What do you all think of OA (Overeaters Anonymous)

Hi again!

Here is the way to subscribe to the WLS OA list:

 

WEIGHTLOSSSURGERY[email protected]

 Much luck and peace!

Therese

I went to OA for about 4 years.  Some of the best personal growth I have been through.  The steps are the key for any "out of control" behavior.  The real help comes with getting a sponsor and working the steps.  That was the freedom for me.  I had a wonderful sponsor that took me th rough the steps and WOW what a difference it made in my life.  I know you have been struggling to find something that "works" for you.  Just know that you are doing exactly what you need to be doing ....that is...searching the different  plans and programs available to  you.  You will know when you have found it.  And don't be suprised...it may come in a different form than what you are expecting.  Just be open to everything and you will continue to prosper in your journey.
Dancin'D

Thank you Dancin for giving me hope, i do believe as long as I don't give up on looking for my solution that I will find it....and just during the process of looking and being aware of my weight gain struggle I have managed to maintain my weight for 2 months instead of continuing my gain...and ya know.. worse case scenario? I simply maintain from here on out? And don't lose anymore, I am STILL in a normal size clothing and I still feel and look so much better than 130 lbs ago! So that's something to be happy about, it was the regular gaining for 5 months that was getting me really concerned! I need to be firm with myself but not obsess! Obsessing is what got me to where I was in the first place...but I do need to be committed..and it might mean working a little harder than I had been. Right now I'm going to try GS anonymous, which is just a break of of OA..it's basically OA with a set black and white food plan..which food plan is EXACTLY (only no room for exceptions) what my surgeon wants me doing. Protein and veggies 3 times a day no snacking in between no matter what. When my surgeon gave me those rules he INTENDED for me to follow them to the letter!! But I have not, if this group helps me committ to those rules, even if it's a little intense and drastic (as there is no room for varying from the plan..at all!!!) then so be it.. wasn't WLS drastic and intense?! How committed am I to this life style I had committed to when having surgery?!  My sponsor in this group is a lady who had RNY WLS... lost 180 lbs then gained back 80 and with the help of GS anonymous has lost ALL her excess weight and kept it off (and be 100% abstinant) for 2 years. So we'll see! And I agree with the personal growth process with these kinds of programs,...which is really what I need right now, I've really "let myself go" spiritualy and physicaly. Thanks for your input everyone!

Leslee

You sound great!!  Like you have found a path to follow.  That is half the battle.  What does GS stand for?  I haven't heard of that.  I might be interested in it.  However, I live so far from a large city, there probably isn't one around for 60 miles!!!  Anyway I'd like to look into it.  Hang tough (which I know you will) and keep us informed of your progress.  It helps all of us out here.
Dancin'D

GSA Stands for Grey Sheet Anonymous. It's kind of a break of group from OA. OA let's you pick your own "absitnence" the problem with that is you can change it to be convenient. With my experience with OA I've seen very few "abistinant" people...and very few thin people at the meetings..which means something isn't working cause isn't a lot of excess weight a sign of compulsive overeating? so chances are they are not abstinent or haven't been for long. TONS of people if not the majory of GSers ARE abstinent have lost over 100 lbs and many I've talked to have been abstinant up to 19 years!!!!!! Meaning 100% back to back days for 19 years! Some people have had stomach stapling or bypass gained back ALL t heir weight and have now been abstinent and at goal weight for YEARS!

Anyway, another thing I really like about this is there are tons of phone meetings every day..if you don't have a live meeting in your area you just hop on the phone at anytime meeting time that is convenient for you. The one disadvantage to this group is they are VERY...did I mention VERY? strick about the abstinant food plan. And it's really too much food for a gastric bypass patient. Breakfast is 4 oz protein and 8 oz fruit.  dinner is 4 oz protein 8 ounce cooked veggies and 12 oz raw veggie salad of some sort, then 3 TBS fat. I"ve added it up and it ends up being around 1000 calories a day. I can not p hysically eat all the food they require (cause it has to be three meals no snacking in between so you can't save some for later), so my sponsor and I are working on using the foods that have small portions..like for protein its 4 oz protein or 2 oz cheese..well two ounce cheese is going to take up less space... etc. Or you can use yogurt for the protein which goes through faster...etc... If I stsill can't make it work then I'll have to try to find a different sponsor that will let me cut down on some of the bulk..or simply not do the program. But I LOVE it, one last concern is if I use cheese instead of solid protein..am I going to get enough protein?.. etc so I'm hoping I can work everything out so it works for me. Let me know if you want more information about it.

Leslee

25 Years ago OA used the Grey Sheet as part of their program.  Many people lost alot of weight doing that.  Then a few got ill (whether it was due to the program or not??) and started blaming it on the OA program.  I don't remember if OA was sued or not but alot of publicity came out of it.  After that OA decided not to recommend an eating program, just let each person define "abstinence" for themselves.  That is when I think it got "out of whack".  To let us decided which program to be on is crazy.  Like we know what we should be doing?  Before WLS I didn't have a clue.  Of course now we know more about what to eat etc. but basically I think that the OA program was more successful  when they used the grey sheet.  So, I'm happy you have found a group using the GS.  I'm excited for you.  Keep up the good work.
Dancin'D