If you have a problem with Anorexia or Bulimia, we have a solution. We exist to support OA members in their recovery from Anorexia/Bulimia and related eating behaviors, and to offer resources to A/B OA Meetings.

AB+ Podcasts

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OA Region 6 2018 Convention Anorexia – Bulimia
OA Virtual Region 2024 Workshop Recordings (select The Interview – Anorexia/Bulimia, second from the top)
OA Footsteps Daily Reprieve 5AM ET #88820 2025-09-11 19:25
OA Rise Meeting #88993 February 7, 2021 (2.5 hours)

From OA Region 2 Convention Speakers:

From OASF (OA San Francisco) Speaker Shares Podcast:

  • Kate (LGBT Speaker & Literature Meeting, November 27 2018) 15:07
    Kate, member since 2014, identifies as a compulsive overeater. Kate’s share from the Monday evening LGBT Speaker & Literature Meeting includes the following themes: service gives the voices meaning * the perfect storm at age 15 * anorexic behavior * food: easy outlet, secretive & reaffirming * food was the only tool * vegetarianism & validation from men * private hell * compulsively exercising during dad’s poor health * moving to Bay Area * people pleasing & co-dependency * awakening * finding OA * no throwing up or eating sugar in 4.5 years * grad school * relationship with Step 3 * 9th Step amends * people showing up for me no matter what * didn’t know what I wanted from OA, but I was desperate
  • Alison B. (Century Meeting, November 8 2018) 13:46
    Alison, member since 1983, identifies as a compulsive overeater, a relapser and an ABC. Alison’s share from the Tuesday evening Century Meeting includes the following themes: meditation * fed sugar as a kid to quiet me * 190 pounds at age 12 * taken to diet doctor by mom * benzedrine and other drug use * learning bulimia and how to starve * my own diet * throwing away college education for modeling to prove myself * weight gain during pregnancy * coming to OA * entering eating disorder unit * allergic to sugar & flour (nearly 3 years off ) * other 12 Step groups * OA to get abstinent & to stay abstinent * having real freedom * always a newcomer * 33 years in OA, 27 years relapsing * we’re all on our own path * getting THE PROMISES after getting abstinent * gratitude & sharing my recovery * fast food & quick fixes
    Note: speaker does not identify as a century person (an individual who has lost or needs to lose 100 pounds or more)
  • Kelley (LGBT Meeting, October 24 2018) 16:02
    Kelley identifies as a compulsive eater, bulimic and restricter. Kelley’s share from the Monday evening LGBT Meeting includes the following themes: co-dependent eater * humility * restrictive behavior * obsession & negotiations * escaping discomfort * most mental energy spent thinking about food * fear of scarcity * relationship to body * sex object * shame living in my body * exercise * trusting my ability * grief, exercise & loss (relationship to body) * trauma stored in body/belly
  • Sima (LGBT Meeting, September 30 2018) 16:14
    Sima, member since 1974, identifies as a recovering compulsive overeater, anorexic, and bulimic. Sima’s share from the Monday evening LGBT Meeting includes the following themes: knowing who I am before I die * not liking “acting as if” (history of acting) * bingeing and purging 15-16 hours per day * miserable all the time * finding OA & attending 1st meeting * Grey Sheet * never been a normal person * not throwing up was scary * keep coming back (there’s nowhere else to go) * sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly * terrified to be who I was * relapse * bulimia kills * dog dying * grieving & not using food or throwing up * God * having a broken heart & an open heart
  • Karen (Century Meeting, September 3 2018) 19:21
    Karen, member since 1985, identifies as a compulsive overeater & bulimic. Karen’s share from the Tuesday evening Century Meeting includes the following themes: excited for Overeaters Anonymous * a die-hard, low-bottom compulsive overeater * no bulimia for almost 33 years * 2 parents with eating disorders * drug addiction & violence at home * abnormal eating & purging at 13 * associates among century people * 1st OA meeting * latching onto OA as a newcomer * 33 years in OA & still desperate * 1st sponsor * meeting attendance * keep working the Steps * Higher Power * personal connection to a god (as an agnostic) * I feel different when I pray * nowhere else to go * service commitments * going back to school & getting married * OA allowed me to have a super rich life * life is serene & exciting
    Note: speaker does not identify as a century person (an individual who has lost or needs to lose 100 pounds or more)
  • Rachel (LGBT Speaker & Literature Meeting, August 27 2018) 16:41
    Rachel, member since 1985, identifies as a compulsive overeater. Rachel’s share from the Monday evening LGBT Speaker & Literature Meeting includes the following themes: letting go of timekeeping * newcomers * 15 years in OA before stringing together abstinence * low-bottom compulsive overeater * a fat bulimic & a century person in sheep’s clothing * abstinence is in the Steps * God wasn’t helping me (needed to do footwork) * God dialogue * masking feelings * feelings get better * they pass * calling in sick (calling in fat) * Big Book: a set of instructions * Higher Power * I’ll be okay * ask others how they do Steps
  • Amy B. (LGBT Meeting, July 24 2018) 14:19
    Amy identifies as a compulsive overeater and bulimic. Amy’s share from the Monday evening LGBT Meeting includes the following themes: family of compulsive overeaters * when weight first started affecting life * blaming weight & self for loss * discovering bulimia * secretly bulimic * bulimic for 20 years * adopting healthier lifestyle * bingeing * discovering OA * 2 years of abstinence * Steps leading to relief * honesty * being mindful around food * the freedom found in how OA works * pausing before reacting * regular gratitude list * Tools of Recovery * body image * fighting against the suggestion of seeing a nutritionist * courage to come to OA * fully giving & receiving love
  • Jeri (LGBT Meeting July 8 2018) 13:24
    Jeri, member since 2011, identifies as a compulsive overeater. Jeri’s share from the Monday evening LGBT meeting includes the following themes: compulsive overeater for whole life * loneliness * salty-sweet-salty-sweet-the dog * food was my friend * popcorn & vodka * fullness & hunger: triggers * exercise bulimia * dieting * why come to OA? * not struck by abstinence * why keep coming back? 1st sponsor * oversharing * slowly food starts to drop away * surrendering certain foods * 2 years popcorn free * I’m human, not broken * meetings ruin eating & I need it to do that * cultivate self-love, not skinny or perfect * benefits of dancing * done being mad at my body * acceptance of aging body
  • Bobby (Century Meeting, June 26 2018) 26:57
    Bobby, member since 1986, identifies as a compulsive overeater, century person, and recovering bulimic. Bobby’s share from the Tuesday evening Century Meeting includes the following themes: “the college years” * 9 meetings/week as a newcomer * coming to OA to die * anything white, I take to (sugar, rice, bread, cocaine) * 270-280 pounds / bulimia / drinking / doing drugs: a commitment to abuse * practicing the 3rd Tradition perfectly * freedom and humility & no such thing as relapse * stick with the winners/win with the stickers * OCD * face it ’til you make it * 1st abstinence (1st plan of eating) * acceptance and gratitude * prayer * 20 years bulimia free * 18 years of abstinence * normal eaters can’t do OA perfectly * putting on weight after injury (God’s cruel joke) * free of refined carbs * prejudice over being fat * progress IS perfection * Acceptance Prayer
    Note: a century person is an individual who has lost or needs to lose 100 pounds or more
  • David (Century Meeting, June 12 2018) 25:18
    David, member since 1996, identifies as a compulsive overeater, food addict and relapser. David’s share from the Tuesday evening Century Meeting includes the following themes: family of compulsive overeaters * alcoholism at home * diets * finding OA & leaving * returning to OA * sexual reawakening * coming out * working Steps with sponsor * 2 relapses * physical & emotional cravings * restricting to not feel * feeling feelings: what a gift * broken hearted but not shattered * I feel my Higher Power * Step 6 * character defects * habits that don’t serve me anymore * perfection * [OA] is a life program * compassion * ask for next right action * partnering with Higher Power for courage * just do what’s in front of me
    Note: speaker does not identify as a century person (an individual who has lost or needs to lose 100 pounds or more)
  • Gini (Century Meeting, June 5 2018) 23:16
    Gini, member since 1978, identifies as a compulsive overeater, a bulimic and an anorexic. Gini’s share from the Tuesday evening Century Meeting includes the following themes: incomprehensible demoralization * middle of the disease: lowest depth of misery * 1st OA meeting * maintaining current weight for over 30 years * eating out of garbage cans, stealing food, hiding food & washing soap off food * dropping out of school & losing jobs * taken out of my life * no reality meter * weighing & measuring * asking for the willingness to be willing * character defects * sponsoring * daily 10th steps * coasting vs WORKing the Steps * eating problem/living problem * perfectionism & procrastination * AA literature * opportunities to work program * helping others * meditation
    Note: speaker does not identify as a century person (an individual who has lost or needs to lose 100 pounds or more)
  • Forest (Century Meeting, April 9 2018) 25:44
    Forest, member since 2014, identifies as a compulsive eater. Forest’s share from the Tuesday evening Century Meeting includes the following themes: childhood * religious household * control * needing to know why * being gay * health consequences of overeating * self-hatred * compulsive exercising * bulimia * feeling dead inside * accepting sugar addiction * trying OA * 1st abstinence * perfectionism * serene enough in my head * joining a bike tour * taking next right actions * showing up * family * disease is progressive/recovery is progressive
    Note: speaker does not identify as a century person (an individual who has lost or needs to lose 100 pounds or more)
  • Peggy (Unity Day, February 25 2018) 15:48
    Peggy, member since 2007, identifies as a compulsive overeater, a relapser, and an exercise bulimic. Peggy’s share from the 2018 Unity Day event includes the following themes: being a diverse OA member * OA not curing food problem * understanding that this is a disease * trying to control food * unmanageability * exercising to mitigate compulsive overeating * restricting * Higher Power leading to sanity * Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous * what turning over will means * inventorying * the Whac-A-Moke game * carrying the message to other compulsive overeaters * having a common solution
  • Cory (Century Meeting, January 22 2018) 24:52
    Cory, member since 1992, identifies as a compulsive overeater, century person, bulimic and relapser. Cory’s share from the Tuesday evening Century Meeting includes the following themes: H.O.W. (H.O.W. is short for Honesty, Open-mindedness and Willingness.) * failing at weight loss * bulimia * diets * commercial weight loss programs * 1st OA meeting * 1st OA sponsor * meeting attendance * creating a Higher Power * losing and regaining 100 pounds * relapse * acting as if * leaving OA and returning * feelings * doing 4th step through the Big Book * H.O.W. 4th Step “173 questions” * being judgmental * dealing with Mom * aging while abstinent * program friends * 2018 OA birthday event * meditation
    Note: a century person is an individual who has lost or needs to lose 100 pounds or more
  • Alison B. (Century Meeting, January 2 2018) 11:17
    Alison, member since 1983, identifies as an ABC, a compulsive overeater, and a relapser. Alison’s share from the Tuesday evening Century Meeting includes the following themes: bulimia * compulsive overeating * stealing food * competing with siblings * multiple addictions * dieting * written inventories * higher power
    Note: Speaker does not identify as a century person (an individual who has lost or need to lose 100 pounds or more)
  • Sima (12/12 Day, December 12 2017) 18:04
    Sima, member since 1978, identifies as a compulsive overeater, bulimic, and relapser. Sima’s share from the 2017 12/12 Day event includes the following themes: 12th Step Within * relapse * shame * fear * abstinence * bulimia * gifts of the program * love * honesty
  • Chris L (ABC Day, December 2 2017) 21:36
    Chris L, member since 2014, identifies as a bulimic, compulsive overeater, compulsive exerciser, and restricter. Chris’ share from the 2017 ABC Half-Day includes the following themes: program principles * “get good grades, make a lot of money and look good” * abusing diets * bulimia * finding OA * 1st OA meeting * taking program more seriously * compassion for self and others * attending meetings * loss * deserving recovery * body image issues * gift of self-respect
  • Amanda (Century Meeting, January 26 2017) 23:31
    Amanda, member since 2015, identifies as a compulsive overeater & century person. Amanda’s share from the Tuesday evening Century Meeting includes the following themes: H.O.W. (H.O.W. is short for Honesty, Open-mindedness & Willingness) * food plan * family addiction * feeling different * learning how to restrict & binge * dieting & giving up dieting * 1st OA meeting * newly abstinent & the accompanying feelings * blessed with the gift of desperation * life while abstinent * when abstinent food becomes too “interesting” or “sexy” * difficult co-workers * self-care & boundaries * dealing with life instead of eating compulsively * turning it over * prayer * ending a relationship * Higher Power * a different way of being

From the OA Greater New York Metro Intergroup:

From the Mill Creek California OA 100 Pounder Speaker Meeting:

  • Ron H May 25 2025 20:30
    I was an exercise bulimic before I knew what it was and still gained weight. Found OA went to a few meetings and decided to do it myself which failed miserably. I have been abstinent for 22 years and still call my sponsor every day (I am on my third sponsor). I sponsored early and it worked great. I stayed abstinent and so did some of them.
  • Beth M November 17 2024 17:56
    Before; I was extremely shy, no social skills, compete introvert. My grandmother made three bowls of M&Ms for me and my sisters. I always compared who had the most until I found the 1 pound bag. I really discovered amazing food in college and there was no monitor. I studied and ‘mastered’ Bulimia. Food and alcohol were my paired vices.  I joined the beverage program but still purged to handle my food- sort of. Finding OA I was asked if I was willing… I thought “No,” said “yes” and did it. Today I have a program, Do service to insure I go to meetings. I have an appropriate amount of personal drama to keep my life interesting maintain my abstinence.
  • Katherine K March 3 2024 17:14
    Addictive family, dinner was a challenge. A smorgasbord of food behaviors. My first obsession was bread and I knew enough that it brought me shame. My first real addiction was cocaine and it helped me eat less. Exercise bulimia was also part of my story. When drugs and alcohol left my life there was room for food. Being in two 12 step programs, heard of OA and one more time I found a way to not belong. I discovered my emotional triggers for binging and continue to do the work one day at a time.
  • Phil W November 19 2023 19:52
    My core family emotion was rage. Learned to ask for NOTHING. As an anorexic I was not connected to my hunger until I was way overdue for food and then I binged. I entered recovery by removing all sharp knives and having my friends hide them from me. I was not well. Today I still weigh and measure my food at home. Every step has life lessons.  My food plan is redundant – that works well for me. I have been with my food sponsor for 30 years. He knows me well. My friends are in recovery. I am in other 12 step programs. I have to be good in all 3 to call myself ‘sober’
  • Juliana M February 6 2022 29:19
    Growing up alcohol was just liquid sugar. I was stealing food in first grade. As youngest of 11 children I was in the ‘who could loose weight’ family competition in the third grade. I failed at anorexia and bulimia. Sugar was my ‘drug’ of choice. By 22 I was over 300 pounds. Gained and lost over 100 pounds at least 6 times. Nailed the program. Lost weight, spoke, was a super hero for a moment. The message of OA is welcoming, supportive and available to all who want it. All excuses are accepted.
  • Laura S February 28 2021 26:22
    I was a sensitive kid obsessed with my body image. At 15 I got diet pills, then speed and was not actually overweight. I restricted, was an exercise bulimic and tried it all. I stopped eating sugar because I was a people pleaser. AND just kept coming  back. Today the program and my higher power have helped me all the challenges life has thrown at me and maintained my abstinence. The promises have come true.
  • Erin F October 11 2020 28:58
    Food helped me feel safe in an unsafe environment growing up. When binging and restricting failed me I added exercise bulimia to my repertoire of inappropriate tools. First came to OA in 2003, did everything I was told except get a sponsor and do the steps. Once back I came to believe if it worked for others it could work for me.
  • Michelle K October 20 2019 30:14
    Childhood anxiety was not understood. Thinking ‘Thin is good’ had me restricting in kindergarten and into anorexia by 4th grade. The positive aspect of gastric bypass surgery can be overcome with careful compulsive overeating. I fired a series of sponsors who had really good suggestions. Fast forward years of up and down weight, in and out of program, loving and hating myself, today I have healthy relationships with my husband, my son, my program, my sponsor and my higher power. I follow direction and my life gets better. Rock on OA!
  • Leslie June 28 2015 27:24
    Leslie shares her story of hope and recovery from compulsive overeating and bulimia.
  • Heather O October 13 2013 28:37
    Get out your pencil and notepad as Heather O. shares the wisdom she has gained in OA that has allowed her to maintain a 110 pound weight loss since. She discusses her belief that it was okay for her to be overweight, even when she stole food and money. She talks about what it took to overcome shake diets and exercise bulimia. Some of the interesting and useful topics she covers are: * One word that described her inability to deal with fear, pain, and anxiety * The thing that it is okay for her not to know * The ways of being connected that maintain her abstinence * A hopeful thought on how to deal with a rough life * What promise is the greatest to her * Visualizations that helped her maintain abstinence.
  • Annette L May 13 2012 33:03
    Mixing humor with wisdom, Annette will have you laughing as you learn from her challenging story. You will learn about her secret to maintaining a 140 pound weight loss for the past 16 years, in which she said she broke all the rules except her number one rule which is to keep coming back to OA. She shares how she used food and drugs as coping mechanisms, how she “discovered” bulimia as her magic answer to eating compulsively, how she found herself in a $140 per day food hell that consumed her life–even smoking joints to get hungry when she was full! Her story about a gun and a low rider is both funny and thought-provoking. Don’t miss it.
  • Gail March 11 2012 29:44
    Gail shares with us her story of recovery from compulsive overeating as well as anorexia. There have been ups and downs in her recovery, but she got the willingness this time around to work the program and has achieved great results.

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