The Pathway: Follow the Road to Health and Happiness

Rating:
Summary: It Can Change Your Life
Review: A great book though I recommend reading Mellin's first book, THE SOLUTION, before you read THE PATHWAY. The Solution lays the groundwork which The Pathway will explain in detail and give real life examples. Both are excellent books. This is truly the most effective way to lose weight because it gets to the CAUSE of eating the way we do. And though I am not very overweight, I have already lost 5 lbs and also lost the desire for certain things I used to want. When I'd be frustrated by work, I'd come home and stuff my face with everything handy. Then ask WHY did I do that. Eliminating the desire comes from checking why the desire was there in the first place. You must see where YOU need to make changes in your thinking. Laurel Mellin shows how to get to the root of problems that all of us have in one way or another, and how you can nurture yourself thus eliminating the desire for external solutions. Everyone, however, will not be willing to admit to certain things about themselves, much less be willing to learn how to make changes; very physical people will likely not accept this idea. This Method does work, and many can attest to it. It really makes sense when you read it. So buy this and her older book if you are willing to put forth the effort to change your life. Laurel Mellin also has a website, www.thepathway.org, and can get you acquainted by a five-day newsletter program which explains her idea pretty well. It is well worth achieving the rewards of peace of mind and satisfaction in life regardless of your stressors.

Rating:
Summary: Pathway to Consumer Psychology
Review: Although I love the premise of "self-help" books, explain how two "simple" steps take up 432 pages? If you can't say it under 200 pages, is it really that simple? I would also suggest "The Solution" as a place to start. It is hard to read books selling product, when so many people reading self-help books are looking for a "simple" answer.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Grace - Roadmap
Review: I have read the author's other book, The Solution, so I had interest to read this book as well. It was an eye opener to me!
This book offers a roadmap for how to get to the ROOT CAUSE not the SYMPTOM of why people go to excesses in their lives to deal with their emotions. As a child I did not learn the skills of self-nurturing and setting limits for myself. I have found external ways to comfort myself by overeating, and overworking. I put up walls and spent so much time over-thinking everything in my life. This book has offered me an Amazing Grace - Roadmap to learn the skills of nurturing and setting limits so I can develop a sanctuarity within myself. My over excesses are literally slowly killing me. I have tried so many things that have dealt with the SYMPTOMS not the ROOTS. This is not a quick fix but a teachable method that when practiced diligently does create permanent change over time. If you can identify with my comments, I strongly recommend you read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Smart, educated, woman on the
Review: I read about the Pathway and the Solution and was skeptical. I picked up a copy of the Pathway; I have been reading it for just 2 days, and it is already changing my life! Or, I guess I am changing my life! I am able to eat when I'm hungry and feel balanced by using the cycles Mellin provides in the book-- and I'm not even halfway done with the book yet! I have even lost a pound already! I can already tell that this is a totally different approach to balance and weight loss! I have tried all the diets... weight watchers, drphil, ad nauseau... If you are searching for a grip on emotional eating, this book is for you. Oh, and by the way, I am not in a solution group either. For now, I think I can work the program on my own to find my solution-- balance. Thanks, Laurel, for this wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: A pleasant surprise
Review: I read about the Pathway and the Solution and was skeptical. I picked up a copy of the Pathway; I have been reading it for just 2 days, and it is already changing my life! Or, I guess I am changing my life! I am able to eat when I'm hungry and feel balanced by using the cycles Mellin provides in the book-- and I'm not even halfway done with the book yet! I have even lost a pound already! I can already tell that this is a totally different approach to balance and weight loss! I have tried all the diets... weight watchers, drphil, ad nauseau... If you are searching for a grip on emotional eating, this book is for you. Oh, and by the way, I am not in a solution group either. For now, I think I can work the program on my own to find my solution-- balance. Thanks, Laurel, for this wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: Older Solution book may be a better choice for some
Review: I read both The Pathway and The Solution. First, I want to say that I think this is groundbreaking work that has had a huge impact on my life. As I read the books, I felt like I was talking to the only person who has ever understood me or my relationship to food and weight. Yes, I lost weight but more importantly, I gained an internal sense of sanctuary that I have never known in my whole life. . .my "sweetest fruit."

However. . .I think that a lot of people are likely to be turned off by the Pathway's emphasis on The Solution Kits and/or can't afford the financial cost. For those who are unable/unwilling to purchase the kits, The Solution (her first book) does provide an inexpensive way to begin.

The Solution has writing exercises, like Thinking Journals and Feeling Letters, along with some quizzes, journals and other things. I did the exercises and shared the book with my husband and some close friends. I found that was enough support for me to master the skills and deal with the "emotional trash" without shelling out $600+ dollars for the Solution Kits, etc.

That may not be true for everyone, but it was true for me. Her books have a quiz that determines what level of support - the "Pathway" that a person may need to follow - her scale did recommend that I seek external support, and I kept that door open if I needed it, but I didn't.

I know Ms. Mellin is probably struggling with how to scale her method to maximize effectiveness and safety, but I think she's fallen into the trap of trying to create an industry/brand around it. By doing so, she's necessarily limiting her services to those who can afford to spend that kind of money.

It may have been better if she could have followed more of the Twelve Step model of self-organized groups based on a rigorous structure and format, with only minimal central organization. Less control, granted, but a lot less expense and overhead to deal with, and the participants reap the benefits of feeling competent enough to help others as they grow in their ability to help themselves. I wouldn't be surprised if the Solution Circles evolve into that kind of an organization, over time.

Rating:
Summary: Life-Changing Information and TOOLS
Review: I read Laurel Mellin's previous book on The Solution that was primarily focused on the goal of lifetime weight loss. To say that the book intrigued me is an understatement! The earlier book addresses the central tenets of The Pathway, the pair of foundational skills that many of us miss as children: nurturing and limits.

I highly recommend both books to anyone who needs to learn and to integrate these essential skills into daily life. The history of this program and the Shapedown program for obese children at the University of San Fransisco Medical School is a long and successful one. Those who are faced with drives to excess in eating, working, spending, drinking, perfectionism, etc., should find the books more than helpful: they can be lifechanging. I also recommend The Solution program including Kits 1-6 which contain workbooks and audio programs coupled with online and other sources of support for those who want more of life's sweetest rewards. The scientifically derived statistics regarding the long-term success of those who complete the program are exceptional.

Rating:
Summary: Learning To Follow My Path
Review: Learning to take care of ourselves and setting limits are two very hard things to do -- this book offers a different approach, because it uses neurobiology as it's basis while remaining understandable and enjoyable. If you have ever taken on responsibilities or projects that you didn't want just because you couldn't say no, then don't miss this guide to meeting your own needs. It will help you set limits on how much you can do for others while continuing to nurture your own "pathway". Also check out the book Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life by JoAnna Carey for a simple week by week plan for getting more success and enjoyment out of life.

Rating:
Summary: The Pathway is a Commercial
Review: This review is the first review I have written in a long time, even though I have spent hundreds (thousands?) of dollars at Amazon over the past several years trying to improve myself, to lose weight, and to become a useful member of society. I can't believe how many bad reviews there are floating around about this book. The bad reviews are a dis-service to those of us who need the information in this book because we didn't have the greatest parents in the world to teach us even the basics of how to act like a grown-up, and eat like a grown-up, because they weren't grown-up themselves.
I came from a dysfunctional family where high expectations were coupled with poor support, emotional and physical abuse, and poor eating habits. I had a lot of growing up to do. I am not getting any younger. This book does away with blaming the parents and focuses on developing your physical and emotional health instead, including the drive to over eat to externally satisfy an internal need.
I am only half way through this book, but I can already tell there is an improvement in my eating habits, and my happiness. I will re-read this book when I'm done with it. It is a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: The Pathway: Follow the Road to Health and Happiness
Review: This truly is the "Pathway"to health and happiness. The work that Laurel Mellin has created has changed my life quite profoundly. I've learned that there is a very precise way of finding resolution to problems,any problems. And with this comes a peace, balance and serenity that is nothing less than life giving. Since being on this pathway I have quit smoking, stopped overspending,started excercising (and actually like it),I could go on and on, but most importantly I've found that creative force inside myself that truly makes life miraculous! I've reccomended this book to all my friends and family! Treat yourself.......it will change you life!