Overcoming Overeating: How to Break the Diet/Binge Cycle and Live a Healthier, More Satisfying Life (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author), Carol H. Munter (Author)
Key Phrases: mouth hunger column, dumping diets, legalize foods, The Dieter's Dilemma (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The reissue of a classic in healthy living, with more than 300,000 copies sold!

Diet/binge. good food/bad food. punishment/reward. These are the compulsive eater's nightmares, a long-time pattern of recrimination and guilt that ultimately leads to more overeating and more weight gain. In an updated edition, here is the ground-breaking, step-by-step plan that doesn't control eating habits but cures them instead, once and for all. Overcoming Overeating will show you how to:

* Give up dieting forever
* Eat from true stomach hunger instead of "mouth hunger"
* Stop overeating and lose weight naturally
* Move beyond a preoccupation with eating and weight in order to live a more satisfying life

About the Author

Jane R. Hirschmann, M.S.W., and Carol H. Munter, Licensed Psychoanalyst, are codirectors of the National Center for Overcoming Overeating in New York City.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; Reissue edition (July 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738211176
• ISBN-13: 978-0738211176
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,565 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Credible Examination of and Solution to Overeating, November 26, 2008

By	Xenocrates - See all my reviews

The philosophy presented in this book is counter to nearly all conventional western views regarding dieting and exercise as the best means to achieving acceptable health levels. A very large percentage of the population constantly diets, and yet we are becoming more and more obese as a society; thus the view of the authors is that dieting is not working and is not a logical long term solution. The authors stress the importance of looking beyond dieting (in fact giving up dieting altogether - the logic being diets are causing more obesity than healthy lives in the long run based on concurrently rising diets and obesity levels) and assessing the real influences that cause people to overeat.

The authors point out that people generally eat for two reasons; physiological (the physical body telling us we are hungry), and psychological (eating for enjoyment despite not being physically hungry). Anyone who has been unable to resist that piece of cake or bag of chips even after a fulfilling meal will be able to relate immediately. Demand feeding, the art of feeding your body only on a physiological level, is presented as the only viable and lasting strategy for a healthy relationship with food. Demand feeding also encompasses the notion that separating the two modes of eating forces one to confront the real issues that cause psychological eating, permitting one to address those issues first.

The message put forth really hit home for me in its description of how bad habits generally are developed. When we are babies, we cry for food only when we are truly hungry at a physical level. These are instincts we are born with. Often times well meaning parents stuff their child's face with food to deal with other problems that cause the baby to be upset, and thus bad habits begin (using food to deal with other problems). This may temporarily cause a child to stop crying; however, the long term effect is that child is learning that food can solve other issues. Demand feeding (eating) encompasses the instincts we have as a baby; eating only when our bodies truly are telling us to eat. These same instincts, if properly applied as an adult, will permit us to let our physical bodies dictate the quantity of foods (and to a lesser degree, quality of foods) that are needed to operate and remain healthy, while at the same time not constantly leaving us open to physiological influences that cause overeating.

While I do not feel I am equipped to divulge the true essence of the theory presented in this material (why I recommend reading the book), it is important to note that the authors address many of the glaring concerns that arise from considering such a mindset, such as anxiety about overeating when diets are removed. These apprehensions are addressed on a continual basis as the book includes several real world examples and multiple Q&A chapters making it easy for one to quickly zone in on their personal and specific concerns.

I cannot comment on the long term effects as of yet; however I have certainly noticed some very positive short terms effects that have permitted me to discover issues unrelated to food that were causing me to overeat. I would recommend this book to anyone who has issues with eating too much food and is looking for a logical assessment of how to deal with it as opposed to mere changes in eating habits. There are some people with a genetic makeup that permit healthy bodies under near any eating style (lucky them) as well as and others whose obesity issues go well beyond just eating habits; but for the majority of those that fall somewhere in the middle, this book will apply and will be immensely valuable.


***Full Disclosure - as a male reading a book intended for females (something that only occurred to me after being 90% through the book - haha on me), I can assure that the insight brought forth in this book is equally applicable for males. The authors seem to be known for working with women; however, overeating is clearly gender neutral, and I assure you the content of the book is as well.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-changing, going on 3 years without a problem, June 12, 2009

By	amara - See all my reviews

I read an earlier version of this amazing book. This book changed my life and I am so grateful to the authors. I overcame my binge eating disorder. I am no longer obsessed with food and weight - that is the most important thing. What you probably want to know, though, is that my body has returned naturally to a healthy weight. I pretty much eat what I want when I want and enjoy it. I tried so many things (and read many other books on the subject of overeating), but only this worked. This will not work for everyone, but I believe it will work for most if you truly follow the advice. I wish every overeater would give this book a try instead of trying another diet. Good luck out there!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overcoming Overeating, July 27, 2008

By	J. Pehl "my thoughts" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book to be most interesting and factual. Inasmuch as I am a compulsive eater I found it describing me in a way that I have never seen or heard before. I always knew it in my heart but did not want to admit it but am not sure I am courageous enough to enter into the plan the book suggests. Felt better about myself, however, seeing it all in writing that described me so well.