Customer Reviews

Life Inside the "Thin" Cage: A Personal Look into the Hidden World of the Chronic Dieter

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Although estimates vary across studies, eating disorders are disturbingly common. Even more common than Anorexia and Bulimia, however, are a spectrum of problems which fail to reach certain diagnostic thresholds called Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). These disorders are rarely diagnosed and, consequently, are very infrequently treated. To the millions of people who suffer from so-called sub-clinical eating disorders, however, their impact is very significant.

In her work, Life Inside the "Thin" Cage, Constance Rhodes writes with transparency and disarming honesty about her own long struggle with EDNOS and bolsters her message with contemporary examples and insights derived from recent research. As a clinical psychologist, I find her tale to be familiar (and ultimately heartening) - the story of a driven, achievement-oriented, young woman on a quest for perfection who equates her value with the way she looks. Through a variety of events, she comes to the realization that she has a problem and ultimately succeeds in altering her orientation toward life (and toward food). In the process, she becomes increasingly balanced, healthy, and whole. She gently suggests that the transformation she has experienced is available to others and offers what I believe is a very helpful framework for a journey toward health. Importantly, she does not make unrealistic promises and (in contrast to many self-help books) does not offer a "quick-fix" but rather conveys the message that change is often a slow process, and a painful one at that.

I am an enthusiastic fan of Life Inside the "Thin" Cage and believe it raises awareness of a very significant problem while also offering words of hope and healing. It is a very important resource that deserves to be read widely and that can serve as a reliable guide for individuals interested in engaging in meaningful change and in finding freedom from unhealthy relationships both with food and with their own bodies.

I happened upon this book by 'chance' (in other words, the hand of God, in my opinion) and when I read the back, a tear trickled down my face.

Having been overweight much of my life and now being a chronic dieter, I could resonate with Constance's words - I think those thoughts she expressed. I don't fit the DSM-IV diagnoses for bulimia or anorexia. I'm 'different'. She is so right - there is a constant battle going on in my mind regarding weight, eating, and exercising. I am addicted to food AND exercising. It governs my every waking thought and even governs my day and how I spend my time. It's insane, I know. Finding balance is something I am working on. The sad thing? Losing weight DEFINITELY changed my life (I lost 70 lbs) and people DO treat you differently (I've never been treated better than I have in the the years since I lost weight). So, it's hard not to be addicted to dieting when the results are so positive. But are they healthy? That is something I am working out. Thank you, Constance, for speaking what I feel!!!!

for those of you wondering if we need another book which explores the world of dieting, weight-issues, and body image, let me offer this as a preface to my review: yes. and _life inside the thin cage_ is that book.

constance rhodes has put together a coherent, thoughtful pilgrimage into the inner sanctum of universal disordered thought and behavior. she brings to light questions that many of us are not brave enough to ask on our own; questions that reach past the removed, clinical approach to various eating disorders, and bring us into the deeper issues of authentic and holistic self-care.

_thin cage_ is a balance between rhodes' own history (she is never self-flattering, but very real about the messy road to healing), and well-researched exploration of the current cultural climate as it relates to sub-clinical eating disorders.
interspersed are fantastic, helpful quotes, ranging from shakepeare to "cindy, forty-seven-year-old wife and mother".

this book is easy to read: it is clearly outlined; its format is conducive to workshop use, as well as personal use.

overall, my experience of _life inside the thin cage_ was one of exhale: i am not anorexic. i am not bulimic. however, i know that i do not treat my body well, and i have never thought that anyone could put into words my own private battles. this book has given me a vocabulary for my disordered behavior and thought, but moreso a vocabulary of the possibility of wholeness.

i would recommend this book to anyone, male or female, who has ever wanted to honestly consider the effects of such constant voices as pop culture, media, and family on their thought processes, self-perception, and behavior.

We can draw on the stories of others to find our way out. Constance manages to talk openly about her struggle with a sub clinical ED which allows the reader to find shelter and acceptance. Fellow sub ED journeymen will realize they are not alone and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I believe her willingness to be vulnerable and create a public medium for sub clinical ED materialwill spur an increase in hope and help. The frustrating reality of our weight, our identity our ability to feel at "peace" with living is exhausting. When you read the pages of the "Thin" Cage a framework is given to your experience--you will recognize your behavior, your feelings, your habits, your rituals. And then you will realize you too want Balance. Constances' material will help you find the path to balance. Good reading!

Constance digs deep in her work...which affects nearly everyone at some point in their life (if we were to be honest). From the anorexic to the severely [overweight]...wishing our bodies were something else is the norm and our world can often revolve around it. This book is a great book of encouragement and sound advice from a clinical standpoint. I'd highly recommend it to anyone!

If you are looking for a book that will give you insight into the heart and mind of someone struggling with an eating disorder then read this book. It is insightful, honest and heartfelt. It contains practical advice on analyzing your eating patterns, behaviors and thoughts that can begin to help a person struggling with an eating disorder to start down the road toward recovery and healing. The author challenges the reader to take a deep look inside and get to the heart of the matter, which is our own self image. And not just how we see ourselves but how we think others see us too. I recommend it for anyone who is wrestling with any type of eating disorder. You won't be disappointed.

Life Inside The Thin Cage" is a painfull but eye opening view into the twisted world of chronic dieting and hating our bodies to the point that we are hurting ourselves. Every woman should read this book. I promise when you start to read this book you wont be able to put it down. A must read for women! im greatfull i found this book. I have a much deeper understanding of what it really means to be a chronic dieter.
When i first heard the words eating disorder, the first thing that comes to my mind is anorexic or bulimic, When i see someone always worrying about their weight or have heard someone say "im on a diet" you rarely think that this person could have a problem because hearing those words "im on a diet" is so common, most dont give it a second thought. Hearing women worry over carbs/calories/exercise/fat grams etc.. is sadly perfectly normal. It wasnt untill i read this book that i began to realize that chronic dieting is too a disorder, if we dont see someone who is grossly underweight we assume they are fine, there just on a diet! Im glad i read this book. It was a wake up call for me as well as the others i shared this book with.

What a marvelous resource - while I am a male reader I needed to understand women my sons will date, women in our family trapped in this cage like my niece, my sister, my cousin. Powerful and honest. Thank YOU Constance for this excellent title.

"Life Inside the "Thin" Cage" is a well-written and helpful book for women and men who are dissatisfied with their bodies (specifically those who "feel fat").

I don't think I've ever done a diet in my life. I simply try to eat a moderate amount and eat a large variety of foods. However, I read a different book that briefly touched on eating disorders (including sub-clinical ones) which included the "I just watch what I eat" quote from this book as well as a recommendation for it. Since I'd say "I just watch what I eat," too, I began to wonder what the difference was between me and someone with a problem, so I got this book.

I agree that it's excellent. It reinforced my contentment with how I look, and I suspect it would be very helpful for anyone who struggles with "feeling fat," who's stuck in a constant cycle of dieting, and/or who has set rules when it comes to eating.

The book had five parts. Part One explained what was meant by "chronic dieting" and "disordered eating." It explored some motivations for chronic dieting as well as self-tests and questions to help the reader identify if they have a problem. She also listed the signs of health problems caused by disordered eating.

Part Two explored the factors that lead to chronic dieting and disordered eating. Part Three explained what keeps people trapped in chronic dieting and helps the reader to identify things that trigger the desire to diet. Part Four gave the reader truths to replace the lies that trap them in disordered eating habits. Part Five gave steps to help the reader break free from chronic dieting and disordered eating.

Throughout the book, author openly shared her struggles with chronic dieting and also shared stories from many others. She also included medical information about disordered eating. The book was easy to understand, encouraging, and practical. Overall, I'd highly recommend it to anyone dealing with "I feel fat" and eating issues.

Reviewed by Debbie from Different Time, Different Place book reviews
(differenttimedifferentplace. blogspot. com)

I've read several books trying to figure myself out. Most people with EDNOS feel like nobody will ever understand what they are going through, when in fact there are thousands of us out there. I've Googled time after time trying to find out if "dieting" is addictive. I came across this book, and it spoke straight to me. I'm a dabbling binger, I am partly anorexic, and most of all I am a cronic dieter. She shares the steps it took her to recover from cronic dieting, and that you can heal in time. Very informative and helped me realize what friends I had that helped me stay trapped inside my own thin cage. I suggest every friend or family member with someone suffering from over dieting to read this book.

5 stars.