Finally Thin!: How I Lost More Than 200 Pounds and Kept Them Off--and How You Can, Too

Kim's book is unlike any other diet or fitness book I have ever read!! I am so glad that I took the risk and bought it. Her approach is powerful and personal. Her writing style is wonderful, very readable, and keeps the book moving quickly. Her painful truths must have been incredibly difficult to admit, but they are powerful because so many of her readers will identify with them. She uses humor at times, and her storytelling creates a vivid picture for the reader. Kim is blessed to have a loving family and career that she and her husband have built, but her food addiction and weight problem was literally threatening her life. I admit that I got choked up at the end of chapter four. Unlike other dieting books that tangentially reference the author's real life and struggle, Kim not only draws the reader in, but she personally reaches out and passes the torch to her reader. Kim says in her book that despite all the pain and humiliation and exposure of telling her story publicly, she risked it because she wants each individual to know that YES, YOU CAN DO IT. Some people might think I am weak or silly for saying this, but Kim's encouragement really touched me. I have never felt like someone really believed in my ability to do this. Kim's story showed me that I am not so different from her. I tried OA several years ago, but I could never get myself to follow a plan. In recent months, I have tried to plan meals but failed. I have read several other diet books about planning, but nothing has stuck quite like Kim's plan. Her approach is so straightforward and easy to read, unlike many other books. She breaks down dozens of plans of eating, and gives simple tools for her readers to find the best plan for themselves -- with tools that I will use for the rest of my life. When I stop counting points, I will start gaining weight again. That one sentence was hard for me to accept, but reading Kim's book and seeing how she lives her example has been like magic for me. In summary, this is the book for which I have been searching. If only I had read this one first! Kim, thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I am so excited for my new life.

I admit that this kindlebook that is Finally Thin! How I Lost More Than 200 Pounds and Kept Them Off and How You Can Too by Kim Bensen attracted my attention for both inspirational and practical reasons. Bensen includes helpful information on how she attained her body goal achievement/success and some of the multiple popular diet programs for the readers of this kindlebook to decide/custom tailor to their goals. The author also helpful includes multiple ideas to make ordinary tap water more drinkable and some recipes (caffee Hollywood frozen virgin margarita kid’s milkshake blueberry muffins breakfast burrito etc.).I’m intuitively aware that I must also continue to accept myself and be more self confident in who I am while continuing to be aware of how lucky I am in both my personal and professional life (including having an amazing/sweet husband who sees the beauty in me regardless of my weight). Still, I must be more complacent-free/ vigilant even with how blessed I am because even in my current line of employment having a fitter/thinner body at my age would be only a plus/for my greater benefit because with humble intent I’m both logically/intuitively aware both of the employees of my similar bodyshape who to their credit are confident/popular in addition to also working around a multiple number of attractive employees both older and younger than me. Additionally, I am blessed to have an abundance of free time with my current work schedule and I intend to wisely keep some of the author’s ideas in mind while I capitalize on my upcoming schedule within the next couple of months to utilize towards the benefit of my body/fitness goals and other type of goals that I have while being careful to avoid comparing my progress to others offline andor online (getting in depth to explain more on the why is something for another post entirely).

Ms. Benson was so brutally honest (moreso than I think most of us could have been) about her struggles, challenges, humiliating experiences, etc. that lead to her "ah ha" moment to once and for all make a lifestyle change. I felt as though I could have written many of her experiences myself -- fully understanding her emotions and even her humiliations. I think this is the first weight loss book I've actually read cover to cover, and it's by far the most inspiring one I've ever read. Heck, if Kim can lose 212 pounds and keep it off, surely I can lose less than half of that! But, honestly, I think much of what you "get out of" books like this it really depends upon the frame of mind you are in. The weight loss journey is such a mental effort that you have to be at a point in your life when you're truly ready and willing to be in it for the long haul or it's not going to matter WHAT you read. For me, this book was it. I've ready numerous such books, but this one I felt was "written for me". I got it. But I was also ready to be receptive and ready to make a change. I'm doing well on my journey and fully expect to reach my goal. And I will keep this book handy for inspiration along the way! Also, be sure to check out the recipes in the back. She's got some really great ones listed. And, as a side note, though Kim lost her weight using Weight Watcher's, she clearly does not endorse any specific program and recognizes that most all programs will work IF they're followed. I appreciate that since I've chosen a different program. I never felt that WW was being pushed at me. Thanks for a great book!!

As someone who needs to lose weight myself, I purchased Bensen's book, hoping that her story would inspire me. And it did ... to a point. The author has lost over 200 pounds, which is an incredible accomplishment. That said, I enjoyed hearing her very honest story and I liked that she provides a very sensible approach to losing weight. Many people tend to latch onto eating plans with an "all or nothing" philosophy, whereas she proposes that we eat everything in moderation or make low-fat versions of our favorite foods. Unfortunately, I found her narrative to be incredibly annoying. Bensen was a cheerleader in her youth (not that there's anything wrong with that), but her "Rah, rah, rah!!!" writing grated. Almost every other sentence was capped with an exclamation point. Sometimes she'd write in all-caps to show her enthusiasm. And the book was peppered with loud, "You can do its!!!!!" I appreciate her wanting to "cheer" her readers on, but a good writer doesn't need to use all-caps or punctuate everything so blatantly. Seeing this made me feel as if I were reading a book written by a 14-year-old rather than a grown woman with four children. When I was finished, I felt as if I needed a Valium because I could practically hear her shouting in my ear.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and dealt with the subject of weight loss honestly and openly. Ms. Bensen lost over 200 pounds and has kept it off for years, so she is uniquely qualified to write this type of book. She makes no secret of the fact that she lost her weight with Weight Watchers and now works for them, but the book explores (briefly) all of the well known diet plans without prejudice. The first part of the book is devoted to Kim's story and I had tears in my eyes by the time I got to the part where she reached her goal weight. The second section of the book explores the 10 steps essential to losing and maintaining weight loss. The chapter devoted to step 9 - keep yourself motivated all the way - is the highlight of the book in my opinion. The third and final section of the book is recipes. I have to say that most of the recipes did not appeal to me because the majority included fat-free cheese or sugar substitutes, but since I did not buy the book for the recipes, they did not effect my rating. All in all, this is one of the best and most realistic books out there for anyone who has struggled with overcoming obesity.

I pre-ordered Kim's book because I had read several things written by Kim on her website. I ordered the book for several reasons: 1) I wanted her wisdom for reading, re-reading and chewing on when I needed a boost of motivation 2) I couldn't wait to read her whole story. I had seen her pictures and wanted the "behind the scenes" on her journey and 3) I wanted tips for hanging in there for the long haul. I got all of those things from Kim. There is no magic--it is hard work and diligence. She is a living testimony to God's goodness, faithfulness and strength for the long hard journey! She has great recipes in the book and so many stories of her "before" life and her life now. It is inspirational!

I love this book! I've known Kim for a year or so and am inspired by her story. For those readers who do not live in Southern CT, let me assure you that both of the pictures on the cover of the book are real. There has been no "Photoshoping". Kim is as beautiful as she is on the cover, maybe even more so. (And she was as heavy as she is on the cover also). The book is divided into three sections. Section one describes Kim's battle with her weight and some embarassing incidents that she very bravely shares with her readers. The second section describes 10 steps that are needed to "diet" sucessfully. She does not promote any one diet, but instead reviews all the popular diets and encourages the reader to choose the one they are suited for. The third section is made up of 70 recipes Kim has used and recommends. I recommed this book and a visit to Kim's website: [...] There you will find all sorts of tools to help make dieting easier, a "guilt free" shopping list and much more.

This book is fantastic for the person who has battled weight loss all of their life. Kim Benson's story is compelling, funny, sad and true. She gives great insight into how and why we have this battle and then she provides an encouraging battle plan. She explains how the body metabolizes food in layman's terms so you can understand what you are doing to yourself. (Page 93): "If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got." She includes many such gems! I highly recommend this to all, whether 10 pounds overweight (my case) or 200 pounds (her story), this book is for you!