If Not Dieting Then What?

by Rick Kausman

This straightforward, no-nonsense guide to weight management addresses the evidence that weight-loss treatments may worsen rather than improve long-term physical and psychological health. The solution of an attitude change that calls for a more positive view of food that is not characterized by the "no pain, no gain" ethos is presented. How to minimize fat intake without sacrificing food enjoyment is also explained.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Nutrition, Psychology

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a little outdated now but still a fantastic starting point if you're looking to move on from a yo-yo dieting lifestyle.

This book explains why dieting is an uphill battle, and how you can gain control over your eating habits simply by listening to and respecting your body. It would have been pretty ground-breaking back when it was first published but, thankfully, since then the Intuitive Eating movement has gained momentum and more and more people are realising that they don't need to be ruled by the shape of their bodies.

I think there is a misconception that giving up on dieting means accepting obesity. That's not the case. Refusing to diet simply means you refuse to restrict your eating habits because your body is considered 'not good enough' by society. This book explores social pressure but delivers the message that our bodies do not define us.

It encourages the reader to listen to the body's needs, and to honour the inner signals, which ultimately is an encouragement for health at every level. Mental health is just as important as physical health so we need to make sure that hatred of our bodies is banished. Once you learn to love and honour your body, physical health naturally follows.

It's not easy, and it's not fast. You cannot implement everythingin this book and expect to change overnight. But it does give some great ideas and acknowledges things that should be avoided and other things attempted.

A fascinating, insightful look into an alternative for people who are tired of punishing themselves with endless diets and body dissatisfaction.

That being said, be sure to follow it up with something more recent, as the later information regarding fat intake is now outdated.

[Shaun · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best part of this book can be summarized in one sentence, don't eat when you're not hungry, and when you are hungry eat until you are 80% full. Okay, so that's an exaggeration, but you get the point.

I couldn't help but feel much of the information in this book was not only outdated but also overly simplistic. Advice like park your car further away or take the stairs, while not necessarily a bad practice, seems to be missing the mark. In fact, I'd argue that reducing our weight loss struggles to taking the stairs is actually sort of insulting.

And while I agree with Kausman's assertion that we should be emphasizing health not weight, I resented that the book seemed be targeting women. As though we, and we alone, are the only ones who have a difficult time losing weight and/or are chronic yo-yo dieters.

At one point Kausman suggests an exercise in body acceptance in which the reader stands naked in front of the mirror and rubs lotion over their body, taking note of its peaks and valleys. Sure, I get it. Self-love and body acceptance are important, but really. It's as if he assumes a woman is incapable of loving herself if she is unhappy with her body.

Kausman kindly reminds us that we can't expect to look like we did in our 20s when we're 50. After all. We're wives. Mothers. We've given birth. So just get over it. Give yourself a hug and eat that cookie if you really want it. WTF?

So while Kausman does denounce dieting, he never quite delivers on the alternative beyond loving yourself, parking further away, eating until you're full, and standing in front of the mirror naked stroking our pudgier parts and repeating, "My thighs are beautiful just they way they are." I guess I just feel if you want women to stop focusing on weight loss than maybe you need to stop treating them as though they are incapable of focusing on anything else.

Overall, while I did not personally care for this book, it still had a few redeeming qualities and why I gave it 2 stars.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. It is at the forefront of the pschology of eating without all of the spiritual crap. It teaches you to eat when hungry and enjoy it. This is definately not a diet but a way of life there are many practical examples and lots of inspiration. I read this and followed its guidelines and started eating when hungry and did not obsess about food like I have on diets.

I believe if Dr Kausman was American he would be on Oprah but unfortunately for him but fortunately for us Australians he is very down to earth and there is no hoopla just good sense.

[Pippa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book to read. Not judgemental, and not about dieting. It contains some useful ways to think about food, and to understand our relationship to it.

I found this easy to read, and it has been surprisingly easy to incorporate some real changes into my eating habits. This book isn't about attaining a perfect weight or any of those sorts of cultural expectations, and is much more focused on health and feeling good about ourselves. It was really useful, and I happily recommend this book to friends and others.

[Hande Akcay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Şuursuzca abur cubur yememin psikolojik bir sebebi olduğunu ve diet yaptığımda gerçekten çok mutsuz hissetiğimi farkettiğimde yemekle ilgili farklı bakış açılarını incelemeye karar verdim. Bu kitabi bana bir uzman önerdi. Okurken ne kadar çok şey öğrendim; ne çok şeyi yanlış yaptığımı, hayatı kendime zorlaştırdığımı, kendime epeyce de eziyet etmiş olduğumu anladım yıllar boyunca...

Elbette ki bu kitap bir mucize yaratmayacak ama en azından bakış açımı değiştirmek için bana ön ayak olacak.

Bugune kadar “yemek” konsepti ile uzlasma saglayamamışsanız, bu kitabı okumanızı kesinlike öneriyorum.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Groundbreaking for its time and a great introduction to a Health At Every Size®️ type approach. However, this book was written for a 1997 audience and large portions are less suited to today's readers. This is in part due to the increasingly warped and weight centric "health" culture immersing us coupled with the reality of intergenerational trauma caused by fatphobia (amongst many other factors)! There's still some good content but if you've picked up this book because you don't feel/ have been made not to feel comfortable in your body, this is only the start of the journey.

[Hande Akcay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Şuursuzca abur cubur yememin psikolojik bir sebebi olduğunu ve diet yaptığımda gerçekten çok mutsuz hissetiğimi farkettiğimde yemekle ilgili farklı bakış açılarını incelemeye karar verdim. Bu kitabi bana bir uzman önerdi. Okurken ne kadar çok şey öğrendim; ne çok şeyi yanlış yaptığımı, hayatı kendime zorlaştırdığımı, kendime epeyce de eziyet etmiş olduğumu anladım yıllar boyunca...

Elbette ki bu kitap bir mucize yaratmayacak ama en azından bakış açımı değiştirmek için bana ön ayak olacak.

Bugune kadar “yemek” konsepti ile uzlasma saglayamamışsanız, bu kitabı okumanızı kesinlike öneriyorum.

[Elise C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for my placement.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Others say it better.

[Christine Jolley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful. Was recommended this by a dietician helping me recover from ED

[Rosalie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was published in 1998 yet in 2021 it is mostly relevant. Utterly life changing!

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful information about how to value and enjoy food and modify non-hungry eating. Highly recommended, especially if you're not looking at reading a "diet" book. This is definitely NOT about dieting.

[Sathya Narayanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book gives a new perspective of how we can see our dieting. It includes the missing factor of many dieting concepts which is the emotional relationship we have with our food. Though at the end you getting a feeling that the book is preparing you for a diet by not mentioning that it is diet, it takes away the restrictions you clog your mind with when you are on a diet. It gives you a new concept of non-hungry eating. It leads you to a habit of having a sustainable yet effective method of maintaining your comfortable weight. Overall the book has the flexibility to reach every individual in this world. At the end of reading it, you feel empowered. You feel that you have the right to have the food that you like.
Finally, a book that will help you lifelong to stay healthy and nutritious without deprivation for food items you like and have a positive feeling about your health.

[Janelle Trees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic analysis of the various factors which stimulate and sustain over-eating with a realistic and enriching approach to caring for our bodies without the self-abuse of dieting and eating disorders, including body dysmorphism and unrealistic ideas of the power of slimness. A beacon in the field, Dr Rick has the compassion and emotional intelligence of a healer. The flash-cards are great too.

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing insight into how we relate to food & situations where food is a major component of culture & society. After many years of gradual weight gain, often stress-related, this book has given me the knowledge to be able to push the diets aside & be comfortable with making food choices.

[Gemma Cribb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who suffers body image problems or has battled with yo-yo dieting. This book will change the way you live and feel about yourself and food... If you let it.

[Karen Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing resource for those who have a complex relationship with food

[Amy Herbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This text is a great addition to the bookshelf of any dietitian or health practitioner. Practical, compassionate advice and exercises for patients.

[Nona]

I am finding this hard going..................31.7.2018