Burning The Scale

New Book Says Dieting is Pointless

by Claire on June 2nd, 2007

There’s been a lot of press around this new book by New York Times reporter Gina Colada. The book is called “Rethinking Thin: The New Science of Weight Loss–and the Myths and Realities of Dieting.” I recently read a review of this over at the Livin’ La Vida Low Carb blog
and wanted to put in my own two cents.
When I picked up the June issue of Elle, I saw it was advertised as “The Body Issue” on the cover. They actually had an interview with Gina Colata called “The Way of All Flesh…” which I was excited to read. However, she’s basically stating that it’s impossible to succeed on a diet, because peoples’ ability to lose weight is determined by genetics. I find this a cop-out and something that will encourage overweight people to stay the weight they are. Ultimately, you are the only person who stands in the way of succeeding on a diet - and if you can overcome that, then losing weight and maintaining it is possible.
When asked by Elle “why the limits don’t kick in in the other direction,” i.e., why have we gotten so much fatter, she dodges the question. The interesting thing is that she’s apparently thin herself - so how informed could she really be?
From what I’ve heard of the book, it’s more of the same, so I don’t plan to waste my money on it. However, she raises some points that some people might be interested in.
Have your read this book or heard of it? Let me know in the comments!

Claire

Share This

Related Stories

The Pen and Paper Diet By Michael Dow
What’s The Most Inspirational Recipe/Exercise Book for You?
Janet Jackson To Write Book About Her Weight Struggles
Dieting And The Immune System
Good Calories, Bad Calories

POSTED IN: Claire