Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir
by Jennette Fulda
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Book Reviews of Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir
Book Review: Not the best story on the subject
Summary: 3 Stars
This book was okay, but I really didn't find it all that inspirational, or even typical of most weight-loss stories. In the first chapters the author gets into her childhood background and what it felt like growing up fat, but she really didn't suffer too much cruelty from other children, and she got to deal with her self-image without being constantly picked on and put down. I didn't come away feeling that she truly understood the psychological pain of being a fat child. As an adult she then makes up her mind to lose weight and goes about it in a analytical way that seems to lack the very overwhelming feelings that usually accompany a big weight-loss goal...the strong feelings of knowing that a daunting task of losing a great deal of weight and the long length of time it will take to reach such a goal lay ahead. I've known people who've had to lose far less struggle harder to reach their goal.
The author writes about a rapid 10 pounds a month weight loss with almost no set-backs. Everything she does seems to spur on a rapid weight-loss. She moves to a new apartment and drops five pounds. She steals desserts or eats cheesecake and gains nothing. She rarely mentions fighting temptation, doesn't seem to be suffering any self-deprivation and never has to push herself to stick with her excercise regiment. Everything is easy and just keeps getting easier.
She's lost the weight after the first few chapters and now her story seems focused on how she perceives herself and the world around her from inside her now smaller body. She discusses how she relates to clothes, shopping and interacting with other people. I just didn't see any real struggle to reach a truly daunting goal. Everything was somewhat quick, easy and went according to plan. She started out facing a health crisis but her motivation for losing weight really just seemed about looking good in nicer clothes.
Book Review: THE MISSING LINK IN WEIGHT LOSS BOOKS!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is not just another diet book but a book about what really happened during those years of losing weight. I get frustrated with success stories that don't delve into the mind and emotions of the struggle to succeed. Or often times when they try to explain the journey after-the-fact it just comes out sounding so cliche' and empty. Fulda breaks the mold with this book and brilliantly communicates raw and real emotions of the struggles, victories and failures of her phenomenal weight loss achievement. Her commitment is the key to her attitude progression from 'fat girl syndrome' to 'weight loss mentality' to 'athletic decision making'.
There are no secret recipes, instructions or food rules, no exercise plans, etc, etc and thankfully so. If you don't know what to eat or how to exercise by now then you may not be ready for this book because this is where the rubber meets the road. This isn't about how to eat but about how one person got it done and is keeping it done! Not everyone is ready to hear about the struggle when they are still making 'plans' to lose weight but for those of us who are in the trenches this is a MUST READ! This is about a girl who didn't quit - a REAL American hero.
Though thoroughly entertaining this book is not meant for sensitive people. There are times when the language is quite rough and her merciless thoughts about others are a little tough but that's what this book is - her inner thought life. You may even get offended (like you would if you could read the minds of people around you) but I'd encourage you to get over it quickly and read on. I finished this book in 2 days, I don't even know how I found it because I wasn't looking for anything like this on Amazon but it showed up...to use Jeanette's words, my computer must know I'm fat!
Book Review: Dog Ears Throughout!
Summary: 5 Stars
I can always tell how much I like a book by how fast I read it, and how much I abuse it. I received this book, and within 24hours I was turning the last page. Hours would slip by as I was reading Jeannette's witty, charming and honest portrayal of the weight loss journey. Other reviewers have pointed out that is wasn't 'inspirational' to them, or they couldn't relate - or she didn't give enough advice for them - but for me none of that was an issue.
I am a 29yo man who has had (and continues to have) a battle with weight similar to Jeanette's. It was so nice and refreshing to have someone say all of the things in my brain without me having to say them. She had me in stitches when she said she couldn't just throw all of her junk food out, and needed to start a 'bundt cake relocation program'. I also liked how a topic she came back to a few times was that as a heavier woman she always felt that skinny people were judging her, and when she lost the weight she felt that heavier people were judging her - dealing with our fear of other's judgement. Another topic that I could really relate to was when she talked about the 'FA' (Fat acceptance) clubs throwing her out cause she wanted to lose weight to be healthy.
No matter what Jeanette is writing about, she does it with a dry wit that can't help but make you laugh. If you are looking for a how to book, or a quick fix - this ultimately isn't for you - but if you are looking to comiserate about the internal struggle with weight loss, then pull up a bowl of sugar free Jell-o and crack the spine.
Book Review: Likes and dislikes of this really great book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Positives: I literally laughed outloud numerous times while reading this book. Everytime I picked up the book I cracked a smile and a chuckle while reading something witty she said that I totally could relate to. I really like how you can see her person change throughout the book as she looses the weight and gains self confidance. Her struggles and how she overcame them helped me stay on track and I'm now down 40 lbs! If you are wanting an inspirational read to be your companion on your weightloss journey then buy this book. I have already read it once and have begun reading it again.
Negatives: I really wish she would have chosen a different title. I totally understand the point of the title, but I had to wrap the book with a paper bag because I didn't want my kids reading the title (or repeating it). I don't cuss and telling friends about it or reccomending it to others struggling with weight is difficlt to me because of the title. I didn't care for the handful of cursing in the book. Not my taste, but I just ignored it. For people who don't like cursing that may be an issue. There are a handful of sh words and one MF.
Book Review: An intelligent, funny memoir with much food for thought
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been reading a lot of weight loss related books this year as an inspiration to get myself moving on my own weight loss efforts. This one is very impressive. Not only is Jennette Fulda smart, funny, and self-revealing about her own journey to lose weight, but she has many insightful and thought-provoking comments to make about body image in our culture, size acceptance, surgical weight loss, and the changes weight loss brings that have nothing to do with the pounds. Some people who have lost a huge amount of weight (especially those who have done it the way Jennette did, through diet and exercise) are judgmental toward others who choose a surgical solution. Jennette is not. She expresses compassion for others who are struggling with obesity, and does not try to tell anyone else what to do or how to do it. I have highlighted many passages in this book that resonate with me and inspire me. I'm sure I will refer back to it many times to help keep me on track. I highly recommend this memoir if you are struggling with weight issues, or even if you just want to understand how it feels for someone who has tackled this problem.