13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable read!, April 13, 2009
A weight loss book that doesn't offer to change your life in a month? Seriously? In America?
What I liked most about this book is that it takes the long view. The point is to bring your life into balance by changing your lifestyle generally, including diet and attitude. It doesn't offer quick fixes, and Mr. Bussell repeatedly reminds the reader there isn't really any such thing.
Indeed, it's quite possible to read this book as cultural criticism. Why does dairy have so much power in the US? Why do we eat so much meat? Why are we the single culture that loves to ice our drinks?
Money drives much of our culture. There is money to be made in creating problems. Then money is made with promises to fix the problems. Many of the book's better points are made when the author looks at American culture through the lens of Chinese thinking. You don't have to be interested in weight loss to find the conclusions compelling.
Essentially, America is a young nation, and our culture is based on young ideas. We're excited by excess, and we're continually reeling from one new trend to the next, while older countries look on: sometimes in amusement, sometimes in horror.
What does this have to do with why you're fat? The author asks that you give the question some honest thought. Think about the typical commercial for an antacid that promises you can continue to eat fried food because their product blocks the pain signals your body is sending you. Isn't that typically American to be told, "You shouldn't adapt your diet! Why take care of yourself when you can have more french fries!?"
Does that really make sense to you? It may *appeal* to you, but is it advice you'd give someone you care about?
The book is written in a conversational style that's pleasant. There are instructions, of course, but the author doesn't nag. Instead, we're reminded to take the long view of everything, including diet. Dump the microwave and the fast food, and take control of your life by relaxing, getting enough sleep, and eating real food.
Bussell encourages making small changes for the better now, because even if you backslide, over time your progress will snowball into a better quality of life. It's nice to hear that relaxed, longer time-horizon message. It's a calming counterpoint to a culture that pushes the new and the now. Perfection, if it comes, is never quick. Relax, get in balance, and develop healthier habits. Weight loss will follow in time. If this sounds interesting to you, then buy this book.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great intro to Asian dietary concepts, January 2, 2010
I have read the book "The Tao of Healthy Eating," and lost about >30 lbs gradually over the past year following principles of the Asian diet. I am of Asian descent, so it wasn't very difficult. When an assistant at work wanted to know about my diet, I looked for a book that was easy to read and understand for someone who didn't grow up with the Asian diet, and didn't already understand the concepts of hot/cooling foods, damp, qi, etc. I found this book and read it myself before recommending it to her and my patients. I found this book a quick and easy read. It serves as a very nice intro to Asian dietary therapy. I'd suggest reading "The Tao of Healthy Eating" and "Healing with Whole Foods" for more detail.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simple advice to getting healthy, May 13, 2009
Mr. Bussell has written a very informative book on how to get healthy. We have all heard the studies about different food items and needing less stress, but this book pulls it all together. Everything in the book makes sense and when you compare the average american to the asian culture we are extremely unhealthy. This book has helped me look at my priorities and find a healthier balance in my life. I have had many stressful jobs and in result have made poor choices in food and other areas. Mr. Bussell helped me realize that I can make the needed changes and how to do that. This is not a quick fix to stress or weight loss, but instead a guide to how to live the healthier life. I plan to keep this book handy for rereading and references as I get my life back in balance.
If you are looking for a quick fix then this is not the book for you, but if you are looking for a lifelong fix then I highly recommend this.
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