Again, how do you deal with uncomfortable feelings now?????

[nevertoolate]

I used to go directly to the food to numb myself, what to do now? Feel like I'm actually going to have to grow up at 72 and deal with things face to face, work them out, change, etc. ...it's kind of scarey the first times you realize you can't reach for that usual crutch, and the feelings are staring you in the face and you tell yourself, deal with it and don't really know how. lots to learn obviously, any advice on this and how people learned not to hide anymore and run from stuff???????
Marilyn in Ohio :/

[step3]

Do you have the FAA literature? If so, the Tools of Recovery (15 of them!) are in the FAA Green Book, pp 287-290. Not only do using the Tools help me to stay abstinent, but many of them have also helped me to deal with feelings. We have a three-fold illness (of the body, of the mind/EMOTIONS, and of the spirit). We need to heal in all areas. Being abstinent on the food plan is the foundation of recovery... recovery can't happen without abstinence. The 12 Steps are how we can change who we are. I know for me, the person I brought to FAA will eat s/f/w again unless I change in a really big way! So staying abstinent, and using the Tools and working the Steps, are how I deal with feelings that come up.

[nevertoolate]

I ordered the online lit but didn't hear anything yet....but it's been a short time....I understand what you are saying...we need to work the steps so we change ourselves so we know how to deal with feelings....it makes sense to me....am working on step 4....I appreciate your help.... thanks much : )
Marilyn in Ohio

[oragold]

Hi Nevertoolate,
One of the things that I do, related to step 11, is sit quiet, remind myself that the feelings or mood is temporary, and breathe. Another thing I do is write about them or call someone to talk about them. But mainly I do the first thing.

I am grateful for the patience I have learned and that I don't need to act on impulses to take food when these feelings come up. All the food does is numb them. It doesn't actually solve anything.

Best of luck and great to see you trucking along!

Ora food addict CO

[step3]

I ordered the online lit but didn't hear anything yet....but it's been a short time....I understand what you are saying...we need to work the steps so we change ourselves so we know how to deal with feelings....it makes sense to me....am working on step 4....I appreciate your help.... thanks much : )
Marilyn in Ohio

Uh oh! The Online literature is available immediately when you order it... they are PDF files that you can download to your computer, print out, etc. Please send me a Private Message if you haven't been able yet to access your literature, Marilyn.

[nevertoolate]

I did get it finally, thanks.....Marilyn

[tropical3]

My personal experience is that when the abstinence days increase ... my emotions do too. I made a decision to go for counseling and it was a wise decision. I needed help in trying to process all the emotions. I do not know if FAA will post this. I am unable to get a handle on how the loop works ....someone wrote contact Arlene. Arlene who and where?????

[oragold]

Hi Tropical3,
The post you just posted went on the on-line forum (FAA Online Support). It is a bulletin board system used for asking questions and sharing stories.

The loop is a 24 hour meeting run through Yahoo. It actually has a leader that posts a topic each day and then people respond to the topic or with their own personal share. It isn't as much for asking questions as the on-line forum. But it is a really good source of sustenance during the day. You can receive the meeting in a single email (digest format) or in single emails as people share. I like to get the shares as individual shares because they give me little boosters throughout the day.

To join the loop, go to the link: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/FAALoop/
In the upper right hand corner there is a "Join This Group!" button. Just follow the directions.

All best,

Ora food addict CO

[step3]

My personal experience is that when the abstinence days increase ... my emotions do too. I made a decision to go for counseling and it was a wise decision. I needed help in trying to process all the emotions. I do not know if FAA will post this. I am unable to get a handle on how the loop works ....someone wrote contact Arlene. Arlene who and where?????

Arlene is one of FAA Online Support's Outreach members. Outreach members respond to newcomer questions and offer encouragement and support. Arlene has occasionally posted her e-mail address while responding to a particular newcomer, inviting them to contact her personally if they would like. It's not something you'd need to do unless you wanted to. If you'd like to reach Arlene, please let me know and I will be in touch with you by Private Message with the information.

[fdphilly]

o my you sound like me its hard