The Self-Compassion Diet: A Step-by-Step Program to Lose Weight with Loving-Kindness

by Jean Fain

<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {"Cambria Math"; 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; "Calisto MT"; 1107304683 0 0 415 0;} @font-face { 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; 1073786111 9 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { ""; "Calibri","sans-serif"; } .MsoChpDefault { } @page WordSection1 { 11.0in; 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; } div.WordSection1 {} --> <!--[if gte mso 10]> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {"Table Normal"; ""; 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; "Times New Roman","serif";} <![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {"Cambria Math"; 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; "Calisto MT"; 1107304683 0 0 415 0;} @font-face { 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; 1073786111 9 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { ""; "Calibri","sans-serif"; } span.EmailStyle15 { "Calibri","sans-serif"; "Times New Roman"; } .MsoChpDefault { } @page WordSection1 { 11.0in; 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; } div.WordSection1 {} --> <!--[if gte mso 10]> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {"Table Normal"; ""; 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; "Times New Roman","serif";} <![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {"Cambria Math"; 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; "Calisto MT"; 1107304683 0 0 415 0;} @font-face { 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; "Times New Roman"; 1073786111 9 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { ""; "Calibri","sans-serif"; } .MsoChpDefault { } @page WordSection1 { 11.0in; 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; } div.WordSection1 {} --> <!--[if gte mso 10]> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {"Table Normal"; ""; 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; "Times New Roman","serif";} <![endif]--> The secret to sustainable weight loss isn't counting calories or depriving yourself at the dinner table. Jean Fain tells us it's about cultivating awareness and self-acceptance wherever you are. With The Self-Compassion Diet, this Harvard Medical School-affiliated psychotherapist prescribes a practical program for transforming the way you think and feel about food and your whole self--a shift that, paradoxically, inspires physical change. Combining loving-kindness, self-hypnosis, and other winning weight-loss strategies, The Self Compassion Diet is available in two complementary formats to help you naturally progress toward genuine self-acceptance and a healthy, sustainable weight. With more than 30 different tools including quizzes, breathing exercises, and visualizations, the book explores four powerful weight-loss methods. The audio edition guides you through 11 key practices described in the book. Used together, this powerful combination can speed learning and boost success. Additional topics 1) how to appreciate the everyday activity of eating, and learn to trust your body's signals that it's nourished 2) Gradual a guided visualization for developing mindful eating habits 3) a meditation for getting to know the diet coach who knows you best--your compassionate "inner advisor." "Most dieters try to 'kill cravings' and break habits with self-discipline," teaches Fain. "Self-kindness can help quiet the shame that traditional diets instill, and establish a harmonious relationship with food." The Self Compassion Diet book and audio offer a treasury of heart-opening mind-body teachings and practices for improving the way you live, breathe, and eat.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Health, Food, Unfinished, Psychology

280 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 2010

About the author

LICSW

Reviews

[kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this book's heavy emphasis on mindfulness, but found the hypnosis section a bit too extensive and not terribly convincing. It also reads, in large part, like a workbook, which can be great if you're looking to add more tools to your waist management box, but I think they would've been even better as a multimedia option online (accessible by a book code, for instance). Quick read with mention of various resources for further in-depth info.

[Kali · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'm realizing that i can read books like this until i'm blue in the face and just end up overwhelmed with meditation tips and techniques and not any more motivated to get into a simple meditation or mindful eating routine.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up with a family member in mind. A gentle approach to weight loss that would be helpful for anyone trying to change their diet for any reason.

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for trying to lose weight and get healthy. I am not vibing with the self-hypnosis part, but it’s all very interesting.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book written by one of my most gifted teachers. Creates the potential to develop a healthy and enjoyable relationship with food, and more importantly, with oneself.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book but I thought though that it probably droned on a bit long. Using self-care with emotional stability and kindness to help with issues with food and dieting.
"Can self-compassion curb emotional eating?
Apparently so. Researchers and therapists have found that a modest dose of self-compassion prevents the self-criticism and negative feelings that can fuel overeating. Just remembering that everyone easts junk food sometimes and that lapse doesn’t constitute a disastrous relapse, study ate with restraint after falling off the (diet) wagon."

[Jonelle Tiffany Boulter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book. I'm sure it would have been just as interesting if I read it myself. The author read it and it was like listening to slow steady beats on a drum. Long and drawn out.
I am looking for a solution to yo-yo dieting and I did like the idea of taking control over my own emotions and own issues using meditation.
I think it was a bit ho-hum though. We shall see.


Parental Warning: anyone willing to read through it. Nothing objectionable.

[Jen Jenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was interesting. In the first half I couldn't stand the authors voice. However the second half when she was going thru the meditation sections it was great. I think it would have been better to actually read in the first half and fantastic to listen to in the second half.... She provided some interesting concepts and thoughts. It was overall ok.

[Dee Renee Chesnut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ebook was recommended to me by members of Eat4Health group because they discussed the book before I joined, and many continue to refer to it.
There are five parts: self-compassion; hypnosis; mindfulness; social support; and continuing education.
I plan to re-read parts of it to help me make some better habits. I recommend this book to all readers.

[Heather]

Okay; nothing really new.