Overeaters Anonymous

Do you take time out from your job for meals and quiet time? Have you had on-the-job training?

Principles of Tradition Twelve– Spirituality, and Concept Twelve – Respect “Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all these traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. – Tradition Twelve “The spiritual foundation for OA service ensures that: (a) no OA committee or service body shall ever become the seat of perilous wealth or power; […]

Principles of Tradition Eleven– Anonymity, and Concept Eleven – Humility “Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, television, and other public media of communication. – Tradition Eleven “Trustee administration of the World Service Office should always be assisted […]

“Overeaters Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the OA name ought never be drawn into public controversy. – Tradition Ten “Service responsibility is balanced by carefully defined service authority; therefore, duplication of efforts is avoided.”– Concept Ten The principle of Tradition Ten is Neutrality and Concept Ten is Clarity. The workshop speakers share […]

Principles of Tradition Nine – Structure, and Concept Nine – Ability “OA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.” – Tradition Nine “Able, trusted servants, together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing them, are indispensable for effective functioning at all service […]

Principles of Tradition Eight – Fellowship, and Concept Eight – Delegation “Overeaters Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.” – Tradition Eight “The Board of Trustees has delegated to its Executive Committee the responsibility to administer the OA World Service Office.”– Concept Eight The principle of Tradition Eight is […]

Principles of Tradition Seven –Responsibility, and Concept Seven – Balance “Every OA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” – Tradition Seven “The Board of Trustees has legal rights and responsibilities accorded to them by OA Bylaws, Subpart A; the rights and responsibilities of the World Service Business Conference are accorded to it […]

Principles of Tradition Six –Solidarity, and Concept Six – Responsibility “An OA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the OA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.” – Tradition Six “The World Service Business Conference has entrusted the Board of […]

Principles of Tradition Three – Identity and Concept Three – Trust “The only requirement for OA membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively – Tradition Three “The right of decision, based on trust, makes effective leadership possible.” – Concept Three The principle of Tradition Three is identiy and Concept Three is trust.  The workshop […]

This 20-minute inspiring collection of interviews depicts the journeys of several OA members from despair to recovery and serenity. Helpful for newcomers, returning members and long-timers alike. For more information on Overeaters Anonymous, please go to www.oa.org or call the World Service Office at 505-891-2664.

Introduction/Step Zero This introductory workshop focuses on the nature of the disease of compulsive eating and what it takes to be willing to go to any length to recover. Some call this Step Zero. When examining the essence of compulsive eating/food addiction, literature used includes the book Alcoholics Anonymous, a.k.a. the Big Book (The Doctor’s […]

"Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to compulsive overeaters and to practice these principles in all our affairs." The principle of Step Twelve is Service. The Step Twelve workshop speakers share their individual stories of recovery and how giving service in all its forms has enriched their lives. The literature referenced was the AA Big Book, and The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous.

“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact we God as we understood Him, praying only for the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out." The principle of Step Eleven is Spiritual Awareness. Step Eleven workshop speakers share their individual stories of recovery and how they work Step Eleven. Their stories tell how they use their spiritual relationship with a Higher Power in everyday life situations. “God can, I can’t, I think I’ll let Him.” The literature referenced was the AA Big Book, The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, and the Twelve-Step Workbook of Overeaters Anonymous—the questions asked come from the workbook.

"Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it." This week the speakers share their stories of their experience, strength, and hope. Both speakers describe their personal experience with Step 10. Perseverance is the spiritual principle of this Step. Continuing to do a personal inventory daily helps us identify character defects and feelings that come up unexpectedly and see if we need to make amends to anyone. Working with a sponsor also helps us with the process of Step 10. We cannot rest on our laurels if we are to continue our journey of recovery on a daily basis.

"Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.” The series continues with discussion of Step Nine. Both speakers describe their own personal experience with doing Step Nine, giving specific examples of amends they have made. In addition, they emphasize the need to make amends in order to refrain from returning to compulsive eating, and to be released of the negative feelings or turmoil created by holding on to the amends. Also discussed is reviewing the list and practicing amends with a sponsor, remembering the principles of forgiveness and love for others, and that the focus of the amends should be on one’s own role and behavior, being specific and actually making amends and changes. Suggestions are also provided for making amends to people who have died or are no longer in one’s life. The second part of Step Nine is also stressed, ensuring that no further injury or insult occur due to inappropriate amends.