Life Inside the "Thin" Cage: A Personal Look into the Hidden World of the Chronic Dieter

by Constance Rhodes

Frustrated by the often unrealistic standards of beauty presented by today’s media, many women have become trapped in a never-ending pattern of chronic dieting. Daily they endure destructive self-talk such as “I can’t eat that or I’ll get fat” or “If I could just lose a few more pounds everything would be better.”

Chronic dieters may be any shape or size but they have one thing in They are often left to suffer alone with an undiagnosed “sub-clinical” eating disorder. Such sub-clinical disorders include eating habits that are unusual, even unhealthy, but do not fit the technical classifications of anorexia or bulimia.

Addressing the many dimension of “chronic dieting,” Life Inside the “Thin” Cage offers a wake-up call and practical steps to those who need healing. Readers will find personal stories, insights into their secret patterns and habits, reassurance that they are not alone, checklists, self-tests, and, best of all, a new road to emotional, physical, mental and spiritual freedom .

Genres: Nonfiction, Personal Development, Health, Feminism

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2003

About the author

Constance Rhodes is the founder and CEO of FINDINGbalance. She is the author of "Life Inside the Thin Cage: A Personal Look into the Hidden World of the Chronic Dieter", "The Art of Being: Reflections on the Beauty and the Risk of Embracing Who We Are", and "Finding Balance with Food: A 12-Week Guided Journey to Greater Health and Freedom".

A former marketing director for EMI Christian Music Group, Constance's experience in the entertainment business has had a strong influence on the shaping of FINDINGbalance as a media-based resource for those seeking freedom from eating and body image issues. It has also informed her approach to presenting on these topics, and she has become a frequent and respected speaker on themes of eating, body image, recovery and healthy living. [Amazon.com]

Reviews

[Liralen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nooo. No no no.

I won't go so far as to say that this book was a train wreck, but -- car crash, maybe?

The author looks at people with subclinical eating disorders or EDNOS -- or, as she says, "chronic dieters", because "subclinical eating disorder" and "EDNOS" don't take the issue seriously enough (which, wtf? And "chronic dieter" is supposed to be an improvement?). My impression is this: She didn't have the material for a full-blown memoir. She didn't have the background/education/authority for a piece of fully researched nonfiction. So...she melded the two and came up with this...thing.

Because she doesn't have the background to back up her assertions, she qualifies them by making it personal -- "those of us who...", "we tend to...", etc. After all, it's hard to deny another person's personal experience. (Which I don't mean to do, incidentally. I only mean to suggest that she should consider not applying her ill-thought-out theories to other people.)

Between the questionable sources (there are some legitimate ones, but I am inclined to distrust a book that cites such publications as Elle and Us Weekly), the leading questions at the end of each chapter ("Do you see any similarities between your lifestyle and living within the confines of a cult?"), an insanely broad and useless discussion of triggers... Well. Pass, thank you.

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Few books make me angry to read. This book made me angry. This is not a memoir. Rhodes sees herself as some kind of recovery guru. She uses her lived experience to back up her 'research" (some conservations with people she knows, a book by sharlene hesse-biber, some ladies magazines) to draw parallels with every stereotype you have ever read about eating disorders and disordered eating. Sprinkle in a fair amount of fat shaming, contradictory thinking, and the word 'I' more often than you would read in twilight and you get an idea. And then there are the exercises to help you with your recovery because this a a self help book you see. As long as you dont want to feel bad about BED, Bulimia, your promiscuity, your love of fashion, or wearing makeup (because as a girl you only care about these things if you wish to impress other people- especially male people because presumably only heterosexual cis women suffer from these things).

I cant see how on earth I can reference this book in my thesis -unless it is as a book that upholds rather than challenges the ed status quo - but then i cant see how it would in any way strengthen my lit review.

And as someone with an ed who is weight restored - honestly f#$k you to the idea that this was about being more sexually appealling or gaining approval.

Nope. I am done. Honestly the worst book in this genre I have read.

[Krystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would have been better as a biography than a self-help book. God has no place in the general treatment of EDs. Religion is an individual choice, and the way the author uses it here makes it seem as though people need to accept God's help to be able to recover from an ED. Which of course doesn't inspire hope for those who have alternative or no religious beliefs. The author's story seems interesting but it's hard to find the raw honesty amongst all the 'this is what I did to make me better, now you do it too!' crap. Bit disappointing really.

Also, if you feel like you need help to manage your own ED, seek PROFESSIONAL help. Find organisations like The Butterfly Foundation who offer the support you need and advice you can trust. Please do not really on self-help books. Do your own research.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started off enjoying this book, but it wasn't what I expected. I bought it thinking it was a general memoir, like all the others I have read, but this was much more recovery orientated, also bringing in religious aspects which although might work for some people, felt presumptuous and pressing to me.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Popular pyschology says you don't recover from an eating disorder, you learn to manage it....if that's true, then this is a must-read for women who live with such struggles.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is completely annoying. It's full of faulty logic and misinformation and it reads like a 200-something page pity party written by a college freshman.

[chels marieantoinette]

A little too “fact” and faith based. For someone who admits to not being completely “cured,” the author comes across as very “I know what’s wrong with you, I know what you should do, pray, behave.” I see a mother reading this and coming at her daughter with these aggressive “answers/solutions.” And that’s terrifying.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Life Inside the "Thin" Cage" is a well-written and helpful book for women and men who are dissatisfied with their bodies (specifically those who "feel fat").

I don't think I've ever done a diet in my life. I simply try to eat a moderate amount and eat a large variety of foods. However, I read a different book that briefly touched on eating disorders (including sub-clinical ones) which included the "I just watch what I eat" quote from this book as well as a recommendation for it. Since I'd say "I just watch what I eat," too, I began to wonder what the difference was between me and someone with a problem, so I got this book.

I agree that it's excellent. It reinforced my contentment with how I look, and I suspect it would be very helpful for anyone who struggles with "feeling fat," who's stuck in a constant cycle of dieting, and/or who has set rules when it comes to eating.

The book had five parts. Part One explained what was meant by "chronic dieting" and "disordered eating." It explored some motivations for chronic dieting as well as self-tests and questions to help the reader identify if they have a problem. She also listed the signs of health problems caused by disordered eating.

Part Two explored the factors that lead to chronic dieting and disordered eating. Part Three explained what keeps people trapped in chronic dieting and helps the reader to identify things that trigger the desire to diet. Part Four gave the reader truths to replace the lies that trap them in disordered eating habits. Part Five gave steps to help the reader break free from chronic dieting and disordered eating.

Throughout the book, author openly shared her struggles with chronic dieting and also shared stories from many others. She also included medical information about disordered eating. The book was easy to understand, encouraging, and practical. Overall, I'd highly recommend it to anyone dealing with "I feel fat" and eating issues.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could relate to a lot of what she spoke about in this novel.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lot's of personal experience...really helped me to better understand what it might be like to live in this cycle. Recommended.

[Caroline Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not usually a big fan of self-help, but this was sort of insightful. Raised some good questions.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you struggle with eating issues or feeling insecure about how you look in this image concious world of ours, this is a good read.

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book had interesting points but they were just tiny glimmers of brilliance or on the way to having a strong impact but fell short.

[Holly]

So far this is one of the saddest books i've ever read. Im so intrigued by people and there story's but this one is really hard for me to get through.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and, at some points, relatable. I found that I had to stop reading it for a while because it was rather triggering, and mildly offensive at parts. Worth a read when struggling.

[Katrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book and very practical ideas. I like how she incorporates a prayer at the end.