Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle [Hardcover]

Michelle May (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

Do you regularly deprive yourself, succumb to temptation, feel guilty, and then start the process all over again? If so, you need this book. Dr. Michelle May will guide you out of the food-focused, diet-driven downward spiral that leads you to eat, repent, and repeat. She offers a powerful alternative: stop being afraid of food and start eating mindfully and joyfully.

No more rigid rules, strict exercise regimens, questionable drugs, or food substitutes. This book will soon have you eating the foods you love without fear, without guilt, and without bingeing. Create the healthy, energetic, and vibrant life you deserve.

Called ''the antidote to ineffective dieting,'' Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat is a rare prescription for optimal health of the body, mind, heart, and spirit. After twenty years of yo-yo dieting, physician Michelle May discovered a peaceful, joyful relationship with food. Now Dr. May will show you how to resolve mindless and emotional eating and break free from your eat-repent-repeat cycle.

With uncommon sense and a powerful mind-body approach to healthy living, Dr. May helps you rediscover when, what, and how much to eat without restrictive rules. You'll learn the truth about nutrition and how to stop using exercise to earn the right to eat. You'll finally experience the pleasure of eating the foods you love--without guilt or bingeing.

In down-to-earth language that conveys her compassion for people who are sick of overeating and dieting, Dr. May offers you unconventional strategies for eating fearlessly and mindfully. With your new, powerful patterns of thinking, you ll live the balanced, vibrant life you desire.

Looking for Am I Hungry? What to Do When Diets Don't Work? We are sorry but that book is now out of print and has been replaced by the greatly revised, updated, and expanded new version, Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle. While Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat is based on the same key concepts to guide readers out of yo-yo dieting, it also includes new tools and strategies, new chapters and topics (including head hunger, emotional eating, fearless eating, mindful eating, and mindful exercise), personal stories from Dr. May and her patients, dozens of recipes from Dr. May s husband, Chef Owen, and much more.

Praise for Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat:
''There is much wisdom embedded in this eminently practical book. Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat is a valuable guide for those seeking freedom from struggles with food and dieting.''
--Anita Johnston, PhD, author of Eating in the Light of the Moon, director of 'Ai Pono Eating Disorders Programs

''Throw away all your diet books and replace them with Dr. Michelle May's Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat--it is fabulous, comprehensive, and the last book most dieters will ever need to break free of their dieting cycle.''
--Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD

''Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat gives the recipe for joyous and healthy eating.''
--Joe Scherger, MD, vice president for Primary Care, Eisenhower Medical Center; clinical professor of family medicine, University of California, San Diego

''An increasing number of experts have gotten on the non-diet bandwagon. Dr. May has taken it to a whole new level by creating a simple and compelling mind-heart-body approach that brings pleasure back to eating.''
--Margaret Moore (Coach Meg), founder and CEO, Wellcoaches Corporation

Editorial Reviews

Review

AWARDS
- TIME.com: Top Ten Notable New Diet Books 2010
- 2010 Nautilus Gold Award (Food/Cooking/Nutrition)
- USA Book News: Best Health Book
- Glyph Awards: Best Health/Wellness/Nutrition
- Living Now 2010 Silver Medal Award for Nutrition
- ForeWord Book of the Year: Gold (Body/Mind/Spirit)
- ForeWord Book of the Year: Bronze (Self-Help)
- Benjamin Franklin Award: Best Self-Help --
- Living Now 2010: Silver Medal Award (Nutrition)

About the Author

Michelle May, founder of the award winning Am I Hungry? Workshops, is a physician and recovered yo-yo dieter who shares deep insights and a compassionate, constructive approach to living a vibrant, healthy life. A board-certified family physician with fourteen years of clinical experience, Dr. May has served as President of the Arizona Academy of Family Physicians and the Chairperson for the Americans in Motion wellness initiative for the 93,000-member American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Dr. May cherishes her relationships with her two children, Tyler and Elyse, and her professional chef husband, Owen, with whom she shares a passion for gourmet and healthful cooking.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 405 pages
• Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1608320030
• ISBN-13: 978-1608320035
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #380,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michelle May, M.D., a family physician and recovered yoyo dieter, empowers individuals to break free from yoyo dieting to eat mindfully and live vibrantly. As an inspirational speaker and author, Michelle's passion, insight, and humor stem from her own personal struggle with food.

Dr. May is the founder of the Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating Workshops (www.AmIHungry.com) that guide participants to eat instinctively, end mindless and emotional eating without deprivation and guilt, live a more active lifestyle, and balance eating for enjoyment with eating for nourishment. Winner of the Excellence in Patient Education Innovation Award, she has trained hundreds of health professionals to facilitate Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating Workshops worldwide.

She is the award-winning author of Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle. It was named one of the Top 10 Notable Diet Books for 2010 by Time.com and received seven awards for publishing (including Best Health, Best Nutrition, Best Mind-Body-Spirit, and Best Self-Help book).

Dr. May has been featured on Dr. Oz, the Discovery Health Channel, and Oprah Radio. She has been quoted in CNN Health, Fitness, Health, Parents, Prevention, Self, USA Weekend, US News & World Report, Vim & Vigor, WebMD, Woman's Day, and many more. Her personal success story was published in Chicken Soup for the Dieter's Soul.

Dr. May's shares her compelling message and constructive approach with audiences around the world, conducts corporate wellness workshops, serves as a media spokesperson, and advises organizations about promoting healthy lifestyles.

Michelle must practice what she preaches in order to balance her personal and professional life while maintaining her own optimal health. She cherishes her relationships with her two college-aged children, Tyler and Elyse, regularly enjoys hiking near her home in Phoenix, Arizona, and became a certified yoga instructor in her 40s. She and her husband, Owen, a professional chef, share a passion for gourmet and healthful cooking, recipe development, wine tasting, and traveling.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It IS possible to find healthy eating balance! March 12, 2010

By T. McCollough

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

(review originally posted on my blog, thestretchjeanincident[dot]blogspot[dot]com

Once my binge eating hit in November and continued into January, I was painfully aware (both physically and mentally) that I had a problem and I needed help. Now, yes, seeing a therapist should've been my first move, but as much as I wanted to seek counseling, I simply couldn't (and still can't) afford it. And I'm certainly not ruling it out as an option in the future, but for this particular time in my life, I needed something to guide me through my feelings and help me navigate through the terrible cycle of binging (and sometimes, purging) and into a peaceful, healthy place. I wasn't expecting to be "cured" by a single book either, but I was still desperate for some sort of basic direction. And, eating disorder aside, I also knew I didn't want to count points or calories for the rest of my life. I just wanted to eat like a normal person and not have to constantly freak out over food. I want to, dare I say it, live.

This book has helped me so much, in so many ways, I'm almost out of words. (Almost... I still managed to think up a few.)

Within the first couple of chapters, Dr. May quickly identified 3 eating behavior cycles (Overeating, Restrictive and Instinctive) and how, by taking small but meaningful steps, you can eventually move toward mindful, balanced eating. I personally followed the overeating and restrictive cycles for yeeears, even as I started losing weight.

It was kind of painful to read certain paragraphs sometimes because some of the behaviors she talks about are identical to the ones I've experienced ever since I became aware of my weight as being an issue.... While I'm thankful for dieting as a means of helping me shed 90 pounds, in the end, it really f***ed up my attitude toward and relationship with food.

Within this book, you learn why it's important not to assign "good" or "bad" labels to certain foods, how & why obsessively tracking every last calorie or point can actually backfire (which it totally did, in my experience) and why you should never "punish" yourself or earn the right to eat certain foods by exercising (guilty as charged, once again).

After getting schooled on how dieting screwed up my eating behaviors, Dr. May then walked me through how to eat more instinctively and mindfully. She explains how to reconnect with your natural hunger cues so that you only eat when you're hungry (mind-blowing, eh?) and when you do eat, you eat foods that both bring you pleasure and nourishment so you're left completely satisfied.

She also talks about fitness and why you should pursue it for the points of bettering your health and feeling good, not out of guilt for eating food.

I had so many "duh!" moments as I read this book. Everything Dr. May says about how and why you should eat and exercise is pretty simple, but it also made so much sense, which is why I found this book so comforting AND empowering. EWYL makes it perfectly clear that you don't have to struggle with food. You can eat and live a balanced, healthy, fulfilling life, without guilt or self-induced pressure.

The last few chapters are designed for people who are more or less clueless about what kind of healthy foods to eat and how to start exercising, so I pretty much skimmed through those parts. She then closes the book with a ton of great recipes (her husband is a spa chef, so there ya go).

Love, love, love this book. And glad I actually purchased it instead of checking it out at the library. There are so many "Mindful Moment" tips throughout the book that I made note of, for future reference. Like I said before, I am in no way "cured" by this book, so I feel good knowing that I can re-read certain paragraphs in the future whenever I start to doubt myself and feel anxious about eating.

After reading this book, I've no doubt changed my tune about what it means to live a healthy lifestyle. While I preached for years (over 2, literally) about calories this and Weight Watchers Points that, I feel so liberated in giving those concepts the middle finger now, for the most part. Now, I know there are people who read this blog who are in fact tracking calories and/or points in order to meet and manage their weight goals, so please don't take this as a personal attack. I don't mean to offend and I certainly don't intend to dissuade you from your current process of weight-loss/management.

As long as you feel your current approach to eating and fitness is balanced and healthy (and not stressing you out or causing unhealthy behaviors), by all means, keep it up!

Am I thankful for Weight Watchers and calorie counting for helping me lose all of that weight? Of course! Doing so changed my life.

But after reaching that long built-up "goal," I quickly became overwhelmed. "Can I be more 'free' to eat 'bad' foods more often? Do I still need to track this? Do I still have to work out extra hard to eat that? Can I just eat whatever I want?"

While WW is quick to say that their program is not a diet and is indeed a lifestyle change, I was starting to find that despite what I said 90 pounds ago, I can't (and simply don't want to) count points for the rest of my life. But I still want to be healthy. EWYL showed me that there is indeed a middle-ground.

"Yeah right, Tam. You're just using this book as an excuse to eat junk and not feel guilty about it." Did I at first? Yeah, maybe a little bit. But as I read on, I realized that that's soooo not the goal of the book at all. And really, it doesn't take long to feel the effects of eating not-so-nutritious food. I don't feel like I have to eat healthier foods. I'm in a place now where I truly enjoy them; eating better leaves me feeling better. But am I going to lash myself, verbally, mentally and physically next time I have a piece of not-so-nutritious cake? Heck no! One of my favorite Mindful Moments (out of like, 30):

"When you are free to eat whatever you want, food quickly loses its power over you. You are able to eat anything, without eating everything."

One of Dr. May's main messages is learning how to be in charge, not simply "in control." It's a message that resonates throughout the whole book and I'm happy to say that I'm finally learning what it means (and feels like).

So, do I recommend this book? Well, of course I want to say, "YES! YES! YES! EVERYONE READ THIS BOOK!" but I know that it is indeed not for everyone. But if you feel that you might be caught in an eating and/or exercise cycle that is constantly leaving stressed, guilty and/or hungry, I would definitely invite you to at least check out the EWYL Blog and even download the book's first chapter (PDF). If you feel an immediate connection with the material (*raises hand*), either head to the library or make your way to Amazon.

When I first sought out support for my binge eating, the results were a bit overwhelming. And there are indeed a ton of other books out there on similar subjects, so I'm glad I found this one. Dr. May's tone didn't intimidate or annoy me, which was something I expected for some silly reason. She doesn't get overly preachy or contradictory; she simply speaks from her own experience (as well as the experiences from others) and provides you with simple, truthful knowledge aimed at giving you what you need most: help and support.

Thank you, Dr. May. If this book helped me, I'm confident that it's helped others and will continue to do so. Read more ›

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Death of Dieting! November 15, 2009

By John Corso

Format:Hardcover

As a practicing physician myself, I may mention a new health book or product to my patients if I think it might be useful for them. However Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat is actually featured prominently in my waiting room and I have personally introduced it to each and every patient.

Dr May's book about maintaining healthy weight actually breaks new ground for this age old problem and anyone who struggles with weight / eating issues, or lives with someone who does should check it out. My wife and I had the chance to read and review it last spring during its publication and we both agree it is probably the most effective book on the subject we have ever seen. We used the principles ourselves this past summer with terrific results.

Dr. May evidently struggled with overeating for many years and by making a thorough understanding of overeating her life's work, it seems she has managed to address just about every psychological aspect of the problem from first hand experience. And she has been at her ideal weight for well over a decade.

I thought her first book, Am I Hungry?, was a fine work with good ideas and a novel approach to the problem. But Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat is her masterpiece. It is comprehensive, leaving no style or aspect of overeating out. Best of all, there is absolutely no dieting or hunger with her methods. That's not to say it's easy. It isn't. But it IS NOT PAINFUL.

The fact is, this book will really help a percentage of readers (i.e. my own patients) maintain a healthier weight and that, more than any drug or other treatment I could give them, will have the most profound effect on their health and longevity.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to finally reset your thinking about eating, read this book! November 23, 2009

By Dave Ficks

Format:Hardcover

Never in the many years I have spent bemoaning my weight, fitness level and eating habits have I ever been presented with any written material that really helped me understand -- and transform -- what is going on with me until now. Do not be fooled into thinking that the concept "Am I hungry" is a simplistic approach to weight management. Many of us have spent the better part of our lives confused about what being hungry is, and "fulfilling" our hunger with mindless eating. Being "hungry" has been confused with being stressed, being sad, being angry, even being bored. If you want to discover how to truly identify and positively respond to physical hunger, and simultaneously learn how to identify and respond to the times it may seem we are hungry but are really in need of something else, READ THIS BOOK. If you want to have your "problem with eating" transformed from a seemingly un-winnable battle into a consistent daily victory, READ THIS BOOK! Best of all, if you love food like me, you will love it EVEN MORE after you have completed Dr. May's book. Life-changing is the best way to describe this book, but the most amazing aspect of that change is how quickly it can be made after reading (even while reading) -- it is literally like a key to a door that I've never opened -- but always wanted to -- was simply handed to me. Happily, the door remains open for me to explore the high energy, guilt free, amazing world that lies beyond. Read this book and open your own door -- you will be so glad you did!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The END to looking for a miracle diet/pill! September 18, 2010

By overjoyed

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Before I begin this review I want it to be known that I am 38 years old and I have been fighting the same battle with my weight for, it seems, all of those 38 years. I have successfully lost countless pounds and put them back on. Before I stumbled on this book I had virtually given up the fight and resigned myself to being fat for the rest of my life. Before reading this book I wouldn't have thought it possible to be around food and not be full of stress and anxiety. I didn't think I'd ever get to a point where I could just listen to my body and stop eating when I was full. I grew up believing that my sweet tooth was untamable and that as long as Snicker bars were still being made that I would never be able to lose weight and keep it off. Dr. May has taught me, in the simplest terms I have ever read, so much about being in charge of and trusting myself. Oprah had me convinced that reading Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything would revolutionize my behavior with regard to food and while it was a good read, I wasn't a changed woman after I read it. The 1st 30 pages of this book literally changed my life. I was a changed person by the very next meal because I started listening to my body and I was surprised to learn that it took me almost 36 hours to get hungry again. I have been listening to my body ever since and can't imagine living and eating any other way. I believe every person who has ever considered a drastic surgical procedure, extreme diet or any diet for that matter needs to read this book. Trust me I have tried every diet and have considered having surgery to win this battle and for the 1st time in my life I know its not necessary for me to get to a healthy weight.... This book has given me the knowledge, courage and confidence to eat what I love and love what I eat and I am forever grateful. 2 1/2 months after reading it I am 21 pounds lighter because I have learned to use food as fuel and found many ways that I enjoy to use/burn that fuel. My life with food has never been better. Read more ›