Weight loss is the #1 reason why we seek help with binge eating disorder and sugar addiction. Weight loss is important to us for many reasons, starting with the fact that most of us feel better about ourselves when our bodies shine with health and vitality. (We also feel better in them!)
And yet the problem with weight loss is that we typically approach it with a whip in hand, chastizing ourselves with blame, judgment, and more. We call ourselves fat cows and put up photos of ourselves as thinspiration. We compare ourselves to an ideal we hold in our minds and shame ourselves when we fall short. We create impossible standards that we can’t uphold.
Dear one, this is suffering. I offer an alternative.
Articles about Karly’s approach:
- Creating weight loss through the power of relationship
- Trusting your goodness
- Stop a binge in its tracks with empathy
It’s not a matter of taking responsibility for your weight. We know lots of weight loss coaches who will tell you that you create your own weight with your thoughts, and that it’s all in your hands. We disagree. We think this self blame leads to shame and keeps you stuck instead of freeing you up to heal.
Responsibility is not saying, “It’s my fault.” We are interdependent beings with 10,000 factors influencing our behavior. Responsibility simply means being “able to respond.” You find the ability to respond through self compassion, self care, self forgiveness, and self acceptance. With this foundation, you’re able to grow – to soften patterns of overeating and bingeing. As these patterns soften, the excess weight will come off, too.
Rather than focusing on weight or your flaws, we believe you achieve greater and more lasting success by focusing on changing how you relate to food, your body and yourself through these pathways of self love, self acceptance and more. It’s this relationship that leads to weight loss. A loving, kind relationship with yourself is the gentlest, kindest way to find your natural body weight.
Karly’s most helpful articles on using a compassionate approach to lose weight:
- 4 ideas for kind weight loss
- How to gently lose weight without willpower
- Do I have to weigh everything I eat?
- Help! I’m gaining weight and bingeing again. What do I do?
- Why breakfast matters as much as inquiry
Get support – free women’s forum
I believe that healing is impossible without support, as we are interdependent beings and meant to learn, grow and heal together, in relationship. To foster your need for belonging, understanding, and community, First Ourselves offers a free support forum. Talk with other women, create community, get support and feel less alone by sharing your story and hearing other women’s stories.
For more support, we invite you to sign up for our mailing list. By signing up for the First Ourselves newsletter below, you’ll get a weekly email of the latest blog posts, forum posts and more to help you compassionately lose weight and heal from binge eating disorder, emotional eating, sugar addiction. It’s one way we walk beside you, joining you on your journey. We walk with you, hand in hand, in service and love.