From the Author
When you consider the staggering number of Americans who are overweight and how much they are spending on weight-loss products and services, you have to ask yourself -- "What's happening here? Why aren't these products and services working? And even when people have successfully lost weight, why do so many gain it back?" It takes a great deal of effort and diligence to arrive at one's goal, whether it's to lose weight, lower blood cholesterol, control stress, and so forth. So you have to believe something isn't working when initial success doesn't occur or is only a fleeting experience. If this has happened to you, your first thought may be that you are a failure. You'll probably feel even worse if your friend succeeded where you failed. I have seen it happen in my practice where clients reached their goal while under my care, but were back 9 months to a year later with the same problem once they were on their own. This was very disturbing to me because, while I knew I had helped them, I also felt something was missing. That's why I was so excited when I realized the potential of using personality typing as a means to changing lifestyle habits. I knew of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator being used in conjunction with career counseling, relationship counseling, team building, and communication. However, I had never seen it used as a vehicle for taking control of your health. Of course, it just makes sense that when you change according to what is comfortable for you, you will be more successful. The greatest value of personality typing is becoming aware of what works for you. Tailoring an eating plan according to calories, fat grams, and nutrients and an exercise plan according to type and length of exercise is one thing. Yet, you really haven't individualized it until the approach you use to implement the plan takes into consideration your personality type. Every day you must make decisions about what and how much you eat or whether you're going to exercise and for how long. Your decisions probably will be different than mine even if we both were given the same eating and exercise plan. That's because your personality type may be different from mine. Do any of these habitual excuses for eating when you're not hungry sound familiar?
"My friend made me this cake, how could I not have a piece?"
"I may never get this again."
"Everyone else is eating."
"It's lunch time."
"I always have popcorn when I go to the movies."
"It was free."
"It was there." Each one of these habits were formed with the help of one's personality. Fortunately, the personality can also be used in a positive way to change these habits. Are you ready to change? Writing this book was my way to express my personality type: ENFJ. I'm a nurturer and try in many ways to help people. I hope that my book will give you the knowledge and means to a longer and healthier life.
About the Author
Roberta Schwartz Wennik, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian and author of numerous books -- YOUR PERSONALITY PRESCRIPTION (Kensington, 1999), BEYOND FOOD LABELS (Perigee, 1996), NUTRITION FACTS FOR BETTER BODIES (WRS Publishing, 1995) and DRAWING THE LINE ON FAT AND CHOLESTEROL (Labyrinth Publishing Works, 1992). In 1993, Wennik was awarded a U.S. patent for the nutrient monitoring system she developed. She is also a qualified practitioner of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator ( R).
Involved with many aspects of consumer nutrition, Wennik consults, speaks and has written for such magazines as Cooking Light, Fit, Fitness, Elegant Bride, and Mature Outlook. She also serves as a nutrition resource for The Seattle Times Magazine.
A graduate of the University of Washington's nutrition program with a master's degree in nutrition science, she lives and runs her consulting business, HealthPro, in Edmonds, Washington. She belongs to a number of professional organizations, most notably The American Dietetic Association.
If you would like to obtain her as a speaker, call HealthPro at 425-778-1340. If you would prefer to write, her e-mail address is roberta@foxinternet.net and her mailing address is P.O. Box 83, Lynnwood, WA 98046-0083. Any questions or thoughts are welcomed.
