North Texas Intergroup

Home

Find a North Texas Meeting

Are You a Compulsive Eater?

Frequently Asked Questions
of  CEA-HOW

How to Contact a Member

North Texas Intergroup Links
 
Meeting Kit

 

CEA-HOW
Other Sites

Other CEA-HOW Meetings

Other Intergroups

World Service Website

 

Frequently Asked Questions of CEA-HOW

North Texas Intergroup

 

Honesty, Open-mindedness, and Willingness (H.O.W.)

 

What is Compulsive Eaters Anonymous H.O.W.? What is its purpose? What does it cost? Do we have a diet? What is H.O.W? What's the difference between other 12-Step food programs and CEA-HOW? How do I change myself? Is CEA-H.O.W. a religious group? What if I have only a little weight to lose? What happens at meetings? What is Compulsive Eating? What do I have to do to get started? Does the program really work? What is abstinence? What about sugar? Do I really have to give it up and why? What about the foods we absolutely avoid and why? What is Compulsive Eaters Anonymous H.O.W.? CEA-H.O.W. is a fellowship of men and women who meet to share their Experience, Strength and Hope with each other, so as to solve a common problem.           Top of Page What is its purpose? To help ourselves and others who suffer from the self destruction of food addiction.           Top of Page What does it cost? There are no dues or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions.           Top of Page Do we have a diet? No! CEA-H.O.W. is not a diet club. However H.O.W does have a food plan. We ask that you follow this food plan or a comparable one approved by a physician or nutritionist.           Top of Page What is H.O.W? The letters stand for Honesty, Open-mindedness and Willingness. We apply the principles of the 12 Step program, using the A.A. "Big Book" and the "12 Steps and 12 Traditions" as tools of examination and release.           Top of Page What's the difference between other 12-Step food programs and CEA-HOW? The CEA-HOW program is more structured and disciplined. We are rigorous in our adherence to the food plan as written. It is what works for us. However we urge all newcomers to consult their physician before using our food plan. Any modification of the plan by your doctor or doctor's approved food plan will be acceptable. We also use a sponsor question book for the first 30 days of a person's abstinence. These 30 questions take you through the first 3 steps and help you get out of the food and on with your life.           Top of Page How do I change myself? Your recovery is targeted at three levels Spiritual, Physical and Emotional.           Top of Page Is CEA-H.O.W. a religious group? No! It aims at spiritual growth, but is not limited to any sect or denomination. It is open to all who wish recovery.           Top of Page What if I have only a little weight to lose? The amount does not matter - what does matter is that you are eating compulsively and you need help!           Top of Page What happens at meetings? You will hear positive sharing from recovering food addicts about their successes in their everyday living. How they applied the program "tools" to their lives and how they are/were able to cope with distressing situations instead of eating over them. We will demonstrate that positive thinking and actions are statements of growth and recovery and are examples of living in the solution rather than in the problem. Dwelling in the problem is a symptom of our disease.           Top of Page What is Compulsive Eating? A compulsion is an irresistible urge to do an irrational act. If you stuff (starve) yourself to try to satisfy an emotion such as loneliness or anger, and are overweight (severely underweight) as a consequence - then you are a compulsive eater.           Top of Page What do I have to do to get started? Come to a meeting, relax and listen. You will not be asked to talk. You will merely introduce yourself. The rest is up to you. There will be people (sponsors) available to help you get started and answer any questions you may have. Don't forget - We all started exactly the same way.           Top of Page Does the program really work? You bet your life it works! At a meeting you will hear many success stories. Not only will you shed weight, but you will gain a great deal of serenity and clarity that will amaze you! You have nothing to lose but your old values. The majority of us came to CEA-H.O.W. to lose weight - that was our first and primary goal. A few members struggled with anorexia. In the beginning it was our primary focus, but we soon came to discover that the Twelve Step program offers so much more!           Top of Page What is abstinence? As taken from the Abstinence Model: Physical: A sound food and exercise plan Pre-plan meals Do not count calories Stay off bathroom scale Limit binge foods Abstain from dieting of any kind Abstain from eating between meals Abstain from a sedentary lifestyle Emotional: Abstain from negative self-talk and self-deprecating thoughts Abstain from pleasing others at the expense of your own needs and feelings Abstain from shutting off feelings or minimizing feelings Abstain from isolating from others Abstain from relationships that diminish your self-worth Spiritual: Live life according to a personal value system Abstain from the belief that all things in life must be dealt with alone Develop a relationship with a Higher Power Let go of control and realize that being in control does not guarantee a life of safety and freedom from pain           Top of Page   What about sugar? Do I really have to give it up and why? We have found that the artificial sweeteners found in most restaurants which are in the blue and pink packages are good to use in moderation. Our years of experience show and our food plan is designed for people who, because of their addiction to refined carbohydrates, need to abstain from all sugars, flour, and refined starches. Keep in mind that all sugar and flour must be listed 5th or greater in the ingredients of all products consumed. Alcohol is in fact sugar. It turns to sugar when it is digested into the system and sets us up for craving. Other forms of sugar: CORN STARCH, CORN SYRUP, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, DEXTROSE, FRUCTOSE, HONEY, LACTOSE, MALTOSE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, MOLASSES.           Top of Page What about the foods we absolutely avoid and why? Alcohol, sweets of any kind, nuts, fried foods, sugared soft drinks, cream cheese, specialty cheeses, honey, and anything containing sugar or white flour. Our years of experience shows and our food plan is designed for people who, because of their addiction to refined carbohydrates, need to abstain from all sugars, flour, and refined starches. Abstinence is refraining from foods not included in the food plan. Total abstinence is an absolute necessity.           Top of Page