"Affirmations for living the life you want in the body you already have."

Although this book was first written almost ten years ago it is still relevant to today's lush woman. In the introduction, Cheri K. Erdman, EdD says "Live Large! brings a positive voice into your life and helps that voice to become your own." This is so true.

The 148 pages of affirmations are divided into four parts: initiation, inspiration, determination and live large. Each page has a title like the "Mirror Lies" or "Live For Today". Erdman provides a brief commentary on the topic followed by a one line affirmation like "I see myself as acceptable, lovable and beautiful." This is then followed by "Size-wise action" which further describes how you can put intention behind the affirmation. This can be a simple visualization or journaling activity.

Here's one of my favourite: Competence

"A major step in building size-esteem is to focus on those things we can do well and then do them with gusto. Recognizing our competence is important, because we have been encouraged to feel successful primarily in the dieting arena. Since only 5 percent of the dieting population wins the weight-loss game, where does that leave the rest of us? Can we all be failures? No! Dieting is a setup for failure, whereas doing those things in which we are competent is a setup for success. Know yourself as a competent woman even if you don't have the perfect body. Begin by putting your achievements at the top of the list of who you are."

The affirmation for this is a simple, "I am competent in all that I do." What a lovely thought to go to bed or start your day with. The size-wise action involves making a list of all the things you're competent at.

I loved this little book. Erdman's voice is not condescending and her concepts are legitimate and easy to understand. You can journal along with each prompt or just use it for bedside or bathroom reading. Each page is filled with valuable insight into our bodies, psyche and the world around us. She doesn't just tell you how it is but how you can choose to make a difference.

There is a small section of resources at the back, some outdated. This really has no affect on the rest of the content which is positive, inspiring and easy to relate to your own life. This is a definite must for your plus size library. I highly recommend this mini book.

Gurze Books, 1997/2003

Live Large! can be purchased from Amazon.com
Live Large! can be purchased from Amazon.ca.