I’d been in OA for 38 years, chronically relapsing, before finding HOW OA 5 years ago. I weighed 331#, was miserable and didn’t care if I lived. I had serious health problems, as one would at this weight, and felt I’d be relieved if one of them took me out.

At my first HOW OA meeting, I was amazed at the life and joy in the members at the meeting. Then blown away at how many had lost nearly or more than 100# and kept it off for years or decades.

I’d always been able to lose but never maintain and after each relapse my weight was only higher.

At that first HOW OA meeting I knew I wanted what they had. I got a sponsor and started the program.

The food plan was just what I needed, low carbs. I hadn’t known I was a carb addict.
The daily contact with my sponsor, three outreach calls daily, reading literature, writing on and sharing my answers on the steps daily, and the love, acknowledgement and support at meetings began to give me disciplines around the food. The weight melted off. All this support helped me deal with the avalanche of feelings that came up once I put down the food.

Now I’m maintaining a weight release of over 150# for over 3 1/2 years. I’ve been transformed and am healthier and happier than I’ve ever been. I have tools to deal with life instead of escaping in the food and anesthetizing with eating.

It’s not easy and takes daily work, because I only get a daily reprieve from the compulsion to eat and obsession with food.I am living life now vs. stuck in misery, defeat and dread. I have life beyond my wildest dreams!

Signed Grateful T.