Chasing Cupcakes

Chasing Cupcakes: How One Broke, Fat Girl Transformed Her Life by Elizabeth Benton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved, loved, loved this book. Loved the title, loved the book cover, and especially loved the content.

The book was written by Elizabeth Benton, a once 25o pound woman whose quest for weight loss ultimately led her to pursue a degree in nutrition that got her no closer to the transformation she craved than a lifetime of dieting.

This is a book about transformation, and as such doesn't simply apply to weight and weight loss but absolutely applies to weight and weight loss as it addresses the issues that prevent people from achieving the healthy, happy bodies they say they desire.

"Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open. "- Rumi

Benton does a great job of calling her readers out by reminding us that if we don't like where we are, it is up to us to embark on a journey that gets us to where we want to be. And while she acknowledges the importance of self-reflection for the purpose of identifying what we really want out of life as well as thoughtful planning as a means to get there, she makes it quite clear that it is action that actually propels us forward. Small daily steps. So stop living in the past, day dreaming in the future, and instead start living (aka acting) in the moment. And while you're at it, don't mistake effort for progress.

In a nutshell, the book is about accountability, taking control, and acting in a way that not only honors our goals but moves us closer to them. We are the authors of our story, and we alone have the ability to change it. As a health coach and physical therapist, I've learned that all too often the hardest obstacle for clients/patients to overcome is themselves. They choose to stay in the prison despite the fact that the door is wide open. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is struggling to accomplish a meaningful change in their lives, health, career, or family related etc. Well-written, insightful, and useful.