Compassionate support to heal sugar addiction, binge eating, overeating and a negative body image
Compassion is an act of service. As we heal ourselves, we heal our world. As we love ourselves unconditionally, we love others unconditionally. This is the meaning of First Ourselves. – Karly Randolph Pitman, founder
Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. First Ourselves is a blog and forum for women healing from eating disorders and “food stuff” like sugar addiction, binge eating, emotional eating, overeating and a negative body image. What makes First Ourselves unique is our gentle approach. We use kindness, self compassion, and unconditional love to heal at the deepest, emotional level – what also allows us to heal physically.
I invite you to take full advantage of our free resources, such as hundreds of helpful articles, podcasts, and a private forum. Get support by sharing your story. Get inspired by reading other’s stories. Feel better as you know you’re not alone.
How First Ourselves began
Karly Randolph Pitman
I started First Ourselves in 2006 to chronicle my growth out of a 20 year struggle with multiple eating disorders - sugar addiction, overeating, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive dieting, and body hatred. My passion grew into sharing the tools that helped me so that others could heal emotionally, physically and spiritually. I write books and programs, coach people 1 on 1, lead small group classes, and speak to groups. Learn more about me.
What makes First Ourselves unique
In the blog and forum, you’ll hear many different voices. What they have in common is a desire to heal by loving ourselves completely.
This is not a will power based, boot camp, or masculine approach to healing, but a feminine approach based in kindness, intuitive listening, unfolding, and nurturing. While masculine qualities like will power and discipline are necessary (and beautiful!) for both men and women – for example, I use my masculine whenever I undertake a big task, like writing a book – when we apply these masculine qualities to healing and the heart, they’re misplaced and we suffer. Healing calls for the feminine.
How to join
Our forum, blog, and podcasts are all free, and we welcome your story! Please write for us.
- Sign up for our free weekly newsletter.
- Join the free forum.
- Write for First Ourselves.
- Read the blog.
- Listen to the podcasts.
What is Karly’s approach?
In my experience, we heal our relationship with food by healing our relationship with ourselves. Most of us have a punishing, fearful, unkind relationship with our tender humanity – our emotions, thoughts, feelings, needs and our precious body itself.
Our primary work is healing this relationship to one that is forgiving, loving, merciful and kind. As we heal this relationship, we change how we relate to ourselves, how we think about ourselves, and how we care for ourselves.
We feel loved and accepted. Our wounded parts become healed. We feel safe to heal, grow and change. This emotional healing is what allows us to change our behavior – the way we eat.
In my books and programs, you’ll learn how to create a loving relationship with yourself, and a loving relationship with food.
- Learn more about Karly.
- Read praise for First Ourselves.
- We want to hear your story! Be a writer on First Ourselves.
- Contact us
- Stay connected on Facebook.
