I did try Overeaters Anonymous twice. The first time, I was hounded by the guys who were just there because they like overweight chicks--I think they're called "chubby chasers." The second time, I got a sponsor who was so bad, we arrived for the meeting, met in the parking lot, and then ditched the meeting and went to a candy store. I know that 12 Step programs work for many people, but I got tired of hearing the same people tell the same story week after week. Many 12 Steppers swap one addiction for another (alcoholics smoke more cigarettes, etc.). I've also been to TOPS, where I was oinked at. I've been to Weight Watchers, where I was humiliated to be weighed in front of everyone else, and where the "100 pound" meetings were frequently attended by people who needed to lose much less weight. I tried Jenny Craig and NutriSystem, too, both of which worked for a short time. I don't know what works. I just read a book by a woman who used to weigh 703 pounds, but who is now normal weight. How did she lose? She got on the Internet and started to communicate with other people like herself, so she felt like less of a freak. Then she started walking down the stairs in her apartment building. Slowly, she crept out of her little cave and into the real world. I'm looking to that method for my salvation.

Your story sounds like mine. What book did you read about the lady that weighed 703 pounds? I would like to read that.

Wow, your story sounds like mine as well. I know we aren't lazy people who don't want to feel better about ourselves. That is why we try all of these differnt programs because we are hoping to get relief. It is so disappointing when these programs don't work and it adds to the humiliation and embarrassment as well as our decreasing pocketbooks.

I'm so sorry you were "oinked" at. That sounds horrid. I've heard of TOPS but never went and every time I tried Weight Watchers I was overwhelmed by all the choices and I didn't need to "learn" how to eat from the "leaders"...I already knew. In fact, I would bet most of us know alot more about food than some nutrition scholars.

I know OA can be hit and miss. I was lucky and was able to lose alot of weight there (160 pound loss) and hooked up with a group of old-timers. However, over the years the program has dwindled and it's not very strong now. The program I had success with as well was FA (www.foodaddicts.org). The meetings are strong but the program extremely strict but it seems to be the only antidote i have towards this disease.

I've been abstinent for 19 days now and have already lost 27 pounds. It comes off quickly when you start at 421 pounds. I hope we all can find some way to feel healthier and be more mobile in our lives. That's all I want -- I just want to be able to do the things I want to do and if I'm eating food the way I was I keep getting bigger and bigger and I can't move anymore.

Keep in touch!!

xoxo