Here we go again...

[Paige]

Hello, I'm Paige. I started the food plan about a month ago. The first few days were awful, but then i felt amazing! I was telling my therapist about this site, and she said it seemed like a good thing for me. She cautioned me, however, that i needed to participate in the meetings as well, because the food plan itself wasn't enough. Turns out, she was right. I fell off the wagon completely this weekend. This is why this post is so hard to write. I struggle with perfectionism. I am not overweight, (unfortunately I'm the purging type), so no one even knows I have food issues. I have always come across as having everything in order. I don't want others to know I have a problem. Even the idea of a phone meeting terrifies me: I will actually have to show a weakness! So here is where I am starting. I know that I need to embrace everything about FAA to help myself, bt I am standing in my way....again! Any encouragement, advice, or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!
Paige

[MakingMyselfBetter]

<sup>Your story is pretty much mine. I'm not overweight and I don't purge. I, too, am a perfectionist who people worry about being too responsible. However I did go overboard earlier today. I'm so psyched you're here and ready to start over again. We'll get over our relapses together.

Don't give up. :)</sup>

[here42da]

Don't give up - no matter what and Keep coming back. I know that when I first came to this fellowship, I had an ulterior motive of basicly just loosing weight. Thankfully day after day as I went to meetings, then began to share, and started using a few tools at first, later more of them and eventually doing service within the fellowship, I started to get it . To get what this is all about. Have I got it down pat now, No and may never as I am not perfect - but a work in progress one day at a time. I am continually learning and absorbing more and more information from our literature as well as from others in program. When I have fallen, I get right back up and begin again. The recovery I have felt in sanity, clarity, as well as in health has been amazing. I love this fellowship and thank everyone who has been a part of my recovery. I also welcome the newbies, and trust you will keep coming back. The solution to food addiction is right here in these rooms.
Bless you all
here42da

[wantingintegrity]

Hi Paige! I look forward to getting to know you!

[here42da]

When I first cme into these rooms, I was like that fly on the wall. No one knew I was there. (talking about the phone meetings for now). by doing this I was able to get a little information about FAA, here the sharing pertaining to food addiction and of course experience, strength and hope. I felt the love, the acceptance, and knew that I would be warmly welcomed into the group when I did choose to speak. After several meetings just listening while staying muted, there did come the day when I announced myself by first name only, and the state from where I reside, also mentioning the fact that I was a food addict. Some people might at first even be uncomfortable saying that, as there is always that possibility of not being sure if you really are one. Also wanted to mention the literature. We get to hear that as well in our phone meetings. So many various topics during the meetings. sometimes meditation readings, stories or information from our Food Addicts Anonymous green book, or information from the step book. The last was what did it for me. It gave me a better understanding of why I was a food addict. So while I am really comfortable here now, I still can identify with how I felt when I first came to the phone meetings, and yes I agree that it is iimportant to use as much or many of the tools of the program as possible. The better I work the program the better my recovery. Those were wise words about not just relying on recovery by only doing the food plan.

[MyChance]

I am new to this online support part of the program. I read the green book a couple of years ago and have been following the food guidelines off and on for a couple years. The longest I have been abstinent is 8 weeks. Stress/anxiety usually get the better of me and I end up binging (sometimes everyday for a couple weeks). I am 5' 8" and 126. I do not need to loose any weight. I have had a very high metabolism all of my life. My mother was the same way. This makes my food addiction very easy to hide. I have had to alter the food plan because when I follow it I loose weight. I need some advice on how to alter it safely so that I am not setting myself up for a binge. I am also nursing my baby so my caloric needs are increased. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[cindyskylar]

Hi My Chance and welcome.

I have a couple of suggestions. First, attend some FAA phone meetings. Here is the link to the meetings:

http://www.foodaddictsanonymous.org/phone-meetings

Share what you shared here at the phone meetings and I bet you'll find someone who has experience with what you are going though ( I do not). The more meetings you share about this, the better. Also, find a sponsor. This, you can do also by attending phone meetings. When you hear someone who says something you relate to, ask that person, at the end of the meeting for her phone number and then call her asking if she would sponsor you. Once you have a sponsor, she can also help you with the food plan. The food plan is not meant to be worked alone--it comes with a sponsor!

I hope this helps.

xo
Cindy from NY

[MyChance]

Cindy from NY~ Thank you for the reply. I appreciate you responding and helping me even though you haven't experienced my specific issues. You are a sweetheart. I will do what you said and try a phone meeting. I didn't realize there were so many - that is great : ). I am struggling and beginning to realize how connecting with other FAA members is very important. Thank you~ My Chance

[cindyskylar]

Dear My Chance,

Glad I was able to help!

And yes: the fellowship is one of the wonderful gifts we get in this program.

Wishing you a long slow recovery and a lifetime of abstinence one day at a time.

xo
Cindy

[dawn.believes]

OMGosh I can soooo relate! I also started with just the food plan and totally fell off the wagon. I have not been to a meeting (in person or phone) and am really starting to realize that I need to. But, totally terrified at the thought. I guess we gotta do this huh? I think I may call into a phone meeting and just not say anything the first couple of times.

Dawn