The Self-Compassion Diet
What I'm Saying
Since writing The Self-Compassion Diet, there’s a lot I could say about the very first book on self-compassion for eating issues. A decade after my flexible, forgiving guide to overcoming overeating hit bookstore shelves, I could say something about my publisher’s enthusiastic response, my colleagues’ wholehearted praise, my readers’ genuine appreciation. There are so many things I want to say.
But more than anything, I must say what often goes unsaid to anyone hopelessly struggling with problematic eating: You have good reason to hope. Yes, you — not everyone but you — you have good reason to hope for the end of the vicious cycle that is weight loss and regain, hope to put down the heavy burden of guilt, regret and shame you carry, hope to get beyond unstuck and on to unstoppable living.
Whatever your ultimate destination, The Self-Compassion Diet will help you find your way. To be clear, the book is not a diet, and it’s not a miracle cure. Rather it’s a step-by-step guide to eating better, feeling better and living better. Follow the plan with or without the audio companion, and it won’t be long before you’re eating less, savoring more, and feeling happier, healthier and noticeably lighter.
Like I said, I could say a lot more, but so could a lot of people.
What My Publisher Is Saying
Most people say when they lose weight and look better, they’ll like themselves better. Jean Fain suggests that we’ve got it all backward. “The best way to lose weight and look your best is to start with loving who you are.” With The Self-Compassion Diet, this Harvard Medical School-affiliated psychotherapist shares a revolutionary new model for lasting weight loss.
Combining the best of four proven weight-loss methods—self-love, mindfulness, self-hypnosis, and group support—this unique mind-body approach cultivates true self-acceptance, which paradoxically produces remarkable physical change.
The Self-Compassion Diet is available in two complementary formats. The book describes the four weight-loss methods. The audio edition guides listeners through exercises described in the book. Used together, this powerful combination speeds learning and boosts success.
Topics covered include:
- Practicing kindness to help you develop the “habit of compassion” for yourself
- Using the power of positive suggestion to potentially double your weight loss
- Finding hope and motivation where you least expect it
“Self-compassion,” Fain teaches, “is the missing ingredient in every diet.” The Self-Compassion Diet invites you to pass up deprivation and self-loathing and indulge in healthy portions of loving-kindness.
What The Experts Are Saying
“The Self-Compassion Diet translates an established research finding – that self-compassion is a more effective motivator than self-criticism – into a practical, easy-to-follow guide to lose weight. This book will not only transform your waistline, it will change your life.”
–Kristin Neff, PhD, author of Self-Compassion and co-creator of Mindful Self-Compassion
“Self-compassion is the only approach that works, and with Jean Fain’s guidance, you will not only wake up out of addictive eating patterns, you will have a pathway to deep happiness and transformation. Filled with the basic elements of healing — mindfulness, heartfulness, psychological strategies, and relational support — this book is a real gem!”
–Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance
“This delightful handbook moves the diet conversation to a new level. The author, diet expert Jean Fain, gently unravels the mystery behind successful change — self-kindness — and weaves it into a wise, carefully-organized, multi-faceted, step-by-step approach to healthy eating. Allow the subtle message into your heart and see how your food habits change from the ground up.”
–Christopher K. Germer, PhD, author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion
“The Self-Compassion Diet offers a welcome and fresh approach to weight loss for the battle-weary dieter. You won’t find any forbidden food lists or calorie-counting strategies in this book. What you will find is the missing ingredient in most weight-loss approaches: self-compassion, which has the power to transform every eating experience into something bright and positive in your life. Fain’s engaging writing style, complete with mini-assessments, helpful practices, and case-studies, will help you say goodbye to dieting, once-and-for-all, and feel good in the process.”
–Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD, co-author of Intuitive Eating
“If you’re tired of losing weight and then regaining more, forget about starting that same-old diet tomorrow. Read this book today. The Self-Compassion Diet delivers what you truly crave — a simple, flexible, proven plan for transforming the way you live, breathe and eat. Synthesizing current psychological theory, cutting-edge research, tried-and-true mindful-eating practices, winning hypnotic suggestions, Jean Fain shows you how to find your best way to a healthy, sustainable weight.”
–Steve Gurgevich, PhD, author of The Self-Hypnosis Diet
“The Self-Compassion Diet by Jean Fain blends eastern meditative techniques and western psychology for a gentle, comprehensive approach to weight loss. These techniques will help many people of any weight to be calmer and happier with their lives.”
–Deirdre Barrett, PhD, author of Supernormal Stimuli
“Just about everyone who has dieted knows that traditional diets with self-abuse and deprivation are bound to fail in the long run. In contrast, Jean Fain’s compassionate approach to weight loss is accepting and transforming. This book helps turn past diet abuses into present-day understanding and emotional sanity. I recommend The Self-Compassion Diet to everyone struggling with weight and self-abuse problems.”
–Jean Antonello, RN, BSN, author of Breaking Out of Food Jail