Raw

I’ve gotten a few requests for an update.
Things are going well. I’m still attending Overeaters Anonymous meetings. I go to about three a week. I call my sponsor daily and I’m taking it one day at a time.

I’m not going to blog anymore. At least for now. What I am going through is very personal and not your normal “gotta lose xlbs for my bathing suit!” I’ve decided to keep my life private because I feel raw and exposed already. There’s something special about keeping something to yourself rather than blurting it out to the world.

I’d like to squelch a misconception about myself. Just because I’m not blogging about my life doesn’t mean I’m not living my life. I don’t want the perception to be that I’m not doing well because I’m quiet on the internet.

If you are a friend of mine and already have my phone number you may call me anytime if you’d like an update.

<3 Lauren

Update

I am feeling very private lately. This blog is great but often leaves me exposed. I realize that anyone can read my blog and sometimes that fact frightens me.

Updates:

• I’m still attending weekly OA meetings. I just went to my 10th meeting this past Sunday.
• I danced my ass off at the Power & Light district with my fave bachelorette Becca this weekend.
• I’m still working it at work. Good things are happening weekly to me here. I just need to remember to stay sane even though some people keep pulling me to the dark side.

I know its not much of an update but like I said. I’m feeling rather private.

Lauren

Success!

My husband pointed out over dinner that I was really getting down on myself. I tend to do that. So here is a post dedicated to the things I am doing right.

• I swapped meals with him during dinner. I had ordered chicken Alfredo and he ordered the crusted tilapia. He asked me if I wanted to trade and I said no. I gathered up a large bite and just as I was about to touch it to my lips I said, “let’s do it. Now. Don’t say anything.”And with that my husband took my plate away as fast as he could and slid his plate in front of me. My heart was beating fast. When I stood up at the end of the meal my pants were nearly completely soaked from the nervous sweating I had. I even skipped going out for ice cream afterwards even after my husband said it was okay. YAY ME!

• A recovering food addict told me on Sunday to create a bullseye. Inside the bullseye (the target area) write in all the foods you can eat with no problems. This would be salad, fish, grilled chicken, turkey meat, Greek yogurt, sugar free Jell-o, etc. Surrounding the center write in the foods that you do OK with but should not consume on a regular basis. These are hard candies, chocolate milk, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, etc. The outside ring is the bad stuff that triggers my addiction: pizza, ice cream, peanut butter flavored anything, chocolate, french fries, soda, etc. Just seeing this visual is extremely helpful! I recommend it for any compulsive overeater.

• On Sunday I skipped eating McDonald’s. I totally wanted to and had already made up my mind. Josh called me and said he was getting lunch ready. If it weren’t for Josh I would have eaten there. I had to physically drive my car into the lane farthest from McDonald’s. Even as I passed by I had a fleeting moment where I thought I could u-turn. Again I had to yell, “NO!” to avoid pulling in the drive thru.

And with that I will pass.

Lauren

How Compulsive Overeaters Eat Cereal

Items Needed:
1 bowl – normal sized is fine
spoon
cereal of your choice
milk – preferably skim

Take all items to living room in front of computer or TV. Be sure to bring milk and cereal box with you.

Sit down, pour cereal in bowl, add milk. Devour. Pour cereal in leftover milk. Devour. Pour cereal in bowl, add milk. Devour. Pour cereal in leftover milk. Devour. Pour cereal in bowl, add milk. Devour. Pour cereal in leftover milk. Devour. Pour cereal in bowl, add milk. Devour. Pour cereal in leftover milk. Devour. Pour cereal in bowl, add milk. Devour. Pour cereal in leftover milk. Devour. Pour cereal in bowl, add milk. Devour. Pour cereal in leftover milk. Devour. Pour cereal in bowl, add milk. Devour. Pour cereal in leftover milk. 

At this point you may be out of cereal. Be sure to drink any leftover milk in bowl once you run out of cereal. This is also a good stopping place.

And that, my friends, is how you do it.

Lauren

A Brief Overview of Overeaters Anonymous

I realize that some people may not understand what goes on in Overeaters Anonymous or some of the terms that are used. In just a week I’ve learned so much about OA. I truly knew nothing about it except for parodies I’ve seen in the media.

First of all, Overeaters Anonymous is not a membership or a diet. You don’t “join” or pay any dues. They operate on donations so during the meeting they will pass a basket around and I donate what I can. They don’t tell me what to eat or what I shouldn’t eat.

Key Phrases you should know:
The 12 Steps are the same steps Alcoholics Anonymous uses in their program of recovery. They are guidelines to help one overcome compulsive eating.

Abstinence is the term used when one refrains from compulsive overeating. It is suggested to determine exactly what an individual needs to abstain from such as fast food, sugar, baked goods, and so on.

When a person has the floor and another individual speaks up before the person has finished is referred to as crosstalk. It is tempting to verbally react to what one is saying or offer your own feedback as in a conversation however it is frowned upon and should be saved for after the meeting.

A newcomer is someone that is new to OA. Upon the first visit the newcomer is offered a package filled with literature and the phone numbers of the persons attending the meeting.

“Sponsors are OA members who are living the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions to the best of their abilitiy,” The Tools of Recovery, Overeaters Anonymous. It is highly suggested that after a few meetings that an individual choose another person marked as a sponsor to aide them in recovery. A sponsor is called usually on a daily basis to discuss meal plans, struggles, and anything else.

A meeting starts with a group of individuals sitting at a table usually in a circle. The meeting is open with a moment of silence and then we recite the Serenity Prayer. One individual reads aloud an invitational speech inviting newcomers to stick with the program. The meeting leader (which alternates each week) states the purpose of OA and its guidelines like keeping OA out of the media to protect anonymity, its non affiliation with polital or religious parties and such. The leader inquiries if anyone has remained abstinent for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or more.

The team leader will then start to read aloud OA related literature like the 12 Steps, inspiring stories, or other topics. We take turns reading allowed the literature making sure to introduce ourselves anytime we speak.

When I introduce myself I state, “Hi, my name is Lauren and I am a compulsive overeater.” Some people refer to themselves as a recovering compulsive overeater. This means this individual has been able to refrain from compulsive overeating for over a year. The purpose of introduction every time one speaks is to ensure the group can remember everyone’s name.

After the article or chapter is completed the meeting is open to discussing the topic. However it is not open discussion where anyone can speak out whenever they want. We go around the room and each person speaks. Again, the individual introduces his or herself and then talks about the topic or whatever they want. It is preferred that no one speaks until it is their turn. This would be referred to as crosstalk.

At the end of the meeting the leader makes any necessary anouncements about retreats or news. The meeting comes to an end with the group hand in hand reciting the Serenity Prayer or the Lord’s Prayer. After the meeting members usually hug to give support or kudos to one another.

If you have any further questions let me know and I’ll try my best to answer.

For further information on Overeaters Anonymous visit the main website here.