I came into program via online meetings in May of 1999 about 3 months after my youngest child was born.  I had hit my top weight of 310, but more than that my life was extremely unmanageable and miserable.  I smoked about 2 packs a day.  I didn't manage my finances in an adult manner.  My relationships with people were a mess (including my marriage).

A big part of the reason I came into program was the loneliness.  I finally found people I could connect with who were not sick and nuts (relatively speaking).  The sick and the nuts were those I'd chosen to spend my time with most of my adult life.

I got abstinent, started losing weight--and then relapsed because I really wasn't doing the inner work to change that I needed to do and I was still smoking, still codependent and still not dealing with my finances.  After a year of that, I hit bottom and had finally had enough.  I decided that I had to give it all up in order to recover so...I got abstinent, quit smoking and started doing what was necessary to put my finances in order--including going to school which is what I'm doing now.  That's been a more long term plan for financial solvency.  I have also, through program, been able to work on my relationships with people.  After very nearly divorcing, I reconciled with my husband, we went to some counseling together and are managing to work through our various character defects.  It's an amazing thing because at one point I thought he had all the character defects while I was just misunderstood *G*

 I've released a total of 145 pounds through program and have maintained the loss.  I've been abstinent since May of 2001.  I quit smoking the same month.  I completed my Associate degree and am in the process of working on my BA in Business Administration.

 I have gainful employment and my bills are paid currently.  It's nice to weigh less (although I'm not at what the charts say my body should be), but more importantly than that I have a relationship with God (which I did not), I'm taking care of my body, I'm able to have healthy relationships with people and life is not nearly so unmanageable.

I give a lot of service in the online environment.  I've met a lot of lovely people who give me their time, attention and support.  I'm grateful for it--and grateful for OA.  I'm never alone.