Owning Your Weight:
The Realistic Dynamics of Being Who You Are
This book leads the reader who has weight issues into a realistic “in your face” manner of accepting the facts that you are the only person responsible for your weight and how you deal or don’t deal with it.
“We are a lot more than our fat. It should be quite clear that obesity is actually a lifestyle that is physical, mental, and emotional.”
Dr. Henri Marcoux offers a unique yet unforgettable view on weight loss in his book, “Owning Your Weight: The Realistic Dynamics of Being Who You Are.”
As a chiropractor with several years in health care, he knows more than anyone how taxing it must be for clients constantly bombarded with unsolicited weight loss. After all, they only come to see him for neuromuscular treatment. Still, there are instances where they seek advice on how their weight affects their joint health. While he is aware that weight does play a part in adding joint and muscle pain, he knows more than anyone that it is much more than what meets the eye.
Dr. Henri’s book stands out from the multiple books and studies on obesity and the diet industry by providing a direct yet gentle approach.
He lays out the factors of weight issues in a realistic manner without inflated promises. He frames his advice in a way that enables the reader to take charge—so long as they prepare to deal with the truth in all its non-sugarcoated glory.
As a reader, I like how he gives his suggestions and the fact that he factors in several keys to why weight loss is so difficult. It isn’t just a matter of excess eating, lack of exercise, and potential genetic factors; he also considers the psychological and environmental aspects. The book also includes many stories from different clients, which was an insightful feature. Nevertheless, while losing excess weight will lead to better health, it shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all of one’s journey to becoming better than their former self.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. If you are one of those who are curious about why one’s weight loss is not an easy journey, I highly recommend this book as a start. After all, we cannot change without taking a good look at ourselves from every perspective imaginable.
A straight-to-the-point guide for those who struggle with their weight, and those who have committed to addressing their obesity, Marcoux delivers a powerful refrain of support and compassion, while also empowering readers to look at their health concerns with new eyes and a fresh attitude. The author does give extra focus on those who struggle with weight issues as the result of a medical condition or disease, which isn’t always the case in such self-help tomes. Marcoux also assures readers that being overweight or obese should not be a source of shame or pain, but as an obstacle in life that can be overcome—if someone is willing to put in the work. There is both compassion and firmness in the prose; it holds people accountable for their decisions, but doesn’t lecture or proselytize western body standards or impossible body types. Opening up about his personal life, including his own past failings around nutrition and a healthy diet, makes the author seem less like an angry doctor admonishing a child, and more like a peer who genuinely wants to help people change their perspective, and possibly their life! Mixing hard science and well-researched information with personal anecdotes and references to his own experiences in helping others lose weight, the writing comes off as authoritative and trustworthy. Acting as a coach, a friend, a teacher, a mentor, and even a disciplinarian, the author offers a direct and confident guide for people who want to make a real change; the language isn’t always soft and gentle, but nor is it insensitive or cruel. Though everyone could benefit from reading this book, there are some readers who may find the tough love a bit much, at times. Others will appreciate the candor, this reviewer included.
– Veritas Vincit
This isn’t a standard diet book, and the author doesn’t promise miracles. I liked that about it. It’s more of a self-help book, and the emphasis is on personal responsibility for the body, health, and overall well-being. The author has a gentle approach, but he doesn’t shy away from putting the responsibility on the reader for their weight. It takes skill to write about that without insulting anybody, but I think this author managed to accomplish that. The advice he gives is common sense, and there’s nothing groundbreaking here; the thing that sets this book apart is the mentality it tries to embed into the reader’s mind. It’s an interesting read, for sure; I recommend it.
– Sanjin, VINE VOICE
Owning Your Weight is a non-fiction self-help book written for those who wish to have a better understanding of their weight and be responsible for the choices they make. The book is written well and is helpful to read. Many do struggle with their weight, and there isn’t anything solid out there in the market truly seriously identifying the issue. I recommend this book to those who want to read something slightly different towards this important issue.
– S. J. Main
I really like this kind of readings, and I sincerely believe that many people should start reading this kind of books in order to begin to understand themselves better, accept themselves and start to feel better about themselves. I am a very sporty person, I take care of myself and I like to eat healthy and physically I have never had any problem, although I perfectly understand people who have problems with their own weight, since I myself would feel bad about it. Now, that’s when your own attitude comes into play and the way you deal with it in order to start improving and, consequently, feel better about yourself. I really liked the research carried out by the author, as it is evident that he knows a lot about this subject and provides very relevant and contrasted information, delving much more into mental aspects of people rather than “miracle” diets that, after a short time, will make you gain weight again. In these cases it is not only about this type of diets, but there are many other fundamental aspects that the author details and explains perfectly.
– Albert
Dr. Henri Marcoux writes Owning Your Weight, a very interesting take on weight loss, focusing on making people accountable. Yet, it doesn’t feel preachy or harsh. It states that, like most things, is about attitude and changing your mindset (while saying that is different for people with some kind of health problem). There is nothing new here but it is well-written and seeing it this way may help some.
– Marcia
Owning Your Weight: The Realistic Dynamics of Being Who You Are by Henri Marcoux is a good book filled with guidance for anyone who is looking to lose weight and take control of their body. It is not secret that getting weight under control can be difficult. Even for people who have average body weight, it is easy to put on weight and lose control. This book offers lots of advice for how to get your weight to a level that is manageable, and it also shows us how to maintain control. While there are lots of diet books out there, what I really like about this one and makes it stand out from the others is that it puts the responsibility entirely on the reader rather than offering any excuses.
– MarciaPhil Bolos
It focuses on making one realize that one is in control of his body. The people who have weight issues are reason themselves for their obesity as they are the only ones who can reduce it. The author has put in a lot of effort to explain these giving examples of the research, which clears the mind, and advices on how to manage weight and make yourself healthy. One thing which is good about this book is that it does not list strict diets but focuses on getting yourself motivated and loose weight by self realizing and setting your goals right. Really loved reading it!
– AliReads
As an overweight person, I thought this book might distill my thoughts on my body image, and why I can’t lose weight. I think it did. In other words, there wasn’t really any new ideas here, but having a non-obese person with professional experience lay it out was good for me. Recommended.
– Fresa Wolf
Being overweight, even morbidly obese, is, author Marcoux asserts based on his professional research, a physical state reflecting the deep-seated desires of the person dealing with that problem. As amply demonstrated here in numerous case studies, Marcoux came to understand that dieting often helps an overweight person – but only for a brief period. The frustration caused by regaining weight may be balanced by an inner sense of regaining one’s “true” self-perception as a fat person. In his Chiropractic Orthopedic practice, the author began to encourage fat people to clearly understand that weight represents something crucial to their self-image, perhaps based on childhood pains and frustrations. He offers medically sound, holistic principles to guide patients, and his readers, in grasping the true dynamics of their weight issues, leading to both greater acceptance and change. Marcoux’s well-considered perspective can help people of all body sizes to understand themselves better and make needed physical and psychological improvements.
– Barscoinc
