Thin for Life: 10 Keys to Success from People Who Have Lost Weight and Kept It Off

Early last year, I read the 1994 version of Thin for Life, just as I was starting to lose weight, for what I hoped was the final time. I, like others, have fought the battle my entire life. The end of 2003 found me 43 years old, in a back brace for intense sciatica and growing out of the 1x clothes. I read Ms. Fletcher's book (that had sat on my shelf for 4 years) and KNEW I would succeed and finally be Thin for Life! Her interviews of the masters proved to me there are ways to succeed. Not through some magic pill or specific plan but by looking inside yourself and finding out what makes you tick. From there, you can look at the different options that Ms. Fletcher and the masters present and pick what fits you and your lifestyle. For me it is keeping track of everything I eat in a database on my laptop, using the elliptical I put in the living room, lots of different exercise dvd's and even some charity 5k runs. Others have used other means to succeed. This book shows you what is out there and how we can use appropriate tools for us to reach a common goal of a fit and healthy body. She shows us how to deal with the hard times (no one said this was easy) and gives us the coping mechanisms that she and the other masters have used. She presents the science, the facts proven though research, in such an easy to understand, very engaging format. Real words for the real world! I've lost the back brace, the sciatica and 80 pounds! The local charities have benefited from the donation of all my old clothes. The local merchants benefit from my purchase of several new wardrobes this year. I gave my copy to a co-worker who has lost 20 pounds, so far and I bought the new version as a replacement for my library. I have read it, finding it just as beneficial now that I am in maintenance mode, as I did when I first started. I've read several other books that have had some helpful information and THIN FOR LIFE is the ONE book I have recommended to those that want to know what my "secret" is. Like the doctor tells you, "diet" and exercise are what works. Ms. Fletcher gives us the keys to unlock the mystery of how to unlock the healthy, thin person locked inside the big outer shell. This book is the "formula" for the lifestyle change that is the key to being the healthiest you can be.

I have been heavy pretty much my whole life (I'm 51) and have dieted and gained countless times. I've read MANY books about weight loss and have found some helpful, but I have never felt such a profound benefit as I have gained from Thin for Life. This may not be the perfect book for someone who needs an extremely prescriptive plan...every step written out for you, every morsel of food planned and scripted. But, if like me, you are mostly going it on your own and you are looking for tools and resources to help you, this is THE PERFECT BOOK.What could be more motivational than a bunch of people who have not only lost weight but kept it off? I don't agree with every single person's methods of either getting it off or keeping it off; however, COLLECTIVELY, their advice is gold. SO helpful. If you are looking for that elusive key to doing this RIGHT for once and for all, READ THIS BOOK. If you just want validation that you're already on the right track, READ THIS BOOK!Thank you to Ms. Fletcher and to all the "masters"...you have touched me, inspired me and shown me that thin for life does not have to be a fantasy. And for that, I am forever grateful.

*See below for update!4/00 I bought this book 7 weeks ago and have lost over 20 pounds. More importantly, I am learning a new way of eating, looking at, and thinking about food. This is not a step by step "follow this menu" diet book. It is full of advice from 100's of people who have lost weight, and kept it off for a number of years. It teaches you to implement what worked for them into what works for you. I would recommend this book to anyone needing support and motivation for whatever plan you are on. There are two companion books that are also very helpful "Eating Thin for Life" and the "Thin for Life Daybook".*Update 9/25/01, well the 20 pound loss has turned into a 120 pound loss. I am now maintaining with the continued motivation from this book. If you want to change your lifestyle, and keep it changed, this book can help. It has changed my life!

In this highly readable and motivational book, nutritionist Anne Fletcher explains that, just as no two people are alike, there is no single right way to lose weight. Thus, this is not a diet book per se, but a list of 10 principles that successful dieters have in common, and to which I refer frequently when I find myself slipping in my resolve. Fletcher calls these successful dieters "masters:" people who have kept off at least 20 pounds for at least 3 years. (Many of her masters have lost and kept off much more.)The two things I like most about this book are:1) Rather than taking a theoretical and single-minded approach to dieting, the author relies on a wide variety of actual true long-term success stories and quotes the masters themselves extensively.2) The author takes a practical, common-sense, long-term approach rather than the usual quick-fix mentality of most diet books. Bottom line: this book worked (and is still working) for me!