Customer Reviews

When You Eat At The Refrigerator Pull Up A Chair

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My dissertation at university is on eating disorders, so I've been reading quite widely on the subject. Geneen Roth's books had been recommended to me for ages, so I decided I should start with this one: maybe it was the wrong choice as an introduction to her work, maybe not. I guess I'll find out after reading the rest of her books.

Mind you, this is NOT a disappointing book: Not at all. It contains good, very useful ideas, and it makes clear points. The basic, no-diet philosophy of Roth is valid & makes sense. And since this is a self-help book, it helps that the author uses examples, little stories, & catchy titles. From cover to cover, it can be read in a couple of hours, but I think it's better to read the ideas more slowly, savouring & trying to understand each one better.

"When you eat at the refrigerator..." is NOT a bad book: it's just that these things have been said before, & (in my opinion) much better, for example, by Susie Orbach. Maybe Orbach concetrates more on the theoretical part & Roth tackles the more practical, self-help part. I don't know. And maybe Roth has covered more theory in her other books. But this book, for me, was lacking in theoretical explanation of the ideas presented, & so most of these ideas seemed like little gimmicks to me. But, as a beginnning book, a book of ideas that can lead to other similar books, it's not bad.

I picked this book up because its title made me laugh - such an outrageous idea. It's quick, easy, scannable, and full of nuggets that helped me begin to approach my problems with dieting and self-care with love and humor. Helped me see that bashing myself, trying to FORCE myself to follow a diet (Atkins, Weight Watchers, whatever) wasn't working for a very good reason. Several excellent reasons. And it sparked a journey of gentle self-inquiry that's proven quite fruitful.

But if it hadn't been a slender volume with a sense of humor, I would have resisted the messages it contains.

This book helped me begin to find answers to these questions:

Why can't I stick to a diet, since being thin is what I want most?

Why do I always come last in my family hierarchy of need (that, incidentally, I'm in control of, hello)?

Am I just doomed to remain fat because of my genes, or my unhappiness? Both?

What's the relationship between self-esteem and my weight?

What does being thin represent to me?

On the strength of this book, I attended a Roth seminar, and that experience is speeding me along, with insights and growth coming thick and fast.

So, if you're ready for something newer and deeper than the latest tips and tricks, or another set of rules, but not quite sold on your own ability to make *anything* work - give this a try. It might be just what you need now.

This book is a MUST for ALL women, whether you have a weight problem or not. It's a quick read, and full of little gems and quotes I still use even though I read the book over 6 months ago.
Geneen Roth helped me realize my obsession over food and the number on the scale was not only unhealthy, it was unrealistic and detrimental to my mental well-being. Since finishing the book I have stopped "dieting" and started living a healthier life (nutritionally yes, but more importantly MENTALLY), and not only have I not gained a pound, I feel less restricted and happier with my relationship with food.
I think Geneen's books should be required reading in high school, and if I ever have a daughter I will make sure she reads it too.

I would highly recommend this book by Geneen. It is funny, enlightening and really makes you think about food and your relationship with food. The chapters are an easy read and you will find it difficult to put the book down. Geneen looks at the many causes of why we do certain things and how to rethink why we do such things. Best of luck on your new journey!

geneen roth does a fabulous job discussing our relationships between food and love, then giving you ways to change that relationship. it is NOT a diet book. it is a book to make you think.

Geneen Roth is right on target, AGAIN. If you've never read Ms. Roth's books, then this is a great introduction to her philosophy. If you're familiar with her work, then you'll quickly discover that this IS a moveable feast - the portable Roth.

My one criticism, and maybe Ms. Roth will correct this in future printings, is the Table of Contents. This book is supposed to be 'a take along' to be read in bits and pieces as time allows and mood suggests. But when you want to find a nugget, the Table of Contents is a hindrance, not a help. I'm just a reader, not a book editor but below is an excerpt from the current layout and a recommended, improved Table of Contents:

Current:
4.Give Away Clothes that Cut Off Your
Circulation/22 5.Consider Howard Stern and
Live 'As If'/26 6. Learn to Recognize a
Fat-and-Ugly Attack/29 7. Emergency . . .

Suggested
4.Give Away Clothes that Cut Off Your Circulation___22
5.Consider Howard Stern and Live 'As If'__________26
6.Learn to Recognize a Fat-and-Ugly Attack________29
7.Emergency Interventions_____________________34

I just finished reading it and I can't believe it has taken me so long to hear about it. This was the best book ever written on this subject. I feel wonderful and can't imagine how I made it so long without this most basic information. I finally have permission to be who I am and not feel depressed because I don't look like a fashion model. I can't wait to read another of Geneen's books. God bless you for making me feel like a human being again.

I just finished burning my "chart" of inches and weight I've kept for the past year and a half. Then I dumped all my protein drinks down the garbage disposal. I feel great. I feel like I have arrived at where I kept thinking I was going. Geneen Roth has written the best book ever on dealing with food. Anyone who has ever had any food issue at all should read this book.

Thank you, Geneen.

Having read "Feeding the Hungry Heart" about 10 years ago, I can say that she has outdone herself. Her experiences in the last 10 years are explored and expressed firmly, simply and confidently in these pages. Read it, then read it again to be sure and highlight the parts that hit you like a brick in the head.

Yeah, a brick in the head would most likely hurt, and so might some of what she has to say, but that only means that she is hitting a place inside that you have been unwilling to explore because it IS painful. Let these insights shine into your dark corners, clear your mind, set free your heart and soul so you can soar like the eagle that you are.

"Being kind to yourself is the only solution," she says. "Think self-kindness, not self indulgence." We berate and punish ourselves for not being who we think we could or should be, and that self-loathing compounds and turns into fanatical dieting, then bingeing, or fanatical exercise and starvation. And all the defeating, humiliating, exhausting cycles in between. And where do we end up? Always in the same place. Feeling fat which equals unloved, unworthy, unbelievably depressed and out of control.

Would we let our friends get away with calling us those things? Then why do we tolerate it from ourselves?

All you really need to do is be kind to yourself, and your SELF will return the favor.

May not make sense right now. But read the book. Internalize it. Live it. Then you will see. Again, thanks Geneen, for giving me permission to treat myself the way I deserve to be treated.

And it really isn't about following a set diet as that is not her approach. It's more about knowing when enough food is enough and thinking of other things beside food.

I read the chapter headings first. They will give you a good idea of her wonderful sense of humor. I am this very minute burning the diet articles I've collected over the years as she suggests, but am doing it in the fireplace, which is already dirty, instead of the bathtub, which isn't.

Her stories of crash dieting and the harm she caused her body should be a warning to everyone to avoid any of those crazy diets that make the rounds.

A great book for sharing, but I'd be afraid to loan it to anyone. Think I might not get it back!