Finally Thin!: How I Lost Over 200 Pounds and Kept Them Off - And How You Can Too

Love this book! It is one you want to read more then once.

I first heard of Kim Bensen on the Weight Watchers community message boards. She's marketed her own low calorie bagels and I was searching for her website for this information. I found much more than bagels. I've never met her in person, but I found that Kim is helpful and kind to those who email her. I found out about this book on her website and couldn't wait to read it...got it the first day it was avail and couldn't lay it down until I was finished. Her book is brutally honest and I applaud her for speaking so frankly about her struggles with dieting and obesity. It's the kind of book that will inspire you to keeping going, or inspire you to get started on a life changing plan for eating if you're struggling or have given up. At some points in the book I was in tears, and at others, laughing. Her story is heartbreaking but ends in a final triumph. Her favorite line seems to be "now it's your turn". She tries to inspire others to achieve the seemingly impossible. She lost 212 lbs, kept it off and is now a very successful Weight Watchers leader. A VERY good book for anyone, but especially those of us who need to lose weight. I HIGHLY recommend it. Also, she includes recipes. A bonus to the book!

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and dealt with the subject of weight loss honestly and openly. Ms. Bensen lost over 200 pounds and has kept it off for years, so she is uniquely qualified to write this type of book. She makes no secret of the fact that she lost her weight with Weight Watchers and now works for them, but the book explores (briefly) all of the well known diet plans without prejudice. The first part of the book is devoted to Kim's story and I had tears in my eyes by the time I got to the part where she reached her goal weight. The second section of the book explores the 10 steps essential to losing and maintaining weight loss. The chapter devoted to step 9 - keep yourself motivated all the way - is the highlight of the book in my opinion. The third and final section of the book is recipes. I have to say that most of the recipes did not appeal to me because the majority included fat-free cheese or sugar substitutes, but since I did not buy the book for the recipes, they did not effect my rating. All in all, this is one of the best and most realistic books out there for anyone who has struggled with overcoming obesity.

I picked up this book after seeing the cover; at the time I was just in the store to browse. I wasn't even looking for a weight loss book. I thumbed through it and after reading Kim's honest account of her struggles and her success, then, seeing all the hints, recipes and tools for support and success, I saw that it wasn't just a how-to book written by a muscle bound trainer. I bought it because I knew the recipes would be helpful, and now that I have read it and dog-eared too many pages to count, I am so glad I have it. I have struggled with weight loss & food 'issues' for almost 20 years, and Finally Thin just might be the inspiration and guidance that gets me over this frustration hump where I have felt my past futile efforts overwhelm me. I am tired of picking up books written by [well intended] trainers who just don't get the emotional component. Even the title conveys what the book addresses...finally, after all the frustrations, hopes, exercise classes, therapy sessions, dreams, efforts, diets.....thin! Bad habits take more than one try to kick. Reading this I felt hope and a strong sense of support, and that emotional component is huge.

I love this book! I've known Kim for a year or so and am inspired by her story. For those readers who do not live in Southern CT, let me assure you that both of the pictures on the cover of the book are real. There has been no "Photoshoping". Kim is as beautiful as she is on the cover, maybe even more so. (And she was as heavy as she is on the cover also). The book is divided into three sections. Section one describes Kim's battle with her weight and some embarassing incidents that she very bravely shares with her readers. The second section describes 10 steps that are needed to "diet" sucessfully. She does not promote any one diet, but instead reviews all the popular diets and encourages the reader to choose the one they are suited for. The third section is made up of 70 recipes Kim has used and recommends. I recommed this book and a visit to Kim's website: www.kimbensen.com. There you will find all sorts of tools to help make dieting easier, a "guilt free" shopping list and much more.

Finally Thin is a fabulous book. Kim Bensen is brutally honest about how difficult it is to be morbidly obese and what it took for her to turn her life and relationship with food around. The book discusses the pros and cons of every diet out there. It also discusses what it takes to maintain a weight loss which is what most of us don't know how to do. It has wonderful, realistic recipes for busy families in the back too!