If most diet books are a guide to what to eat, how much of it to eat, when to eat it, and finally, how to work it off, Julia Cameron's 'The Writing Diet' is a welcome change of pace. There are no quick prescriptions for change here. Rather, the author almost takes a psychologist's- or a writer's- approach to diet. Instead of giving a strict list of dos and don'ts, Cameron urges followers to figure out why they're eating in the first place- out of boredom? anger? loneliness? and then to act accordingly. Instead of just recognizing mentally the reasons for eating, though, Cameron asks us to channel these thoughts creatively, by writing about them.

'Why do I want to eat?'
'How do I feel now?' Etc.

The end result is a fuller awareness of what the body needs physically, as well as emotional and mental problems that may need to be addressed.

Her approach to exercise is similarly laid back- don't worry about running a marathon. Just get outside, if only for five minutes, and get walking.

It's really a total lifestyle approach rather than simply an easy weight loss fix, but the result is a more mindful, aware outlook.

Highly recommended (even though author does seem to have some chocolate issues).