Overweight

Thank you for writing this book! It has been hard for me to find a good resource for plus size modeling. This book has been an excellent learning tool as well as an inspiration. I would recommend it to all plus size women who have an interest in learning the fundamentals of plus size modeling.

Though over 25 years old, it is the basis of current books stressing more protein and less sugar in our diet. Makes a lot of sense.....

My only dissapointment in this book was how short it was, and that it was out of print! This book contained an excellent story, very well written. You will also notice her (small) reference to Seth. The book was a delicious read, the kind you don't want to put down. I finished it in one day.

Tired of the sickenly sweet, fake love stories where everyone is perfect, physically, and emotionally sound? This is a definite switch, but well work readsng. The two main characters are real people, and it's refreshing. Get if for someone who had given up trying to find their soulmate!

Reviewed by Janet Meyers Being fat in our society can be a painful and lonely experience. Even as you learn to love yourself, the sense of isolation from a society that says you don't fit in can be profound. Anthropologist Margaret Mackenzie states that "those who come to self acceptance are those who can stand outside the culture," that in order to feel good about yourself when you don't conform to society's norms, you must reject those norms and establish your own. This is a wildly exhilarating and liberating thing to do but it can also feel very lonely. Unless, of course, you have your own community and an alternative culture: a network of friends and allies, as well as art and literature that supports your view of the world. I recently added a book to my library that goes far in adding to the community and culture of fat people. Journeys to Self-Acceptance: Fat Women Speak is a compilation of essays from fat women who were able to stand outside the culture, redefine themselves and reclaim their lives. This beautiful book made me laugh and cry as I saw fragments of my own experience appear in 24 separate life stories. How validating and powerful to hear my thoughts and beliefs come from strangers' mouths. And more than once a giant light bulb went off in my head as I gained a new insight. These wise women confirmed my belief that we in NAAFA are on the crest of an ever growing wave of size acceptance. What a wonderful feeling! The following quote is from one of my favorite essays - "Celebrating the Outlaw Within, or Ride'em Fatgirl" by Debra Derr. "Criminality alone doesn't make an outlaw. What makes an outlaw is the cavalier disregard of others' expectations. What makes an outlaw is a steadfast refusal to live within the narrow confines of society. (Perhaps criminality is the unimaginative, immature response to those confines.) Most of all, what makes an outlaw is his or her willingness to be different. "Every time I demand respect, every time I insist on my basic rights, I celebrate the outlaw within me. Watching the shock register on the face of some bully who thought he could demean the fatgirl thrills me to the marrow. Refusing to be stereotyped as worthless validates my innate sense of self worth. My inner outlaw is vindicated whenever I won't live down to someone else's expectations of me." In addition to the 24 essays, editor Carol Wiley's introduction succinctly presents current information about being fat and about diets. She address the myths and stereotypes head-on and does an admirable job in debunking them. She also includes a comprehensive bibliography and list of resources. This book is appropriate for the person just approaching the idea of size acceptance as well as a veteran of the movement. With its excellent introduction and bibliography it is also a great resource to share with people you want to educate about size acceptance: friends, family, co-workers and health careproviders. Having said that, I must issue one caution. The idea of self-acceptance bringing true happiness can be as seductive as the promise of true happiness through weight loss. And while it is much, much closer to the truth as I know it, we cannot forget that many fat people face obstacles that can be overcome only through societal change (inadequate public accommodations, inferior health care, or unfair hiring practices). So as we each take our separate journeys we must remember that we are not alone and that together we have the power to make those changes happen. In the end, the "journey to self-acceptance" is unquestionably a trip worth taking and a book worth reading.

Yes, I do rate this a 5 out of 5. It has an interesting approach to writing, because the 'cause's are spelled cos, and Brooks uses capitals very often throughout the book, practically on every page. It's a great book to read, and sometimes the main character, Michael, nicknamed "Moo" for his fatness, states his thoughts in the book, and his thoughts are peculiar and its like...he takes all the words literally. For example, when a guy says all right?, after that he thinks of like...ALL RIGHT? IM ALWAYS LAUGHED AT FOR BEING FAT AND PUSHED AROUND. ALL RIGHT? yea...right.

This book is amazing. It's all about taking your life back. Society has told fat people that we are bad, guilty, lack self control, shameful...and that if we were to just try harder then we could lose the weight and be accepted. What a load of &^&*()%$#&. Most people I know who have a few extra pounds have left no stone unturned in the quest for a thin body and societal acceptance. Self hatred and denial of myself, my size has robbed me of my life because I only thought I deserved to live if I were thin and EVERYTHING, all my hopes, plans, dreams, goals....were universally on hold. Every time I would "get thin" I would try to cram in all those things I was missing as a fat person.

This book is about getting back to business, despite your size. It debunks all the myths and stereotypes about fat people, that we are all lazy, unmotivated and hate ourselves. It teaches us self love despite the challenges of living in a society that clearly hates fat people.

Everyone is entitled to a life and a chance to live it. This book does not tell you what to eat or how to eat, or even that you should go out and eat a dozen doughnuts. It tells you that if you start loving yourself at your size and stop trying to change yourself it is amazing how your life will automatically change for the better! Stop putting your life, dreams on hold. Start loving yourself starting today...even if you're fat.

I love this woman! She has made me laugh and made me realize that not everybody is meant to be a size 6! Love your body and yourself, life is too short to be caught up in diets and the ongoing battle to be super skinny! Buy this book, you will truly love and enjoy it!

It really helped my child lose weight! I love seeing her so slim now

Great book! Robin's dad is married, her mom is on her way to get married. Her next door neighbor is always hitting on her and she has never had a boyfriend before. Robin's best friend moves away to Alabama, but luckily, Tri moves in and they start dating. Great book!!!!!