I am convinced that somewhere in this blog is a post with the very same title because I was recommending Valerie Frankel's new book, Thin Is The New Happy months and months ago. Of course, as with Eat, Pray, Love, I hadn't actually read it when passing on the details. Instead, I had heard about it and thought, 'that sounds interesting' but not actually opened it.
Well, something must have been clicking with me since I returned home - after living away for most of the year - and I am finally reading all the things I recommended.
I have just finished Valerie Frankel's memoir and I can thoroughly, thoroughly recommend it. There's so much in there - I won't spoil the read for you - but since this blog is about achieving smaller dimensions, there are a couple of paragraphs that jumped out at me.
After years of dieting, the author decides to stop. To see what happens.
"As far as I was concerned, my theory was now proven fact. Excess weight was the physical accumulation of past hurts, insults, disappointments, and resentments that, once released from the mind and soul, were freed from the body. I'd purged big-time. The ancient anger, blame and shame were out of my system. In their place was a glut of self-awareness. I was convinced that any woman - and I do mean any - could melt down to her genetically predetermined true weight by (1) stopping dieting today, (2) silencing her negative inner voice, (3) forgiving everyone who'd contributed to her forming a bad body image, and (4) working out four times a week."
This really chimes with me. So much of it makes sense. I am not brave enough to ditch dieting per se. Just yet. What I do know, however, is that my relationship with food is still pretty unhealthy and I'm eating for all the wrong (emotional) reasons.
Ms Frankel's life experiences mean that she had plenty of reasons (excuses) to comfort eat and/or binge. But she has finally worked out what works for her.
Read the book. I think you'll like it. I loved it. I loved her honesty. Her humour. And her lust for life. In spite of what life threw at her.
Enjoy, friends, enjoy. And you can also check out her website, Valerie Frankel's Palace of Love.
"Silencing the negative inner voice"... I'm still looking for the Off button for mine ;)
Posted by: Account Deleted | September 02, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Okay, that's it - I'm getting on Amazon next chance I get!! Think I need to keep thinking and challenging myself or the old chimp will swoop in with a mega dose of complacency!!
Thansk for the tips Mrs!
Lesley x
Posted by: Lesley | September 02, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Oh I totally agree with this. It's all about your head.
Posted by: Coley | September 03, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Matos I see you are a reading demon. Loving this recommendation but choke at number 4: working out four times a week...really??? I know it makes sense...LOL PorkchopX
Posted by: Porkchop | September 04, 2009 at 08:58 PM
The sounds as if it is basically the same premise as The Only Diet There Is written by Sondra Ray in 1980.
Posted by: Patrick Doolan | September 07, 2009 at 11:09 PM