Exploring diversity, promoting acceptance

What if you had a like-minded group to consult on things that inspire you or bother you? You'd soon be ready for a warm campaign and a round of serious bonding

Fighting temptation: Compulsive eating sets off cravings that are insatiable, say experts
Pic for representation only

Lots of temptations: Chef with a lunch spreadu00a0 Pic for representation only

Run for fun: Runner Girls India organises girls only runs in Cubbon Park every fortnight

What if you had a like-minded group to consult on things that inspire you or bother you? You'd soon be ready for a warm campaign and a round of serious bonding

OA expecting diets, weigh-ins and lectures on food and weight. To their surprise, and often relief, they find that OA offers none of these things. Because food and weight are only symptoms of the problem. While diet can help people lose weight, it often intensifies the compulsion to overeat.

Overeaters Anonymous was formed when two people found help at OA (International) after every possible offering in the commercial market had failed for them. They found help, support and success with OA's 12-step programme.

What it does: Based in Bangalore, Overeaters Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship of men and women who come together to help each other solve their common problem of compulsive overeating by following a 12-step programme. There are no fees. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively.

"Contrary to common belief, it is the first compulsive bite that does the damage. It sets off a craving that we often find insatiable. This is particularly true about trigger foods," says JS, a member, who did not wish to reveal his full name.

At their group meetings, the members share experience, strength and hope, read from literature, discuss tools like abstinence, meal plans, etc. "Many of us have lost more weight than we ever did before, and the best part is this weight loss is maintained effortlessly. OA Meetings are for members. We hold PI (public information) meetings for people wanting more information on invitation," says a member on condition that we do not reveal her name.

Where: OA Bangalore currently has two meetings on Monday's and Friday's at 7pm at: I Floor, The Community Hall, St. John's Church, Hosur Road (Opp MphasiS), Koramangala.
Ph: 32417 82341
www.wix.com/oabangalore/oa-bangalore

Runner Girls India

Runner Girls India (RGI) is a club dedicated to empowering women toward a healthy lifestyle, promoting personal fitness, increasing physical activity and emotional health, encouraging a healthy body image, providing means of communication between members, offering a support network for other runner girls and organising women-only-running events in a safe, friendly and non-competitive environment that allows everyone to succeed.

What it does: The club arranges GORs (Girls-Only-Runs) at Cubbon Park every fortnight where all the girl runners no matter what age or from what background and nationality get together to run. After they're done, they bond over piping hot idli-vada. Sabine Tietge, founder-member, is now working on adding more zing to the forum. Besides marathon training plans, there would be nutrition tips, books and tips on shopping for running gear.

Where: Runner Girls India holds GORs every fortnight at Cubbon Park and plans to launch more interesting session soon. Entry is free. https://www.runnergirlsindia.com/

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