Dying to Be Healthy : A Breakthrough Diet, Nutrition and Self Help Guide

Rating:
Summary: Excellent treatment of compulsive over-eating.
Review: As someone who has dieted since age 5, battled compulsive over-eating and bulimia, exercised beyond endurance, and finally had gastric bypass surgery, I can authoritatively review this book. Sia Barbi (with contributions by twin sister Shane) has a no-holds barred, frank and refreshing approach to a subject that's been in the closet too long. Millions of people will find wisdom and guidance in this well-researched book. Don't be misled by the flawless appearance of the Barbi Twins. The last thing you'd expect from these picture-perfect women is anything unhealthy, but they have an amazing story to tell of their nightmare eating and over-exercise habits. They frankly describe their extreme dieting, self-starvation, binging, purging, laxative abuse and exercise frenzies. The book is a high-impact emotional roller coaster ride for anyone who's experienced eating issues. It gives practical advice for coming to grips with eating disorders with professional guidance and 12-step programs, feeding yourself right and exercising properly. There's much written elsewhere on anorexia, but the Barbi book centers on compulsive over-eating, to which I think more of us (certainly Americans) can relate. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: very informative
Review: the book is very good at describing what foods and vitamins do what in your body, what foods are best (whole wheats, etc.) I found it to be very interesting and helpful.

Rating:
Summary: For Those in Recovery
Review: This is a great book for people struggling to overcome bulimia. It is honest, at times funny, and offers a fairly comprehensive look at nutrition, self-care, beauty regimens, etc. The best thing about the book is that it provides lots of variety and room for personal choice. For instance, there are several examples of meal plans and exercise options rather than a set prescription that one HAS to follow to get better (which dieticians advocated to me without much success). This is reassuring to someone who might still be afraid of drastically increasing their calorie intake or changing their exercise routine. The twins seem to say that this is okay - recovery is a personal journey. This was really the first book that helped/inspired me after a 10-year downward spiral of bulimic/compulsive exercising behavior.