On Writing EAT THE CUPCAKE NOT THE CAKE

I love food; I eat carbs; I don’t fear fat; I drink wine; I don’t count calories; I don’t count steps; and I don’t belong to a gym. I realize this is a unique introduction to a book dedicated to achieving a healthy weight. My latest book, “Eat the Cupcake, Not the Cake” is not only a unique weight loss – but also a healthy lifestyle – guide that encourages you to eat, drink and be merry… 

“Eat the Cupcake, Not the Cake” encapsulates an unconventional, but common sense, approach to a common societal problem. If you’re frustrated with food phobias, conflicting/confusing advice, fad diets, deprivation, and gimmicks, trust your intuition and give the “keep it simple, sweetheart” (”KISS”) philosophy a try. For years, people approached me to ask me what my “secret” was to being fit and healthy. I was frustrated with the onslaught of so-called advice often from uncredentialed social media influencers without even relevant life experiences. As I say, I write the books I want to read and I preach what I practice. So I wrote a book to divulge my “secret”. 

Spoiler alert – the path to a healthy weight is the same path to overall health – a healthy lifestyle – not a restrictive diet, an intense workout regimen, a two-week smoothie plan, or anything else short-sighted, unsustainable, or exclusively focused on what not to eat. 

As I was in the depths of researching my last book, “Release Yourself: 52 Proven Ways to Conquer Stress”, I learned how strongly chronic stress (particularly from unresolved traumas) is associated with weight gain and difficulty losing weight. This catapulted me on a path to delve into other lifestyle factors contributing to weight loss challenges that do not garner the attention they need to solve our “globesity” crisis. 

Almost 74% of Americans currently deal with weight challenges. It’s estimated that almost all Americans will have excess weight or obesity within 30 years based on the current prevalence trend, absent effective interventions. Obesity is a risk factor for virtually every chronic degenerative ailment and disease and is also strongly associated with stress, anxiety, and depression. Current approaches, including fad diets, macronutrient restrictions, and the simple admonition to “eat less, move more” are not working. Things are getting worse, not better. 

We are not only overweight as a nation but also exhausted, chronically stressed and sleep deprived. We have rampant digestive issues which tend to co-exist with mood disorders. We’re overwhelmed and over-drugged. The “Eat the Cupcake” series is designed to address these often overlooked contributory factors and offer simple, empowering natural recommendations to achieve “smart weight loss” to look great, feel great, and be great. “Eat the Cupcake” is not only a decisively different “weight loss” book but the last weight loss guide you will ever need. Obesity is a health condition and this series is premised on “lose the weight for the health of it”. 

A winning strategy for sustainable weight loss is based on a realistic lifestyle, not stress, fear of food, or deprivation. Instead of obsessing about calorie counting, fearing carbohydrates/fats, or thinking we have to exercise intensely or endlessly, I propose an “Anti-Deprivation Diet,” focusing on the nutrients we need to attain a healthy weight – and life – and a consistent but moderate exercise routine. The “Cupcake” series is filled with evidence-based tips to jump-start weight loss, boost metabolism, and ignite fat burning. 

In this extensively-researched series, I share 25 simple, proven strategies in each book to help sustainably lose weight, beyond the simplistic mantra to “eat less and move more.” We get to the heart of impediments to weight loss, beyond diet and exercise, and compassionately address the psychological reasons why we may struggle to lose weight. 

I have a master’s degree in natural health, ISSA certifications in nutrition and fitness, a passion for all things “wellness” and a unique vantage point from living in the Mediterranean for almost two decades. The same practical weight loss insights and strategies I share are designed not only to achieve a healthy weight but to also enhance overall mental and physical well-being in the process. Weight challenges have a multi-factorial origin requiring a multi-factorial, yet simple, solution. To me, “diet” is a noun, not a verb. My mission is to help others get off the diet merry-go-round by following the easily replicable, enjoyable lifestyle that has helped me achieve my optimal health while being at my fittest at 57. 

“Eat the Cupcake, Not the Cake” is the second book in my “KISS” series, a collection of self-care made simple guides. The “KISS” collection is designed to inspire and empower you to optimize your life, via simple, natural, proven lifestyle interventions. “Eat the Cupcake” encourages us to embrace ourselves, our food, and our lives. 

“Eat the Cupcake” also reviews ways to help address chronic inflammation and oxidative stress to prevent excess weight from developing into the myriad degenerative ailments and diseases associated therewith. My humble hope is for each of us to be empowered to be the master of our health destiny. 

Self-care made simple. Keep it simple, sweetheart… 

I love connecting. Please feel free to follow my “Mediterranean Me” wellness and travel blog and connect with me on my social media at https://linktr.ee/mediterraneanme 

“Eat the Cupcake, not the Cake” is available @ 

https://www.amazon.com/author/mediterraneanme

Sophia Elan, a University of Chicago Law School alum and retired corporate lawyer, traded her professional career to feed her soul. She is a full-time author and freelance writer on a mission to make others happier, healthier and more harmonious. Armed with her passions, a master’s in natural health and ISSA fitness/nutrition certifications, Sophia enthusiastically shares her “self-care made simple” insights to making the rest of life the best of your life. An avid wellness enthusiast, world traveler, and insatiable foodie, she considers herself blessed to be  traversing the globe with her unquenchable zest for life in quest of simple pleasures. Sophia resides along the exquisite Turkish Riviera and travels extensively in quest of endless inspiration for her writings and Mediterranean Me lifestyle brand.

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, On Writing