Food for Thought: January 15th

Slips

Each time we give in to our giant appetite and go off the program, it is just as hard to get back on as when we first began. If we forget that we are compulsive overeaters and think that we can handle a little extra food like a "normal" person, we are deceiving ourselves. For us, one extra bite invariably leads to another, and we begin to slide downhill back into despair.

The longer we wait to get back on abstinence, the harder it becomes. If we slip, we sometimes feel that since we haven't been perfect we might as well go ahead and eat a lot, since we have blown our food plan anyway. When we do this, we punish ourselves.

If a slip occurs, we need to put it behind us. It is over and done. We cannot undo it, but we can at this moment stop eating and start abstaining again. We do not need to wait until another day. Every moment we have the choice of abstaining or overeating. Which do you choose right now?

May I choose to abstain now and always.



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

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It's easy to forget that I am a compulsive overeater, and to delude myself that I can have a 'bite' and eat like a normal person.  Every time I get into that mindset, however, I am brought back down to my knees with the knowledge of my disease.  And the ensuing binge that happens every time I take that first compulsive bite.

There is not enough food on EARTH to fill my stomach when it's a spiritual void that truly needs fulfilling.

The OA program and the 12 Steps give me a clear path to a sane life and an abstinent lifestyle. For that I am eternally grateful.

For today, I will stay true to my food plan and I will ask God's help to saying No Thank You to that first compulsive bite.  When I feel weak, I will pray instead of eat.