I come from generations of alcoholics and overeaters.

I am one of eight and we all have 'issues'

I thought we were a close knit family, I was a strong fixer. I later discovered I was a martyr and a victim putting my emotional well being onto my husband.

In adolescence I felt 'large' but looking back l it was not the case.

It was in marriage I progressed from plump to 280 lbs.

I was scared into seeking 'life' one evening in the 90s

It was in open AA meetings where I really learned about the 12 steps and all the human drama that work with the 12 steps.

I keep my eyes on the prize - being joyous, happy and free.

Today I am maintaining about 90 LBS down from my top. I have been lower but was not sustainable.

As a kid I was admitted to a hospital for being too thin. That quickly revered.

I was extremely overweight by 3rd grade and embarrassed by the school nurse.

By 11 I went to a doctor and counted calories. It gave me awareness or what was happening. I lost a lot and became a normal weight. From then on I was always dieting.

I was told about bulemia. got excited about it but could not do it. Grateful for that.

Diet pills made me crazy but I did loose weight.

Graduated at normal weight, stop diet pills and the yoyo started.

Tried Pay and Weighs about 15 times.

Once I heard about OA I was so excited I ran right out 6 months later. It sounded great except for the God part.

I reached my highest weight before I really surrendered to a higher Power.

Jeannie v.1

Jeannie v.1

Jeannie v.1

Jeannie v.1

Jeannie v.1

Jeannie v.1

Topped at 238.

My mom said I was 'Big Boned' but the pain of the teasing was very real. I loved boys but they didn't love me. Big surprise.

Been sober for 39 Years. First came to OA in 1990. but no sponsor, no Steps

I actually did have a thyroid problem.

Even sober I was just existing mishandling my food thinking I could control it only to fail repeatedly.

I have been consistent in OA for about 7 years. Finally got a sponsor and became willing to work the steps and got honest.

Today I have a tight food plan, daily inventory, meetings and service.

I avoid the foods I used to crave and the craving stops. Even Diet Coke. I have incorporated exercise. eating less and less flour.

Kathy M. V.1