110 pounds down from my top weight) and have experienced changes in myself and my life I thought were impossible. Through working …

Until I came to OA 18 months ago, I had been a raving bulimic for almost 40 years. Although I “controlled” it, sometimes for weeks at a time, it was always there, a fear I had every morning when I woke up. Would this be another day lost to bingeing and purging? Most people thought I was someone with a “moderate” weight problem. By throwing up about three-quarters of everything I ate, I kept my weight about 25 lb. more than it should be. The fact that I had the eating habits of a 300 lb. person was something no …

I am celebrating 11 years in OA and 11 years of abstinence September 17, 2016 god willing.  I wrote the following piece in December 2005, almost 90 days into program and abstinence.  At that time the future looked bright as I was working the steps and moving beyond the blocked emotions to feel each day.  I had no idea how bright the future could be.  Since then, I have gotten married, have two children and have had better jobs with more responsibility.  I also have more out of my life in less obvious ways.  Overall, program has given me my life.  …

I’m a big fan of the fourth step fear prayer: Please remove this fear, and direct my attention to what you would have me be. I use the prayer for all sorts of troubles. I close my eyes, and implore, “Higher power, please remove this {whatever}, and direct my attention to what you would have me be,” then I meditate to listen for the answer, and write out what I believe my higher power would have me be instead of the fearful, squirming, confused, uncertain person I can sometimes become. My sponsor sometimes asks me to spiral out my fears …

Mary Ann F. gives her reflections on the most recent retreat from January 22-24, 2016. We took off from West 58th Street right on time and arrived at the Guesthouse in Chester, Connecticut 3 1/2 hours later. It was the start of a big weekend with speakers, shares, writing and even a talent show. The title of the retreat was The Gift of Recovery, Give It Away to Keep It. Friday night we had an opening meeting, an orientation so to speak. But things began in earnest on Saturday. After breakfast began the speakers with breakout groups. Something new was …

If we attend OA meetings, work on the Nine Tools of program, read from the Big Book, practice the Twelve and Twelve, read other recommended OA literature, try to help somebody who is still suffering and if we have a desire to stop compulsively overeating, this promise will be kept for us. In the fellowship of OA, I learned that my name is Sylvia and that I am a compulsive overeater. Later on in the program, my life took on new meaning. I went back to school, got my degree, took the test for a civil service job and went …

Tom M. is the outgoing Chair of the Greater New York Metro Intergroup after serving in this position for the past two years. He has been a member of OA since April 1981. During that time he has held service positions in Connecticut Intergroup, Massachusetts Bay Intergroup, San Francisco Intergroup, and now New York City. Metro Memo interviewed Tom about the state of Intergroup. MM: What is Intergroup anyway, and why is it so important? TM: Intergroup is just the name we have for groups in a particular area coming together—apart from our individual meetings—to do the necessary work to keep …

Overall, I had a happy childhood and adolescence. I had a close and supportive relationship with my parents and friends. I worked hard and did well in school, and I enjoyed my hobbies. I don’t mean to imply that my childhood was perfect. For instance, growing up with an older sister who emotionally neglected me was challenging. However, my support system and self-confidence helped me to deal with the challenges of life in a healthy way. Continue reading→ …

Step Three: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.   That sounds easy. Who wouldn’t want to turn over everything, especially all our troubles, to God? It sounded good to me. I already believed in God when I entered OA so there was no problem there. I thought it would be easy to turn my will and my life over to God. But I have found that it is harder than I thought. I have also learned that I was perfectly happy with whatever God ordained as long …

I love all my fellows. Even the ones I do not like. Sort of like my wife. I have often told her “I always love you, but I do not always like you.” Ten years ago, I could not have said that. I came into program almost 9½ years ago. Ten years ago, I did not truly understand love. Why? Because I did not truly love myself, but I could not face admitting that. I have heard it in program, and in other places before I came to program. You must learn to love yourself before you can love anyone …

Metro Memo asked OA fellows to provide tips on how to stay abstinent and connected to God and program during the holidays. Here are some of their responses: “For the holidays, I find that it’s really helpful to plan in advance by asking the follow questions: ‘Who, What, When, Where, Why, How?’ WHO will I be eating with during the holidays, and will there be there anyone in my company who knows I’m in program? WHO can I text my meal plan to in advance- sponsor and/or fellows? WHO can I do service for during the holidays? WHAT will I …

Metro Memo asked OA fellows to provide tips on how to stay abstinent and connected to God and program during the holidays. Here are some of their responses: “For the holidays, I find that it’s really helpful to plan in advance by asking the follow questions: ‘Who, What, When, Where, Why, How?’ WHO will I be eating with during the holidays, and will there be there anyone in my company who knows I’m in program? WHO can I text my meal plan to in advance- sponsor and/or fellows? WHO can I do service for during the holidays? WHAT will I …

About a year and a half ago I asked my Higher Power to take away my addiction to refined sugar and white flour. I was powerless over it and I didn’t want to hurt under its lash any longer. The merciless obsession was lifted and I had peace and serenity. In the months that followed, I faced almost unbearable emotional turmoil but, miraculously, I came through abstinently. Shortly after that I experienced a big ego trip, and that’s when additional food started slipping in: extra salad, extra protein, extra vegetables. First I stopped losing, then I began to gain. Continue …

Last week, I was sitting in the train, discretely reading my OA Twelve and Twelve. The man sitting next to me was reading over my shoulder. “So, what is OA?” he whispered. “On Average?” “Um, no, we’re Overeaters Anonymous. A group of people who suffer from the disease of COE,” I reluctantly explained. “What’s a COE?” he asked, too loudly for my taste. “Compulsive Overeater,” I said as I gently shushed him. “I thought that stood for Chief Operating Executive,” he whispered back. “Not in this case,” I explained quietly. “We’re COEs. And, we encourage each other to KCB.” “KCB? …

I had been in OA for a little over a year and was kind of disappointed when there was no parade when I reached one year of abstinence — I had made it! Surely, I had it all figured out. Right? Well, a month after I collected my one-year chip, my life as I knew it began to fall apart: all the outside constants like job, love life, address were now variables at best. I held onto program and my abstinence with both hands and leaned into using my tools of meetings, phone calls, writing more than ever, but I …