The TOPS Way to Weight Loss [Paperback]

Howard Rankin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2005

Weight loss is about people, not calories. Too many other books focus on diet and exercise but neglect the personal, relationship, and spiritual factors that are the real keys to successful weight management. Drawing on the inspirational stories of the successful members of the international nonprofit, weight-loss support group Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), the organization’s psychologist, Howard J. Rankin, shows you how to harness your personal power and the power of others to lose weight and keep it off.

Successful weight loss is personal transformation. Dr. Rankin shows you how to mine and maintain your motivation by finding the real meaning in your weight-loss efforts. Extracting key principles from the incredible success stories, the author not only provides practical steps but also shows how they can be implemented in the context of everyday, busy lives. In addition to motivational strategies, easy-to-follow advice is given in the critical areas of self-management, emotional eating, bingeing, adaptive thinking, and temptation management. People don’t lose weight in a social vacuum, they lose weight in the context of their relationships. So, at each step, Dr. Rankin shows how to enhance your program by using one of the most valuable resources available— the power of others.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

English psychologist Rankin asserts that when it comes to losing weight "information and education are valuable, but they're a small piece of the puzzle." Those who want to slim down would do well to follow the tenets of the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) organization, he says, which embrace the emotions involved in weight issues, such as insecurity, fear, hope, self-worth and identity. Although this touchy-feely approach is surely not for everyone-it forces people to thoroughly examine how they perceive themselves and does not delve into specific dietary regimes or exercise plans-it could help those with deep-rooted weight issues. Rankin divides his book into two main sections ("Attitudes" and "Skills") and offers chapters on subjects like self-acceptance, courage, excuses and spirituality, as well as on strengths, such as patience, planning, self-control and setting goals. Contributions from people who have struggled with losing weight lend the book a sobering note that's often absent in weight-loss books.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Howard J. Rankin, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist with an international reputation in the areas of relationships, wellness, and weight loss. A former academic who has written more than 50 scientific papers and edited prestigious, scholarly journals, Rankin has held appointments at the universities of London, Oxford, and South Carolina. He’s been a consultant to the World Health Organization, and he’s the psychological advisor to the international nonprofit weight-loss support group Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS). He has written several books, including Inspired to Lose, ISBN: 0965826147; 7 Steps to Wellness, ISBN: 0965826112; 10 Steps to a Great Relationship, ISBN: 0965826120; and Power Talk: The Art of Effective Communication, ISBN: 0965826139. Rankin’s work has been frequently featured in the print media, and he has appeared many times on radio and television. His pioneering work on temptation management was featured on the ABC newsmagazine 20/20. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Hay House (December 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401901573
• ISBN-13: 978-1401901578
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #808,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read if you aare overweight!, December 15, 2003

By 

Thomas S Seman (Oberlin, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The TOPS Way to Weight Loss (Hardcover)

I have been in TOPS for 6 years, I am below my goal weight and I still love this book. I personally think it should be a "must read" for every TOPS member and anyone who wants to lose weight. Losing weight is simple eat less, and exercise more, Dr. Rankin explaines why we have weight problems. We have to understand ourselves and motivate ourselves to change our lifestyles.
Read this book, change your life, and enjoy all the wellness, fitnesss, happiness, wonderful life that you are entitled too.
Don't ask to borrow my book, I won't lend it out, I will however tell you how to get one on Amazon.com!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Motivation through self-understanding and group support, January 23, 2004

By 

Grace Armstrong (Hanley, SA, CANADA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The TOPS Way to Weight Loss (Hardcover)

This is one of the best books I have ever read, and I do not usually make such a statement. Simply, Dr. Rankin has put years of research into a readable volume helping those who want to lose
weight to understand the attitudes and skills we must have. After two chapters of introduction (essential reading to help us
see that while exercise and diet are important, what is vital is what is happening "between our ears") the rest of the book consists of personal stories to illustrate attitudes such as "resilience" or skills such as "assertiveness". These stories will grip the reader who will be able to relate to many of the struggles illustrated in them. After each story there is a short
summary of the key points on each topic and then a list of
"things to do" - clearly and helpfully put.

Chapter l: The Power of Group Healing covers the vital support the individual can get from being part of a similarly motivated
group, such as TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter 2:
addresses The Motivational Journey. I consider these chapters
brilliant, clear and incisive, yet supportive and empathic.

I highly recommend this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real incentives!, July 9, 2005

By 

C. J. Clark (Hardy, AR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The TOPS Way to Weight Loss (Hardcover)

This book combines real life experiences of overweight/obese people and how they overcame this disease--how they struggled, how they found self-esteem, how they began exercising when they had felt it was impossible, etc. More than just personal diaries, the author tells it like it is--these are the things you must do to lose the weight and here are the skills needed to do it. The part I like the best, is the list of step by step things to do at the end of each chapter, ie. "Whenever you feel an excuse coming on, remind yourself: I'm my only problem, and I'm my only solution. Repeat this mantra every day." p. 69 This book should be read by anyone overweight/obese whether a TOPS member or not. It WILL encourage you in your weight loss program.