This book investigates the psychological mechanisms underlying weight gain and provides a structured methodology for achieving sustainable weight control. Dr. Theodore Isaac Rubin, a practicing psychiatrist, utilizes his professional background and personal experience with weight management to present a framework that prioritizes mental discipline and behavioral modification over restrictive dieting. The argument centers on the premise that successful weight loss requires addressing the emotional and psychological triggers that drive overeating.

Readers frequently note the accessible, conversational tone of the prose, which contrasts with more clinical weight-loss manuals. Experts highlight this as a foundational text for those seeking to understand the psychological barriers to weight management rather than just the physiological ones.