Read what readers have been saying about First Ourselves. We love hearing about your journey, victories, and a-ha’s. We welcome your feedback.
“I’m walking around in tears of gratitude for having found your site. I have found a “home” on [First Ourselves.]” – Elizabeth
“This site has absolutely been a most hopeful catalyst in my ability to change old habits.” – Sally Jane
“I have never felt so validated.” – Mimi Q., Houston, Texas
“Your writing is often a balm to my soul.” – Tammy M.
“I had so many light bulbs going off in my head, I might as well be a Christmas tree! Your work is the missing link, the missing puzzle piece that helps me put it all together.” – Nataliya
“Every time I read First Ourselves, I immediately calm down and feel understood.”
-Kathy B., Vancouver
“I have to fight back the tears-of empathy and relief-as I read your posts, because I know I’m exactly where I need to be, with you all on this journey to improve ourselves and our lives.” -Sarah S.
“Each post I read expresses exactly what my experiences have been through the years. It is gratifying to know I’m not alone in this struggle. Thanks Karly and thanks to all the wonderful women who share their struggle. I’m very grateful.”
-Mary K., Minnesota
“Thank you for helping me find 2 years of sugar abstinence.” – Kaitlin, New York
“You have NO IDEA how much finding your website was like finding an oasis in the desert for me. I sat here and cried my eyes out as I read some of the content on your website, because it is TOTALLY me and I haven’t been able to verbalize any of it!!! I thank GOD I found First Ourselves.” – Lillie, San Diego, California
“My health professionals have all been really impressed with the progress I am making with this program. I can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for me Karly!!” – Lynn D., Wisconsin
“I have read everyone it seems for many decades – but you Karly, are the ONLY one I have ever felt uncovers the emotional matters of the heart. You shine a warm beacon of loving light on the deep wounds of the soul.” – Patrice M., RN
“Karly, I was thinking about you on the way to work this morning, and I wanted to reach out and tell you how much I appreciate your courageous, honest heart. By revealing so much of yourself you have helped me accept and care for myself so much more tenderly. I’ve so made areas of my life harder, such as being anxious and depressed, by attacking myself for being that way. You have helped me see this in a different light and I can’t thank you enough. Thank you for doing the deep work that you have done. With deep appreciation.” -Gina, San Francisco, California
“I just wanted to say your writing is very self and life affirming. Thank you for the thoughtfulness you put into it and for sharing it with us.” – Emily
“I just needed to say thanks to you today. I can’t even begin to express to you how helpful this forum, sugar addiction program, and overeating help has been to me and how grateful I am to you for creating it. It means everything to me to meet, share and learn from all the wonderful women who post here who share my addiction to sugar.” – Sue
“I just want to say thank you again for your work. I have read all there is to read about weight loss and yours is hands-down the best there is: and it is scientifically sound too—-or at least in my world it is—-I am an ACT therapist and this post for example, is completely consistent with what is being found now to be the best way to manage our thoughts—-as stories – and letting them show up rather than struggling with them. Thank you thank you thank you. There is always a real gem in everything you write. With love and a hug, – Catharina B., Australia
“I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your emails and your dedication to all of us who struggle with sugar. Your guidance and encouragement truly help with the daily task of living moment to moment without leaning on sugar to go numb to our feelings. In my experience, dealing with my reliance on sugar has also lead to discovering the other ways I avoid, dodge and suppress what I perceive as uncomfortable emotions. Learning how to simply stay with my feelings has lifted that old feeling of being burdened by life. Simply opening up to your guidance regarding sugar has helped make life sweet again!” – Katie R.
“Your books, posts and emails are so solid and consistent, they seem talk to the yukkiest part of my head who doesn’t even know it’s asking questions. Wow.” – Lindsay, New York
“I think you are amazingly honest and brilliant. Thank you, you got me through the day.” – Lillian, Brisbane, Australia
“I am so happy to finally have found a writer of this topic who I feel actually knows me.” – Joetta
“I just wanted to put a big THANK YOU out there for the daily encouragement emails. It is like a lovely little hug everyday.” – Kerry Alissa, Boston
“I wanted you to know that I am mostly sugar free for 30 days (I know we are not supposed to count
and lost 14.5 lbs. Thank you for all the kind, caring and compassionate information. I really believe these classes gave me a look at how mean I had been to myself in the area of weight and overeating. Also, I have been able to let go of the perfection and ease up which has allowed me to be where I am today. Once the pressure was relieved, everything seems to have fallen into place. I am no longer craving all the unhealthy items I had been consuming. The bingeing stopped first then letting go of the sugar and desserts and then realizing it was up to me to decide what I was eating on a daily basis and that only I could make those changes. Thanks for all your guidance. – Joy R., Texas
“I’m listening (really listening with my full body and attention) the recordings (UNTANGLED)… I just want to thank you for your work, and for sharing that.. Lesson after lesson, they’re all nailing the point.. Really, you continue to offer me the present of “missing piece in my puzzle. Thank you so much…” – Jessica V., Mexico
“Because of you and first ourselves, I am going into this Christmas with more peace and knowledge than ever before. I am feeling excited, not anxious. The anxiety will probably hit me, however, I have tools that I will now use to create a “self hug” and a love letter to my spirit. I am learning daily to allow myself small acts of kindness from myself to myself. It is really quite interesting. I notice that lately I am smiling more, for no apparent reason.
“Thank you for helping me to better understand how to radiate my uniqueness and to cultivate nourishment to my body. For years, I have heard that it’s important to eat healthy food and to exercise; but there was something more resonating, to me, in the way you explained and exemplified it. Thank you for building that connection between self-care, health and loving our bodies. It has amazed me, how many times I’ve searched for a piece of fruit, or a vegetable, this past month, instead of a sweet.”- J.B., Sacramento, California
“I just wanted to mention that I have been on a sugar free and no flour diet for a year and five months! I dropped a lot of excess weight that was easy without exercise. I feel calmer–never did I think I could do this at all…This is a wonderful way to live. Free.” – Karen M.
“Today’s class was so deep! This class has been life changing for me.” – Yvette S., Mexico City, Mexico
“Every day, my top priority is practicing and learning more and more about kicking my sugar (and food) addiction. And each week, I can see progress compared to the week before! I truly see light at the end of the tunnel. And the overall benefits to my life are tremendous!” – Theresa R., Bellingham, Washington
“Thank you for finally clearing up the most confusing question of my life – “What is being good to myself…” aka: “Do I eat the chocolate and feel good now – and crappy later? – or – Do I not eat the chocolate and feel crappy now – and good later? In the first section: 1. Grounding. Create an internal structure with yourself. Root yourself with good habits, giving yourself a strong foundation. Self-care is not giving ourselves whatever we want. We care for ourselves by honoring our limits, pacing ourselves, and stopping when enough becomes too much. When we are grounded, we have a safe harbor in which to abide. It just made sense – finally!” – Pam
“I don’t remember when or if I ever read anything so beautiful! Thank you tremendously!!!!!!!!!!” -Melinda
“Truly, progress is being made…Lat night I went to the store to load up on groceries for the next few days. I ended up splurging on a big basket of jumbo red grapes, organic spinach, carrots and hummus, juicy pink grapefruit..all stuff I would normally pass by b/c of the cost but I figure for the amount I spent on binging I might as well put that money towards food that my body really enjoys…and that I am learning to enjoy again too!
“Karly, I have to tell you – you are such a gifted coach and mentor. I am loving the weekly course and for the first time I am really able to fully examine my food issues in a safe place where I feel nurtured and unjudged. I am so excited for you in finding your niche and embracing it with all of your talent and passion. You have amazing compassion and insight and I know that wonderful things are going to come your way because of your courage to embrace this path.” – Raelee P., Chapel Hill, NC
“I just started the Heal Overeating program and it is already changing me life. This program is such a blessing already. When I listened to session one I was in tears. Though I am not really overweight and no one else thinks I have food issues, actually many of my overweight friends come to me for advise because I have always presented myself as advanced with all my head knowledge but this program is part of the process that is setting me free from the bondage of having to be an expert when the reality is that I am a begginner. Thank you for sharing your heart and your journey with us. Its really helping me along my own journey to conquer my food stuff and teaching me to be kind to myself and extend the same Grace to myself that God does.” – Kisha W.
I am ecstatic that today because I stepped on the scale and discovered that I am the lightest I have been in 8 months! And before I stepped on the scale I looked into the mirror and thought, “No matter what the numbers say, I still look and feel good. Even if I have to stay at this weight forever at least I am taking better care of myself,” and I really couldn’t believe that I was three pounds lighter!” – Kathy B., Vancouver, BC
