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About the Book
Do you think about food too much? Envy those “skinny bitches” and wonder how they do it? Use the needle on the scale as a measure of your self-worth? Are you “just ten pounds” away from happiness?
You are not alone. Iris Ruth Pastor too was a weight-obsessed woman who found a way to eat all those tempting goodies—without putting on a pound. At age eighteen, she began bingeing and purging daily and didn’t stop for forty-six years.
How did she tame the triggers that led to bingeing and purging? Deal with the ravenous monster within? The Secret Life of a Weight-Obsessed Woman is Iris’s story of ripping down the façade of her “perfect” life and taking steps to break free of her lover ED (Eating Disorder, not Erectile Dysfunction!).
If you are grappling with anything that prevents you from operating at full throttle, Iris’s bluntly honest, humorous, and inspirational story reminds us all that recovery is within our reach.
What people are saying about The Secret Life of the Weight-Obsessed Woman:
“In this honest, insightful, and inspiring book, Iris Ruth Pastor shares her story of recovery from a decades-long battle with bulimia. She brings a poignant and relatable honesty to this memoir, using both wisdom and humor to bring readers on the journey from despair to healing.”
~ Dr. Nina Savelle-Rocklin, PsyD
“Congratulations on your outstanding book. I have encouraged all my patients to buy it. You are amazing. Great writer, speaker, and role model for midlife women struggling with eating disorders.”
~ Dr. Ann Kearney Cooke, The Cincinnati Psychotherapy Institute
“Iris Pastor’s book is compelling both as memoir/confessional as well as self-help. She provides a useful model for breaking out of the isolation and secrecy.”
~ Dr. Emily Fox Kales, Clinical Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Harvard University
“The book is hard to put down as the reader peeks into her soul and intimate details of her struggle conveyed through humor and profound insights. Although addressing a serious, life-altering disorder, the book is thoroughly entertaining. The most powerful and important lesson was demonstrating that with courage and determination, people can change and can transform their lives to fulfill their deepest desires about who they are and who they can become.”
~ Hope J. Hartman, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology Emerita, City University of New York: City College and the Graduate Center
“Iris Pastor shares her compelling story with honesty, grace and wit. Her journey towards reaching her emotional and physical health in a world that puts undue emphasis on the female appearance was inspiring to us all. Whether speaking about her education into the realm of memoir-penning or about her later-in-life epiphany that her eating disorder needed to stop, Iris’ dedication to her truth-telling captured our attention for a delightful evening.”
~ Sara Traster, United Jewish Community of the VA Peninsula
“Funny and smart. This book drew me in right away. Many of us women can relate to this!”
~ Tara Jill
“Fascinating look at a long-time bulimic. Honest and thought provoking. Good read.”
~ Kay O’Dell
“An interesting and honest memoir of an older woman who suffered her entire adult life with bulimia. Kudos to her for sharing her struggles, failures, and achievements.”
~ Fran Wagner
“The Secret Life of a Weight-Obsessed Woman” by Iris Pastor is a wonderful book. Pastor tackles a topic that has rarely been written about, especially by a woman in her 60’s: lifelong struggle with bulimia. Her honesty, vulnerability, and quest to bring awareness to this eating disorder make for a compelling read. Pastor is a fine, expressive writer. She explains which tools and programs helped her achieve her recovery from bulimia. Her bravery in overcoming her shame and sharing the truth of her “ED” (eating disorder) with her family, friends, and the public is commendable and inspiring. Highly recommended!”
~ Dyane Harwood
“Impressively well written, organized and presented from first page to last, The Secret Life of a Weight-Obsessed Woman is a forthright, sincere, candid, inspiring memoir. A potentially life-changing, life-affirming, life-enhancing read, The Secret Life of a Weight-Obsessed Woman will prove to be a valued and enduringly popular addition to community library collections.”
~ Midwest Book Review
“It’s a short book, but packed with quite a story. Bulimia is a horrifying disease and I am awed that Iris Pastor shared this all too real and brutal story with all of us. A recommended book for anyone who knows anyone with an eating disorder.”
~ Ellie Potts Barrett
“This memoir is honestly presented. The author’s courageous reflection with a sense of self-deprecating humor is helpful for all people who face secret struggles of addiction to various substances.”
~ Judge, Royal Palm Literary Award Competition
Like a good romance, a good memoir needs both emotional appeal, a character arc, and coming to a new life. This meets all the criteria. It also fits as a romance as the author turns from her secret lover, bulimia or ED, and opens herself to her true love, her husband Steven.”
~ Judge, Royal Palm Literary Award Competition
Media:
CBS: Eating Order Awareness Week
FOX13: Local woman overcomes odds after eating disorder
NBC: The Secret Life of Weight Obsessed Woman
NEW YORK POST: Yes, Older Women Get Eating Disorders Too
NATIONAL EATING DISORDER INSTITUTE: My 46-Year Struggle with Bulimia: How I Finally Found Recovery
550AM KFRM: On the Front Porch with Bryce Dolan
KTWA-FM: Iris Ruth Pastor Interview
TAMPA BAY TIMES: Tampa author-blogger Iris Ruth Pastor reflects on 46-year battle with bulimia
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER: What’s great about Valentine’s Day?
Voice of America (VOA): Eating Disorders Awareness; American Café February 27, 2018
MOTHERHOOD MOMENT: Healthy Habits: Eating Disorders in Older Women
CONSUMER HEALTH DIGEST: The Secret Life Of A Weight-Obsessed Woman- Addressing Your Children On Weight-Problems
A FRUGAL LIFE: The Secret Life of a Weight-Obsessed Woman
THE MINDFUL WORD: Fight Your Eating Disorder: Without letting toxic New Year’s resolutions get in the way
KTRS-AM (Saint Louis, MO): The Secret Life of the Weight-Obsessed Woman
THRIVE GLOBAL: Breaking Free From Dieting
ASH SAID IT: Got the Valentine’s Day Blues? Iris Ruth Pastor has your remedy!
SIXTY+ME: The Secret Life of Weight Obsessed Women
BANNER NEWS: Boomer disorders, Millennial quit-itis
INDIA AMERICA TODAY: Are You Ruining Your Relationship? Hidden Valentine’s Day Obstacles
ELITE DAILY: How To Help Someone With An Eating Disorder, According To Experts
NEWSRADIO 1510 WLAC: Tennessee Matters
FXNCC: 7 Red Flags That Someone Is Dealing With An Eating Disorder
KELLY’S THOUGHTS ON THINGS: The Secret Life of a Weight-Obsesed Woman
SIXTY+ME: Dealing with an Eating Disorder? This Woman’s Powerful Story May Help!
MARRIAGE.COM: Battling with Eating Disorder in a Marriage
AMERICA ISRAELITE: Iris Pastor emphasizes the importance of caring for ourselves
MARIA’S SPACE: The Secret Life of a Weight-Obsessed Woman Book
THE McCORD LIST: “Preserving Your Bloom” – Iris Ruth Pastor
USA TODAY MAGAZINE: “Addicted to the Needle on the Scale”
SHE SPARK: “Breaking Up With ED — A Middle-Aged Woman’s Story”
About the Author:
Iris Ruth Pastor is a writer, speaker, and storyteller whose bedrock belief is that our lives are always a work in progress. After just a few months of blogging for the Huffington Post, her blog was designated one of “The Must-Read Blogs” for those over 50. Her musings, weekly newsletters, social media postings, and speeches underscore her engaging message of the importance of self-care—of Preserving Your Bloom. In 2018, Iris won a prestigious Royal Palm Literary Award (RPLA) for her memoir “The Secret Life of a Weight Obsessed Woman.”
Iris travels the country both entertaining live audiences and encouraging them to use their talents and resources to be the best they can be. While doing so, she tries not to be judgmental, cloying, hypocritical, whiney, snippy, overly sensitive, or overwhelmed. Sometimes, like all of us, she even manages to carry it off.