Members talk about their Sponsors
I talk to my sponsor five days a week. I don’t always have something big to discuss, but consistently calling makes it easier to talk when I do. I am no longer alone with my thoughts. I am thankful! -Becca
How I work with my sponsor:
– I call 5 days a week at a specific, set time to discuss program & my progress
-I text my food plan daily
– We live 90 minutes apart, so we meet halfway every 4-6 weeks to work on various step topics. This is writing, reading and talking.
– I follow suggestions & we talk about willingness
Peggy
I call my sponsor 3-4 times a week or whenever
I want to eat off my food plan. She helps me return to sanity. -Kathe P.
I utilize my relationship with my sponsor by calling six to seven days a week. I report my food plan from the day before. I also identify any tenth step issues – what I might be fearful about. Many times I’ve written my tenth step so I am prepared for the call. So much support and love transpires in these calls. I am grateful. -Justine
I use my sponsor for accountability and rigorous honesty and to remind me on a daily basis that this is a program of “we”. I am not alone. I can always reach out for help or guidance. -Kim H.
I love having a sponsor because I can use her as a way to hear God’s
will for me. I get out of my head and my isolation by talking to her on an almost daily basis. -Sara
When I first came into Overeaters Anonymous I didn’t know
what having a sponsor meant. The thought of sharing my life with a stranger was very scary to me. However, I also knew that I didn’t understand OA, didn’t understand what abstinence meant, didn’t understand what having a food plan meant or looked like. Eventually I got a sponsor when my three meals in one day were three trips to McDonald’s. I was pretty sure that wasn’t part of a food plan OR at least not one I wanted to have. I got a sponsor and learned so many things about program but I mostly learned how to let someone in and to also feel unconditional love which was something that was rare in my life. I call my sponsor regularly. I submit my food plan daily. I work the steps with her. I do what she suggests even when I am resistant.
Today I am a sponsor. I had many fears going into that as well.
But I can tell you that having sponsees only strengthens my program. It’s an amazing gift to have someone share their life with me and to allow me to love them unconditionally. -Laura S.
How did I choose my sponsor? As a newcomer I looked for someone who had what I wanted – abstinence [weight loss], knowledge of working the steps and serenity. The person I chose to be my sponsor had long term weight loss, she was involved in OA service work and despite many “challenging” circumstance she maintained an inner peace. I cam to discover that inner peace was a reliance on her Higher Power. -Teresa
I call my sponsor at 7:30AM. I talk through step work and anything that is bothering me. She mirrors my program back to me and speaks program over my emotional upheaval. I call her if i need to make an outreach call. I talk through changes in my food plan. She helps me clarify what changes need to be made to strengthen my recovery. -Laura
I knew I needed a sponsor to help me understand this program, talk about my feelings, be accountable and to call when I’m feeling crazy. Since the beginning of having a sponsor I have grown and become able to be more vulnerable and trust more. She has been one of the most valuable parts of my recovery. -Jaye