"Well so far I have read it a couple of times, recommended it to about 12 people , and I’ve only had it two weeks!  It is very difficult to contain my excitement!  What a different, ground-breaking, scientifically backed up and frankly sensible approach to changing your eating behaviour.

I love the way Janet states the problem at the root of the whole diet industry, “people do things that they don’t enjoy in order to reach a goal. Then when they get there (assuming they can do what they don’t enjoy for long enough) they naturally stop doing the things they didn’t enjoy, and the weight goes back on.” The perfect self- sustaining industry, because it ensures a repeat customer – much like white goods with an inbuilt redundancy.

Whereas I always tended to blame the diet industry for the failure in dieting success ( apparently about 97% of the dieting population), I prefer Janet’s interpretation of the conflicting influences within our own mind. And the idea of overwriting the old pathways, anchors, habits with new ones makes complete sense.  And thankfully she shares how we can do this. Like a factory reset – we can go back (or find for the first time) a different belief of what food is good- and really  experience it so – as if we had never worshipped pizza, coke and chocolate. A whole new experience of ‘being good’, and one without the sense of pious self- deprivation.

So often we believe we have made a resolution to make a change when in reality we haven’t got much further than imagining how nice it would be if the visualized change were to have taken place. We mentally ogle the results.  Great that this behaviour forms part of the stage of change  - and Janet demonstrates how to move further on from this.  

There’s so much I like about this book I’m struggling where to start. So it might be easier just to make a list:

Neuroplasticity – hope for the adults – not just for the babies and toddlers –  like the pelvic floor, its never too late!

The mind as a sheep dog (my description not Janets ) – how  she explains that once we have drawn up our goal, our mind rounds up any relevant information that might aid us to reach our chosen destination – just as when we have purchased a given make of car, we can’t help noticing suddenly how many of the same make appear on the road. We have become an involved participant and the mind takes over in pointing out what is interesting to us!

Mostly I love the  affirmation of free will – that despite past experience , our mind is an outstanding centre of power, and with a guided strategy we can utilise this power, the Sampson within,  to choose to take charge of what we eat – without pain, but with inspiration and a sense of self- nurture (rather than self- deprivation).  A step into freedom, away from compulsion, and without the overwhelming feeling of constraint. It is possible to be the boss of your mind – your own fat controller.

I’m going to stop now as my enthusiasm is starting to embarrass myself"

Jeanette

Jeanettes e mail  was duly forwarded to Janet in Las Vegas and her response ......

             "This is EXACTLY why I love my job!"