Food – objectively, it’s necessary for survival, but subjectively, general thoughts about it likely depend on the time of day, current situation, who you’re around, etc. It is a diverse word that can stand for a variety of things but acts as a “Catch-22” – it can provide nutrition, strength, and sustenance but also cause weight gain, physical and mental problems, and, in some cases, an early death.
Food and eating are mental, physical, and emotional, with society’s views and opinions drastically changing over the centuries since time began. In our modern era, we have discovered that “healthy” is best, with people having varying ways to get there (i.e., Keto, Paleo, Atkins, Mediterranean, plant-based, vegetarian, vegan, etc.), all including the word “diet.”
Connie Bennett – wearer of many hats in the health field and codebreaker of the non-healthy temptations, shares personal and professional advice in her third book, “I Blew My Diet! Now What?: The Easy, Proven 21-Day Plan to Drop Pounds & Bounce Back Boldly.” It’s appropriate for an audience of dieters who feel defeated – maybe after Holiday eating, succumbing to cravings, or any of the many reasons she provides that result in a broken diet and the development of negative thoughts and feelings. Bennett shares her story, proving she has lived through what she preaches about ways to get back on track to overcome obesity and be your best self.
The presented information has its foundation in scientific research and studies mixed with personal reflection and an understanding of people. Bennett includes twenty-one reasons, or possible excuses, why you “blew your diet,” going in-depth into the reasoning and motivation behind the actions. She doesn’t leave the reader helpless but includes doable ways of digging yourself out of the continuously deeper hole caused by overeating and poor self-reflection in physical, mental, and spiritual ways.
In the third and fourth parts of the book, she details and promotes her Bounce Back Boldly Plan, spanning over three quick weeks with information about foods and action steps toward eating and being the best version of yourself. Partnering with professional holistic chefs Lizette and Geoff Marx with Bounce Back recipes, the categories they provide are inclusive (i.e., beverages, salads, soups, bread, etc.), containing natural ingredients to assist your mind, body, and soul by strengthening, nourishing, and empowering. With most foods consisting of processed ingredients due to cost and convenience, altering priorities and using non-processed foods and ingredients may be foreign to some readers, and homework on what and where to find them will be necessary.
In addition to discussing health and its benefits, Bennett emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, love, forgiveness, and understanding, making her book positive and uplifting, offering readers the encouragement they need and crave. The information presented is well-researched and professional, making sense and doable for the average reader to incorporate into their daily lives. The material is valuable for readers on a diet and anyone interested in abundant knowledge to enhance their well-being, health, and possibly life span.