Help from others with obesity and eating disorders

I'm sure you've all heard of Alcoholics Anonymous. It's helped tens of thousands of people to get to sobriety in just the past decade; that is, it works, if you do. There is also a spin-off called Overeaters Anonymous (http://www.oa.org/). Despite the name, and that most of the members have trouble with obesity, it's also there for bulimic people and anorexics, etc.--all eating disordered people.

One of the things that turns people with problems off about these programs is the notion of turning their troubles over to a Higher Power. But the actual wording in OA says that the HP is whatever you have defined or experienced it to be. That could be the goddess, one's higher self, science, the Christian god or Jesus, or anything/anyone you believe is bigger than you are. Remember the famous motto of the Anonymous programs: "Take what you need and leave the rest." That applies to your HP, as well.

That's fine, you say, for people who live in a big city, where there are several groups and meetings around town that would fit in with your work hours, or when you'll be able to have the car and someone to watch your children, for instance. What about the rest of us? That can be worked with, too. There are group meetings on the phone with others, as well as internet groups which "meet" around the clock every day.

At any meeting, you don't have to talk. You might want to watch the first few times just to see how meetings are conducted and run. Everyone will be using only their first names or first names with last name initial, nickname, or any other name you want to be used. Your privacy is repected, and the meetings are confidential. At the OA website, you'll find all the information you need to understand the organization, its purpose, what meetings include, and so forth.

Don't be turned off by money, either. Everything is entirely free, depending on donations completely. If your money troubles make even a small donation impossible, you're still welcome with open arms. Giving is anonymous, too.

OA can help you to get to the root of your problems and how to understand what's going on in order for you to get to normal eating. It would be especially good for those who believe their weight and food problems have an environmental, emotional, or early childhood trigger, as well as those with post-traumatic stress disorder which arose at any time in your life and the weight gain followed. No, they're not formally trained psych people, but they've been or are currently where you are.

There's no harm in checking out the website or considering it. Sometimes, help in a group of fellow sufferers works far better than suffering alone. We're not alone in this world. There are people in precisely the same place we are, whether it's regaining weight after a large loss; inability to maintain at a lower weight; getting started on losing weight; giving up, and so much more.

Just give it a shot and look at the website for more information.