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You Are Not a Before Picture
An urgent, enlightening and empowering guide to disavowing diet culture and learning to make peace with ourbodies, from body confidence and anti-diet advocate, Alex Light.
When we look in the mirror, so many of us see a ‘before� picture: the miserable person in the side-by-side shot waiting for the ‘glow-up� (read: weight loss) that will bring true happiness. But it’s not our fault that we see our bodies as projects in need of constant work: this is just one of the beliefs that has been ingrained in us by diet culture. We have been taught to view ourselves as a collection of ‘problem� areas for which the billion-dollar diet industry holds the solutions.
Step-by-step, You Are Not A Before Picture provides a framework for changing the way we view ourselves and the world around us. Working with experts in the fields of psychotherapy, fitness and nutrition, Alex empowers readers to interrogate their underlying beliefs, challenge the external and internal forces that are holding us back, and finally find freedom in our bodies, for good.
When we look in the mirror, so many of us see a ‘before� picture: the miserable person in the side-by-side shot waiting for the ‘glow-up� (read: weight loss) that will bring true happiness. But it’s not our fault that we see our bodies as projects in need of constant work: this is just one of the beliefs that has been ingrained in us by diet culture. We have been taught to view ourselves as a collection of ‘problem� areas for which the billion-dollar diet industry holds the solutions.
Step-by-step, You Are Not A Before Picture provides a framework for changing the way we view ourselves and the world around us. Working with experts in the fields of psychotherapy, fitness and nutrition, Alex empowers readers to interrogate their underlying beliefs, challenge the external and internal forces that are holding us back, and finally find freedom in our bodies, for good.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2022
322 people are currently reading
2,875 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
June 4, 2022
Oh my word, where do I start with this book? Best book I’ve read all year? Yes. Most inspiring book I’ve read for a while? Yes. No. No, wait, most inspiring book I’ve maybe ever read? Yes. This book will change lives. Everyone needs to read it and I am already compiling a long list of people I want to personally send it to. Alex Light has first hand experience of eating disorders and our strange societal obsession with food and fat, and this is truly a guide to break the obsessions we have with both and find peace with our bodies. As a person who has always had a strange relationship with food, and my first memory of being called chunky in year one, at the age of, get this, 6?! This is a book I wish I had had when I was younger, maybe when I slim fasted at age 13 (effing hell!). A brilliant journey through the harmful world of diets, our relationships with food and exercise, our body image, and much much more. I honestly think this is such an inspiring, honest, and eye opening book and I really can’t recommend it enough to, well, everyone. Go and buy it (Waterstones plz)! Spread it far and wide, follow her immediately, make it part of the curriculum, live and breathe it. Go go go. Thank you Alex! X
June 17, 2022
This is an excellent book, not only for self-help but also educational in informing how diet culture was founded and has involved over the years
I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who has struggled with body image in their lives
I could almost guarantee there will be at least a few chapters that resonate. It certainly did with me
In the past I have had a love/hate relationship with self-help books and have sometimes(wrongly) dismissed most of them as “woo woo�
This book is certainly not that - it’s full of highlighters from me and I will revisit it time and again
Highly recommend
I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who has struggled with body image in their lives
I could almost guarantee there will be at least a few chapters that resonate. It certainly did with me
In the past I have had a love/hate relationship with self-help books and have sometimes(wrongly) dismissed most of them as “woo woo�
This book is certainly not that - it’s full of highlighters from me and I will revisit it time and again
Highly recommend
January 19, 2025
Zini to sajūtu, kad skaties uz savu fotogrāfiju, kas uzņemta pirms gada, diviem, pieciem vai desmit? To neizpratni, kādēļ tolaik sevi šaustīji un kritizēji, lai gan patiesībā izskatījies skaista? Šī ir grāmata, kas palīdzēs par sevi priecāties un būt pateicīgai par ķermeni ne tikai retrospektīvi, bet tieši tagad.
Lieliska un atziņām pilna grāmata par ķermeni, sportošanu, ēdienu un kā cilvēka attiecības ar katru no šiem aspektiem ietekmējusi diētu kultūra, kas iegrauzusies apziņā krietni dziļāk, nekā gribētos. Ļoti vērtīgas domas un iedvesma tam, lai dzīvotu un par savu ķermeni priecātos šodien, nevis kaut kad, kad būs zaudēti X kilogrami. Apkopoti ieteikumi intuitīvai ēšanai, intuitīvai sportošanai, saturam, kam pievērst uzmanību un no kā atbrīvoties sociālajos medijos.
Uzzināju arī par ĶMI, kuru visu laiku biju izmantojusi kā mērauklu sava ķermeņa “normalitātei�, un biju šokēta, uzzinot, kā tas radies (un cik neobjektīvs ir).
Lūdzu, lasiet, dodiet lasīt meitām, dēliem, māsām, draudzenēm, kolēģēm, vīriem, tēviem!
Lieliska un atziņām pilna grāmata par ķermeni, sportošanu, ēdienu un kā cilvēka attiecības ar katru no šiem aspektiem ietekmējusi diētu kultūra, kas iegrauzusies apziņā krietni dziļāk, nekā gribētos. Ļoti vērtīgas domas un iedvesma tam, lai dzīvotu un par savu ķermeni priecātos šodien, nevis kaut kad, kad būs zaudēti X kilogrami. Apkopoti ieteikumi intuitīvai ēšanai, intuitīvai sportošanai, saturam, kam pievērst uzmanību un no kā atbrīvoties sociālajos medijos.
Uzzināju arī par ĶMI, kuru visu laiku biju izmantojusi kā mērauklu sava ķermeņa “normalitātei�, un biju šokēta, uzzinot, kā tas radies (un cik neobjektīvs ir).
Lūdzu, lasiet, dodiet lasīt meitām, dēliem, māsām, draudzenēm, kolēģēm, vīriem, tēviem!
February 2, 2024
If you or someone you know has been a victim of diet culture you may be entitled to compensation�
This book read me for filth. This book told me I was beautiful and a hot mess all in the same breath. I saw myself so many time reading this book, “yea that’s me� “okay yes I do that� “please, not so loud, I hear you�. She said “Dieting became my personality, my entire sense of self, and my life revolved around it.�
I started looking over my shoulder like maybe an intervention was happening that I ain’t know about.
If I’m honest with myself, I’ve been dieting all my life. Diet mentality is engrained in me, it is my being. I’m not gonna get into all my issues, and no this book ain’t gonna fix me overnight (some of this gonna have to get fixed on the other side), but this was very enlightening! Humbling. My relationship with food and the way I view my body, straight jacket me. I am not okay, but I will be. Anyway, this should be required reading. All the stars!
This book read me for filth. This book told me I was beautiful and a hot mess all in the same breath. I saw myself so many time reading this book, “yea that’s me� “okay yes I do that� “please, not so loud, I hear you�. She said “Dieting became my personality, my entire sense of self, and my life revolved around it.�
I started looking over my shoulder like maybe an intervention was happening that I ain’t know about.
If I’m honest with myself, I’ve been dieting all my life. Diet mentality is engrained in me, it is my being. I’m not gonna get into all my issues, and no this book ain’t gonna fix me overnight (some of this gonna have to get fixed on the other side), but this was very enlightening! Humbling. My relationship with food and the way I view my body, straight jacket me. I am not okay, but I will be. Anyway, this should be required reading. All the stars!
June 10, 2022
This book is probably one of the most important pieces of literature I have ever read.
Not only was it incredibly interesting, full of facts and statics that I never knew or expected, it was also written with such thought and passion. The topics within this book are extremely important to Alex and it positively shows. Her experiences and understanding of such makes her insites and advice even more powerful.
Alex has a true talent for writing and it was displayed perfectly in this book. If you only read one book this year, then it should be this.
Not only was it incredibly interesting, full of facts and statics that I never knew or expected, it was also written with such thought and passion. The topics within this book are extremely important to Alex and it positively shows. Her experiences and understanding of such makes her insites and advice even more powerful.
Alex has a true talent for writing and it was displayed perfectly in this book. If you only read one book this year, then it should be this.
July 3, 2022
I loved the premise of You Are Not a Before Picture and I am impressed at the research that Alex Light did for this book. I have struggled writing this review because I liked the author's voice in the book, but I disliked this book. It was part memoir, but didn't tell enough of a story. It was part a guide to change how we view ourselves and the world, but didn't succeed in providing how to create that change. Although it referenced experts in health fields, it felt disjointed and lacked substance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for allowing me to review an advanced copy ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for allowing me to review an advanced copy ebook in exchange for an honest review.
March 8, 2023
Ok, buckle up for this review. This book is my new bible! This book talks about: Diet, the social media impact, how weight does not mean health, the word FAT, eating disorders and so much more! As a fat woman myself, I realize soooo many things I didn't know had meaning. I also realize that people around me were doing things (I'm sure they weren't doing it with malicious intent) that were not ok and considered fatphobic. The book gave a lot of good information and more references to look into if needed. I agreed 100% about curating a good feed that's not triggering. BASICALLY IM IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK.
December 2, 2022
10000/10, everyone needs to read this book 👏🏼
October 30, 2022
Imprescindible.
No solo para leerlo una vez sino para guardarlo en un sitio accesible, ir marcando los capitulos más importantes y releer partes de vez en cuando ❤️
No solo para leerlo una vez sino para guardarlo en un sitio accesible, ir marcando los capitulos más importantes y releer partes de vez en cuando ❤️
September 30, 2022
Life changing! Highly recommended for everyone who has ever dealt with body image issues, or lives with someone who has (which is almost everyone in the first world!)
June 16, 2022
You Are Not a Before Picture - How To Finally Make Peace With Your Body, For Good by Alex Light. This is the book we always needed, and never had.
This book gives an outlook on what diet culture is, where it originated from and the real harm it causes. From a very young age, we are all conditioned by the diet culture message which is exaggerated through the use of social media. Alex Light makes aware the pervasiveness of diet culture and that people’s bodies are not the problem. However, just knowing this isn’t enough. Light continues in the second half of the book explaining how to improve our negative perceptions of ourselves, steps to take away from dieting and towards intuitive eating and how to find joy in exercise.
Throughout the book, Light uses a variety of different resources to back up each chapter. She gives examples from her own life and lives of others, points to recommended readings and provides Instagram handles to follow for wider encouragement. I felt that this book was incredibly readable, with each chapter offering something different and being helpful on its own. I also love the design of the book and the illustrations inside. They are a perfect accompaniment to Light’s messages in the book. Light also makes aware of her privilege as a white, straight-sized woman with access to mental health care and brings in diverse voices.
Personally, I’ve never had any issues with food however I really resonated when it came to the chapter about weight gain. Society views thinness as the goal to get to, when in fact there’s nothing wrong with gaining weight.
“You know when you look back at an old photo and think, ‘Wow, why did I hate my body then?� That’s your proof that it has never been about your body�.
When I read this quote in the book, I was like “omg, that’s so me�. Looking back at photos of myself now thinking I used to look so much better before any weight gain and now comparing myself to that. I don’t know why I ever complained about my body back then. As Alex Light says “it wasn’t anything to do with my body, it was everything to do with the perception of my body�.
I recommend this book to everyone - it will change your life!
This book gives an outlook on what diet culture is, where it originated from and the real harm it causes. From a very young age, we are all conditioned by the diet culture message which is exaggerated through the use of social media. Alex Light makes aware the pervasiveness of diet culture and that people’s bodies are not the problem. However, just knowing this isn’t enough. Light continues in the second half of the book explaining how to improve our negative perceptions of ourselves, steps to take away from dieting and towards intuitive eating and how to find joy in exercise.
Throughout the book, Light uses a variety of different resources to back up each chapter. She gives examples from her own life and lives of others, points to recommended readings and provides Instagram handles to follow for wider encouragement. I felt that this book was incredibly readable, with each chapter offering something different and being helpful on its own. I also love the design of the book and the illustrations inside. They are a perfect accompaniment to Light’s messages in the book. Light also makes aware of her privilege as a white, straight-sized woman with access to mental health care and brings in diverse voices.
Personally, I’ve never had any issues with food however I really resonated when it came to the chapter about weight gain. Society views thinness as the goal to get to, when in fact there’s nothing wrong with gaining weight.
“You know when you look back at an old photo and think, ‘Wow, why did I hate my body then?� That’s your proof that it has never been about your body�.
When I read this quote in the book, I was like “omg, that’s so me�. Looking back at photos of myself now thinking I used to look so much better before any weight gain and now comparing myself to that. I don’t know why I ever complained about my body back then. As Alex Light says “it wasn’t anything to do with my body, it was everything to do with the perception of my body�.
I recommend this book to everyone - it will change your life!
December 5, 2022
I finished this last night but wasn’t overcome by it so I didn’t want it to be my 100th book of the year so I just waited until I finished Gideon to log it, lol. This is educational and a good entry point into new ways of thinking about food and bodies. But I guess I’m well enough informed about the subject that it didn’t feel groundbreaking to me. I also don’t follow Alex on Instagram so didn’t connect with her story as closely as I’m sure a lot of her followers do. I’d probably recommend this to someone like my mom who doesn’t know much about diet culture as a good jumping off point.
March 12, 2023
Found this very interesting. If you’ve ever wondered why don’t women have more influence in the world, how about the idea that patriarchy manipulates fashion to keep women down? This seemed too far fetched but once I started looking and listening I found that there are examples all around.
The dominance of diet and exercise programmes and the detrimental effect they have, the powerful algorithms employed by social media and advertising, demonising foods and eating, our perceptions of what healthy looks like are all examined in detail in this book.
Some of it was a bit too deep for me but overall it’s definitely one that I will be mulling over for a while and if “the diet starts tomorrow� has been your mantra at any point put this on your to read list.
The dominance of diet and exercise programmes and the detrimental effect they have, the powerful algorithms employed by social media and advertising, demonising foods and eating, our perceptions of what healthy looks like are all examined in detail in this book.
Some of it was a bit too deep for me but overall it’s definitely one that I will be mulling over for a while and if “the diet starts tomorrow� has been your mantra at any point put this on your to read list.
November 1, 2022
I follow Alex Light on IG and have always liked her content. She always posts interesting content, and what I love about it is how she weaves research, personal anecdotes, and little nuggets of insight together to engage you. I decided to read her book because of this, and found it equally interesting. Although some of the information presented isn't new, there's a lot of interesting history and perspective that she's shared. I think most women have experienced some form of body dysmorphia in their lifetime simply because of societal conditioning, and educating ourselves on why we have certain thoughts is really powerful. I think the book is definitely worth the read, even if you only take away one or two things from it!
September 9, 2023
This is the most important book that I’ve ever read. I, like most people, struggle with my body image and am 100% a victim of diet culture. You Are Not a Before Picture truly was what I needed when I read it. I’ve been processing through disordered eating and over-exercising & I am so happy that I bought this book to help me on my healthier me journey.
I always say that the most feminist thing about me is my undying love of romance novels but I’d really prefer it to be that I don’t care about my weight or appearance because NONE OF IT MATTERS ANYWAY.
I always say that the most feminist thing about me is my undying love of romance novels but I’d really prefer it to be that I don’t care about my weight or appearance because NONE OF IT MATTERS ANYWAY.
February 6, 2023
I really want everyone to read this. I think the topic’s so important and only something we can change when we all become more aware of facts about diet culture and make steps together. Admittedly the book itself is a little repetitive, there are lots of caveats (the author frequently acknowledges her privilege), and some might find it a little too self-helpy, but I still think it’s brilliant and will be recommending it to everyone.
January 24, 2024
This book explores how women’s bodies have been depicted and manipulated socially, culturally, in the media and in our minds throughout history, and how this consciously and unconsciously affects our thoughts, decision making, biases and relationships with our own and others� bodies. It also explores diet culture, fatphobia, micro-trends, and the impact of social media. I liked that it was made up of insights from healthcare professionals, anecdotal stories from the author, and was backed by research and evidence based approaches. The book also offers practical strategies for how to shut out the noise from the media and work towards a body neutral mindset. My main take away from this book is that it has never been our bodies� job to make us look good, but to keep us healthy, surviving, and functioning as best it can.
February 1, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I've been a followed of Alex for years and I've been meaning to read this book for ages. I thought January was the perfect time to read. Very easy to read and a really interesting and relevant subject matter.
July 22, 2024
Not the easiest read but felt like I wanted to be taking notes as I went along and there are so many eye opening bits
February 3, 2023
Disappointing. Expected more from it considering the author struggled with eating disorders (so did I). Not what I expected at all.
June 1, 2022
You are Not a Before Picture: How to Finally Make Peace with Your Body, for Good by Alex Light
As someone who has struggled with body image and disordered eating, I found this book to be a welcome resource. In the first half of the book, Light has provided a concise and accurate primer on diet culture, its origins and iterations, its lies and harm. From a very young age, we are all recipients of diet culture’s messaging, which has only become more powerful with the advent of social media. With awareness of diet culture and its pervasiveness, readers can see that they, and their bodies, are NOT the problem. Just knowing that isn’t enough unfortunately, which is where the second half of the book comes to the rescue. Here, Light explains how to improve our negative perceptions of ourselves, steps to take away from dieting and toward intuitive eating and how to find joy in exercise again.
Light uses many resources to back up each and every chapter of this book. She gives examples from her own life and lives of others, points to recommended reading, and provides Instagram handles to follow for continued encouragement. This book is incredibly readable and each chapter offers something complete and helpful on its own. There was something that I could relate to on just about every page and the second half of the book provides real, actionable steps. Light is also careful to mention her privilege as a straight-sized white woman with access to mental health care and brings in diverse voices.
I love the design of the book as well and hope to get my hands on a physical copy as soon as possible. Throughout, quotes are pulled out from the text and displayed in pink boxes. They are almost all quotes that I picked out to highlight myself. There are also minimalist illustrations of bodies by Louise Evans that I absolutely adored. With so many of them, I thought “That looks like me! And it’s so beautiful!� They are a perfect accompaniment to Light’s message in this book.
In the final chapter, Light says, “[Life’s] too short to live as a ‘before� picture. You are not a ‘before� picture…We are living, breathing, multi-faceted, talented human beings whose true beauty cannot be captured in a picture…Our bodies are merely the vessels that hold all the good stuff.�
Thank you to @netgalley and @harper360 for the ARC.
As someone who has struggled with body image and disordered eating, I found this book to be a welcome resource. In the first half of the book, Light has provided a concise and accurate primer on diet culture, its origins and iterations, its lies and harm. From a very young age, we are all recipients of diet culture’s messaging, which has only become more powerful with the advent of social media. With awareness of diet culture and its pervasiveness, readers can see that they, and their bodies, are NOT the problem. Just knowing that isn’t enough unfortunately, which is where the second half of the book comes to the rescue. Here, Light explains how to improve our negative perceptions of ourselves, steps to take away from dieting and toward intuitive eating and how to find joy in exercise again.
Light uses many resources to back up each and every chapter of this book. She gives examples from her own life and lives of others, points to recommended reading, and provides Instagram handles to follow for continued encouragement. This book is incredibly readable and each chapter offers something complete and helpful on its own. There was something that I could relate to on just about every page and the second half of the book provides real, actionable steps. Light is also careful to mention her privilege as a straight-sized white woman with access to mental health care and brings in diverse voices.
I love the design of the book as well and hope to get my hands on a physical copy as soon as possible. Throughout, quotes are pulled out from the text and displayed in pink boxes. They are almost all quotes that I picked out to highlight myself. There are also minimalist illustrations of bodies by Louise Evans that I absolutely adored. With so many of them, I thought “That looks like me! And it’s so beautiful!� They are a perfect accompaniment to Light’s message in this book.
In the final chapter, Light says, “[Life’s] too short to live as a ‘before� picture. You are not a ‘before� picture…We are living, breathing, multi-faceted, talented human beings whose true beauty cannot be captured in a picture…Our bodies are merely the vessels that hold all the good stuff.�
Thank you to @netgalley and @harper360 for the ARC.
April 11, 2023
CW: fatphobia, body shaming, disordered eating, misogyny, diet culture
i initially listened to the audiobook then, as soon as i finished it, i purchased the physical hardcover so i could flip through it in the future when needed. so much of this book was so validating. i dont, personally, have the same history with diets as most fat people do (especially in this book specifically) but i definitely have a long history with negative self talk & low self worth when it comes to my appearance/weight. so though a few points in this book overall really don't apply to me, the majority of it does and brings up some amazing points.
Alex Light not only goes through a detailed account of many aspects of diet culture/beauty standards and their history, but also gets some input from other types of marginalised fat people in the BIPOC & Queer spectrums. i wish their were a bit more of their bits overall, but having that view represented at all can be so rare in a book like this. Alex also talks about her own experiences with eating disorders & fighting against internalised fatphobia & diet culture. she also gives actual real world advice and how to actively work on curating social media feeds, adjust self-talk & talk of food/weight/etc in general, finding ways to enjoy movement for movements sake, and overall coming to a better relationship with food and yourself.
i will absolutely be returning to this one again and again on my own journey to self acceptance & body neutrality & i highly recommend giving it a try.
i initially listened to the audiobook then, as soon as i finished it, i purchased the physical hardcover so i could flip through it in the future when needed. so much of this book was so validating. i dont, personally, have the same history with diets as most fat people do (especially in this book specifically) but i definitely have a long history with negative self talk & low self worth when it comes to my appearance/weight. so though a few points in this book overall really don't apply to me, the majority of it does and brings up some amazing points.
Alex Light not only goes through a detailed account of many aspects of diet culture/beauty standards and their history, but also gets some input from other types of marginalised fat people in the BIPOC & Queer spectrums. i wish their were a bit more of their bits overall, but having that view represented at all can be so rare in a book like this. Alex also talks about her own experiences with eating disorders & fighting against internalised fatphobia & diet culture. she also gives actual real world advice and how to actively work on curating social media feeds, adjust self-talk & talk of food/weight/etc in general, finding ways to enjoy movement for movements sake, and overall coming to a better relationship with food and yourself.
i will absolutely be returning to this one again and again on my own journey to self acceptance & body neutrality & i highly recommend giving it a try.
June 22, 2022
You Are Not a Before Picture: How to Finally Make Peace With Your Body For Good by Alex Light
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
TW: eating disorders, weight stigma
Body confidence, beauty, and fashion blogger summarized the critical themes of what keeps many individuals entrenched in body shame, eating disordered behavior, dieting, and at odds with their bodies. This book delves into both the facets of body image and intuitive eating, highlighting how diet culture developed, sustains, and wreaks havoc on our well being. This books balances personal accounts of tackling weight stigma, disordered eating, and body image with facts and information from research in a consumable, relatable manner. It is easy to read without weight of statistics and research findings some nonfiction books contain. This is must read content for women looking to expand the understanding of the anti diet world or who may simply be open to healing their relationship with their body. Dive in and share so we can keep pushing back on diet culture with shared knowledge!
Mode: 📱thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for allowing me to review and advanced copy e book in exchange for this review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
TW: eating disorders, weight stigma
Body confidence, beauty, and fashion blogger summarized the critical themes of what keeps many individuals entrenched in body shame, eating disordered behavior, dieting, and at odds with their bodies. This book delves into both the facets of body image and intuitive eating, highlighting how diet culture developed, sustains, and wreaks havoc on our well being. This books balances personal accounts of tackling weight stigma, disordered eating, and body image with facts and information from research in a consumable, relatable manner. It is easy to read without weight of statistics and research findings some nonfiction books contain. This is must read content for women looking to expand the understanding of the anti diet world or who may simply be open to healing their relationship with their body. Dive in and share so we can keep pushing back on diet culture with shared knowledge!
Mode: 📱thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for allowing me to review and advanced copy e book in exchange for this review.
August 1, 2022
I’ve followed Alex for a few years now on instagram and really like what she stands for. I decided to buy her book - as someone who’s always had a struggle with my body image for most of my adult life. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to someone in a similar position. Obviously big trigger warnings - Alex does talk about her experience with eating disorders. I’m lucky enough not to have experienced any of these but I have struggled with disordered eating and guilt and shame around eating and exercise.
Not only does this book give some really good actionable advice on how to improve your relationship with your body and how you perceive it - it’s also incredibly eye opening in terms of how warped the diet and fitness industry is and how diet culture has literally been designed to profit off of peoples insecurities. What shocked me was how far back diet culture spans and how deeply embedded into society it’s become. The patriarchy and capitalism totally accelerates how damaging this industry can be. A brilliant read and I felt like I was talking with a friend throughout the whole book. Just brilliant - would recommend to anyone!
Not only does this book give some really good actionable advice on how to improve your relationship with your body and how you perceive it - it’s also incredibly eye opening in terms of how warped the diet and fitness industry is and how diet culture has literally been designed to profit off of peoples insecurities. What shocked me was how far back diet culture spans and how deeply embedded into society it’s become. The patriarchy and capitalism totally accelerates how damaging this industry can be. A brilliant read and I felt like I was talking with a friend throughout the whole book. Just brilliant - would recommend to anyone!
June 3, 2022
Wow, I am blown away by the level of detail author Alex Light put into this text. I feel so seen by many of the experiences she shared and greatly enjoyed the way it felt like we were having a conversation over coffee. Light focused on all bodies rather than solely that of her own identity, which goes beyond what many other authors are doing. This text includes a lot of current trends, buzzwords, and connects well with current social media movements. Rather than basing much of the work on her own experiences, she brings in strong voices of professionals in the margins to enhance access to the book. I will happily be sharing this with my friends upon publication!
June 26, 2022
This book is incredibly well researched, detailed in all the appropriate ways that something dealing with the topics of eating disorders, diet, body image, fat phobia etc. should be. It is simultaneously educational, informative & inspiring.
I would highly recommend to anyone who has struggled or is struggling with eating & body image related issues & want to feel less alone but also to those who perhaps want to better understand the impact of diet culture & support someone else.
I would highly recommend to anyone who has struggled or is struggling with eating & body image related issues & want to feel less alone but also to those who perhaps want to better understand the impact of diet culture & support someone else.
August 14, 2022
I admit it took me a while to get through this book but only because it had a lot of home truth’s. It made me come to terms with a lot about how i feel about my body image and how the world especially in terms of social media determine beauty and how people should look. This book most definitely makes you think, and evaluate you life, past present and future. I would definitely recommend reading this, as i most definitely will be revisiting this book.
June 20, 2022
I think this is one of my favourite books on this topic. Very informative and easy to read with a lot of great advice.
June 23, 2022
10 stars, that is all.
August 19, 2022
Beautifully illustrated and well written with substantial research behind it. This is a great book and will be highly beneficial to a lot of women and would definitely recommend!
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