Skinny Life by Crystal Dwyer Hansen

This book is like no other on weight loss or healthy eating that I have ever read. Rather than focusing on doing, this book focuses on being. Hansen argues that if the mindset is right, the actions and habits leading to a skinny life will follow. And that is what she wants, for us to live the healthiest, most fit life possible.

Her emphasis is on our mindset. The source of our weight issues is in our minds. Every behavior pattern is controlled by thought patterns. Much of the book is about recognizing our current thought patterns and then creating healthy ones, including a healthy self image.

Following the suggestions in this book takes a commitment and honesty. Hansen asks revealing questions, necessary for the deep changes needed. She also gives plenty of tools to change our mental programming, such as meditation, affirmations and visualization. She reveals the power of belief (such as placebo studies). She helps us create a new image of ourselves with suggestions as to how to live into it. This will not be a quick fix. It takes time and commitment to change our relationship to food and to our own body.

I learned about psychological reversal, about how we recognize our current identity and how to craft a new one. I was encouraged to write out a plan so eating opportunities would not come at me as a surprise. In appendixes, I was also given a list of foods that energize me and foods that do not have a positive effect on the body.

Hansen does give some simple food rules, so in that sense, this book is like other diet books. These are sensible rules, such as eliminating white carbs and high fructose corn syrup, and eating enough protein. She also includes great ideas to get enough exercise in our automated and sedentary society and recommends the use of whole food supplements.

This is a good book that gets to the root of our weight issue, our image and our thinking. I really like this approach. It is not an easy program but it is a quality life change. I recommend it.

You can find out more about the book at www.skinnylife.com.

Food for thought: “Starting today, make a decision to live with purpose and intention to honor your amazing body with each choice you make.” (23) “Remember, not all calories are the same.” (141)

Crystal Dwyer Hansen is the founder of CrystalVision, Ltd. And Skinny Life. She is a member of the International Coaching Foundation and a wellness and nutrition expert. She and her husband live in Newport Beach, California.

Worthy Publishing, 225 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.