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Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?
A host of Clean Sweep counsels readers on how to apply organizational logic to weight-loss goals, sharing lighthearted advice on how to adjust food choices, shopping habits, and a kitchen environment as part of maintaining a weight-conscious lifestyle. 125,000 first printing.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published February 5, 2008
About the author
Peter Walsh
31 books173 followersBorn and raised in Australia, Peter moved to Los Angeles in 1994 to launch a corporation to help organizations improve employee’s job satisfaction and effectiveness. He considers himself to be part-contractor, part-therapist in his approach to helping individuals attain their goals.
When not wading through clutter and large-scale disorganization, Peter divides his time between his work in Los Angeles and visiting Australia as frequently as possible. Peter’s passions include mid-century architecture and design, home renovation and transforming chaos into order.
When not wading through clutter and large-scale disorganization, Peter divides his time between his work in Los Angeles and visiting Australia as frequently as possible. Peter’s passions include mid-century architecture and design, home renovation and transforming chaos into order.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
July 3, 2017
When I started listening to the book, it seemed pretty simple. As I continued to listen, I found that it IS simple, but it reminds the listener of things we know, but don't know. I found parts of the book powerful enough that I would listen to this book again.
This is not a diet book--it is about my relationship with my body. *sigh* I do not have a good relationship with my body. But I do know, more or less, how I want to live--I want to live a healthy, active life. And that is his focus.
I would summarize this book by comparing it to a budgeting tip that suggests thinking "do I need this?" as part of the spending decision (put a post-it in your wallet, on your cards). He is essentially saying: think about everything you bring into your house, put in your pantry or refrigerator, or consume: "does this help me live the life I want to live?" The answer doesn't have to be yes, but we should be aware of this decision.
This is not a diet book--it is about my relationship with my body. *sigh* I do not have a good relationship with my body. But I do know, more or less, how I want to live--I want to live a healthy, active life. And that is his focus.
I would summarize this book by comparing it to a budgeting tip that suggests thinking "do I need this?" as part of the spending decision (put a post-it in your wallet, on your cards). He is essentially saying: think about everything you bring into your house, put in your pantry or refrigerator, or consume: "does this help me live the life I want to live?" The answer doesn't have to be yes, but we should be aware of this decision.
June 10, 2009
This book is good for getting the common sense aspects of losing weight and changing lifestyle slapped into your brain. When I was losing weight, the things he describes as advice were exactly the things working for me, and when I wasn't losing weight, the obstacles were also similar to his description.
But, like most self-help books, it eats a bit like dry toast. I found myself skimming chapters thinking "I already know all of this". I would use this book again in the future to remind myself of those things that I know, but forget to remind myself that I know.
A very practical approach to weight loss. Better than most, and the letters from his readers were interesting. It satiates the tiny fraction of me that likes to organize details and make lists. Which is what you would expect from a book written by one of Oprah's organizational gurus.
But, like most self-help books, it eats a bit like dry toast. I found myself skimming chapters thinking "I already know all of this". I would use this book again in the future to remind myself of those things that I know, but forget to remind myself that I know.
A very practical approach to weight loss. Better than most, and the letters from his readers were interesting. It satiates the tiny fraction of me that likes to organize details and make lists. Which is what you would expect from a book written by one of Oprah's organizational gurus.
March 1, 2017
Great Audiobook! Take Walsh's basic philosophy on clutter and apply to eating. 'It's not about the diet, but about the decision' , 'how do you want to live you life?' I love this guy! It's transformative and life changing when your perspective shifts. Can't wait to get my hands on his next book!
June 28, 2021
Peter Walsh doesn't hold back!
February 10, 2014
This book goes beyond Peter Walsh's "It's All Too Much". In that book he focused on the clutter in our homes. This time he deals with that clutter first and then on how it affects our "butts." He maintains that if our lives are filled with clutter then our eating habits are probably chaotic and filled with excess and junk too.
Walsh delves into the kitchen to clear it of useless gadgets and food clutter.
I especially like Walsh's one size does NOT fit all approach, "You'll notice that I'm not being specific about foods you keep and what has to go. when it comes to healthier living one size does not fit all. We are individuals, and you need to make a commitment to decisions that work for you." And, "We both know you are perfectly aware of what you should and should not be eating. So enough of the charts and tables and portion measuring devices that clutter your life."
His book is packed with great lists to work through, and tons of practical, encouraging tips and some obvious but perhaps forgotten lines:
Chew your food
Eat your vegetables
Get a good night's sleep
Don't fill up on bread
Don't talk with your mouth full
Your eyes are bigger than your belly
His food clutter principle, "Recognize and celebrate every meal you enjoy. It will remind you of the great things a meal provides, beyond just the food." Walsh even pays homage to the practice of saying grace before a meal, "The expression of common prayer forced everyone at the table to stop, pause, and reflect."
He ends with some really terrific "Don'ts":
Don't start with the "stuff", start with a clear idea of the life you want to be living.
Don't obsess. I care about you. I can't stand the idea of your turning into one of those people whose whole life is spent figuring out how not to eat a single potato chip.
Don't count calories or eat fake foods or go to someone's house for dinner and tell them you brought your own meal.
This book is really encouraging and really practical.
Walsh delves into the kitchen to clear it of useless gadgets and food clutter.
I especially like Walsh's one size does NOT fit all approach, "You'll notice that I'm not being specific about foods you keep and what has to go. when it comes to healthier living one size does not fit all. We are individuals, and you need to make a commitment to decisions that work for you." And, "We both know you are perfectly aware of what you should and should not be eating. So enough of the charts and tables and portion measuring devices that clutter your life."
His book is packed with great lists to work through, and tons of practical, encouraging tips and some obvious but perhaps forgotten lines:
Chew your food
Eat your vegetables
Get a good night's sleep
Don't fill up on bread
Don't talk with your mouth full
Your eyes are bigger than your belly
His food clutter principle, "Recognize and celebrate every meal you enjoy. It will remind you of the great things a meal provides, beyond just the food." Walsh even pays homage to the practice of saying grace before a meal, "The expression of common prayer forced everyone at the table to stop, pause, and reflect."
He ends with some really terrific "Don'ts":
Don't start with the "stuff", start with a clear idea of the life you want to be living.
Don't obsess. I care about you. I can't stand the idea of your turning into one of those people whose whole life is spent figuring out how not to eat a single potato chip.
Don't count calories or eat fake foods or go to someone's house for dinner and tell them you brought your own meal.
This book is really encouraging and really practical.
May 9, 2017
This book focuses on the connection of clutter in our homes and the extra pounds we carry around on our bodies. Walsh says he was inspired to write this book after receiving many letters from clients who mentioned that after they got their homes in order, their bodies more willingly followed.
I think it is right on in that different areas of our life are all connected. It has always been obvious to me that our spiritual well-being and our physical-well being are intertwined. Walsh points out that for someone wishing to lose weight, it is very difficult to do so if your life is unorganized and you're flying by the seat of your (extra-large) pants. For instance, you make poor eating choices out of convenience when you don't plan ahead. But if your kitchen is clean and well organized, and the fridge and pantry are stocked with healthy foods that you've bought after planning a week's menu, you will be more likely to look forward to cooking and eating in your home rather than ordering fat-laden take-out.
His former book, It's All Too Much, went through organizing your house room by room all on the premise of creating the life you want. The "Butt" book doesn't go into your whole home but really details your kitchen. One of the tips I like the most that he uses in both books is that we should decide the purpose of a room and then make sure that everything in it contributes to, and doesn't distract from, that purpose.
I like that Walsh doesn't go over all the things that have been said time and time again in diet books. We all know that stuff already. He just brings common sense to the forefront and encourages you to do what you already know you should be doing, but taking into account other areas of your life that may be blocking your way to a healthier life.
I think it is right on in that different areas of our life are all connected. It has always been obvious to me that our spiritual well-being and our physical-well being are intertwined. Walsh points out that for someone wishing to lose weight, it is very difficult to do so if your life is unorganized and you're flying by the seat of your (extra-large) pants. For instance, you make poor eating choices out of convenience when you don't plan ahead. But if your kitchen is clean and well organized, and the fridge and pantry are stocked with healthy foods that you've bought after planning a week's menu, you will be more likely to look forward to cooking and eating in your home rather than ordering fat-laden take-out.
His former book, It's All Too Much, went through organizing your house room by room all on the premise of creating the life you want. The "Butt" book doesn't go into your whole home but really details your kitchen. One of the tips I like the most that he uses in both books is that we should decide the purpose of a room and then make sure that everything in it contributes to, and doesn't distract from, that purpose.
I like that Walsh doesn't go over all the things that have been said time and time again in diet books. We all know that stuff already. He just brings common sense to the forefront and encourages you to do what you already know you should be doing, but taking into account other areas of your life that may be blocking your way to a healthier life.
May 1, 2009
I picked this book up on a whim - just for curiosity's sake from the local library while I was on an organization kick. I thought it might be helpful. It mostly wasn't, only on a very basic level (I am an organized person whom was looking for more advanced tips, I am also not overweight.) So, if you want a kick in the seat because you are very unorganized and/or overweight then its a book for you. From the title is is obvious that the author makes the assumption that people (specifically women) whom are overweight also have a problem keeping themselves organized and getting rid of "stuff". It can be a reality check that lets the unorganized and overweight reader know that, according to the author, that one does have control over stuff and fat, and that it often can be linked - or not depending on the reader.
June 10, 2009
My control-freak issues make me fat??? Holy crap. The control tendencies I had earlier in life kept me far too thin and have now made me far too fat. This book actually gave me many points to consider about why I eat what I eat and how much I eat, even why I buy the things I buy, hold on to the crap I keep. Unfortunately, I did add to my book addiction (one problem I'd already realized and of which I'd recognized the source) by taking this copy back to the library and buying my own copy of this book. I need to read it a few more times to really get the full benefit. I had to put it down so many times to ponder some line that struck a nerve - I know I missed other ideas that will still help me. The fantastic result of having read this book - I've dropped one pant size so far.
May 16, 2008
The "voice" of Peter Walsh, for me, is just amazing. His books help me put my whole life in perspective and make me feel like I can deal with any mess life throws at me, while digging out of the messes I am already in. This is his second book and it deals more with "life clutter" where is first book dealt with "real actual clutter". I recommend them both to anyone feeling slightly to completely overwhelmed by clutter of any kind.
August 22, 2008
I liked this book and thought it made perfect sense. I felt it was very redundant at times...repeating itself constantly. It's a book that will motivate you to do something about all the crap you have built up in your home and in your body. I think I would personally enjoy his first book better. I understand it concentrates more on how to organize the clutter than on coorelating my clutter to my butt.
May 25, 2017
Enjoyed a lot of parts in this book especially when he talks about a person asking him to help with decluttering and he tells them one step is not to buy anything for 6 months. If you are not ready to commit to this then you will not declutter and lose weight. This part was the most pertinent part in the book for me. I highly recommend and give it 4.5 stars.
December 13, 2018
No, it’s not a cruel book. Walsh is exploring the idea, which he has seen in his clients many times and which his readers have described to him, that a person’s clutter can lead to a vicious cycle of the clutterer losing hope, neglecting self-care, getting depressed and anxious and therefore even more disorganized, then further abandoning self-care, getting more overwhelmed, more cluttered… The self-care involved is most pointedly around the tasks of cooking and/or eating healthily, and exercising.
Walsh provides a point-by-point strategy for dismantling the cycle. He’s not a dietitian, exercise coach, or health care provider. But he is drawing on many years of experience in helping people structure their homes, let go of stuff, to make themselves more effective and therefore a unique perspective of the challenges faced by some overweight people. He doesn’t claim his approach is easy – this won’t be “take a pill, drink a tea, the fat melts away.” Walsh urges people to change attitudes, not calorie counts. Weight loss comes with the change in attitude. He reveals his opinions bluntly, humorously, and, in my opinion, accurately. The book is worth a try if you are tired of fad diets, broken New Year’s Resolutions, or your inability to cook in your kitchen and all the fast-food meals that means.
Walsh provides a point-by-point strategy for dismantling the cycle. He’s not a dietitian, exercise coach, or health care provider. But he is drawing on many years of experience in helping people structure their homes, let go of stuff, to make themselves more effective and therefore a unique perspective of the challenges faced by some overweight people. He doesn’t claim his approach is easy – this won’t be “take a pill, drink a tea, the fat melts away.” Walsh urges people to change attitudes, not calorie counts. Weight loss comes with the change in attitude. He reveals his opinions bluntly, humorously, and, in my opinion, accurately. The book is worth a try if you are tired of fad diets, broken New Year’s Resolutions, or your inability to cook in your kitchen and all the fast-food meals that means.
June 1, 2019
Interessanter Zugang, sich sozusagen selbst auszumisten, das Gerümpel der Gedanken (ähnlich wie das Gerümpel in der Wohnung) loszuwerden und somit den Weg zum Gewichtsverlust zu erleichtern... aber im Endeffekt läuft es auf dasselbe wie alle Abnehmratgeber hinaus: gesund essen, kein Fastfood, selbst kochen, mehr Bewegung. Halt mit recht viel Gelaber drumherum.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2017
I went to this not really expecting much but it was a dollar so why not? I was pleasantly surprised with the information in this book and some actual helpful tips to declutter my life and my waistline. I've set a date to clean my kitchen and I am looking forward to it.
May 31, 2022
No diet. Peter starts by asking readers what kind of life they want. I love this approach. He encourages you to push yourself a bit while finding what works for you and embracing slow and steady change.
July 25, 2024
This was a very interesting concept - I’ve never considered the connection between clutter and weight. The author gave some good things to think about, but his approach is pretty strict. Overall, it was a short, worthwhile listen.
August 18, 2017
Love this book! Like the voice in my head come to life, clear, logical, and REAL!
December 3, 2017
I liked this book its a very simple book in plain English and its just about simplifying your life and getting rid of physical and emotional clutter in ones life.
May 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. So many connections between clutter and diet. Thank you Peter Walsh for saying exactly what I needed to hear
August 4, 2018
Stupid. Did not read more than one page.
November 25, 2018
Great book on how our environment impacts our weight. Uses humor
June 23, 2021
Some useful ideas to get the clutter in your life under control and learn to eat better. Lost this book in my piles of clutter for awhile.
June 29, 2021
Good pointers and logic related to clutter and diet.......interesting read.
October 20, 2021
I enjoyed the tough talk and will be reorg-ing my pantry in the coming weeks.
February 10, 2022
I read it because I liked the title. Ended up being pretty good.
October 3, 2022
It was interesting but I think I was looking more for the content of his previous book with more organizational advise
March 11, 2017
I wasn't thrilled with this book. Very ordinary.
July 15, 2017
This was a quick read for me. I read it and only became aware of it because one of my favourite book club ladies read it. I found myself taking notes and commending on it to another friend. I totally loved Walsh's sentence ... "We know how to eat--eating is the mechanical action of placing food into your mouth, chewing and swallowing it. But isn't that exactly what you pet does? If there isn't a significant difference between how your pet eats and how you consume food, then something is seriously wrong." Really makes me think because there are two sides to the dog theory. Walsh is encouraging you to be more mindful of what you eat and when, as well as not eating in front of the television set and only focusing on eating. That said the dog is not multitasking we as humans are not multitasking therefore the only thing we are doing when hungry is eating just like the dog!
I have always thought of Walsh as a common sense person and he does not disappoint in this book. There is much for the reader to pick up on and perhaps embrace and change in their life. As he points out This is your life don't put it on hold: Are you happy? Is this the life you want? Is this the home you want? Is this the body you want? Now consider the big picture. Get the life you want.
I have always thought of Walsh as a common sense person and he does not disappoint in this book. There is much for the reader to pick up on and perhaps embrace and change in their life. As he points out This is your life don't put it on hold: Are you happy? Is this the life you want? Is this the home you want? Is this the body you want? Now consider the big picture. Get the life you want.
May 12, 2009
I liked this book even though somehow, from the title, I did not realize that the book was about weight problems and how they relate to our need to keep clutter. I was reading more for the clutter advice and not for the weight advice so there were parts and chapters in the beginning that I skimmed or skipped. But, towards the end there were very practical issues he addressed about food and eating that are good for anyone looking to eat a little better, simplify the process of food (getting, buying, storing, planning), and have better meal times with family. The book was interesting about the philosophy behind getting rid of clutter but less on the practical strategy side so I will be reading his other book "It's all too much" which is about that. If you are familiar with his voice from seeing him on TV you will definitely hear it in the book which can be good, but also a little simplistic. This isn't written on a high school reading level but it doesn't really need to be.
June 8, 2008
I rarely read self help books and I only picked this one up because I have It's All Too Much on my To-read list and recognized the author's name. I've been reading it a bit at a time - it's sorta boring and repeats the same info over and over. Oddly, it seems to be working because I seem to have internalized the message about not "cluttering" my body. The book seems to relate how people who have cluttered homes and cluttered, disorganized lives can also have a weight problem, derived from the same emotional source. I'm not cluttered or unorganized in the least so I've been intrigued by the idea that my life and most habits are streamlined but my eating is not. I've lost several pounds while reading it and was thinking about clutter while I grocery shopped today, which cut down what I bought. Intriguing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews