Review
“In this touching, funny, and sincere story, Jennette Fulda, who was once 372 pounds, recounts her lifelong struggle with her weight- first accepting it, then losing half of it.” — Shape Magazine, August 2008Blogger Fulda explains how she lost 186 pounds. In January 2005, she weighed twice that. A year earlier, after having her gallbladder removed at the age of 23, she’d realized her weight was threatening her life and vowed to get into shape. “Only I didn’t,” she writes. “I stayed fat for at least another year. Wake up call received. Snooze button pushed.” Fulda did eventually take control, changing her eating habits and taking up exercise: first walking, then jogging, then a combination of jogging, pilates and weight…
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13 replies on “Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir”
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is the best weight loss memoir I’ve read yet!
I’ve been reading a LOT of weight loss memoirs lately, and I can safely say that this is the best one yet.
I’m a sucker for a good before and after tale. Lucky for me, this memoir is so much more. Fulda chronicles her amazing 186+ weight loss, more than half of her starting weight. But she does more than just show us her weight loss; she describes her relationship with her body and with her daily habits with such wit and humor that I laughed out loud dozens of times. The pace is quick, and the content is interesting (no daily diet plans or lists of gym workouts here).
I also like Fulda’s attitude. She doesn’t pretend to be a weight loss guru, and she never disrespects herself and her body. Everyone knows how to lose weight…it’s her dedication that makes her tale amazing. Also, I enjoy her focus on becoming athletic rather than getting thin (especially refreshing in today’s “Get Skinny!” social climate.) She is a very positive person, even when dealing with ugly plus-size clothes, negative blog comments, or the inevitable plateaus.
This is a great, inspirational read, and Fulda is a delightful writer. Reading it made my wait at the DMV actually enjoyable; I only wish the book could have lasted longer!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book
This was a very inspiring book, and I laughed most of the way thru the book. What a wonderful writer….and what an inspiring journey.
5.0 out of 5 stars
No whining here!
Jennette’s writing is funny and light-hearted when dealing with a very serious subject: morbid obesity.
I’m a regular reader of Jennette’s blog & looked forward to reading her memoir. Her memoir didn’t disappoint – it’s inspirational and funny. And I disagree with the reviewer who complained that Jennette didn’t tell how she lost weight – she totally did! She found a healthy eating plan that fit her lifestyle and followed it. When she made a mistake, she didn’t give up. That’s the “secret”! I appreciated that she wasn’t trying to “sell” a program or a “diet pill” – her tools were confidence and persistence, and those are free. I was so inspired by how she added athleticism into her life that I signed up for a 5K Run/Walk myself, and I’ve been making time to walk on nature trails. Read and be inspired, too!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved this Book!
When I bought this book, it took me a while to start it but not to finish it. Jennette Fulda is funny! Not just an inspiration but funny!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jennette Fulda Is An Inspiration.
I really feel like Jennette put her whole self into this book, literally. Heart and soul, and sweat… Losing weight is such a difficult thing to do but, she did it!
What a wonderful and inspiring account! Jennette Fulda most certainly tells it like it is when it comes to her life as both a morbidly obese person, and someone who has now lost half her body weight. Her honesty, wit and humor as she tells her story of transition make this an insightful and entertaining read for anyone, not just those interested in weight-loss.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not the best story on the subject
This book was okay, but I really didn’t find it all that inspirational, or even typical of most weight-loss stories.
5.0 out of 5 stars
eye opening
Though is sounds like a cliche, this book changed my life. Specifically it changed the way I think about food and diets and being overweight.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read! For motivation and entertainment a like!
This is a realistic, no BS account of what a weight loss journey is all about. It relates a story about a real woman losing weight the right way- through hard work, and has a lot…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jennette, you rock!
Your book brought me to tears–tears of joy, sympathy, laughter, you name it. The part at the end of chapter 14 about watching yourself in split-screen as you ran to the zoo was…
1.0 out of 5 stars
I am sooo tired of this [..]
Whine whine whine. Look, all diets work – but they are only short term. Unfortunately emotions are the reason why 95% of people can’t sustain weight loss.