When you’re feeling down, stressed out or emotionally overwhelmed, do you frequently find yourself in front of the refrigerator, searching your kitchen cupboard, at the office candy machine or at the take out window of the nearest fast food restaurant looking for something sugary, chocolatey or doughy?

If you have EVER found yourself in the above situation, then this workshop is for you!

Overeaters Anonymous welcomes you to an online (Zoom) workshop entitled: STOP EATING YOUR FEELINGS!

WHEN: Saturday, April 11, 2020, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
(Newcomer meeting held from 9:30-9:45 am – come and get to know OA!)

WHERE: NOW moved to Zoom as an online workshop due to "Sheltering in Place" (previous location was the Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1948 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126)

COST: FREE - this online event is stricting limited to 100 attendees so register TODAY!

HOST: Overeaters Anonymous, Silicon Valley Intergroup, http://www.oasv.org/

CONTACT: Francine B., abstinent since 6-14-17, released 98-pounds, francine.b@comcast.net

AGENDA: (Everyone will receive a PDF of the workshop hand-out, but please bring a notebook and pen/pencil to the online Zoom meeting. The hyperlink to the Zoom meeting will be provided the day before the event via an email. You may also dial in using a standard home phone to attend. An internet enabled device with a webcam, such as a computer, tablet or smart phone, is the preferred means for easy viewing, listening and active participation.)

• 09:30-09:45 Newcomer Welcome
• 09:45-10:00 Introduction to OA/Workshop
• 10:00-10:15 Using the 12 Steps to Understand Your Feelings & Needs
• 10:15-10:30 Removing Blocks to Self-Compassion
• 10:30-11:15 Universal Feelings & Needs – Connecting the Dots
• 11:15-12:00 Discover Three Effective Ways to Meet Your Needs & Stop Emotional Eating
• 12:00-12:30 Healthy Coping – What to Do Instead of Eat Your Feelings

Regrettably, for far too many of us – compulsive overeaters, under-eaters, food addicts, anorexics, bulimics, binge eaters or over exercisers – we learned to turn to food for comfort, failing to realize that food is actually fuel for the body and NEVER an effective “FIX” for uncomfortable, painful or overwhelming feelings and emotions. Once having used food for ease and comfort, we tend to return to it – AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN – the moment a hurtful or uncomfortable feeling arises. IT NEVER WORKS – and yet the compulsion remains, and once we take the 1st bite, the physical cravings are unleashed and the mental obsession builds. Only a power greater than yourself can STOP this insanity!

Because negative emotions can lead to a feeling of emptiness or an emotional void, we erroneously come to believe that certain foods can help us fill that void and create a false feeling of “fullness” or temporary wholeness. This NEVER works, but we hang on to our denial and follow this delusion into the gates of hell, insanity and, eventually, chronic illness, increasing physical pain and premature death!

Rather than treat food as fuel for our body, we turn to it as a way to fix our feelings. We learn to use specific foods – typically sugar, flour and chocolate – as a way to suppress and soothe negative feelings we want to avoid feeling/acknowledging. And although we may come to feel horrible guilt or shame after eating this way, over time, this dysfunctional cycle of eating to excess only continues and worsens, eventually dominating our thoughts and, all too frequently, damaging our poor bodies.

Please join us for this important and timely workshop to learn about Overeaters Anonymous and how you can Stop Eating Your Feelings. The Twelve Steps of Overeaters Anonymous will be referenced throughout the workshop, but prior understanding of the Twelve Steps and attendance at a prior OA meeting, while encouraged, is not required in order to gain benefit from this informative and educational OA workshop. For a list of local meetings, please click here!

OA literature is available at https://bookstore.oa.org/. Free pamphlets and meetings guides will be available at future in-person meetings

If you are "sheltering in place" and would like to attend an online OA meeting, please visit the following website to look for our list of online meetings via Zoom: http://www.oasv.org/

You do NOT need to go through this disease alone! Newcomers are encouraged to attend our online and phone meetings, and are ALWAYS welcome to speak during sharing time, or to simply listen. You get to choose!

To learn more about OA, please visit www.oa.org. If you are not certain if you might have a problem with food or compulsive food behaviors, then take the OA private quiz by clicking here!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP?

• Anyone struggling with food or that is trying to determine if they might have food issues
• Anyone who fantasizes about how much better life would be if they were a different size or weight
• Anyone who fasts or severely restricts food intake to control their weight
• Anyone that might be a compulsive overeater, under-eater, food addict, anorexic, bulimic, binge eater or over exerciser
• Anyone that has used laxatives, vomiting, diuretics, excessive exercise, diet pills, shots or other medical interventions (including surgery) to try to control their weight

Attend this Workshop and Learn how the Twelve Steps of Overeaters Anonymous can help you recovers!

FAQs

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

No need for ID, but we do ask that you be 12 years of age, or older, to attend.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

While this workshop was originally conceived as an "in person" event that was to be held at Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church on the Alameda in San Jose (zero religious affiliation - workshop meeting space only), now that it is an online event, no need to be concerned with available parking.

What can I bring into the event?

Please feel free to bring a notebook and a pen to take notes. You are free to eat or drink during the Zoom online workshop.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

You may reach Francine at francine.b@comcast.net (please put "OA workshop" in the subject line). Or you may call or text Francine at 408-839-8153.

What's the refund policy?

Anyone who pre-paid for this workshop will be reimbursed for their fees. This is now a FREE event, although limited to the first 100 attendees!

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, given this is now an online meeting.

Can I update my registration information?

Please be sure to provide us with your correct name and email address. You may update your registration information by emailing Francine at francine.b@comcast.net, but please understand that we will begin promptly at 9:45 am.

Is my registration fee or ticket transferrable?

Yes, anyone in possession of your ticket may attend the online event.

Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?

Yes. But if you wish to have your correct name and email address added to our registration database, please let us know.