After several months of compulsive overeating leading up to a terrifying gain of one pound (.5 kg) per day during the holidays, I was convinced finally to heed her suggestion.

My very first meeting was in a local church basement. About twenty-five women and one other guy and I were seated in a circle. I did not know what to say so I listened. I heard enough to feel comfortable introducing myself and say this was my first meeting. The members were very welcoming and encouraged me to return. It turned out to be the gateway to my recovery. I listened to the call to keep coming back.

It was at my second meeting at another location where my mind was opened. What I heard amazed me. Members discussed what they used to do with food. I thought I was the only one who did such crazy things. They gave me hope as they talked about the weight they lost and the joy they found when working the OA recovery program. What sealed the deal was when a gentleman introduced himself and said he would be my sponsor. He not only introduced me to abstinence and a healthful food plan but also led me on my first journey of the Twelve Steps. His willingness to reach out to a stranger and give of himself not only saved my life but launched a recovery that has given me a good life beyond what I could comprehend at the time.

I am forever grateful to the people in my first two meetings who introduced me to the possibility of freedom from the pain of compulsive overeating. Newcomers are encouraged to try six meetings to decide if OA is for them, but it took just two meetings for me to know. Many years and a couple thousand meetings later, OA is still for me.