Fear of Weight Gain: What it is. Why you have it. How to rewire it.

by Tabitha Farrar

We live in a culture that glorifies thinness. For people who attempt to suppress their bodyweight in order to achieve this culturally celebrated thinness, the behaviors they engage in (dietary restriction, exercise etc) serve to reinforce their belief that weight gain is a threat to them. With continual reinforcement, the brain increasingly views weight gain as a threat, and therefore something to be feared. When a person's brain fears weight gain, they experience a host of negative emotions whenever they engage in any activity that could potentially lead to weight gain — such as, eat more than usual, or exercise less. This fear response leads to the continuation of behaviours that are designed to suppress bodyweight — such as dietary restriction, purging, and excessive exercise regimes. It is fear of weight gain that is responsible for the feelings of negative body image that so many people in our culture experience. This book outlines the implicit biases and subsequent behaviors that lead to fear of weight gain developing, then goes on to explain the neural rewiring required to overcome it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health, Psychology

42 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2021

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I’m currently dealing with post anorexia weight gain obvi this was relevant and I LOVE TABITHA. She’s one of the only ED people online who I think gets how bad ED treatment providers can be. And how damaging commentary about how much someone is eating when they’re in recovery can be. Extreme hunger is real and should be honored! Honey!
This book doesn’t have anything that shocking in it, but it reinforces some good ideas and I wanna read more by fave horse girl Tabitha.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a massive fan of Tabitha Farrar- as a blogger, YouTube creator, author and well generally! This book is a brilliant introduction to her general philosophy and approach to most things eating disorder related. You get a strong message to engage with- do whatever feels scariest to the Ed to retrain your brain not to be scared of weight gain. This message is delivered in Farrar’s characteristically humorously upfront and honest manner. What you find in all of her books is not just useful advice for recovery but a voice that has a personality, that can be used in moments of doubt. Her insight is invaluable. That being said I do not think this is, or was ever meant to be, her most comprehensive book. It is a useful add on book that consolidates some of her other messages but should really be seen as supplementary to “rehabilitate, rewire , recover”.

[Hollie Korreckt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful that she wrote this necessary book even after she said she was done after RRR. This book brings recovery down to its basic level so that sufferers can more easily go about recovery and be proactive. I love how brutally honest/enlightening she continues to be and I will never give anything less than 5 stars for Tabitha!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dietitian gave me this book and has helped a lot. Eating disorder recovery is hard but it helps to see how I’m overcomplicating what I need to do: literally do what scares me. I don’t know but it opened my eyes even more.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read

Another great book by Tabitha Farrar. She is blunt, honest and supportive. Definitely recommend reading this if you have any food, body or exercise issues.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, very helpful book. Anyone and everyone who’s had any form of dieting or struggle with food needs to read this (and I think all medical professionals should too!)

[caley ^_^ · Rating 2 out of 5]

therapist gave me it to read; was alright , learnt some new things abt myself

[Traceylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why

It mainly tries to teach you how your brain workes when you have an eating disorder. It's what your brain tells you and why it has learned to do that.

[marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this and I love her and shes just so smart what a queen