Secrets from the Eating Lab: The Science of Weight Loss, the Myth of Willpower, and Why You Should Never Diet Again - Paperback

by Traci Mann (Author)

A provocative expose of the dieting industry from one of the nation's leading researchers in self-control and the psychology of weight loss that offers proven strategies for sustainable weight loss.

From her office in the University of Minnesota's Health and Eating Lab, professor Traci Mann researches self-control and dieting. And what she has discovered is groundbreaking. Not only do diets not work; they often result in weight gain. Americans are losing the battle of the bulge because our bodies and brains are not hardwired to resist food--the very idea of it works against our biological imperative to survive.

In Secrets From the Eating Lab, Mann challenges assumptions--including those that make up the very foundation of the weight loss industry--about how diets work and why they fail. The result of more than two decades of research, it offers cutting-edge science and exciting new insights into the American obesity epidemic and our relationship with eating and food.

Secrets From the Eating Lab also gives readers the practical tools they need to actually lose weight and get healthy. Mann argues that the idea of willpower is a myth--we shouldn't waste time and money trying to combat our natural tendencies. Instead, she offers 12 simple, effective strategies that take advantage of human nature instead of fighting it--from changing the size of your plates to socializing with people with healthy habits, removing "healthy" labels that send negative messages to redefining comfort food.

Front Jacket

From her Health and Eating Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, Professor Traci Mann researches self-control and dieting. And what she has discovered is groundbreaking: not only do diets not work, they often result in weight gain.

In Secrets from the Eating Lab, Mann challenges assumptions--including those that make up the foundation of the weight loss industry--about how diets work and why they fail. As Mann explains, most weight loss plans are reliant on the notion of willpower--and willpower is an illusion. Moreover, even when we are able to successfully lose weight, our bodies fight our efforts, seeking to regain the weight we've worked so hard to lose. In the end, we become chronic "yo-yo" dieters, destined to lose and regain the same pounds time and again. The diet industry is well aware of these facts and has tellingly built their business model on the concept of the "repeat customer"; they know we'll be back.

In this book, Mann presents an arsenal of simple, commonsense strategies that take advantage of human nature instead of fighting it--helping you to achieve a healthy and sustainable weight.

Back Jacket

From her Health and Eating Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, Professor Traci Mann researches self-control and dieting. And what she has discovered is groundbreaking: not only do diets not work, they often result in weight gain.

In Secrets from the Eating Lab, Mann challenges assumptions--including those that make up the foundation of the weight loss industry--about how diets work and why they fail. As Mann explains, most weight loss plans are reliant on the notion of willpower--and willpower is an illusion. Moreover, even when we are able to successfully lose weight, our bodies fight our efforts, seeking to regain the weight we've worked so hard to lose. In the end, we become chronic "yo-yo" dieters, destined to lose and regain the same pounds time and again. The diet industry is well aware of these facts and has tellingly built their business model on the concept of the "repeat customer"; they know we'll be back.

In this book, Mann presents an arsenal of simple, commonsense strategies that take advantage of human nature instead of fighting it--helping you to achieve a healthy and sustainable weight.