Slow Success
We say that there are no failures in OA, only slow successes. Some of us take longer than others to catch on to the program. It is important to keep trying, to continue to attend as many meetings as possible, and to refuse to become discouraged.
There are some of us who spent months and years experimenting before we were finally able to accept abstinence and stay with it. Sometimes we left the program for a time, until we realized how much we needed OA and came back to try again.
When we have accepted the program and maintained abstinence, yet found weight loss to be extremely slow, it is easy to become discouraged. It helps to remember that we are not only losing weight--however slowly--we are also learning a new way of life. Our spiritual and emotional growth in this program is even more rewarding than the eventual weight loss. By living each day as it comes and working the Twelve Steps, we achieve the serenity and confidence that make us satisfied with slow success.
Mav I be granted patience and persistence.
****************************************************************
Patience & persistence does not come easily to me, as a compulsive overeater. I want what I want and I want it NOW. Which is what led me to try so many quick-fix, fad diets over the years. I'd stick to it for a time, and then I was done. Done with the food plan and done with the weight loss. The pounds came right back on and the self-loathing began once again, since I was such a 'failure.'
OA is a different way of life. There is no rush to a particular weight loss goal, since numbers don't matter much anymore. What DOES matter is peace of mind and serenity. If I am sticking to my food plan, I am at peace and not obsessing about anything. For me, THIS is the true goal of the program.
It's common to fight the thought of abstinence........to find an easier, softer way to deal with food addiction than to take such 'drastic' measures. My COE mind tells me that abstaining from sugar & white flour is drastic......undoable.........ridiculous..........not necessary. But in reality, it's as necessary as having legs to walk on.
Slowly but surely, I put my body through the motions of an abstinent lifestyle, and my mind comes along for the ride.
For today, I accept myself as I am, whether my success is slow or fast, and I thank God for where He has taken me in my journey of life.
We say that there are no failures in OA, only slow successes. Some of us take longer than others to catch on to the program. It is important to keep trying, to continue to attend as many meetings as possible, and to refuse to become discouraged.
There are some of us who spent months and years experimenting before we were finally able to accept abstinence and stay with it. Sometimes we left the program for a time, until we realized how much we needed OA and came back to try again.
When we have accepted the program and maintained abstinence, yet found weight loss to be extremely slow, it is easy to become discouraged. It helps to remember that we are not only losing weight--however slowly--we are also learning a new way of life. Our spiritual and emotional growth in this program is even more rewarding than the eventual weight loss. By living each day as it comes and working the Twelve Steps, we achieve the serenity and confidence that make us satisfied with slow success.
Mav I be granted patience and persistence.
****************************************************************
Patience & persistence does not come easily to me, as a compulsive overeater. I want what I want and I want it NOW. Which is what led me to try so many quick-fix, fad diets over the years. I'd stick to it for a time, and then I was done. Done with the food plan and done with the weight loss. The pounds came right back on and the self-loathing began once again, since I was such a 'failure.'
OA is a different way of life. There is no rush to a particular weight loss goal, since numbers don't matter much anymore. What DOES matter is peace of mind and serenity. If I am sticking to my food plan, I am at peace and not obsessing about anything. For me, THIS is the true goal of the program.
It's common to fight the thought of abstinence........to find an easier, softer way to deal with food addiction than to take such 'drastic' measures. My COE mind tells me that abstaining from sugar & white flour is drastic......undoable.........ridiculous..........not necessary. But in reality, it's as necessary as having legs to walk on.
Slowly but surely, I put my body through the motions of an abstinent lifestyle, and my mind comes along for the ride.
For today, I accept myself as I am, whether my success is slow or fast, and I thank God for where He has taken me in my journey of life.
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