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Squeezing Your Size 14 Self Into A Size 6 World: A Real-Woman's Guide To Food, Fitness And Self-Acceptance

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While it is about dieting and weight loss as an attempt to try to fit in to a world that demand a certain body shape for women, that is not the entire purpose of this book. "Squeezing Your Size 14 Self into a Size 6 World" is about trying to fit yourself into other people's ideas of what you should be. The book is about breaking free from the molds you are trying to squeeze into just to satisfy others. Throughout the book Carrie Smith provides a gentle coaching method to get you to start breaking free and living a life true to yourself.

The book starts out by correcting false conceptions of reality - Barbie is not real, most magazine images are fake, don't base your idea of reality on fantasy, don't compare yourself to other women. Of course it does not end there but goes on into other ways that women tend to try to fit into the molds of others. Examples of these include games like the perfection game, reward and punishment, and head games you use to fool yourself into thinking you are healthier than you really are. All the head games are basically things we do to ourselves or that others do to us in order to alter our perception of reality. She concludes the body size section with a simple, yet profound statement. Don't give yourself away to the marketing hype, your true size is the size you were meant to be - the size your body is most happy with. Instead of striving for a size, strive for well-being.

Other suggestions include getting rid of clutter, both physical and mental. Decide what is important and get on with your life. She then turns back to the striving for well-being and discusses using your eating personality to your advantage, choosing a personal trainer, and myths and misunderstandings about exercise, strength training, etc. This is a recommended book for anyone who wants to proclaim independence from the commercial and social entrapments of life and become who they were meant to be. Will it work? I don't know. For many people it is an intense struggle to try to overcome the constant bombardments of the media trying to force you into a mold that will create a regular stream of monetary income for them. This book shines a light onto the correct path, but it is not an easy walk in our current social environment.

It seems there is no end to diet and self-help books -- with most of them not being worth the paper they are printed on. Then there is Squeezing Your Size 14 Self Into A Size 6 World: A Real Woman's Guide To Food, Fitness And Self-Acceptance by Carrie Myers Smith who draws upon her considerable experience and undeniable expertise to create a truly effective and "user friendly" manual that will enable her readers to successfully deal with the kinds of head games and body games that so often derail simple happiness and ordinary satisfaction with our selves. Carrie delivers the keys to successful self-care; shows how to control stress and not let stress be in control; how wellness means uncluttering our lives; how to overcome obstacles to fitness; figure out a fitness plan specifically appropriate for the reader's particular needs; as well as discovering what "eating personality" is ours and how to use it to advantage. Also very highly recommended is the companion title, Carrie Myers Smith's Squeezing Your Size 14 Self Into A Size 6 World Workbook (1891400967, $18.95) complete with exercises and worksheets to create a truly customized personal wellness plan.

"...did you know you have a higher chance of dying from being skinny and sedentary than you do from being overweight and active? It's true." ~Carrie Myers Smith

With all the makeover shows on TV, we already realize it takes a lot of effort to look like a model. Since I tend to be one of those tall people who can't fit into petite clothes no matter how much I weigh, I'm always hunting for longer sleeves and wondering why being taller often forces me to buy clothes that are just too big for me. I had also started to disassociate myself from those who wield photo-capturing devices because I rarely liked how my pictures turned out. Is this because I'm comparing my pictures to pictures on the covers of magazines?

As I viewed the most recent Swimsuit Edition, I did wonder if even men were not longing to view some women with hips or a more comfortable shape. The facts are, most of the models we view are tiny or look sickly in reality. If pictures add pounds, imagine how skinny they really are. Many models (size 2-8) say they feel sick all the time. Why do we all want to look like teenage boys? I don't. I'm proud of my hips and feminine curves.

Carrie Myers Smith is also tired of the Media pushing an unrealistic image on the public and presents a realistic view of the fashion industry. Most of us will never be a size 4 or 6 and the facts are that the average American woman is a size 14. So, this book is definitely needed to show us the reality instead of the fantasy.

There is the fantasy body image and then there is reality. You can be healthy and not be a size 6. If you are tired of quick-fix theories and want to be who you are, then you can read about what is "eating you" instead of what to eat. Topics Include:

Why Diets Don't Work
Living Life on Purpose - Not by Accident
Stress-Savers
Self-Care or Self-Nurturing
Games Other People Play


Carrie talks about the much-needed topic of "Healthy Living Saboteurs." As my husband said, "Those are people who are purposely trying to sabotage your diet." To him I say: "Honey, stop bringing home those boxes of cookies and giant tubs of cashew nuts." OK, I can't eat either of those items, but still I think after reading this book I realized he does tend to bring home all the food I would never buy.

There is also a spiral-bound version of this book or you can download a workbook from the books' site. Each chapter has "Stepping Stones" points for reflection.

Do you need to:

De-clutter your life? Donate Items to Charity?
Develop healthy habits?
Be happier with your body type?
Set realistic goals?
Hire a personal trainer?

So, can you enjoy a few Leonidas chocolate squares and not feel guilty about it? Sure the author isn't presenting a diet plan. She is presenting an "Indi-Fit-ual" Plan. What are you trying to accomplish? There are many ideas for how you can multitask to fit in exercise. I've found I can fold laundry while doing the Walk Away the Pounds workouts, but you could also listen to motivational CDs while on your treadmill or take your pet out for a walk. I was thinking I couldn't go walking with my pets, but then I found a pet stroller for my cats.

Carrie Myers Smith has decided that no one and absolutely nothing is going to get in the way of her self-esteem. So, reading this book gives you a good helping of personal power and creative ideas for implementing her ideas. I loved her "Bringing the Spa Home" section where she talks about creating a sanctuary. Can I just say: "Er'go candles!"

This book could take any woman from tired and frazzled to self-nurturing and in control. It is amazing how much information this book provides in 250 pages. A must-read for every woman in our society who is fed up with being told she has to look like she is starving to death. While I know I'll never be a size 6 I have nothing against airbrushing a picture. I sure hope someone airbrushes the pictures from my last photo shoot. Hee..hee...

Buy this book and then go sit out in the sun, read this book and enjoy life. Life is far too short to worry about being a size 6 when you may always be a size 14. Look into Yoga, Pilates and a walking routine, it helps with the stress of life.

~The Rebecca Review

Finally a book that has a realistic approach to who we are and how we feel about ourselves. The author reveals a very realistic and attainable approach to the health and well-being of women. Thank you Carrie for writing this book! I feel better already!

This book should/could be required reading for ALL women throughout the lifespan! The author, in a clever but straightforward manner, de-myths the impossible images and roles women feel compelled to fulfill. Her unique "coaching" approach can teach anyone how to analyze, cast-off, and adopt a love for her own self: body, mind, and spriit.

This is the first book that I have picked up that totally speaks to all women...and men who are living in our society today! It's an easy read and allows the reader to progress step by step in the battle against the bulge (And our low self-esteem issues!) I loved this book because it did not preach to me that I have to not eat this or that.....(Atkins and South Beach sound familiar?)Please read this book if you want to make real changes in you life with your health! I did!