A Life Unburdened: Getting Over Weight and Getting on with My Life

by Richard Morris

Book Overview

A Life Unburdened chronicles the amazing transformation of Richard Morris, whose life of personal and public pain--a life burdened by more than 400 pounds--undergoes an amazing transformation as Richard discovers the redemptive power of traditional foods. Along with his Ten Steps for Success, Richard explains how the Total Food Index (FTI) can help you win the war against overweight and poor health.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 097920951X
• ISBN13: 9780979209512
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: New Trends Publishing
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Weight Loss at Last!

I lost 12 lbs. within the first month of reading this book. It it wonderful to hear weight loss advice from someone who has actually been fat. I'm sick of hearing how to lose weight from people who have never had a weight problem. I can relate to Richard and the craze of food that he struggled with. I love hearing about his wife and how she struggled as well, but how they both found PERMANENT weight loss solutions in nutrient dense foods. They went about it differently, each in their own individual style, but still had success. It is a comforting read that gives you hope that there is a real solution out there.

Morris's Victory Is a Triumph for Us All

As a licensed nutritionist (who has never had a weight problem, despite my moniker), I was heartened to read Richard Morris's exceedingly well-written, witty and inspiring book. This is more than a book about a fat man. It is a book that chronicles the lives of Richard and his wife, Mary. As descendants of poor African American slaves they both grew up on whole food diets common to all of our ancestors, all raised within a few miles, always without harmful chemical pesticides or hormones and never cooked in a microwave. As children they both enjoyed vibrant health, but as adults they find themselves statistics in the current obesity epidemic, wondering how each generation of their families grew sicker earlier in life than the previous one. The Morrises have clearly been around the block, having tried every variation of popular starvation diet that assumes fat people are "overnourished" and therefore focuses solely on dramatically cutting calories. From Atkins to vegetarianism, the Morrises tried many diets to lose weight. But dieting always led to some kind of rebound effect, which is to be expected when you deprive yourself of nutrients. Then one day the Morrises had a revelation - perhaps returning to their culinary roots held the answer. In his book, Morris provides us with his (and Mary's) 10 steps for success. But to make these 10 steps work, he debunks the many myths he clung to for over a decade. Myths which undoubtedly lead to his battle with obesity. Amongst my favorites are: we have no time to cook; we can exercise off any unhealthy foods that we eat; changing what we eat is hard; and we need to take baby steps if we're going to make any lasting dietary changes. One feature I like is that he shows the difference in approach he and his wife take to their newfound way of eating. While he is a computer techie, who loves to track his progress on gadgets, Mary can't be bothered, yet they have the same results -- improved health and reduced weight. We all can learn a lot from Richard Morris whether we've faced a weight problem or not. Morris shares a very human story which begins with humiliation, mires in frustrations, finds hope and ends in victory. Morris demonstrates the power we all have within us to change the course of our lives when we quiet our minds long enough to listen to what our bodies are telling us all the time. A Life Unburdened is a must read for anyone seeking inspiration to turn their lives around once and for all. It is absolutely brilliant!

A Life Unburdened: Getting Over Weight and Getting On With My Life

This book is about how a man learned to eat healthfully, for life. The author goes way beyond calorie counting to the place where, because he was so well nourished with his new found traditional diet, he no longer felt the urge to binge on junk food. He broke the cycle. I thought the author generous in the details he provided. If you continually diet and never get anywhere, his info might save you from more of the same. If you are always hungry and wish you weren't; his book could provide some insight. And, for people who are looking for a way of eating after they have taken off the pounds, a diet to stick to because it is satisfying, you'll appreciate learning about what he found out. Also, a good story; his description of how it was to be seriously over weight and carry on in an advertising job, it's worth reading.

Truth about weight Loss

I'd like to share my thoughts on this book. By all accounts it shows what is possible when we return to the foods that nourished us as a nation. Before the onslaught of boxed and packaged foods, artificial sweetners and flavor enhancers. It is these "foods" along with the official recommendations to eat mostly grain products that have caused the explosion of chronic diseases we face. The dietary advice in this book are sound and based on the science that has be ignored by the popular press. It challenges heart-felt beliefs about what constitutes healthy eating.Without a doubt readers will be mystified as to how eating fat( to give one example) can help you to lose weight...but then perhaps you will read further and educate yourself. That is the essential message of this thought provoking book.

Get healthy!

This is an excellent book for several reasons. First, from the very beginning of the book, the author quickly engages the reader with a vivid description of what it is like to be morbidly overweight. Since I do not struggle with obesity, Mr. Morris' description helped me to understand the daily difficulties of someone who is overweight. Every minute of his life, every decision made, was adversely affected by his weight. Second, the author stresses that each person must recognize that he/she is overweight and take responsibility for making postive changes. The author spent much time researching nutrition and diet and then applied all that he learned to himself. Third, the ideas that Mr. Morris presents can be applied by anyone wanting to eat healthy and be healthy, whether overweight or not.