Have you ever started a book and thought, “This is me!” It doesn’t matter what it is, whether fiction or non-fiction but for whatever reason, it is like a mirror is being held up to you and who you are? That is how I felt on reading Connie Bennett’s candid and helpful book.
Connie has had her own battle with weight loss and inevitably weight gain and she starts the book by detailing her experience honestly and openly, even admitting to being a hypocrite. For me, the admission immediately made me feel like I was being guided by a safe pair of hands with someone I can trust, who is going to lead and cajole and help and if there’s anything that a reader needs in a book of this type, it’s the knowledge that it is going to help them somehow and that that help is coming from an open and giving place.
The book is incredibly easy to read and full of information which Bennett has found through her own research and gathered here to provide a framework of support to enable success. She cites source after source after source, reinforcing her ideas. She has motivational phrases as well as quotes from other health proponents which consolidate the message of the book; it is not densely written as Bennett’s style of writing is convivial and what adds to its appeal is that the content is attractively packaged with highlighted text boxes containing summary notes alongside humorous light-hearted cartoons.
One of the things that I also liked about it is it’s not judgemental and as I read it, I felt like someone was really offering me good advice to help me reach my best self and to believe that I can do it. In addition, Bennett’s book provides the tools to analyse, first of all, and to pinpoint the reasons for overeating before providing, through a step-by-step plan, the path to kicking bad habits and taking control of your life again. Recipes and even shopping lists are provided to make this transformation as easy as possible, admittedly for a US audience.
I’ve done diet books before but the accessibility and the do-ability of Connie Bennett’s has instilled in me a sense of optimism for my future health that I have not felt in a long time.
Would highly recommend.
Rachel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!
This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery where I read it as an ARC. This is a fair and unbiased representation of my view of the book.
Scuffed Granny 