Thin Enough: My Spiritual Journey Through the Living Death of an Eating Disorder (Paperback)

by Sheryle Cruse (Author)
Key Phrases: anorexia nervosa, The Relearning Process, Stuffed Unconscious, The Merry-Go-Round (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this part memoir/part how-to, first-time author Cruse tells the agonizing story of her experiences with anorexia and bulimia—of forcing herself to get up at midnight so she could start the day with six hours of exercise, or of going for months with only diet soda and the occasional cough drop. She recounts the twisted yet somehow compelling lies that drove all of her behavior, like thinking that being overly thin equaled perfection. Cruse's recovery was a lengthy process of taking slow steps toward change, undergirded by a growing faith in a patient, graceful God. While Cruse shows admirable bravery in telling the tale, her writing is weak. The audience is unclear, and she shifts between talking to those suffering with eating disorders and addressing their families, while also trying to reach those with church experience and those who have yet to pursue faith. Cruse focuses on her own story almost to the exclusion of offering advice, and although each chapter provides lists of questions, readers may not have the guidance they need to answer them. Many of the end-of-chapter tips on dealing with eating disorders are taken straight from Web sites. But perhaps the compelling cover art, title and Cruse's candor will attract those who need the book most. (Feb.)
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Product Description
Some 95% of eating disorder sufferers are girls between the ages of 12 and 25. The teen and college years are a crucial time for girls, when positive or negative views about their bodies often become manifest.

Written to eating disorder sufferers who are at this critical age, this book provides hope that, through faith and trust in God, they too can rise above the living death of eating disorders and arise as God’s daughters, full of life and with a promising future.

The author tells her personal story of struggling with and defeating her eating disorder. She shares about her overweight childhood, her family-directed diets, the thrilling sense of control she got when she lost weight, and her spiral into anorexia and bulimia. When she left home to go to college, she looked forward to being on her own but fell into even more destructive eating behaviors. After she was confronted by her loved ones and hospitalized, she began the recovery process that led to the day when she could at last eat a normal meal and feel that it was okay. She highlights her relationship with God and the security that eating disorder sufferers can find in God as their loving Father, the one who created them and loves them as they are.

Each chapter includes a prayer for the sufferer, asking God’s help. This book will help sufferers feel less alone, see the extreme results of uninterrupted eating disorders, understand and correct their wrong thinking, and learn to connect with and trust God while they are moving toward recovery.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: New Hope Publishers - Arise (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596690038
• ISBN-13: 978-1596690035
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #304,373 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging and full of hope, May 11, 2006

By	Linda J. Macdonald (Gig Harbor, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Sheryle writes a creative, heart-rending story of her battle with anorexia and bulimia and the spiritual revelation that saved her life. She transparently shares her jagged journey from bondage to freedom in a way that those who struggle with this frightening disorder will identify with. Her questions for journaling are as good as hours of therapy. Once I started reading, I could hardly put it down. I heartily recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Christian workbook for Anorexia, January 6, 2009

By	A. Severson "Flitenrs" (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is not a novel to read. It is a Christian-based workbook for those suffering from Anorexia. That said, I think it would be a good workbook for those who are very Christian and trying to figure out if they are, indeed, suffering from Anorexia.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Religious Enough!, October 7, 2008

By	Gypsy (Gray Skies) - See all my reviews

Although my heart goes out to the author, this book was of no help to me. It is completely prayer based. Why buy a book if you can go to church or read the bible for free?