We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable. Spiritual Principle: Honesty

Assignment 1:

1. Read, highlight, and jot down questions/comments from your reading of The Doctor’s Opinion in the Big Book.
2. Look up the following words in the dictionary.
   • Allergy
   • Obsession
   • Phenomenon
   • Craving
3. Answer the following questions:
   • What does it mean to you to be a “hopeless” compulsive eater or food addict? (Big Book, pg. xxv)
   • How is your body “abnormal” with regard to your eating behavior? (Big Book, pg. xxvi)
   • How does the theory that we have an “allergy” of the body apply to you? (Big Book, pg. xxvi)
   • Describe the effect your alcoholic foods have on you. What do they do FOR you? (Big Book, pg. xxix)
   • What does “entire psychic change” mean to you? (Big Book, pg. xxix)
   • Why is something more than human power needed for essential psychic change? (Big Book, pg. xxix)
   • What does “entire abstinence” mean for you? (Big Book, pg. xxx)

 

Assignment 2:

1. Read, highlight, and jot down questions/comments from your reading of Bill’s Story in the Big Book.
2. Answer the following questions:

• • What rationalizations do you tell yourself about your eating?
  • What has been the progression of your disease?
  • Do you understand that your success in this program is about much more than food?

 

Assignment 3:

1. Read, highlight, and jot down questions/comments from your reading of There is a Solution in the Big Book.
2. Answer the following questions:
   • “The elimination of our drinking is but a beginning.” Do you see abstinence as the beginning, or is it your entire goal? (Big Book, pg. 19)
   • How have you tried to use your willpower to control your eating? (Big Book, pg. 20)
   • Why do you take that first bite? Can you see that the mental obsession is your main problem? (Big Book, pg. 22)

 

Assignment 4:

1. Read, highlight, and jot down questions/comments from your reading of More About Alcoholism in the Big Book.
2. Answer the following questions:
   • What are some of the methods you have tried to control your eating? (Big Book, pg. 31)
   • What is the crux of the problem? What mental states precede a relapse for you? (Big Book, pg. 35)
   • What lifelong conceptions are you going to have to throw out the window? (Big Book, pg. 42)

For your convenience, here is Surrender School’s Step 1 Meditation

Optional Extra Credit:

• Read highlight, and jot down questions/comments from A Study Guide for Overeaters, Step 1
• Watch Surrender School’s Introduction Video and Video on Step 1
• Listen to one or more of the following podcasts:
  • Step 1: by Kara L. from A Design for Living
  • The Doctor’s Opinion by John K. from Greater New York Metro Intergroup
  • There is a Solution from Overeaters Anonymous
  • More about Alcoholism by Bob R.

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE COMPLETED STEP 1. YOU ARE NOW READY TO BEGIN STEP 2.