Immensely healing!

This is one of the most healing books I have ever read. It was recommended to me by my excellent nutritional therapist. I have always been an emotional overeater, packing on over 250 extra pounds over my adult life. I overate (largely unconsciously) to soothe, cope with and suppress uncomfortable emotions. My emotional state at any given time was really difficult for me to even pinpoint; I kinda just zombied through life, barely living, all the while using food to comfort and love me. Roughly a year ago as I turned 40 I just became so damn sick and tired of being sick and tired. I resolved to figure out what was really behind all of this, once and for all.

And so, with the help of great therapists, I embarked on the difficult but rewarding journey of understanding this dynamic. I am now learning how to honor and embrace my emotions -- the tools to recognize them, the acceptance of the temporary discomfort they bring, and the compassion and love and generous space I can give myself to process through them. Effortlessly along the way the overeating has begun to subside, as I no longer need the excessive amount of food to soothe and cope. I always knew the overeating was the symptom, not the problem, but I wasn't sure what to do about it.

This book has been a gentle, compassionate companion on this journey back to my true self. And by my true self I don't mean a thinner me, though that may be an added benefit. I mean my true self as someone who respects and loves her body (just the way it is!), and therefore is intrinsically motivated to take awesome care of it, rather than "fix" it. After all, it's not broken or wrong or terrible, no matter how much shameful societal messaging gets thrown my way; I simply refuse to listen! I listen only to me, myself, and I, and I have been learning how to connect my mind and body, to trust the signals my body sends to me and honor those messages with mindful action. And it's been so rewarding!

If you, like me, desperately long to stop your war against food and weight and body hatred, you owe it to yourself to experience this immensely healing book. Turn it on as you drift to sleep -- the narrator's voice is incredibly soothing and the metaphors have so much depth of meaning. I will relisten to this book for years to come! You really do deserve to figure out what's behind your dysfunctional relationship with food and body image, as only therein lies the truth and work that can lead to lasting serenity and wellness. Thank you, Anita Johnston, for this incredible book!

13 people found this helpful

Transformative. Best book on disordered eating

Several times in my adult life I have hit rock bottom with my disordered eating and would seek out a book or a therapist to save me. I got no relief, no understanding of the issue or a pathway to help heal myself.

Both therapists and books alike treat it like ‘just don’t do that anymore.’ But when you have an eating disorder telling a patient/reader to stop doing this is basically the same as saying ‘stop being who you are.’ Rightly or wrongly I’ve defined myself by my eating disorder much of my life.

Dr Johnston’s book is the first I’ve ever read someone get exactly what it feels like to be me. This book is a gift and I know I’m still so far fro recovery but for the first time in my life I genuinely have hope that recovery is possible.

5 people found this helpful

So Enlightening

I have never heard of these concepts and I was fascinated throughout the entire book. The narrator has a nice voice. I'm going to listen over and over, so much good stuff to absorb.

3 people found this helpful

Validating

Would you listen to Eating in the Light of the Moon again? Why?

I will be buying a hard copy so I can write, highlight and reread certain passages.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Eating in the Light of the Moon?

The first 5 minutes had me in tears as it felt like someone understood me and I knew I was OK, my feelings were valid and I was not alone in the way I feel about eating.

Have you listened to any of Arika Rapson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I liked the reader's voice better at the end than in the beginning. At times her voice seemed to lack some emotion.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I tried to listen to the book all in one day, but got weary and needed an hour and a half to go.

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with food disorders, although she does use storytelling to illustrate some important points, it makes the book more enjoyable and keeps it from getting too clinical. Dr. Johnston gives you tools to use to start telling your own story. My biggest take away is the comfort of knowing I am not alone in always feeling different, it is OK to be very sensitive, and I can recover.

3 people found this helpful

Inspiring

I am a physician in South Florida. Many of my patients have eating disorders. The most common of which is the Standard American Diet. Otherwise known asSAD. Dr. Johnston‘s handling of the subject of eating disorders applies to all of us and our relationship to food. Her stories are priceless and worth listening to several times. This book is for all of us. I recommend it because it provided me with insights I have not appreciated before.My only criticism is that she did not appreciate the scope of her own work. This book is not only for women with eating disorders. It is for us all.

2 people found this helpful

Immensely helpful

I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought this book, but it has been exceptionally helpful in my recovery from my eating disorder.

4 people found this helpful

Life changing!

This book was amazing. If you struggle with your relationship with food I recommend this book. It is a must read!

1 person found this helpful

the best and most useful book I read in my life

this book is like a bible for any woman trying to find herself. very well written, concise, informative and built with actually doable techniques. it's like an instructions manual and a guidebook for every woman. it was made up with explanation, causes, and solutions; not just with women and food, but for all women on earth. it definitely helped me a lot, and I will read it again and again.

1 person found this helpful

Transformative book

This book was incredibly helpful in revealing the underlying causes of disordered eating and the path to recovery. Helpful for anyone who struggles with "food and fat," but also women in general. I would call it a book about disordered eating, feminism and embracing womanhood. This book has helped me immensely.
The only minor downsides, for me, were the narrator, who, while good, could have been better and the chapter on dreams.

1 person found this helpful

Highly Recommend!

Loved the use of story to illustrate the key ideas and concepts. Very clear explanations of why eating issues occur and specific directions on what to do about them.

1 person found this helpful