The Thin Woman's Brain by Dilia Suriel

[kristamj87]

The Thin Woman's Brain is a must read for everyone seeking weight loss. As someone who recently dropped weight, the premise of this book drew me immediately. The brain is much more powerful than we think and the science recited in the text provides ample evidence that the brain is the most important weight loss tool in your arsenal.

Suriel's nine behaviors of thin women provides contrast between the mentalities of the thin and obese that are right on the money. Anyone who struggles dieting can relate to having a “relationship with food [that] runs the gamut from iron-willed self-control to a frenzied, all-bets-are-off tornado”. It's because, as the author states, of food obsession. It's a sort of addiction that we don't really think of as a real addiction, but what else would it be? The brain is obsessed with fantasizing, obtaining, and consuming food. Suriel calls it what it is, explaining why, and how it can be fixed.

One of the exercises in the book explores mindful eating and gives a step-by-step guide on how to mindfully eat just like a thin woman using behavior therapy. Each step in how you eat is crucial to changing your eating habits and rewiring your brain. Suriel explains each one and its importance. She also explains why you must incorporate formerly forbidden foods in your diet otherwise they will always be your binge foods. For me, this made perfect sense. Once I started eating my own forbidden foods in moderation, the desire to binge on them faded because I knew I was going to eat them. We always want most what is forbidden, so if you take that label away, you free yourself.

Overall, I was very impressed with Suriel's research and detail in explaining the science of the brain in relation to weight loss and overeating. In the past, I'd failed many times at dieting because I was hungry or binge eating or stressed, but then I figured out the key that is featured in this book: my brain! Changing my thinking and reaction to hunger and eating helped me adjust my eating habits to be more healthy and to use moderation without the stress of the usual diet. This book tells us why our brains are so important in our weight loss journey and I can say from experience that this is the first book you need to read if you are looking to lose and keep off unwanted weight. Understanding how your weight struggle works is the first step in overcoming it, and The Thin Woman's Brain will help you immensely. Rewire your brain and experience long term success. It works!