Overeaters Anonymous

Are you a compulsive overeater? Consider the following yes/no questions (be honest with yourself):

• Do you eat when you're not hungry?
• Do you go on eating binges for no apparent reason?
• Do you have feelings of guilt and remorse after overeating?
• Do you give too much time and thought to food?
• Do you look forward with pleasure and anticipation to the time when you can eat alone?
• Do you plan these secret binges ahead of time?
• Do you eat sensibly before others and make up for it alone?
• Is your weight affecting the way you live your life?
• Have you tried to diet for a week (or longer), only to fall short of your goal?
• Do you resent others telling you to "use a little willpower" to stop overeating?
• Despite evidence to the contrary, have you continued to assert that you can diet "on your own" whenever you wish?
• Do you crave to eat at a definite time, day or night, other than mealtime?
• Do you eat to escape from worries or trouble?
• Have you ever been treated for obesity or a food-related condition?
• Does your eating behavior make you or others unhappy?

If you answered “yes” to 3 or more of these questions it’s probable that you have, or are well on your way to having, a compulsive overeating problem. One way to arrest this progressive disease is to practice the Twelve-Step Recovery Program of Overeaters Anonymous. At the very least, visit their website and see what they have to offer. The multiple benefits of losing excess weight have been trumpeted often enough on this blog – this may be one way to tackle the problem that you haven’t considered.