Testimonials
Membership Testimonials | Retreat Testimonials | Seminar Testimonials | Product Testimonials | Patient Testimonials | Professional Testimonials | Coaching Testimonials
Membership Testimonials
"I just wanted to say thanks to all who are here and have welcomed me enthusiastically. I have been a member at another WLS support site, but I never found the warm, welcoming environment I found here... it is like home."
-Allison Moreland, NAWLS Member, Rochester, NY
"I was skeptical about discussion boards, but am just so glad I got involved with NAWLS. It gives me so much hope and support that for the first time in 2 years I have confidence that I CAN succeed at my program -- one step at a time."
-Roxanne Rouleau, NAWLS Member
"This is an awesome place to get support and give support to others. Beats the support offered by my WLS surgeon's team. I have been a member of NAWLS for almost 3.5 years now and it is the best money I have ever spent!"
-Joyce Gillette, NAWLS Member, Long Beach, CA
"NAWLS has been a very important part of my life for the past 10 months. Katie offers many materials and most importantly, to me, her site is heart-felt with integrity and transparency. Many others only offer "what you want to hear" --NAWLS is gentle and teaches us to be gentle with ourselves, but sometimes the "news" we have to hear is tough stuff. It is wonderful to know that NAWLS is there for us 24/7. I am proud to be a member of NAWLS and grateful for all of Katie's hardwork to help us along the way."
-Karen Lewis, NAWLS Member, Knightdale, NC
Retreat Testimonials
"My biggest obstacle in signing up for the retreat was being afraid that I would not be accepted as myself. I found that my fears were unfounded and we all had our own battles to overcome. I was accepted with open arms, which was very heartwarming. I liked how we all could laugh and feel at ease with each o ther. There were some very emotional moments for us and we were all accepting and nonjudgmental with each other. Some of the benefits to me included, meeting some pretty fantastic women who are struggling with issues, just as I am; learning that secrets will keep me sick (so I found the courage to share my issues with this group of women, who in turn, shared theirs with me); and I discovered it's not easy to be honest, although in this retreat setting and with the support of some amazing staff, I felt safe enough to dig into my "soul" and find answers. I would recommend NAWLS Renewal Retreats to any woman who is struggling with issues around her weight loss and acceptance of herself. It is a very powerful tool to place in our "shed" for the hard work of finding ourselves in the "dirt" of life. Just remember that weight loss isn't going to clear up a lifetime of bad habits, and if you feel like you're alone with your issues and are afraid of "failure," once again, Katie Jay offers you hope to work on "getting it right". This journey isn't something that is a "quick fix". It is a lifetime commitment to our selves.
-Nancy Guptill, CA
"I was worried that since I was struggling with my recovery that I might not fit in with the group at the retreat. (I somehow believed that I was the only one who was encountering obstacles in my WLS journey.)
I found 20 women who knew EXACTLY what I was going through, 20 women who had BEEN through what I had gone through, and 20 women who were just as determined as I was to "get it right" this time.
I felt an immediate connection to this diverse group of women, and the sense of community which we built in 3 short days was just short of miraculous. And I found that I learned from everyone else... watching others work through issues enabled me to see my own difficulties from a new perspective (a much kinder one, I might add).
I liked the fact that the people were "real", honest, and had a sense of humor about themselves. We were encouraged to take the time and focus on ourselves for a change.
I met some fantastic new friends.
I recommend this NAWLS Renewal Retreats without hesitation. It is for people who are willing to work at their recovery. I went in not knowing what to expect, but hoping that it would be a good experience. It was life-changing for me. I have already signed up for the next retreat. I see it as an investment in my well-being. A refresher-course in strategies for overcoming food obsession...
I didn't expect to have so much fun!"
-Ory Brown, NY
"Because I am basically 'on track' and not gaining weight, I was hesitant about whether to attend. I found the retreat very informative. It answered some questions I had about nutrition and confirmed my thoughts about the physical aspects of diet and exercise only being one part of the whole. Emotional and relational health plays a huge part in reaching success.
I liked the small number of attendees, which gave the group a safe place to share. Meeting new people and sharing common goals and struggles is priceless.
I thought that having someone there experienced in working with the emotional issues was very crucial. The place was great, everyone was together, and it was a relaxed atmosphere.
I would recommend NAWLS Renewal Retreats to others, because the time apart is always helpful, and gaining other friendships and networking with others is very supportive."
-Julia Holloman, Wilmington, NC
"I wanted to say first what a fabulous weekend this was. I have had two of my friends, my boss, plus my husband comment on how refreshed, rested, and at peace I look. I think the thing I liked the most was the safe place to open up with others who are having the same issues I am, whether it is emotional, physical, or with eating.
Since I had never been to a retreat like this I didn't have any set expectations. But, even if I had they would have been met, because you had thought of everything -- every possible thing that would be needed.
So -- thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your hard work, effort, and thought that went into planning this retreat.
Katie Jay is very warm, caring, and understanding; and she is a wealth of information. She has walked in my shoes. She knows and understands where I have been, where I am, and what may be ahead of me. She knows how to find out answers that I need and shares the tools I need to walk this walk."
-Linda Garner, VA
"My concern about the retreat was the time commitment away from my family, and the cost of the program. I also feared getting out of my safe place and making myself vulnerable to others. As an introvert, I loved that the group and leaders did not force me or anyone to participate who was not ready to participate, yet guided me to do some introspection and self work.
 I experienced unconditional love and acceptance of myself and my struggles on my WLS journey from a group of incredible women who started off as strangers, and became lifelong friends. I got the strength and empowerment to admit that I have a food addiction and cannot continue on the WLS journey alone, and I deserve time for me. I found out that my struggles and fears were similar to many other women who have had WLS. I am not alone on this journey.
I liked the laughing, the sharing, the journaling, the crying, the unconditional love, and acceptance from the group. I learned that I am worth the time to focus on my WLS journey. I learned that I deserve more than bread crumbs when it comes to making time for me in my everyday hectic life.
I would absolutely recommend NAWLS Renewal Retreats to others. The sharing, nurturing and unconditional love and acceptance were incredible. I really felt like it was all about me during the retreat, and I can lose the weight that I have regained after WLS. I wanted to step outside of my comfort level, to acknowledge that I have regained weight, and that I am terrified that I will regain back all my lost weight. The retreat was worth every penny I invested. I have started saving to attend the next retreat in February 2009."
-Sherly Armes-Harding, NC
Seminar Testimonials
“At first, I was hesitant to attend Katie's WLS Rock Star seminar; after all, what could she share with someone that had had WLS 8 years ago and is the coordinator for a bariatric surgery program? I knew everything I needed to know about this surgery, right? WRONG! I lost 220 pounds originally and after about 4 years, I started regaining weight; I actually regained over 100 pounds! I dedicated myself to losing my regained weight and have lost 70 of those dreaded pounds. I learned from Katie that many of my techniques were right on the money, but I also learned several new ideas that are proving most beneficial. She gave practical, insightful advice in a humorous and enjoyable manner; I felt like I was spending time with a very wise friend, and indeed, I was! I left feeling recharged and renewed. Thanks, Katie, for sharing your passion, special knowledge and inspiration! Should you ever have the chance to hear Katie Jay speak, grab that opportunity with both hands and hang on, you're going to learn a tremendous amount and have fun doing so!”
–Patricia Jarrell, RNC, Clinical Manager, Roper St. Francis Bariatric and Metabolic Services, Charleston, SC
"I recently had the privilege of attending one of Katie Jay's Rock Star seminars in Charlotte, NC. Her comfortable and relaxed style seemed especially well-suited towards presenting  information that was very well thought out, but which can also potentially have deep emotional impact on her listeners. Katie is knowledgeable on both technical issues, such as advanced nutrition concepts, and the complex emotional issues that tend to accompany problems of obesity. She is among the very best speakers I have ever heard, especially in being generous with a wealth of information, plus leaving the listener with a genuine warm fuzzy feeling that follows you all the way home. Her sensitivity is remarkable, without being sentimental. Her scientific grounding is impressive. She has the magic triad of a calling, a passion, and thorough knowledge of her subject matter. I consider Katie to be among those rare, gifted individuals who is not just a helper, but a healer."
–J. Paul Shirley, MSW, Co-author of "The Stop Walking on Eggshells Workbook", Greenville, SC
"Katie Jay made a big impact on me when I heard her speak. In fact, I told my friends at the time that her speech and meeting her were worth double the fee for the seminar."
-Roxanne Rouleau, NAWLS Member, Minnesota
"Katie Jay was professional, poised, and extremly knowledgable, and also very approachable. She spoke to us the way you would speak to a good friend -- with candor, understanding, and humor.
I heard more than one person remark that Katie Jay was hands down the very best speaker we've ever had. And I most wholeheartedly agree."
-Monica Silver, Bariatric Patient, Cleveland, OH
Product Testimonials
“When Katie Jay first offered her 30-day program, Weight Loss Surgery Success for Life: 30 Days to Find Peace with Food and Hope for Your Future, I immediately signed up with a friend and couldn't wait to get started. I had been struggling on and off with sugar, and felt that my commitment to my recovery was waning.
I was attracted to the program because it was a 30-day commitment, not too gigantic in my mind and yet a long enough period in which to build some new behaviors. I used the program to develop a morning routine which continues to be part of my recovery nearly a year later.
I remember one assignment was writing down my feelings, day by day. At first I couldn't tell WHAT I was feeling... just blah and tired. So I simply wrote "blah and tired" for several days because that was all I could come up with. Well, wouldn't you know, that within a couple of weeks of doing this, I slowly became more aware of exactly what I was feeling. And this directly led to a HUGE breakthrough I had one evening about the role of anger in my binge-eating.
By starting each day focusing on myself, doing some relaxation, breathing, and some "treasure reading", I was making new "habits" which have helped me through some extremely rough patches. And I plan to do the program again. I saved the materials and they are available anytime I need to kick-start my focus.”
–Ory Brown, NAWLS member, New York, New York
“I am a 4 year postop RNY with great weight loss success early on. Year 3 started my struggles with emotional eating, and I regained 45 pounds. Katie's 30 day program, Weight Loss Surgery Success for Life: 30 Days to Find Peace with Food and Hope for Your Future, took me on a journey of discovery, fun, and focus. I learned a lot about which tools work for me and being willing to try new ideas was key to my success.
Katie's daily emails and videos were a great way to feel connected and keep me on track. I looked forward to getting up early every day to see what her video had to say to me! Katie's enthusiasm, compassion, and understanding was the extra push I needed! Thanks so much for NAWLS and Katie Jay!”
–Terri Sides, NAWLS member, Grand Junction, CO
"Katie's book Small Bites: Daily Inspirations for Weight Loss Surgery Patients is exactly that! I keep it by my bed side and read it every night. I go to sleep and let the daily inspiration whisper to my subconscious during my sleep. I find it very comforting, as well, to have a book written by someone I value and have had the honor of getting to know through phone conferences, her website, and her retreats. Katie has a lot of knowledge and "been there, done that" - she understands. All we have to do is be willing to open the book. That can be the tough part, but the comforting part is knowing that she is there with us and the NAWLS family is as well. If you haven't bought this book, I encourage you to do so, as well as her personal story, Dying to Change: My Really Heavy Life Story, How Weight Loss Surgery Gave Me Hope for Living. They are great books to give to yourself."
-Karen Lewis, NAWLS Member, Knightdale, NC
"I have the books and attended two retreats, and both have given me a new look at my life since WLS. I have been encouraged by both reading of others situations and I have been filled with enthusiasm while attending the retreat. It is always a good thing to spend time or accept wisdom of others that have experienced the same life journey as yourself. I thank God that our lives crossed paths."
-Barb Drollinger, Bariatric Patient, WI
Patient Testimonials
"Katie Jay is profoundly inspirational, because she is a professional who has walked the walk. I highly recommend her products and services to all WLS patients."
-Sherly Armes-Harding, NAWLS Member, North Carolina
Professional Testimonials
"Katie Jay's information is unique and top-notch in quality; plus, she encourages patient compliance and follow-up in an especially sensitive and thought-provoking manner that keeps patients from getting resistant or defensive."
-David Voellinger, MD, FACS
"Katie Jay is a visionary, who is leading the charge to raise awareness and elevate the conversation about how to create reliable patient success and better long-term outcomes."
-Annessa Chumbley, RD, Creator and Owner of Flourish! Nutrition Inspiration
"Katie Jay and NAWLS are invaluable resources for any weight loss surgery patient. Katie understands the unique experiences and needs of the bariatric population on a very deep level. Her materials go beyond the lifestyle changes that are necessary, also focusing on the psychological changes that are essential for true and lasting success. The WLS Stages of Transformation Katie has developed perfectly captures the journey of the weight loss surgery patient. Relatable, compassionate, and extremely knowledgeable, Katie Jay will be an asset to your post-operative program."
-Kelly Broadwater, MA, LPA, LPC, NCC
"For the bariatric patient seeking freedom from their food addictions and/or obsessions, Katie Jay's work and message stand alone. There is no one else in the bariatric industry that is going beyond the behavioral basics and providing information and tools to truly help patients needing to overcome their dysfunctional relationships with food."
-Kendra Kirby Moree, Clinical Social Worker, Southeast Bariatrics, Charlotte, NC
"Katie Jay has taught our bariatric nurses how to approach patients with a depth of sensitivity and understanding I have not seen before."
-Lin Hanley, LCSW, Bariatric Social Worker
"In June 2009 our hospital, Southeast Georgia Health System, invited Katie Jay to present an all day workshop for our weight loss surgery patients. The patients loved it!
They learned additional skills that will assist them with their long term success. They laughed, they “played”, they shared, and most of all, they “connected” with Katie. I cannot say enough positive things about our time with her.
From a coordinator’s perspective, Katie was a pleasure to work with. She was very accommodating to our educational needs by developing the exact program I requested. She was very professional and knowledgeable about her presentation topics. I look forward to working with Katie again in the near future. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions."
-Debra Proulx, Bariatric Manager, RN, BHS, MBA
Coaching Testimonials
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