Food for Thought: November 25th

Regaining Control

Temporary loss of control resulting in a slip does not need to send us off on a protracted binge. We have tools, which we may use to regain control and reestablish firm abstinence.

If we find ourselves deviating from our food plan, however slightly, we need to make contact with our sponsor or another OA member. Honestly admitting that we are having trouble prevents us from losing touch with reality and slipping back into our old habits. If we pretend that all is well when it is not, we cut ourselves off from the help and support we need.

When we are tempted, it is a good idea to remove ourselves from the source of temptation and get involved in another activity. Reading the literature or going to a meeting can renew our OA commitment.

In the last analysis, it is our Higher Power who provides the control, which we lack. To turn over our lack of control is to open ourselves to the Power that keeps us abstinent.

Control my life. Lord.

From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L. ©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation.

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 The holiday season can be very tough for compulsive overeaters........we're left to feel like the odd man out for not participating in the sludge-fests that abound at this time of year.  People can sometimes make fun of us for NOT over-indulging, or eating holiday foods 'just this once.'  What they don't understand is that 'just this once' is never enough.  Once we start eating harmful foods, who knows IF and WHEN we can reestablish abstinence?

We cannot expect others to understand our disease. We can, however, expect God to help us stay the course with our food plan.  We don't have to maintain control at all times; we simply have to turn over our lack of control to our HP which opens us up to the Power that keeps us abstinent. 

We commit to keeping away from dangerous foods; we avoid looking at them or smelling them if we are in a situation where such foods are available.  These foods ARE avoidable when we keep abstinence at the top our our priority list.  Taking a taste is agreeing to take that first compulsive bite which can easily send us running off to a full fledged binge.  And then the insanity begins once again.

For today, I commit to removing myself from temptation and keeping my Food Plan & my HP  in charge.