The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life

I enjoyed the light-hearted nature of this book. Imagine, a life based on joy instead of deprivation. How liberating, how delicious. Yummy. Here is a quote I pulled from the book that says it all: "Any sentient being knows when it wants to eat, mate, run, sleep or fight -- any sentient being that is, except most members of the human race. We are the only beasts in creation who systematically eradicate the knowledge of our own desires." I have found that by using the concepts in this book, I am able to maintain a comfortable weight effortlessly and I am able to enjoy my being in my body...scars, stretch marks, cellulite and all. Hooray!

I've been through a really trying year and after reading Martha's columns in O magazine I decided to try this book. I don't really like most self-help books because their advice usually evaporates soon after reading.This doesn't. It sticks. I keep it by my bed and have been reading and re-reading it as needed. Whenever I need a boost or a reminder to keep on track, I pick it up and get re-inspired. Hers is a very refreshing practical approach to making your life more joyful. Her writing style is funny and direct with a common sense attitude that is very appealing. Buy it!

This book was a surprising help to change my life for the better. It really had some great ideas to follow to add fun back into my life! As a recovering workaholic, the ideas in this book really showed me things missing from my life & small steps I could take to make changes. I highly recommend this book!

People who visit my site often assume I'm getting commissions from Martha Beck. I wish I were: I've recommended Finding Your Own North Star to just about every client and every person I know.I was afraid her follow-up book would not be able to keep up the pace, but she's exceeded my expectations. The joy diet is not about food, she clarifies right away. It's a ten-step program to bring more joy into your life.Beck does not promise that joy will also bring money, sports cars and mansions into your life. If you read carefully, she warns that you need to work hard for what you want. But if you follow the ten steps she proposes, it's hard to imagine that you won't find more success than you ever dreamed possible.I was a little nervous as I read the chapter on risk. As a coach myself, I am very leery of encouraging people to take big risks, like quitting a job without another one waiting. Beck offers some good questions to ask before you take the leap, such as, "Is this the only way?"Everyone will find a favorite chapter and mine was "truth," because I've never seen this material anywhere else. It's not the usual spiel about integrity - it's about facing your own reality, which can be tough. The most challenging step for many will be "connection." During a transition, as she says, you have to leave some people behind, and for awhile -- often a long while -- you are on your own. That's why so many people hire a coach or counselor.As before, Ms. Beck combines insight and wisdom with a delightful sense of humor. She doesn't talk down to us, her readers, and she doesn't offer bromides and easy answers. And I especially enjoy watching a Harvard-trained social scientist attack career and life challenges, combining intelligence with commonsense. I'm a fan.

I was thrilled to see a new book from Martha Beck, and since I work in a bookstore, I was able to start reading it before it was released. I meditate, so although I wouldn't say that the first "menu item" is easy, I was able to skip to week two automatically. Don't skip it if you don't do it! It certainly is essential to my life, and helps me stay focused. Each week/chapter adds another dimension to the "diet", and expands your life in some other way. As I am impatient, I can't simply read a chapter a week, so I am finishing the book and then incorporating the weeks as I go along. I appreciate Ms. Beck's sense of humor and frank honesty. She has been a lifestyle coach for quite a few years and offers excellent advice. If you missed "Finding Your Own North Star", be sure and check it out."Excuse me, My Life is Waiting" and "Extreme Success" are also excellent titles along this same line.