THE SEVEN TOOLS

TOOLS 

As defined by Webster, a tool is "Any person or thing used as a means to
get something done."  We have many tools of the program which will help us
recover on a daily basis.  Tools are essential to get the job done, and
they work for us.  Here are a few. 

H.O.W. ABSTINENCE FOOD PLAN

Three meals daily, weighed and measured, with nothing between except
sugar-free soda, no-calorie beverages, and diet gum.  Food is written
down, called in, and committed, so we can get on with our recovery and
"out" of the food.  It is recommended that you obtain your physician's
approval before beginning your abstinence using the H.O.W. food plan. Any
recommendations your physician makes will be accepted. 

LITERATURE & WRITING. 

We use the "Alcoholics Anonymous " (Big Book) and the "The 12 Steps and 12
Traditions".  When we substitute the words "compulsive overeater" for
"alcoholic" and "food" for "alcohol", we feel we identify absolutely; our
writing assignments for the first 30 days are taken from them.  We use the
"A. A. Big Book" and "The 12 and 12" as a tool of examination and release. 
We also believe that negative thinking is a large part of our disease, so
we are learning, one day at a time, to abstain from negative thinking.

ANONYMITY 

What you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let
it stay here.  When we meet another member in the outside world, we do not
mention that they are members of O.A./H.O.W. 

           TELEPHONE 

           "Reaching out to another OA-er".  It is our daily link to our  
           sponsors. It is a way to reach out for help and to extend that 
           same help to others. We make four telephone calls per day-
           -one to our sponsor and three outreach calls to other members 
           in the program using the current WE CARE list in our monthly 
           newsletter. 
 
           MEETINGS 

           "We find out that we are not alone".  Attendance at a minimum 
           of 3 meetings a week is suggested.  The list of meeting places 
           is available at all meetings.  The strength derived from these 
           meetings is most beneficial. 

           SERVICE 

           It is the working the tools of the program to the best of our 
           ability. Giving back what we have been given. Helping out at 
           meetings, i.e., setting up chairs, welcoming newcomers... 
           volunteering to be a service person such as treasurer,    
           secretary, literature person, intergroup representative, etc.  
            Abstinence is a service to ourselves and the group. 

SPONSORSHIP

A sponsor is a compulsive overeater who, "Thank God,": has 30 days of
back-to-back H.O.W. abstinence.  A sponsor will help you through your
first 30 days.  Everyone in H.O.W. is sponsored the same.  Sponsors MUST
have 30 days of back-to-back H.O.W. abstinence, have completed 30 days of
questions, and have taken the first three steps. 

Will all the sponsors please stand, introduce yourselves, qualify as to 
the length of your abstinence, weight loss, and kind of sponsor that you 
are (food, step, or maintenance), and whether you are available.