Why Weight? A Guide to Ending Compulsive Eating

If you have gone beyond complaining about being overweight or wondering why you eat more than you want to, this can be a valuable tool for you. It has many exercises to help you unravel the Gordian knot most of us have about eating. I'm about two-thirds through the book (and am on exercise #70) but have already had shifts and improvements in my eating.Every book by Geneen Roth is well written and enjoyable, but know that just reading this particular one without doing the exercises will not do that much for you. But if you're willing to put the time and effort into the exercises, a lot of your eating behavior will become clear. With the clarity comes a new degree of choice about what to eat and how much and when (versus compulsion or automatic, mindless eating). Please note that this is not a magic wand, making things (even with a sudden insight) change. Some simple behaviors are suggested but still unobtainable by me, but some things have shifted, and for that I am grateful to Geneen Roth and this book of hers.Let me give you some personal examples. I am still unfocused while eating (the TV or computer is on, for example) but some foods I seemed to shovel down are no longer a problem. The book has helped me discover why certain foods used to trigger me to eat irrationally (pizza, ice cream, and cookies due, in my case, to childhood associations of these foods with family and love). I used to resist buying any of these, but I did succumb every now and then. And then I'd almost always wind up devouring the entire package (regardless of size) within hours, even if I had told myself THIS time I'd eat only a portion. I never really enjoyed the foods while eating them but somehow found myself dipping in again and again until the container was empty.The exericse helped defuse the compulsion by helping me identify the assocation and helping me realize that it's the feelings and not the food itself I actually I want. (This still amazes me and it's now about two months since I had the insight and things shifted.) Now I can walk down the frozen food aisle of the supermarket, notice an incredible sale on ice cream or frozen pizza and not even open the freezer door. Since doing the exercise, a few times I've stopped at a pizzeria for a slice. Although the pizza itself is much better than the frozen, the longing/compulsion has vanished. Last night I was offered a bowl of ice cream at a friend's house. I paused and almost declined. I had a small bowl and (again, to my surprise) found I felt satisfied (versus my former response of wanting to sneak a second bowl, too). As for cookies, I still like them. The difference is now buy a three or four at a bakery occasionally and feel satisfied and happy. (Before using the book I'd occasionally buy a bag in the supermarket, invariably eat more than I intended to and then feel bad emotionally and physically).This book can deliver results in terms of giving you tools and insights and the power to change formerly baffling behaviors, but only if you do the work.

I won't lie to you, I used to be in great shape, but I had some emotionally difficult years and managed to pack on about sixty pounds. Yes, they call it "emotional eating." And here I thought I was just stuffing my face, because I fattened up like a prize heifer at the state fair, and since my "bulking up" stage I've only managed to drop about ten pounds. Recently I've realized that dieting had nothing to do with me being in great shape before I got all husky, so I've been trying to figure out what my real issues are. And whoa, self discovery can be a one way ticket onto the crazy bus, let me tell you. A girl wants to be able to understand why she would sit down and eat two original chicken sandwiches (with cheese) from burger king and then chase that with fries and a whopper jr... but these are tricky tricky questions, people. Sometimes a gal needs a little direction from an outsider I guess. Lo and behold, that's where this workbook comes in!!This workbook is massively useful, and I have already recommended it to a couple of people I know with compulsive eating issues. If you want to get to the core of your weight issues I suggest purchasing a copy of this book. If you prefer to yo-yo diet and spend time at home alone with Ben and Jerry on the sly, then perhaps this book isn't for you. What Geneen Roth offers in this book are 87 exercises that will help you rethink who you are, what you are all about, and why you feel the need to keep yourself stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey. And don't worry, these are writing exercises so you can stay plopped in a chair the whole time.I'm not even halfway through the book, and I am experiencing major life changes. This book WILL help you deal with issues that you might not want to deal with. You know, the kinds of issues that you try to avoid dealing with by overeating.My only other advice to those considering the purchase of this book is that since it is mostly a workbook you might want to consider pairing it up with another one of Roth's books. I liked "When You Eat At The Refrigerator, Pull Up A Chair." I happen to be completing the workbook while reading "Half-Assed A Weight Loss Memoir" by Jennette Fulda. The combination is pretty satisfying for me. If you are a younger person, or are very crafty and creative, I would also recommend "Our Lady Of Weight Loss" and "All Is Forgiven Move On" by Janice Taylor.As you may have noticed, I have been doing a lot of "weight loss self help reading" in the last couple of weeks.

A couple of pages had been written on but nothing that a little tippex didn’t fix

Check out all of her books you won't be disappointed!

Gd book, unfortunately pages 17-48 are missing!

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With a blend of love, wit and concrete information on why we eat our feelings, this workbook will escort you to the paths you desire to travel emotionally but might be too fearful to do so on your own accord. I love everything this author births to the world!