Mill Creek OA 100 Pounder Speaker Meeting

I was 5 years sober the Navy sent me to treatment for chronic obesity. First time I lost weight (40 lbs) I fasted - that worked. until. The next time - was for 55 lbs -- Then 67 lbs. My sponsor tricked me into service where I kept moving up really connected with OA as an organization. Roseanne's ability to adjust who OA is for showed me I can adjust what I think as new information comes in. I That helped me be a dad learning as I went on.  OA has helped me kind and loving to myself and others which has allowed other to feel good about themselves and brought them closer  rather than making them feel small, wrong and pushing them away. Today I start every day with gratitude towards my higher power that helps keep my heart open all day long.

I always love to be asked to speak but every time I get nervous because I forget I am not in charge. I had gained and lost 100 lbs 6 times before OA.  First diet at 12. When flying I was always handed a seat extender, Hard to get down the aisle to use the restroom. I was led to OA where I stood outside the closing circle.  I became so involved in OA I did not have time for my Higher Power. I took back my will and my weight. I went from abstinent to obstinate.  I had to give up fighting everyone and everything and surrendered for real, surrendered to the program, did as told and have now been at a healthy weight for 18 years. 1 I have a food plan that works for me.  I have a food behavior plan, no seconds, three times a day etc. 3. I have a spiritual behavior plan witch varies.

GerriBeth_2026_06_21.mp3 Ver 1.1

Opened with 7th step prayer Topped @ 360 lbs At 4 years old I stole dog biscuits and ate them in a trance. My mom hid the sweets from me, I found them. In adolecence, kids teased I developed techniques to defend myself. In my twenties I got on the radio on a dare and it became a career as radio announcer. On the air I was somebody, After I got off I became self destructive AND I ate. I the 80s I came into OA, had some physical success and I was not fixed and got up to the 360. Back into OA after a stroke in 2012 for real. I had to make amends for all the food I stole to my co-workers. It saved my life. I no longer have high blood sugar. Get to stay healthy.  I do my program for me.

The phrase is "we claim spiritual progress" I thought my life would be wonderful if I lost the weight. I did it a bunch of times and my life was never perfect. I was in a car accident where being fat saved me. The whole thing scared me. In my first meeting I heard that there is a solution for way I felt on the inside. Since memorial day weekend 1983 I have had an abstinence of 3 moderate meals and no sugar. I used to eat anytime I had a feeling. I had to learn an alternative way to handle them. I had no social skill when I came into OA. Everything was defensive. I learned in OA in OA how to communicate without being angry. I am only as sick as my secret. something that happened 30 minutes ago. I need to talk with others. I believe acceptance is the key and I still work at it.

I spent years trying to figure out what was wrong with me.  I found that sugar took the edge off my stress.  We were a sugar free household. I went to extreme measure to get my sugar. My mom put me on my first diet at 9 (SEGO) I was so busy trying to be what thought others wanted me to be that I had no idea who I actually was. After 20 years in therapy I was around 300 lbs.  After 2 kids I got up to 400 I have been back in program 24 years with imperfect abstinence. I have an abusive relationship with certain foods. I doesn't cost me anything to bring joy to someone else. One of my tools is to bookend risky tasks by phone.

Graduated HS at 285, but will never get to 300, Then hit 407 and stopped using a scale At a couples event I met a guy who was over 400 but was not now. He got my attention. I have always thought I was just a fat kid. It was not the reality looking at pictures but I thought it was. My goto prayer is -"God, show me what I need to see." I always did well with fasting and/or Keto. The king of short term weight loss.  Until it didn't work. Was on the plan and failed every day. It was the darkest I can imagine. and it got worse. I called a guy I had met - actually called, he called back and I got involved in OA. I I threw myself into following a sponsors  I had the moment where I had a sudden crisis and my first thought was food, but niot my action.\ I used to eat to treat my spiritual malady. Not taday.  

I come from generations of alcoholics and overeaters. I am one of eight and we all have 'issues' I thought we were a close knit family, I was a strong fixer. I later discovered I was a martyr and a victim putting my emotional well being onto my husband. In adolescence I felt 'large' but looking back l it was not the case. It was in marriage I progressed from plump to 280 lbs. I was scared into seeking 'life' one evening in the 90s It was in open AA meetings where I really learned about the 12 steps and all the human drama that work with the 12 steps. I keep my eyes on the prize - being joyous, happy and free.