For compulsive eaters, Thanksgiving sets off a slippery season going through December holidays. Some say it starts on Halloween, but Thanksgiving starts a time of food temptation and family get-togethers. A
dangerous combination. I’ve been blessed now with 31 abstinent Thanksgivings in this program and looking forward to my 32 nd , one day at a time. Did this happen by magic, yes and no. I have memories of
horrible Thanksgivings before program, I knew I couldn’t trust myself around food, and I was right. I was powerless to stop no matter how many good intentions and resolve.
Before program, holidays found me in the food and miserable. Now, I feel gratitude, a lot of gratitude on Thanksgiving. What changed? Two things, first doing my footwork using the steps and tools of OA. And second, surrendering to a loving HP who adds the elusive element of actually being able to get through any day abstinently.
I truly have a new family in OA. I make outreach calls on Thanksgiving. It feels funny to not take Thanksgiving off from OA people since it’s a holiday. But talking with an OA person who gets me and talks my language helps me remember what sanity looks like.
I also try to go to an OA meeting on Thanksgiving to support Thursday meetings which are holding a meeting that day. One of my first abstinent Thanksgivings, a program person had a dinner event for COE friends. Many of us brought cups and scales and put on our plates what was on each of our food plans. That was wonderful training for choosing abstinent Thanksgiving foods ever since.
There are lists of tips for abstinent holidays which I will link below.
My top five would be:
Any day is a good day to start abstinence, and why not this Thursday? I hope to see you in the rooms and on the road to happy destiny.
From Region One webpage:
https://www.oaregion1.org/uploads/1/4/0/4/14047174/holiday_survival_tips.pdf
Carrie A. Region One
dangerous combination. I’ve been blessed now with 31 abstinent Thanksgivings in this program and looking forward to my 32 nd , one day at a time. Did this happen by magic, yes and no. I have memories of
horrible Thanksgivings before program, I knew I couldn’t trust myself around food, and I was right. I was powerless to stop no matter how many good intentions and resolve.
Before program, holidays found me in the food and miserable. Now, I feel gratitude, a lot of gratitude on Thanksgiving. What changed? Two things, first doing my footwork using the steps and tools of OA. And second, surrendering to a loving HP who adds the elusive element of actually being able to get through any day abstinently.
I truly have a new family in OA. I make outreach calls on Thanksgiving. It feels funny to not take Thanksgiving off from OA people since it’s a holiday. But talking with an OA person who gets me and talks my language helps me remember what sanity looks like.
I also try to go to an OA meeting on Thanksgiving to support Thursday meetings which are holding a meeting that day. One of my first abstinent Thanksgivings, a program person had a dinner event for COE friends. Many of us brought cups and scales and put on our plates what was on each of our food plans. That was wonderful training for choosing abstinent Thanksgiving foods ever since.
There are lists of tips for abstinent holidays which I will link below.
My top five would be:
- Remember that holidays aren’t special eating days for us. They are another “one day at a time” with our same Action Plans.
- Nothing tastes as good as abstinent feels. Nothing feels as good as not feeling stuffed and bloated on Thanksgiving.
- My abstinence is important, the best service I can give.
- Talk to another COE on the holiday.
- Focus on relationships, not food.
Any day is a good day to start abstinence, and why not this Thursday? I hope to see you in the rooms and on the road to happy destiny.
From Region One webpage:
https://www.oaregion1.org/uploads/1/4/0/4/14047174/holiday_survival_tips.pdf
Carrie A. Region One