Appetite for Life: Inspiring Stories of Recovery from Anorexia, Bulimia, and Compulsive Overeating [Paperback]

Margie Ryerson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 22, 2005

“Appetite for Life is a breakthrough in the field of eating disorders and for those who suffer from them. Through real-life stories of inspiration and recovery, Margie Ryerson’s fresh, effective approach proves that it is possible to triumph over eating disorders and live a healthy, happy life. Not only will I use Margie’s powerful examples in my own practice, I will also recommend her book to all my clients, their families, and all the eating disorder professionals I know.”
—Debra Waterhouse MPH, RD, best-selling author of Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell and Outsmarting the Mother/Daughter Food Trap

Appetite for Life shares the true stories of healing and hope from seven survivors of eating disorders and chronicles their journeys toward health and inner peace.

Author Margie Ryerson, a marriage and family therapist, brings over twenty years of professional experience in helping individuals and their families recover from the devastation of anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating. Helpful topics include:

• What to do if you or someone you love has an eating disorder
• How to overcome guilt and shame
• How to find the best treatment and support

Appetite for Life offers compassion, support, and practical advice not only to those who suffer from eating disorders, but also to their loved ones.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Margie Ryerson, MS, MFT, is a California marriage and family therapist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. She has written for professional journals and newspapers, and has lectured widely in her field.

Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (July 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059534755X
• ISBN-13: 978-0595347551
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #539,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Margie Ryerson grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from George Washington University and received a master's degree in counseling from Loyola College. After moving to California she became licensed as a marriage and family therapist and has had a private practice for over twenty years. In addition, Ms. Ryerson has been a newspaper columnist for the Contra Costa Times and currently for the Lamorinda Weekly News. She has taught classes and workshops for couples for many years. She is married with two grown daughters and a Labradoodle named Nelson. Nelson provides comic relief and puppy energy, as well as unexpected life lessons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart, Hope and really good information...., August 7, 2005

By 

L.McCallister (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Appetite for Life: Inspiring Stories of Recovery from Anorexia, Bulimia, and Compulsive Overeating (Paperback)

Having gone through my own recovery from compulsive overeating, I have found that books on this topic have often been either over-simplified and condescending, or complex and intimidating. Personal memoirs have been either overly dramatic and maudlin, or saccharinly sweet. Ryerson's compilation of stories is refreshingly free of all of these extremes. She adds clear prose and heartful insights to her clients' stories, so that the book reflects a tone of partnership, the kind of thing all of us could use when grappling with this topic: We're not alone, even when we might feel alone. "Appetite for Life" did indeed inspire me - to keep on keeping on with my recovery, and in the process, I was moved to tears, smiles and some of my own insights about myself. This is the kind of book that would be great to read even if you're not a recovering addict - but want to be informed, and read some plain-ole-good stories while doing so. And what a gift this book will be for friends and family members still struggling.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A decent overview of eating disorders, November 3, 2006

By 

Josh Havassy (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Appetite for Life: Inspiring Stories of Recovery from Anorexia, Bulimia, and Compulsive Overeating (Paperback)

As an eating disorder counselor, I've worked with over two thousand women with eating disorders at an inpatient treatment facility. This book gives a good overview of what an eating disorder is, what it can do to a life, and the great changes that come with recovery. But it is just that, an overview. Because the stories are short, they cannot paint a deep picture of who these people (in the book) are, or the true self-destructive nature of eating disorders. This book is inspiring in that you will read about several people who have made significant changes in their lives for the better, but you will not come away with a particularly deep understanding of the diseases. This is a good book to read if you are hopeless about your own eating disorder, but not if you want to learn about eating disorders overall.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Approach, October 3, 2005

By 

Melissa Carlson (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Appetite for Life: Inspiring Stories of Recovery from Anorexia, Bulimia, and Compulsive Overeating (Paperback)

I was very impressed with this book. I found that I could not even put it down! There is something wonderful about reading a book that focuses on people's lives and how they overcame terrible situations. "Appetite for Life" approaches eating disorders from a different angle, and I have already told all my friends, especially those with young daughters, to read it!