Welcome to the HOW Concept way of sponsoring. The HOW Concept approaches sponsoring in a manner that will guide the new member through the steps in a structured manner. The questions are written using the AA 12 & 12 along with the third edition of the Big Book in an effort to show the newcomer the critical nature of our disease.

The Sponsor's Guide and other sets of questions are used in the HOW Concept as guides for sponsoring, with each sponsor responsible for adjusting their guide to each situation as may be deemed necessary by the sponsor or by the medical direction of the sponsee's physician. Together the sponsor guides the new member through the first three steps while introducing them to the basic food plan. The food plan should be approved by the sponsee's doctor and changes should be made to it in an effort to meet medical needs. The food plan is designed to remove the most common foods that trigger compulsive eating behaviors. It is designed for those who, because of their addiction to carbohydrates, need to abstain from all sugars, flours and starches. Following the basic food plan involves refraining from these complex carbohydrates and compulsive eating behaviors, eating three weighed & measured meals, no between meal snacks, one day at a time. A plan of eating offers us a physical abstinence for a daily reprieve from the disease of compulsive eating. It then enables us to find emotional abstinence which is a positive change in attitude due directly to the program and thus leading us onto the path of physical, spiritual and emotional recovery. This may appear to be just another diet, but to those of us already walking this path of recovery know our eating plan is unique and must be followed as written unless otherwise needed for medical reasons.

The HOW Concept way of working with a sponsor while following a food plan and answering questions has worked for many of the members within the Overeaters Anonymous Fellowship and may not be for everyone. We welcome anyone who has a desire to try it. It is available for anyone to use. It is recommended that the food plan be worked with a HOW Concept sponsor for it is not to be used as one would use a diet, therefore, it is available from a HOW Concept sponsor.

We are confident that the more you give to others that more will be returned to you. The joy of giving is incomparable. It is the hope these HOW Concept questions, plan of eating and manner of sponsoring will benefit any OA member who is looking for a guided and structured means of sponsoring. Please read the outline for sponsors in the Sponsors Guide before beginning use. Feel free to phone a HOW Concept sponsor with any questions you may have or attend a HOW Concept meeting. We are all trying, with the help of our Higher Power to refrain from compulsive eating. Let us reach out to each other for help and understanding. We trust we will follow God's will to carry the message of recovery to those who still suffer and that these HOW Concept guidelines and questions will in some way help the recovery process of someone in need of recovery.
 

Here's a great website for OA members following the HOW concept:  how-oa.org