Excerpts from "The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, 2^nd edition, copyright Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All rights reserved.”

A Hiker's Guide to Traveling Abstinently

Whether I'm traveling by car, bus, boat, boots, train or plane, I've found food items that I can purchase in advance, prep in advance, or quickly prepare as needed. Since coming into the program my higher power and resulting recovery have allowed me tremendous gifts of travel. 

Never would I imagine I would have the ability to hike 65 of the 68 4000Ft high peaks across the northeast. I'm hopeful that by continuing to prioritize my recovery one day at a time, I can make it to complete all 111 hikes in the High Peak Challenge within the next 2.5 yrs. 

As a person whose Plan of Eating considers various medical needs and excludes red light triggering ingredients, travel can be challenging.

But my food doesn’t change that drastically when I travel, but the way it's prepared does. I tend to pick up food in advance of most every trip. If I’m less in control of what’s waiting for me at the travel destination, I’ll ask about what amenities are available for me so I can keep my plan of eating tasty, nutritious simple and safe.

Wish wishing you all safe travels. - Jacki A.

Things to take with you when you travel

I'm grateful to have heard workshops over the years where people bring appropriate food for any travel conditions. I bring a lunch box with ice packs, tupperware, and supplemental foods to what I know will be available. At home I prepare meals for a few days in advance, so I often plan to grocery shop and portion food upon arrival to a destination. I also pack my daily books, use digital literature, bring a journal for my nightly written 10th step format, and my laptop for meetings and committees.

Living alone, traveling can be an experience in daily living together. Some folks appreciate me sharing my action plan or itinerary, and discussing each day the night before. The morning is a time to swap amends, finding fun exercise to do together based on our mobility levels, pitching in by preparing a healthy meal for the group, and sharing wisdom and prayers in the morning.

Higher Power continues to bring calls and restaurant availability to support my spiritual, emotional, and physical abstinence. I'm blessed to be the most present I can be when my recovery is placed first, everything else is first class.

-Anonymous

Reflections on Step 7: Accepting The Road Of Freedom

My road to recovery became cemented by acceptance and action. I continued moving forward on my journey. I was given the ability to free myself from the suffocating entanglements of my shortcomings. Strongly desiring to be right-sized, I surrendered to the safety of the spirit of the universe; the God of my understanding. I humbly asked to have my shortcomings removed in order to be of service.

Praying the 7th step prayer everyday reminds me that freedom is in the giving. So I give all of me, my food, my problems and my life, to my Higher Power. I will stay engrossed in OA by using all of my tools. I am who God intended me to be. And I am grateful from head to toe!

- Ana R.

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