Dear Prospective Reader,
I know you’ll benefit greatly from reading this book, and not just in your relationship with food but in all areas of your life. But don’t just take it from me.
First let me share a little feedback from some professionals who have read and reviewed the book, Food is Not the Problem: Deal With What Is!
Feedback from Authors and Healthcare Professionals
Michelle Morand provides you with a simple, step-by-step approach to create a lasting change in your relationship with food and all the relationships in your life. If you’re ready to truly start living, it’s time to start reading.”
– John Gray, Ph.D., author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus
In this unique and profound book on attaining a healthy relationship with food, Michelle Morand explores not what or how much we are eating, but rather why we eat as we do.
Instead of the diet mentality, she teaches simple steps to self-compassion and to releasing the stress patterns imprinted in childhood. Rather than focusing on the surface symptoms of eating and body weight Morand promotes transformation at the core.
Food Is Not The Problem has the potential of changing many lives.
– Gabor Maté, M.D., author of In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction’
Dear Michelle,
I feel you have a unique approach to eating disorders that many would find useful in their life…it is well written and researched material.
– Deane Parkes, President, Preferred Nutrition.
Dear Michelle,
My clients and I are reading the book slowly as there is so much to process. This is a good thing.
The thing I like about your writing is that it is a dialogue and not just and intellectual analysis and therefore it provokes reactions within one at an emotional and unconscious level. I admire your writing very much.
Thank you again for this very helpful book.
– Dr Verna Hunt BSc DC ND
In a world where changing my habits and thoughts about myself seemed impossible, I found this book by chance. Using its program and working with a therapist has put me on the road to dealing with, and eventually being free from, my eating disorder.
The book is full of insights and ideas and workable solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems like unhealthy diet skills and trying everything form fad diets to bypass surgery.
That the author reveals her own struggles with an eating disorder only make her assertions that much stronger. Whether you are ready to change your life, or an just thinking about it, I urge you to get this book.
– Valerie Brown
This book is so good. I have done the program with her (you can get counselling by the author by phone internationally).
It has been three months and I have not binged in almost two months; I used to binge eat 1-3 times a week. It is unlike anything you have ever tried to lose weight, but I can see how it will definitely get me to my natural weight.
In time I will lose all the outside pressure to be at an unhealthy weight for me because I am working on my mind now. If you have never been able to keep the weight off by this book. Oh, the best part, no dieting; eat when you hungry stop when your full and the other life enhancing stuff is easy.
For Intense Foodies-there is help for us!! June 14, 2010 I’ve only gotten half way through this book but find it very helpful in understanding my food addictions and why I eat when I do.
Highly recommend if you’re serious about learning and hopefully ending your food addiction. Good luck!!
– L. Fletcher
I love the book and have recommended it to several people. A close friend of mine even flew to Vancouver to take part in one of your workshops a couple of months ago…
The fact that you helped me to identify the various voices in my head has given me immeasurable freedom and understanding of my mind. I wish that you had some facilitators in Toronto who could start up a group here.
I have mentioned your site to some therapists here in hopes that one of them will become interested enough in your approach to pursue it more though I am pretty sure that has not happened yet.
I love the weekly articles that you put out and will continue to access those (I think I still can)… thank you so very much.
– Angela, 32 Counselling Professional
Feedback from Readers
Thank you so much Michelle for your brilliant book. It has come at the perfect time, as I’m realizing all things do. At age 67 and after losing the weight yet again with huge fears that I’ll gain it all back, I am asking the questions, “Now what?” and “What do I do with this new me, with this new identity?” I have found loads of answers to my questions as I read your book, Food is not the Problem: Deal With What is!
– Barb Callner, 67
Thank you again for your insights. I’m recommending the book to everyone and of course, relating my experience with it.
– John Frenette, age 57
Hi Dawn [Myrna’s friend],
Just want to thank you for the book. I am getting a lot out of it. It’s like it was written for me.
Just to let you know I signed up for the workshop on nov. 4. I will see you there!
– Myrna, 42
Hello Michelle,I just finished reading your fascinating book: Food is not the Problem: Deal With What Is! For the past few weeks, I carried it with me in my bag so I could read it every chance I got.
Your written work allowed me to see my behaviours with new eyes. So many of the concepts touched a cord in me. I had tears when I read the description of one of your previous typical workday cycles on pages 101-103. Many of my days are exactly like that. In fact, almost all of them are…and they drain my energy.
A concept that filled me with great hope was that of Natural Eating. I know a few people who eat this way. I have always felt jealous of their “innate ability” to have such a free and easy relationship with food. I thought people were either “born” with the power, or not. I was relieved to discover that I could consciously change my relationship with food by learning new skills and dealing with demons.
The ultimate goal is indeed a more peaceful existence around food and exercise. That is what I want for myself. I would like to explore the concepts of your book deeper by actively doing work and exercises. I am interested in your online program, as it seems quite comprehensive. Is there a specific start date? Is it best to sign up through your website?
– Sandy, 50
Hi Michelle,
This is the first time I have written. I bought your book last year and loved it. I ran across your site a few months ago and have been reading your articles faithfully.
I love them, it is like you are talking to me. I want so badly to be healed of my overeating, food obsession and bad body image. I have struggled all my life. I think I have figured out the ‘why’ and maybe the ‘when’, but figuring out ‘what’ to do to convince myself that I will ever succeed is still not in my reach. I am so stuck in that learned helplessness. If I could afford your counselling i would in a heartbeat.
I have a very stressful life, your relationship series has helped me make some positive changes in in my relationships. I hear the drill sergent and I confront him all the time.
But i still think I’m getting it this time and bam, a binge. I plan to keep on reading and trying, I’m working on the natural eating with your help.
Just wanted to let you know how much your letters are appreciated and inspire a lot of people who can’t afford counselling. Keep them coming.
Thanks,
– Randi, 28
Thank you, Michelle. You work is amazing. I am a clinical practicum student working in an adult eating disorder program in Parksville and one of my clients is reading your book so I decided to read it and view the videos to be able to “speak the same language” during our sessions.
Your work is great!
– Kirsten, 28
Hey Michelle,
Thanks for trusting the universe (and me!) enough to leave the book in the hallway for me yesterday…I left $30cash in the book envelope and put it in the mailbox, hope you got it.
It is very timely that I am reading your book, definitely in the ACTION phase in my life about my relationship with food…I love how well written the book is and how straight forward it all is.
Best $30 bucks I have spent in a long time. Thank you!!!
– Suzanne, 65
Hi, Michelle,
Thank you for the inspiring book and all the brilliant and effective tools you provide in the online programme.
You are truly saving my life. I wish you most excellent success – how else could it possibly go?
– Meagan, 22
Hi Michelle,
Your book has helped me so much, and I discovered exactly what it was that was causing this problem in the first place and also what was causing it to escalate in the last month.
Within the first few chapters of the book, I started looking at what was causing me this uneasiness and it is the fact that I have always been a perfectionist because I have a constant desire to be accepted and am always looking for approval, therefore on the days when I felt I didn’t do well, or I had to deal with a lot of rejection, I started making up for it by eating yummy chocolaty chunk ice cream 🙂
I also thought that by always doing something, I was improving myself and working towards some crazy goal of being the perfect human being. Thank you for helping me to realize that I don’t have to fight so hard.
In the last few days I haven’t felt I need food to cope and have been a lot more at peace with myself. The battle is not over yet, but I’ve got a better grip on reality.
Thanks again,
– Anon
Dear Michelle,
I’ve been reading your book and am truly excited to start working online! I would say the book has been the deciding factor in making this next step to connect with your services.
It’s been ten years that I have struggled and only yesterday realized that I have been dieting for all those years.
I always used the term restrict, but it never occurred to me that I was dieting. That really hit me! Thanks Michelle!
– Tanya 🙂
Dear Michelle,
I’ve been reading your book, and must say it is AMAZING!!!!! I plan on spending lots of time with it. It is helping me so much.
I have been working on noticing when my old core belief is surfacing and replacing it with my new desired belief…. IT IS SO EMPOWERING!!!
I am definitely feeling a shift.
– Steffanie, 42
Hi Michelle,
I enjoyed meeting you last week and listening to your presentation. You condensed everything from part one of your book so well into such a short time and it was a huge breakthrough for me.
I have been working for the past few years on creating a healthy emotional and spiritual foundation (reading many books by people like Wayne Dyer and Eckhart Tolle and attending a New Thought church in town). Wayne Dyer has always said that weight problems had nothing to do with diets and everything to do with thought, feeling and behavior.
I was so pleased to see you refer to thought as the origin of the cycle as it is important to me to have my belief system work for me in the next step of healing my relationship with food.
I have been searching for the key that would help me “get it” and voila you presented Maslow’s hierarchy and a list of “triggers”. I was astounded at how simple the answer was.
It’s just the beginning but I have felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders and this past week I have been absolutely amazed at the difference in my outlook and interaction with food. I am working through the book and will undoubtedly contact the center if I get stuck. I have a very successful career in the IT industry but I also have a yearning to help people somehow.
I have a degree in psychology and French and an education degree and I have many times been tempted to go back and pursue more in humanistic psychology but I could not figure out how to make a living doing that.
I sing also and thought it might be that which I would pursue one day but really, if I live in peace and take care of my physical, emotional, and spiritual health I will have achieved my life’s goal and will live my life on purpose.
– Anon
Dear Michelle,
You are a wonderful writer, very clear, very knowledgeable about this issue. Interestingly the title of the book makes one start thinking right away, if food is not the problem, then what is?
Excellent book. Thank you.
– J.L.
Hi Michelle,
I felt compelled to send you an email to express how immensely grateful I am for your book, Food is Not The Problem, Deal With What Is. Ever since I became aware of it several months ago, I have had recurring thoughts of buying it, but procrastinated–ha, go figure, one of those coping strategies you talk about.
As I read, I could relate to your personal story and I was struck with bitter-sweet experiences of intense personal sadness and relief. Re: Chapter 7, I felt as though I was reading about my own life–about me, and my tears flowed.
While, much of the information is not new to me because of my background (BA psychology, other training, work as a counsellor, and previous counselling I have received), your book is really hitting home, and part of it is, that I am ready to change and to live free! How I got here is a long story, as I’m sure you can imagine.
I thank you for writing the book, for sharing your story, and having the courage and determination to help yourself and others. I feel my self-encouragement, self-respect, and self-love, growing. In addition, I am inspired to continue on my healing journey, starting with, finishing your book and doing the work as suggested and explained.
Reading your book and taking this time to reflect and do some self-nurturing has revived my passion to focus my counselling practice around individuals who use food and other substances to cope with life and, who, feel trapped in ‘the cycle’ and want help to help themselves.
THANK YOU, Michelle. Have a wonderful day!
– Anon
Dear Michelle,
I am so grateful that on my journey to living my authentic self, I have met you. I have to say Michelle, you are quite an inspiration for me and a constant reminder that if you can do, I can do it too.
When you shared your story about your life journey so far, I felt like you were speaking about me. I know you weren’t, but it was easy to trust in an instant that you weren’t just speaking from only a technical or academic understanding during the course time.
I knew you understood my beginning, where I’d like to get to…and the long road in between…not to mention all the effort and commitment it takes to do inner healing work. You have been there….done a lot of that. I sensed that far more than learned and practiced theory was going on in your speech and body language.
You have experiential knowledge and together with your education, you have really provided a very inspiring and empowering course and also the same with your written material.
There is really something wonderful to witness when someone who has succeeded in living their life more incredibly, more abundantly, more anything good…and then that person turns around to those who are still wanting to do that too, but who are uncertain how….and makes the choice to help them too….so beautiful to see.
What a loving and giving soul you are!!! Highest good for all concerned….providing and bringing the means for others to be able to discover for themselves, the peace and joy that you have found along the way.
Hugs to you!!!
– Anon
Dear Michelle,
We had a few sessions last spring and the knowledge and tools I took away from the sessions and material in your book have helped me to radically change my thinking and coping strategies.
I am doing so amazingly well and want to extend my most sincere thanks. I am no longer using food to cope and the bad body images have also stopped.
I feel like I am on the next leg of my journey which is understanding how growing up with parents who are mentally ill has shaped how I cope/interact/make choices.
I have moved beyond food and body image issues and am now working on how to form deeper connections with other people, trust issues, and self-responsibility.
Thanks so much. The work you are doing is fabulous!
Sincerely,
– Lenore
Dear Michelle,
I am so enjoying your book. I feel like you are talking right to me and know all my innermost fears etc. What a great book!
You really know what you are talking about. I feel like I am getting in touch with feelings and thoughts that I have had buried/discounted for a long time. I love how you write and always stress not to put the pressure on.
It really helps me to leave the guilt and perfectionism out of it. I am pretty excited about this! Thank you!!
– S. P.