Customer Reviews

I Wish I Were Thin, I Wish I Were Fat: The Real Reasons We Overeat and What We Can Do About It

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I read the entire book in one day it was really interesting how almost all eating disorders are about control, even overeating. It breaks the stereotype that all overweight people are out of control and lazy. It shows how food just like any other substance can be abused in the quest to avoid dealing with emotional problems. My only complaint is how the author gets a little too Freudian in my opinion. Some of the chapters dealing with Oedopus complex are way off the mark and are a throwback to old school psychology. Needed more elaborate case studies with long term results instead of little paragraphs here and there.

Anyone who reads Michelle Joy Levine's "I Wish I Were Thin, I Wish I Were Fat," will not find a book filled with recipes and diet tips. Levine's approach is to give the reader the tools to work on his or her "inner self". Working on the "outer self" comes later. Are you interested in the dynamics of what makes you overeat in the first place? Do you believe that psychological reasons underlie your desire to remain obese? Some people believe that obesity is purely genetic and has no psychological component. I am open to the idea that it is possible to have an unconscious wish to remain obese because of unresolved psychological problems. Levine's book is well-written and clear. She describes various scenarios in the form of mini-case studies to show how people sabotage their weight-loss efforts as a result of emotional conflicts dating from childhood. For instance, a person who never separated emotionally from his mother may crave the nurturing that he misses now that he is an adult. Food often equals nurturing to our subconscious minds. Sometimes, a woman who fears getting close to a man may remain obese to avoid intimacy. Obviously, no one can be sure that by reading this book, he or she will be able to lose weight. However, I think that Levine offers "food for thought" that may be helpful for those who want to get in closer touch with their "inner selves".

I just finished reading I Wish I Were Thin- I Wish I Were Fat! Thank God for Michelle Joy Levine! Her insight into the problems of why we overeat is truly a lesson in self-awareness. I feel as though I can begin to deal with my eating disorder in an informed, sensible way . I am grateful for Ms. Levine's ability to write in a most fluent manner. With her help,I look forward to my challenge with hope and excitement. I feel certain that everyone who reads this book will come away with the tools for self-help. Diane Fero

I kept turning the pages looking for help in my addiction. But, every story written, or explaination given seemed to place the root of the blame on relationships with ones mother. I didn't find this to be a constructive way of looking at the problem, or finding a solution.

"Yadda-Yadda" diet advice, but interesting exploration of the causes of our eating patterns. I am grateful for discovering how much I grieve for the lack of and crave intimacy with my Mom. I feel freer to deal with habits, and freer to get into real time with food and feelings. No miracles, but helpful.

This book is simply amazing. I do believe that you have to be ready to lose weight before you read the book. Not everyone is ready to understand themselves and is ready for the life changes that one must undertake to lose weight. I've lost 81 pounds and my life has been changed forever.

There's something about this book that just clicked. I have a background in counseling, but sometimes you can't fix yourself... After reading this book, somehow the quest for weightloss became easier....unburdened by the ghosts of my old ways of being.

I ALSO GREW UP IN A HOUSE WITH AN OBEASE MOTHER. EVERYTHING REVOLVED AROUND FOOD . DR LEVINE'S BOOK MADE ME REALIZE THAT I WAS EATING JUST TO REWARD MYSELF.I HAVE TAKEN DR LEVINE'S ADVISE AND AM ON MY WAY TO LOSING 40 LBS AND A MORE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

I had high hopes for the book since the premise was that if you have an eating problem, you either want to stay fat or are afraid of becoming thin. Makes sense. Then I got into the book.

The book is taken straight from Sigmund Freud. First thing is that, if you have an eating problem, you are trying to recapture the infantile bliss of being fed by your mother. Then your transitional object failed you. Then you are angry because your mother made you poop in the potty instead of your diaper. Then you secretly are jealous of your mother (if you are a woman), want to sleep with your father, and have his baby.

I kid you not. The people the author quotes and the research she presents comes out of the 1930s or before.

And her sage advice? "If you feel the need to eat, wait 10 minutes." That's IT.

I'd advise anyone who is serious about solving their problem to avoid this book, but like I said, if you insist, buy the book used.

I don't know about any of you, but I have struggled with weight loss and weight gain for all of my adult life. This book is not psychobabble. In fact it is just the opposite. It has helped me tremendously! I cannot reccomend it enough! A good eating plan should also encompass a mind body approach. Here is the mind part of the equation.