With so many diet programs available, most overweight people try one after another, with varying degrees of temporary success, but never succeed in reaching the permanent weight loss they so desperately want. In the bestselling Michelle Joy Levine, a psychotherapist for over twenty years, uncovers the reason why most dieters fail: an unconscious yet powerful fear of being thin or a desire to be fat! As incredible as this may sound, the poignant and revealing case histories presented in this book demonstrate how childhood experiences affect our eating habits, and the helpful exercises included will teach you how to stop sabotaging your goal of permanent weight loss. Understanding why we overeat is the first step toward a healthy weight and happier life. This highly acclaimed, remarkably insightful book is a must for anyone who is serious about eliminating destructive eating habits from their lives forever.