I was wondering if any one here had experienced OA or TOPS or similar groups.

I like the idea of some kind of support group but most of the groups seem to be all women.

Women are OK, but I might be a bit more comfortable in a group that at includes at least some testosterone.

I am near Rockford if anyone has any ideas for local groups.

I used to go to OA meetings here in NY....yeah, mostly female for sure.
You can go to their online web site and put in your zip code to see what kinds of meetings are near you.
I'll see if I can find the link.

OK, here ya go:
http://www.oa.org/meetings/find-a-meeting.php

Good Luck!!

Did you find OA helpful at all?

I sort of like the idea of getting into a support group, but OA seems almost like a religion from their website and TOPS seems like its all older women.

But I really don't know all that much about either group.

I was hoping some people who had experience with them would relate their stories.

I took what I needed and left the rest....as they say.
I found it very helpful in learning to identify my compulsive over eating behaviors so that I could then use their tools to help me.
For me, just listening to the sharing and the people who lead the meetings aka qualifiers, was a huge education for me.
I've never been to TOPS....so I don't know.
Did you look for a local meeting to you?

I sent an email to the TOPS people and I might go to a meeting just to see what they have to say. I am not real thrilled with how the web site describes their program. It makes it seem like some kind of pyramid scheme or something. Just poor design perhaps, or not as well thought out as it might be.

OA apparently does not do email. I may have to break down and actually call them on the phone.

I attended an online OA meeting earlier. Not sure if it is for me.

IMO, an in person meeting will be a better gauge for you.
Try to keep your mind and your heart open.

We will see. I am going to attend a local TOPS meeting one of these days and see what I think, and may try to find a local OA group to try.

The OA stuff just sounds sort of creepy to me and the online meeting experience did not change my impression of that one bit.

OK...good luck in whatever you decide to do.

I know this thread is older but I wanted to share my experience in both OA and TOPS. I was an active member in OA for several years and a current member in TOPS. Someone said it earlier, "Take what you want, and leave the rest." That is soo true of both meeting but of course you have to find the right group. A group that is devoted, and committed to the lifestyle change. I would probably still be in OA if we hadn't moved, and once we did, I couldn't find the devoted OA group that I was in before. So I went to several TOPS groups and found a great one. Yes, some of the TOPS groups can be little old ladies talking about grandkids, and quilting but if find the right group, like I did, it's a wonderful support system. OA's focus is about your eating centered around emotions and a Higher Power, where as TOPS is centered around a lifestyle change, getting physical again, and a sprinkling of emotional eating mixed in.

My weekly TOPS group is a great support group for me, as is my food buddy (I send in my food daily to her) which I learned from OA, and this on-line forum are all really important parts of my lifestyle change that help me stay on track.