Norris Chumley‘s diet book, The Joy of Weight Loss – A Spiritual Guide to Easy Fitness, grew out of his own weight gain as a young man. At aged sixteen he weighed 28 stones, but for well over a decade Chumley has kept the weight off and is a healthy 17 stones.
Chumley’s breakthrough came when he attended a spiritual weight loss programme, Overeaters Anonymous, which emphasises the need to let go of pride and, like the Twelve Step Programme for Alcoholics Anonymous, ask one’s Higher Power for help. He realised that at the heart of his problem with weight was a spiritual void which he was filling with food.
Low Self-Esteem and Obesity
The first part of The Joy of Weight Loss deals with the low self-esteem which, Chumley believes, many overweight people suffer from. Chumley admits that there is often a hidden value in clinging on to self-criticism. He explores the concept of fat as a buffer against the trials of life, possibly stemming from childhood traumas. Chumley believes that obesity allows the sufferer to opt out of relationships that may be hurtful and difficult to handle, giving one the excuse to avoid stressful situations.
Once obesity and low self-esteem are recognised as life-denying, Chumley discusses finding joy in the acceptance of sorrow, allowing oneself to feel powerful emotions instead of suppressing them and being courageous enough to take a leap of faith to forego overeating and face life instead.
In conjunction with his weight loss plan, Chumley recommends the support of a spiritual programme, such as Overeaters Anonymous and offers the dieter the constant reassurance that one is never alone. “Let go and let God” seems to be the underlying theme.
Joy of Weight Loss Plan
The first part of the book, dealing with life-affirmation strategies, is followed by the Joy of Weight Loss Eating Plan which is based on the US Department of Agriculture/US Department of Health and Human Services Food Guide Pyramid (USDA Food Guide Pyramid).
Following the guidelines of the USDA Food Guide Pyramid will ensure a slow, steady, safe weight loss of about two pounds a week. Chumley explains in detail how to use the Food Guide Pyramid and how to recognise moderate serving sizes, the values of each food group and the way in which eating correctly can become habitual and enjoyable.
The difference with Chumley’s weight loss plan, however, is that training the mind and controlling one’s thoughts are a constant theme throughout the book, enabling food to become a means to health and happiness rather than an excuse to deny life.
Movement and excercise are encouraged, but they are developed slowly and take their natural place as joyful additions to the new life of the dieter, rather than as routine tasks.
Joy of Weight Loss Personal Guide
Chumley knows from experience that the road to weight loss is far from easy and provides a thirty-day Personal Guide to help ease the burden. It involves positive thinking, prayer and meditation, and monitoring one’s movements and activities. The idea is to break the cycle of dependency on food for emotional sustenance and instead become active in shaping one’s life anew.
Spiritual Approach to Weight Loss – Is it for Everyone?
Perhaps one criticism of this book could be that it appears to be exclusively geared towards Christians or people who once had a belief system but have lost it. Throughout the book, Chumley never loses sight of the importance of spiritual awareness. The margins are peppered with uplifting anecdotes and quotations from people as varied as Tolstoy and the Dalai Lama. But for an atheist, agnostic or complete sceptic this diet might arguably never work.
However, obesity is often such a life-threatening state, whether through the increased risk of severe health problems or suicide, that Chumley’s book is worth taking on board despite one’s beliefs or lack of them. “Just do it” might be the best advice.
For Chumley, it’s all about giving in, becoming humble and losing the pride that prevents one from asking for help from outside oneself. Chumley has been there and done it. He doesn’t blame the obese for their situation, but looks beyond food to what he regards as the real problem – spiritual loneliness. The weight loss programme outlined in this book, with its upbeat message, could be a really valuable companion along the way to recovery, whatever one’s beliefs.
Source:
The Joy of Weight Loss - A Spiritual Guide to Easy Fitness by Norris Chumley (Lantern Books, 2001 ISBN 1-930051-19-0)
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