Reviews

You Count, Calories Don’t
by Linda Omichinski, RD

Review by Becky Chase, MS, RD
November 1999
Linda Omichinski has been instrumental in the push to help people break out of the unhealthy food/weight obsession that chronic dieting inspires. Her book, “You Count, Calories Don’t”, brings a hopeful non-diet lifestyle message to people suffering from body hatred and food phobia.

The author has an engaging way of helping readers understand the pitfalls of chronic dieting. The book is enjoyable to read and easy to understand. Her examples of how “diet thinking” interferes with finding peace with eating are easy to relate to because we have all “been there”. She addresses the common fears chronic dieters feel when trying to give up dieting and offers tools for learning to eat normally in response to hunger and satiety signals. The reader learns how to shift focus from a punitively-driven control over weight to an internal satisfaction with food, physical activity, and self. The author teaches the reader that it is OK to eat food and enjoy it, too!

In her updated version of “You Count, Calories Don’t”, the author takes the non-diet message one step further by encouraging women to embrace mid-life as a time for self-nurturing and self-realization. This chapter is primarily directed toward women going through the perimenopause and menopause years. Using the same skills one needs to become a nondieter, this chapter shows readers how to weather the ups and downs and embrace the possibilities that open up in mid-life. During mid-life, women are redefining their roles and experiencing normal physical changes. In a culture that worships youth and thinness, it is difficult for women to feel good about themselves as they age. The author’s message of empowerment is a welcome antidote to the fear-based, anti-aging messages that are so prevalent today.

Review by Arlene Draffin Jones RN, BScN, MEd, Health Education Consultant
November, 1999
Over the next few generations, the average lifespan will increase by almost 20 years. How we spend those years will depend on how we take care of ourselves. At the same time, the proportion of older persons in the world will increase from approximately one in
14 to one in four (from the International Year of Older Persons 1999 Manitoba Seniors Directorate brochure).

Linda Omichinski's nondiet message of health and self-acceptance is a welcome
realistic guide to take us through this uncharted passage into the next millennium. In the latest reprint of her ground breaking book "You Count, Calories Don't", she offers a delightful proactive approach to aging with a new chapter "Midlife - a time for empowerment".

As a post menopausal woman, I appreciated the practical suggestions about dealing with the symptoms of flushes and night sweats. The self help techniques of staying comfortable by letting people know when you are having a hot flash, and that there is nothing to be embarrassed about if you need to take some clothing off, are positive actions. The discussion regarding the decision on whether or not to take hormone replacement therapy empowers the person to take an active role in the process and make an informed choice.

The astute presentation on dealing with loss as we age, will assist both men and women through this stage of transition and on to productive and happy lives in the years to come.

This book is a must read for all ages.

Content overview

You Count, Calories Don’t ,
new chapter

Midlife - a time for empowerment
Shift the focus from meeting other’s needs to meeting your own

Finding Balance in Mid-life

Identifying Your Needs At This Time of Life

• How is your life changing now?
• What concerns do you have about your health?
• Perimenopause and menopause - concerns and options.

Qualities That Support Balance in Mid-life

Courage, integrity, and acceptance

• coming to terms with inevitable changes as we age
• challenging unrealistic and unhealthy messages about weight & beauty
• being true to yourself

Patience, perseverance, and flexibility

• pacing yourself and learning to go with the flow.
• mindfulness and affirmations to support self-care
• consistency in efforts
• avoiding black and white thinking

Honest analysis and systematic planning

• gathering data to make informed decisions
• being truthful with self; using compassionate confrontation with self
• setting realistic goals; having realistic expectations

Assertiveness and generosity

• learning to say "no" or "yes" in honor of healthy self-care
• delegating to support self and to enable others
• sharing ideas, asking questions, giving and receiving support

Openness and resourcefulness

• sustained curiosity about the process of mid-life changes
• openness to exploring new challenges, new desires