MeaningFULL: 23 Life-Changing Stories of Conquering Dieting, Weight, & Body Image Issues by Alli Spotts-De Lazzer
Publisher: Unsolicited Press (January 26, 2021)
Category: Self-help, Non-Fiction, psychology, memoir, health/wellness, inspirational, eating disorder recovery, weight loss, & body positivity
Available in Print and ebook, 282 pages
“MeaningFULL: 23 Life-Changing Stories of Conquering Dieting, Weight, & Body Image Issues” is a blend of motivational self-help, memoir, psychology, and health and wellness. Alli Spotts-De Lazzer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, an expert in eating and body image issues, and a woman on the other side of her own decades-long struggle with food and body.
A $702 billion global diet/nutrition and weight loss industry shows that people worldwide are devoted to achieving maximum health and their desired bodies. Yet mainstream approaches are failing these individuals, and sadly, science proves this. Intent on gaining the “health” and “happiness” that diets promise, consumers keep trying. They become sad and frustrated, believing they’re failing when they’re not. They simply need a legitimate, alternative path, which “MeaningFULL” offers. Through the contributors’ diverse, real-life mini-memoirs followed by Spotts-De Lazzer’s commentaries, readers will learn about themselves and discover their unique, unconventional formulas for conquering their issues. Along the way, “MeaningFULL” will also guide them towards more self-appreciation, wellness, and fulfillment.
Guest Review by Sage Nor
“Knowing your values helps you to make empowering decisions, including those related to conquering food, weight, and body image issues.”
What a different and sorely needed take on self-help this book was! I assumed that this would be just like every other diet and weight loss book out there but boy was I ever glad to be wrong! Contained in the pages of this book are 23 stories from different people from all different walks of life, all of whom have struggled with their weight, eating disorders and body image issues.
Every single one of these stories is gripping, many are heartbreaking but most end joyfully with the person talking about the path that they were able to take to reclaim who they truly are outside of being obsessed with their weight. Can diets be helpful to some people? Of course, but this book is an excellent look at how diets and the culture surrounding them can often go too far and how people can begin to feel that their weight is all that they are.
Alli Spotts De-Lazzer provides the gentle, intelligent commentary of a trained therapist throughout the book and, especially, at the end of every chapter. Her summation of the stories is so helpful and affirming that I found myself tearing up at times while reading it. In some chapters she provides exercises that are helpful for looking at your own situation if you suffer from an eating disorder or body image issues. Spotts-De Lazzer is not only an eating disorder specialist but also a family and marriage therapist and I think this shows in her gentle encouragement style of writing.
There was one lesson from Spotts- De Lazzer in particular about figuring out what your core values are that really resonated with me. It makes so much sense to me that, that can help with your body image issue. This is a must read for anyone who is or has struggled with body image issues and if you know someone in the struggle!
About the Author
Alli Spotts-De Lazzer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, and a “CEDS” Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, and a person on the other side of her own decades-long struggle with food battles and body dislike. She has presented educational workshops at international conferences, hospitals, and graduate schools and has published articles in trade magazines, academic journals, and online information hubs.
A believer in service and advocacy, Alli serves on multiple committees and created #ShakeIt for Self-Acceptance!—a movement embodying its message.
Website: https://meaningfullread.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/MeaningFULLread/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/meaningFULLread
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meaningfullread/
Giveaway
This giveaway is for one print copy with 2 winners. It is open to the U.S. only and ends on March 31, 2021,midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.
Rafflecopter
Follow the Tour
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Mar 3 Kickoff & Interview
Amber Amazon Mar 4 Review
Dianne Hot Mess Princess Mar 5 Review & Excerpt
Andy Amazon Mar 8 Review
What Emma Did Next Mar 10 Review (postponed)
Laura Lee Celtic Lady’s Reviews Mar 11 Guest Review & Excerpt
Bookgirl Goodreads Mar 12 Review
Karen Evans (YouTube) Mar 16 Review
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Mar 17 Review
Meagan MLM Opinion’s Reviews Mar 18 Review
Crystal Bookish in Midlife Mar 19 Review & Excerpt (postponed)
Sage Nor Bound 4 Escape Mar 23 Guest Review
Bee Book Pleasures Mar 24 Review & Guest Post
GudReader Goodreads Mar 25 Review
Linda Lu Goodreads Mar 26 Review
Karen T Amazon Mar 29 Review
Betty Toots Book Reviews Mar 30 Review
Miller Amazon Mar 31 Review
Praise for MeaningFULL
“First, let me tell you….YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK! Why? Because it will resonate with you at some level. Whether you’re the person that has had a moment of, “I can’t wear that” or “I don’t like the way my (insert body part here) looks in that shirt” or “That food is bad/good for me”. I promise something in this book will touch you. For me, there were many “A-HA” moments that made me tear up a bit reading them knowing that I was not alone. Alli does a fantastic job of letting these stories unfold, letting the writer tell their truth and where they’re coming from, and where they are going. You will laugh, you might cry, but you will definitely be better for reading this! Highly recommend. 5 SHINING STAR STICKERS!!”-cedarparkmom
“I loved your book so much it was an absolute joy to spend this valuable weekend time reading it. . .I really feel this book should be read by everyone in Western culture. This is so much more than a series of stories from people with eating disorders, it is a reflection on American (and to a large extent the whole of western) society. The pressure we put on ourselves and each other to look a certain way, unattainable aspirations that are robbing us of our health and robbing us of our ability to enjoy life. I am sure everyone can benefit from reading this book, and everyone will either relate to some elements of the stories, or know someone who has suffered from similar issues.”-Caroline Watson, from the U.K.
“I SAW MYSELF IN THIS BOOK. I was fortunate enough to read a copy of this book prior to it’s formal release. I expected to read story after story about other people. But, as I dug deeper, I realized, I was reading about parts of myself and parts of my family and friends within each story. I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s a very easy read. Even if you don’t think you need to read this book for your own personal journey, it’s worth reading to better understand what your family or friends might be going through. It has definitely heightened my sense of awareness.”-jrjanuszewski
“A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. MeaningFULL is just that; meaningful. It is FULL of hope and encouragement. Readers will surely recognize themselves in one of the many, beautifully diverse stories of food and body image struggles and triumphs. As an eating disorder therapist, I feel confident in recommending this book to my clients as the author takes great care to engage readers in a safe way that focuses on healing. Her straightforward commentary at the end of each mini memoir is refreshing and illuminating, helping to eliminate any potential misreading of the information presented. Need a fill-up on hope? Grab this book and settle in.”-Josie Munroe, LMFT
“Reading MeaningFULL was like seeing myself in a mirror – sometimes I liked what I saw, sometimes I cringed a little, and sometimes I got a true glimpse of myself. The 23 stories featured in this book made me laugh, cry, and feel a lot of hope – not just for myself, but for everyone who has a contentious relationship with food and with their own body.
The storytelling in MeaningFULL is excellent and it was easy to connect with and feel empathy toward the storytellers. The notes from Alli at the end of each story, which have incredibly useful commentary and suggestions are what make Meaning Full such a worthwhile read.
I really appreciate how freely resources are shared with the reader. Alli knows that overcoming food, weight, and body issues takes so much more than reading a book. She offers real information and suggestions for how to do the hard work. She also offers hope and glimpses of real lives that are so much better for having done the work.
MeaningFULL was not always easy to read, especially when I related too much to a storyteller. It was so worth it, though! I felt seen and I felt compassion from Alli in every word she wrote.
I think that there is a lot to be gained from reading this book for everyone – if you don’t have a hard time with food, weight, or body issues, you know someone who does. MeaningFULL is chock full of insights for everyone.”-Darcysmom’s, Goodreads
Bound 4 Escape