Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too

"Thanks to this book I can finally say I'm on the recovery path. I have suffered from an eating disorder for eight years and never thought I would live a "Life Without Ed". When I purchased this book I thought it was going to be like all the others, useless in helping me to gain control over and move beyond my eating disorder. Boy was I wrong, it helped me to look at things in a new perspective and changed my way of thinking completely. By separating myself from my eating disorder I was finally able to disobey and fight back. For me, knowing "Jenny" was just a page away helped me to do what was necessary in recovery. I am and forever will be grateful to what this book has given back to me. I highly recmommend this book to anyone as a tool to "Divorce Ed" and get back what they rightfully deserve a "Life Without Ed".

Sandy Peterson"
~ Written on 2008-08-20

"Make no mistake, "Life Without Ed" is most certainly a useful and worthy read for those with eating disorders, however, this book is better suited for those who have already began the recovery process. I say this because it makes recovery appear to be a lot quicker and more simplistic than it truly is. Those who are currently seeing a therapist for their eating disorder will be able to implement the tools provided in this book into their current program. In this book the eating disorder is personified as a man named ED ("E"ating "D"isorder). This technique makes it much easier to understand how the eating disorder works and why it is so powerful. Also provided are exercises that can be quite useful during the recovery process for both therapist and patient.

For those who have not yet begun treatment or those who are simply interested in the topic of eating disorders, this serves as a slightly sugar-coated account of recovery. While Jenni's story is an inspiring one, the book moves a bit quickly between topics and is a bit nonchalant at times. She shares witty anecdotes and reflects on different lessons that have been learned, but I don't believe she effectively captures just how painful and difficult this process can be. I definitely recommend reading this book--it is a useful ally in the recovery process--but perhaps more of a memoir than a self-help book."
~ Written on 2008-07-31

"I absolutely loved this book! it has a lot of great recommendations and tips to work on recovery.
Sometimes we need a book like this, that tells us what to do step by step in order to continue in recovery and it is better by someone who experienced an eating disorder in first hand.
Thanks Jenni for sharing your experience!!"
~ Written on 2008-07-31

"This is an easy read but focuses on the author's recovery & stumbles along the way. I did not personally reap any benefit from reading this book but if you've never read any "self-help/recovery" books before, you may gain a few tips from this one. Her therapist has a few chapters in the book where he tells you what worked for "her". It's not a step-by-step book but if someone loans you the book, give it a read. I wouldn't buy it though. It's just not "hard-core" enough to give you any boundaries or core work to help you get started on your on self recovery. It may give you the hope & reassurance that you need to recover but that's about all!!!"
~ Written on 2008-07-29

"I find this book an excellent resource for anyone who has an eating disorder or knows somebody who does. It offered me an insight into what my ED daughter is feeling and battling internally and gave me very practical ideas on how to support her and talk with her. She uses the same approach that Jenni uses and talks back to the emotional 'voice' that an ED can present and this approach is extremely useful in her recovery. "
~ Written on 2008-05-31