DAY 165 Yet Another Misleading Diet Book

Hi Journal & Friends,

Yesterday I received an email from an assistant editor at a book publishing company,  asking me to review a diet book, and then give some away.  Huh? Me? Apparently he saw I had lost a few pounds, and thought it would lend credibility to their product.

I would be curious as to your opinions... I learn so much from all of you, and this was a first for me! Here is the email I sent back to him:

Hi Mr-Fake-Name (So-I-Don't-Get-Sued),

Thanks for visiting my blog. I found your email very interesting, after I overcame the reflex to automatically hit the delete button. 

I watched the YouTube video link you provided, and went to the website with the screaming yellow and red decor. Eye catching, for sure.

Okay, here's the deal. I say what I mean, and I mean what I say.  I try to be honest. With myself, and with others. I am not even sure you would want that kind of "reviewer".  But my good name is more important than money... integrity is paramount.

So, here is my first knee-jerk reaction to all the info I have read/seen today on this book (without having the benefit of actually reading the book):

1. Hey, I did that, too... no flour/no sugar

2. This guy is quite the entertainer

3. I enjoyed the info and entertaining way it was presented in the video.

4. But was highly irritated by the website... because:

--Annoying shouting, tacky colors and layout

--Too good to be true presentation

--It's low carb, but no where admits that, like it's trying to repackage an old concept and present it as something new he discovered = deceptive feeling

--It's only offering HALF the answer

That last one was the deciding factor for me. The book, according to the video and the website, focuses on the external means of change: diet and exercise (though

 some of the testimonials flaunted the fact that they lost weight WITHOUT exercise).

For the average person with a little extra lard, fine. That'll do the trick. But for a whole huge (no pun intended) chunk of the population, it is the INNER changes that are necessary to KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF.

No way on God's green earth am I going to support a weight loss method that does NOT include the inner changes--in thinking, attitude, emotions, beliefs--that are needed to make the weight loss permanent.

I have lost over 100 pounds 3 previous times in my life, with "diets", only to regain it all and then some. Why would I inflict that kind of hurt onto others???

A "diet" is something that you go ON, and at the end of it you go OFF of it. And then you REGAIN it all back unless... UNLESS, you have made permanent inner changes.

People don't get to be the size I was--460 pounds--without having inner issues. We used food as a drug of choice... a coping mechanism... a way to numb feeling, to escape, to avoid... whatever you want to call it.

Take away the food, and you are left with the feelings! Now what?? We need to face our stuff, not stuff our face.

We need to do the inner work necessary, and for most people just starting on this journey to find themselves, they need a track to run on... a guide... a simple plan to help them sort it out. It took me a heartbreaking number of years to stumble upon the answers for myself, and then finally the rest of the answers from Dr Phil's book The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution. 

I didn't follow his nutritional plan, instead I did no sugar/no flour. But the simple plan he offered for Right Thinking and Healing Feelings was life changing for me.

So go back to your author, and tell him WHY I refused to be associated with his book. And if he DOES address these issues in his book, WHY DIDN'T HE SAY SO ON HIS WEBSITE??

I'll tell you why: that kind of work takes time and effort, and facing ourselves, and it can be uncomfortable, but worth it. And HE touted all over his website how EASY AND FAST it will be. 

Sure, it will be. They will lose LOTS of water and a little fat, fast and easy. He doesn't bother to explain that it is not all FAT LOSS. Big difference. Does he think people are stupid??

But after all the fast and easy "weight" loss, then what?? 

They will be right back where they started, looking for the next fast and easy answer to their heartache.

This is too important to me... it is life and death for some of us. I have been fat ever since I was a baby. I was put on my first diet at age 10. I could fill oceans with the tears I have cried.

I am PASSIONATE about telling people the truth. And this book is ONLY HALF OF THE TRUTH.

And... it is not even the most IMPORTANT half, at that!!

Sorry, but I am giving you the respect of telling you the bottomline truth. Your book will be a flash-in-the-pan success, because it only deals with the external part of the plan, and neglects the internal part.

Which is like a car without an engine. How far do you think you can push that vehicle without an engine???? You will eventually poop out, and walk off to look for a different, better, easier car to get you to where you want to go.

Respectfully,

Loretta Stephenson

Not Your Average Reviewer

From Dr Phil's book: "Are your thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes moving you closer to what you want?"

My verse for today: "I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled."

My quote for today: "Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so." --Douglas Adams

Enjoy the Journey,

Loretta

=^..^=