Stop the Insanity!

by Susan Powter

Offers women step-by-step instructions for taking control of their lives, giving motivational advice on diet, breathing, exercise, and other health issues. Reprint.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Health, Diets, Food, Fitness, Cookbooks

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Susan Powter is a motivational speaker, dietitian, personal trainer, & author. She is an advocate of 'whole real foods'. She sets herself apart from others in her industry for many reasons - but mainly because she condemns the diet industry.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book at a book sale and bought it for nostalgic reasons. Reread it again and once again found it inspirational and filled with common sense. Classic 90s and it works.

[DeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good, relatable read about moving!

This book details Susan Powter's testimony on her dramatic weight gain and how moving and grooving solved her own problem in her first book, "Stop the Insanity."

[Salsadancer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seemed reasonable at the time but I don't buy into the low fat theory now.

[Alex Ankarr · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's an irony in the fact that a lot of it is pretty loony-toons. But it's still a fun read. Powter is quite the outsized personality.

[etherealfire · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's a larger than life character that people probably either love or hate but I found the story compelling and the advices surprisingly down to earth, practical and easily achievable if committed to making the lifestyle change. I haven't and continuously struggle with it but the basics and the inspiration can be found in this book.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This actually worked for me! I lost weight, I had more energy and I felt great.

[Emerson (Ariel) · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say: it worked. She told stories that I related to at the time, and eating and moving worked, so I guess she revolutionized my thoughts about dieting. i.e. It's an endless trap that makes money for everyone but you.

Her videos were fantastic for anyone, as in-or-out of shape as well; I'm collecting her new DVDs, hoping they're as good as the old VHS.

[Frangipani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice herein, despite all the sensational revelations about its author in subsequent years. Eat low fat, move your body, keep off the junk food!

[Justin Fraxi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Certifiably bat-fuck insane.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You have to eat. You have to breathe. And you have to move." Thus spake Susan Powter. Last time I saw her was on a rerun of Diagnosis Murder in which she played a villainous executive type. When I was your age, for a while there she was all over the place.

[Kathleen Nightingale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never got around to reading this book when it first came out. But finally, this year, I was walking into the library and thought Stop the Insanity regarding my weight issues. So I read it. As other people have commented on goodreads she is a whack-a-doodle. So true. This book drives over you with a bulldozer then gets out the back hoe and goes over the same material over and over again. I got the point on the first page that she was depressed, weighted 260 lbs. and the Prince left her. I didn't need these points reiterated to me over and over again through the next 400 pages but they were. Powter makes some good points especially regarding food labels, what manufactures want us to believe regarding food labels and the real fat content in a specific product. She makes the same point that if you do not change your choices regarding food and exercise more than your weight is not going to change. Where I was mentally regarding my weight and dieting issues this was the best book for me to read. Thank you!

[Ericka Clou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Powter advocated 8 glasses of water, organic whole-foods, and lots of cardiovascular and strength-training exercise. None of this is or was especially controversial. The main thing that became controversial was her emphasis on a low-fat diet, especially since the diets that became trendy immediately thereafter were protein and fat-based like Adkins, keto, and paleo. But I think history is going to clear her because we've had a decade of people trying to eat protein and fat without significant improvements to America's waistline. Probably the issue is that we need to eat less of everything except lots more plants. That will necessarily involve less fat even if fat itself isn't necessarily the issue.

[Daneene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was entertaining and inspirational in the way that she just decided one day to “start moving more” … and didn’t stop. She reclaimed her health and said that taking care of herself felt like her own personal therapy. Lots of her stories (memories) are issues that most of us can relate to. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but lost interest once she became almost obsessed with working out.

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an eye-opener! She is very honest about the truth and doesn't beat around the bush. This book shows you that the diet industry sets you up for failure. She shows you that you can do it, and that it's simple! This book isn't about getting skinny, but about changing your whole life and how you feel. If you want a change, then read this book!

[Jean Marie Angelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

She was fun, feminist, and outrageous. And she spoke honestly about food, body image, and the distorted body image bull that girls hear from the moment we come out of the womb. Some of the info is dated now. Susan, what became of you?

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Common sense - but that is exactly what we need!
I love her writing style.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Keri Ambrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it read this in highschool and need to buy another copy !

[tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super motivated. I loved it .

[DianaJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My go to book for motivation and praise for my efforts. It's not about will power. Just move!

[Michaela Ebling · Rating 1 out of 5]

Musste Buch leider abbrechen da ich es nicht mehr ertragen konnte wie wohl alles schlecht ist. Die Ärzte, die Fitnessstudios, die Wissenschaftler es scheint nur Mrs. Powter nicht. Da frage ich mich wie es zu 118 kg kam.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was okay, but I cant do much when your budget doesnt allow you to do much. But it is an ok book to read to start changing your mood, attitude, and your life.

[Danielle Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book is old and may not seem relevant to today's times it absolutely is worth reading. If you struggle with weight, confidence and will power this book is for you!

[East-Daikon]

target market for this book was overweight housewives in the 90s. i read it as a teen so naturally all the stuff that she said we needed to "stop doing" i promptly went out and did.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

She writes very down to earth (maybe a little too much) but she gets her point across. It really enticed me to do something about my weight and health. This is not really and exercise or diet book, per say, but a sensible look a one's life style.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book, re-read this book, underlined, highlighted, and took notes in this book; wrote down quotes from this book. This was all in college (sophomore year?). Food and weight obsessed anyone???

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Susan was a whack-a-doodle, but for a while in the 90s she was a fun whack-a-doodle. This book is part memoir, part self-help. Lots of bitching about her ex-husband, and the fitness/health stuff is all over the place. Disorganized.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of us who struggle with weight loss, this was a great book. Unfortunately for Susan Powter, her fame,as weight loss often is, was short -lived.

[Joumana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the humor and style. I really need to try this method. it makes so much sense.

[Kaz. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book