I just finished a wonderful 'non-diet' book called The Slow Down Diet: Eating for Pleasure, Energy, and Weight Loss by Marc David. He is the founder of the Institute for the Psychology of Eating. The book combines the best of The French Women Don't Get Fat philosophy with the latest research on the powerful mind-body connection.
It's complete nutrition for the body, mind and soul.
My Thoughts on The Slow Down Diet by Marc David
David, defines metabolism as the sum total of all the chemical reactions of the body. Plus the sum total of all our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and experiences.
He explores the connection between stress and metabolism. And points to the French Paradox to illustrate the positive impact that slowing down and enjoying high quality food has on our metabolism and health.
The book, written with compassion and humor, encourages us to work less to achieve more.
The message aligns with my belief that many of our current ills are the result of trying to do too much too fast. "This go-go pace is inconsistent with a happy, healthy life."
We need to stop punishing ourselves and begin nourishing ourselves.
As I read these pages I felt my whole body sigh with relief. Finally no more struggle. No more deprivation. No more extremism in thought or action!
The Slow Down Diet outlines an eight week plan that focuses on the metabolic powers of:
- Relaxation
- Quality
- Awareness
- Rhythm
- Pleasure
- Thought
- Story
- Sacred
Each chapter provides inspirational case studies. A list of tasks to and exercises and a summary of key lessons is also included. I especially loved the chapters on relaxation and pleasure. This crucial aspect of eating is often overlooked by most of today's nutrition and weight loss experts.
He explains that by slowing down and paying attention while we eat, our brain registers and records the experience. This creates a feeling of satisfaction that is usually missed in our busy, multi-tasking, drive-thru approach to eating. We can re-ignite our metabolism and energize our lives by connecting with our deeper needs, increasing food quality, and taking time to enjoy eating.
This book is short on the specifics. There are no suggestions for exactly what or how much to eat. The underlying premise is that each of us is unique and that by slowing down and paying attention, we will learn to nourish ourselves optimally in any given situation or circumstance.
With The Slow Down Diet Marc David has provided a solution for sane weight loss that encourages us to slow down and savor our food.
The Slow Down Diet: Eating for Pleasure, Energy, and Weight Loss
If you liked this review of The Slow Down Diet you might also like:
Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think
Bethenny Frankel's Rule for Living Naturally Thin
7 Intuitive Eating Guidelines
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