33 Ways to Break Free from Binge Eating Paperback – October 22, 2014

Nia Shanks' 33 Ways to Break Free From Binge Eating gets the first of five stars for how the author shares her own struggles with binge eating and how she ultimately broke free. She keeps the "I've been there too" tone throughout the book. This not only shows that she knows from experience what she is talking about, it also creates a bond with readers and makes them feel more understood.Another star for this book: It's practical, not theory. Nia's advice is definitely personal and experiential. It's also backed by evidence, and she does cite her sources. But rather than fill pages with scientific study details, she gives you practical behavior and mindset strategies that can all be applied immediately.A third strong point is that the book is concise and easy to read. It's just over 100 pages of the most important information. The tone is conversational, and all 33 of the article-length chapters can be finished in one or two sittings.The book covers both physical and mental strategies. For example, "Cooking your meals" is a physical strategy and "Be kind to yourself" is a mental strategy. The book tells you things to do and things to stop doing. Example: Don't have forbidden foods. Do celebrate victories. The wisdom in this approach is worth another star.I give a 5th star because this book was written with fitness in mind. This also separates the book from others in the category. Nia is well-known as an advocate of strength training for women. Her advice on freeing yourself from binge eating is put into the context of a total lifestyle change that includes exercise, not just dieting - as it should be. In fact, strategy number one is, "You don't" need another diet.Most of the 33 strategies in the book, I believe, are universal to everyone; just do them and they will work. In a handful of areas, you'll have to "know yourself" and decide if a strategy fits your situation. With this in mind, Nia concludes in her final tip not only to pick out the strategies that speak to you the most and to start there, but also to start small, even by focusing on one simple action step (avoiding overwhelm is an important part of making this work).Nia' book seems aimed toward people currently struggling with binge eating. However, most of the advice applies more broadly to improving health and body composition in general, so anyone who wants to get healthier and leaner while developing a good relationship with food would benefit from reading this.I purchased and reviewed the kindle version. I was not compensated for or asked to write this review, but as disclosure of association, I did know Nia before reading her book because she has been a guest writer on my blog. Incidentally, her guest posts were among the most read and liked of all time on my website. Like Nia's blogs, her book does not disappoint.

Nia is great!! I sometimes get down on myself and have trouble dealing with my emotions with eating, and exercise, and getting off track. She has the best advice out there; and her well thought out advice has many times kept me sane. She doesn't believe in shame or guilt, or crazy diets, just common sense and practical strategies. She encourages you to do what works for YOU, and to be confident in that approach. So grateful for her!!

I've never struggled with binge eating the level the author has. But I've been on a cutting diet long enough to know what it's like to lose control and overeat.I thought this book would be worthless. After reading it, I couldn't have been more wrong. There are tons of actionable insights you can immediately use to stay in control and up your mental game on eating.A must read for anyone dieting or struggling with their weight.

Even if you do not consider yourself a serious binge eater, I would definitely recommend reading this book!It presents a series of realistic guidelines and principles, rather than rules, to encourage positive actions and attitudes that are designed to help you achieve your goals and feel good about yourself each day.I read it cover to cover in one sitting and feel very encouraged and armed for a positive journey to better health and a better attitude along the way.

This is helpful from someone who's been there. It didn't fix my BED (Never Binge Again helped more) but it was supportive and gave many good ideas

Enjoyed reading the book. Very practical and applicable to ever day life. Hope you find it as useful as I did.

Nia Shanks has assembled a great set of attitude adjusters which will be useful to anyone seeking to break binges or habitual overeating. In an accessible, conversational style, she utilizes examples from her own experiences to illustrate both problem and solution.The William Gibson quote may save some lives along with her excellent insights.

Heartfelt story & really effective, down to earth advice on getting beyond the diet/binge cycle & developing a sane relaunching with food. Nia Shanks also has a terrific blog, Lift Like A Girl. She is one of the safe & sane people on the internet who brought me to a place of working with my body from a place of respect & love, rather than the dissatisfaction & disorder promoted by most fitness "experts".

Definitely made me think about my issues. Some good strategies and helpful for the long haul that this is.

Great little reference

Not quite what I expected but a few tips worth noting

Some useful tips. Good read.

Some great tips in here and some motivation thrown in as well well worth the money and will use some of these tips myself. Well done on a great book