OA Meetings

[pmaslan]

I just looked up their website and see a couple of meetings in my area.
I no longer think it is a simple matter of gaining weight. I really believe
there is more to this as far as I am concerned. I have been sabatoging
every positve effort and pound lost in the last couple of months.
I have not gained anymore weight but I haven't lost a pound in a
couple of months either. I am consummed with thoughts of food. If
I watch tv, not just the commercials but the actual program I am watching
if food is envolved, promotes thoughts of eating. I have never felt like this
before, it seems it has happened in the last 2 months. I try to disapline
myself all day long but then in the evening it is a struggle.
I have been in Alanon for almost 2 years now and feel I have a real
handle on that part of my life, my ex alcoholic fiancee has been gone for
17 months now. I have not opened myself to a new relationship yet,
as I haven't felt ready. I feel that hanging on to the weight (40lbs)
is keeping me from getting envolved in a new one. I think the eating
at night is key here. I think it represents something else, like the lack
of my partners companionship..just a thought, maybe exploring it
through OA may help...does anyone have any insight on any of this?

[emily33]

I have a very hard time at night sometimes to. I think that loneliness is a definite huge trigger for me. Not just food either.

I am looking for healthier ways of filling some emptiness that I have. Shopping is getting me in trouble, I cant eat.

I find that involving myself in activities, keeps me from being bored, helps me not eat and fills some of the void I have from lonliness.

I think sometimes keeping myslef as busy as I am is another form of avoidance for me.

I think that I am getting alot better with just being with me. I think some of my problem is that I always thought I needed someone else to make me feel whole, but I am learning that I am whole with just me.

I hope this makes some sense to you, I get what I am trying to say, but hey I am just a little different here. lol

[pmaslan]

No I get what you are saying Emily.
I have to say that I really believe I am using weight to keep from
getting into a new relationship..
I do not want to be in one where the guy thinks it's okay for me to
not care about my appearance. That has always been of huge
importance to me....I don't even know who I have become.
You know I take the time to do makeup hair and put a decent outfit
together (with what fits anymore) but I don't seem to take the time
to care about the rest....I need some therapy

[emily33]

I have decided I will be in therapy for a very long time. Group therapy, seems to help me the most. I think that OA is something I would be interested in as well.

I know that you are a beautiful person inside and out and you have come so far, I know that you will figure things out.

[eire rose]

Hello Patty,

I was active on the eating disorders forum for a while, and can relate to obsessing about food. I was constantly hungry and gain alot of weight., quite depressed and constantly fatigued, I spoke to a few people about it, these symptoms seemed to be thyroid, every dr I spoke with initially suggested tyroid.

I too was healing from a dysfunctional relationship and thought that maybe this had something to do with my eating. I had bloodwork done any it did not detect any problem (thyroid is extremely hard to detect although many people suffer from it unknowingly) I went to a hollistic practioner/heal and he immediately identified me a having a thyroid problem.

I also felt that my disinterest in dating/socializing was related to weight and grief over the previous relationship, but since I started working with healer I have had a very dramatic shift in my energy level and my eating.

I know how painful it is to be eating constantly, never satisfied and have no control over this.

Would this be something you might be interested in looking into? It has changed my life, thank God I now have some control over cravings (they are vitually non-existant now) and what I choose to eat.

I just wanted to share my experience with you, sometimes its not always emotional as I learned.

Love, Rose

[pmaslan]

Thanks Rose wow that is something to think about.
The Holistic idea I mean.
I have spoken to my DR. and he doesn't think it is thyroid.
Where does one find a holistic practioner?

[eire rose]

Hi Patty,

I found one through asking around, my therapist is a hippy and knows all kinds of people, through her and some other friends I found a guy who someone else had gone to and recommended him highly.

Love, Rose

[Nina Kay]

Hi Patty,
I think that if you started going to the OA meetings in your area regularly, you would be glad that you did. I have seen alot of people with some years of recovery in OA. These are people just like us here who understand what you are going through because they have each been there themselves. It is a great type of therapy and support. I've done alot better since I started going to OA. Let us know how it goes, if you do go to the meetings and let us know how it goes if you go the route that Rose is talking about. We'll be very interested if you'd like to share any of your experiences.