Overweight

This book is not just another boring diet book with the same old stuff you've heard a million times. It is not a list of food groups or a list of the amount of calories, fat grams, fiber content and sodium of each edible piece of food in existence. PLUMP:Survival of the Fattest is a witty, humorous compilation of food associations that are out there in our world bombarding us every day. It is not only for anyone who has ever had a weight issue in life. Any reader can identify easily with numerous situations that the author portrays with intentional humor. Not only does this book give pleasure but it also has very practical resources as shown in "Appendix 3:A Select Sampling of Survival Support Systems".

Ms. Carlson provides the reader a small glimpse of her own personal weight struggle. Does this sound familiar?

"Chapter Two: January 30, 1963 Penney's has a presummer special on swimming suits today. I bought a baby blue one that's way too small. I've got five months until June. If I start tomorrow, I should be able to lose sixty pounds by summer".

Through all of the laughter though, there is an underlying message of eternal hope and encouragement; hope to never give up on yourself and knowing that your personal struggle (whatever that may be) is an entirely achievable goal.

For his week of strips on John Warner, the newly elected Republican Senator from Virginia and then husband of Elizabeth Taylor, Garry Trudeau was censured by the Republican Causcus of the Virginia General Assembly. The title for this collection of daily "Doonsebury" strips from 1979-1980 comes from a fictional (presumably) bumper sticker for the Warner campaign that read: "A Tad Overweight, But With Violet Eyes to Die For" (who could argue with that?).

But by the time you finish reading through these strips you will see the Democrats would actually have much more to complain about this time around, what with Mike Doonesbury watching a television documentary on "The Liberal Cult: Threat From the Left" (led by Ted Kennedy and supported by a tightly knit cadre of loyalists known as the Kennedy "Clan") and the Carter White House trying to come up with a new foundation for the government or at least a new metaphor for the upcoming campaign. Despite the title, more of the books pages are devoted to Jimmy-Boy's "Secretary of Symbolism" Duane Delacourt defecting and leaving Washington to create a context for California governor Jerry Brown's bid for the White House.

Meanwhile, Honey is testing the limits of Dr. Kissinger's authority in her Georgetown poly sci class, Ambassador Phred is matching wits with the Chinese at the U.N., and Mark Slackmyere's radio show is hosting returning Alumnus Dr. Ali Mahdavi, Class of 74, then on leave from the Iranian Revolutionary Tribunal. On the domestic front Uncle Duke leaves his job as General Manager of the Washington Redskins after a firefight with the Miami police and ends up on Capitol Hill testifying before Congress on the issue of control.

There is a tendency for the more political Doonesebury strips not to hold up as well as the more character driven humor, but these are classic Trudeau strips on the follies of the Democrati party on the eve the Reagan Era. Then again, Brown was still running for president the last time around, John Warner was still in the U.S. Senate, and even Jimmy Carter managed to get into the news a couple of times. Besides, if you cannot handle the political symbolism or the country's move towards mellowness, there is Zonker's eternal quest for the perfect tan and B.D. insisting Boopsie pose for "Playboy."

Two important guides to weight and eating are presented inthese excellent surveys by Frances Berg. Children And Teens Afraid ToEat examines six major eating and weight problems, from undernutrition of teens to eating disorders and obesity, blending statistics with a survey of underlying social causes and the actions which need to be taken to help teens. Women Afraid To Eat documents the physical and psychological harm done by social images which focus on the detriments of eating. From fad diets to weight prejudices, this tells women how to break free of weight obsession.

I loved this book with one exception. I do not think it is necessary to measure your proportions to try to craft an illusion of being in the correct proportions. The balance of the book is wonderful! The chapters on body type and what looks good on pear, apple, hourglass, etc. are extremently accurate and very helpful. I would definitely recommend this book for any woman over a size 12, of any age or profession. An excellent gift for a college graduate first entering the business world.

Suzan Nanfeldt does an excellent job of not only laying out principles for the plus size woman to follow when it comes to fashion and style, she also writes in a refreshingly positive manner. Let's face it, plus size women get the short end in just about every category of living. Sue's book was a delight to read. I bought copies for five of my friends after I read it, and they all said they found it to be "breakthrough" and the best book of its kind on the market.

I've had this book for a few years and would skim through it now and again. I finally picked it up this past fall when I decided to do a wardrobe overhaul. I am SO glad I did.

This book isn't just for and about plus-sizes, it's for every woman who wants to make her clothes work for her, regardless of budget. I have spent over $100 on a sweater that I feel more frumpy in than when I wear my $11 sweater I bought off of Ebay.

It's so good, I loaned it to two friends who are not plus sizes. It took me days of begging just to get it back. One friend even told me she was getting compliments on her commuter train on how "different" she looked. Why? She followed Suzan's advice on how a bra should fit. And I admit, my friend DOES look 100% better with a good fitting bra.

If you are expecting yet another "miracle diet" go waste your time with another book. For a change, Julia has a fool-proof solution for those of us fed up with the diet yo-yo.
She is open, honest, charming, more like a good friend than a far away author. She tells her personal story and you can actually see yourself in some of her personal experiences. She is an inspiration as she shares with you her personal discovery of the only way to long-lasting weight loss: changing one's lifestyle. Threatening as that may sound Julia offers a down to earth step-by-step PERSONAL plan that shows you how to go about doing those life long changes with the results no other diet can achieve: losing weight/getting healthy AND staying that way.
Julia is not out to make a buck on the book. She actually lived the nightmare of being trapped in a huge body, knows the pain it is, and wants to show people how to to be free from it.
She really cares about helping each and every person that will accept her advice. She will personally answer your mails and questions, offers suggestions, and even hosts live chats to help you get on the road.
I am thankful that people like Julia exist. I can never stop thanking her for the insight she has given me on my personal habits and her true concern with being there for me when I have needed her.
I urge you to take advantage of this wonderful oportunity to make a difference in your life. If you have dieted only to gain back what you lost, (or more) you need to read this book.

Over the years I have read a number of diet books. One expert after another sharing a different diet, none of which worked for me. Food combining, low carb, no-fat, over exercising, dubious supplements and other weight loss methods resulted in my needing to lose 40 pounds instead of the 20 I wanted to lose when I started.

Then I came across Julia Havey's book. Julia is not a scientist, doctor, or nutritionist. Julia is a woman who weighed 290 pounds, wore a size 24 and hit rock bottom when she discovered her spouse was unfaithful. Determined to change her attitude and her life, she lost over 130 pounds, found new love and was crowned Mrs. Missouri!

She shares how she accomplished her weight loss in her book "Awaken The Diet Within" and she teaches how you can reach your weight loss goals too. Julia has been there. She understands the pain and frustration of being overweight. The despair at failing at yet another diet. And she knows that dieting does not work. Lifestyle and mental changes work. This is the key to "Awaken The Diet Within".

Simple steps equal big results. Julie teaches you step by step what to do to get the body you want. There is no complicated diet, strenuous workout or special pill you have to take. You don't need a PhD to understand the book. It's very clear and concise.

Reading the book is like chatting with your best girlfriend. Your friend has lost a ton of weight. She looks fantastic! And now she is going to tell you in simple terms how you can lose the weight you want too and she is going to root for you every step of the way!

First you develop the right attitude. Mini questions will help you really dig deep into why you want to lose weight and what you can accomplish with your weight loss. Then Julia holds your hand and walks you step by step to achieve your goal. One step builds upon another. These are baby steps. You do not go to step 2 until you have accomplished the first one. It's very doable.

Steps include drinking tons of water, exercising, eating lots of fruits and vegies etc. Of course you know that these are important to weight loss. But in the past you may not have been able to consistently include them in your life. Julia teaches you how. She teaches you how to work the food pyramid so it helps you stay healthy and fit.

I cannot emphasize enough how inspiring Julia is. She tells you what you need to do in a way that makes you want to do it! Her words are powerful and she speaks from her soul. Her honesty and caring shine through the book. You will be motivated!

As you work through the program steps, Julia includes advise on staying the course, building confidence and so much more. At the back of the book is a handy shopping list and a number of recipes including her famous veggie sandwich, healthy oatmeal cookies, mushroom salad, linguine with asparagus, pineapple pork chops and more. The recipes I tried were not only delicious, but simple to prepare with easy to find ingredients.

I really love this book! Julia makes the weight loss process so clear and simple. At last! Thank you so much Julia!

Great book she gives a inside of her life; ups and downs and how she lose the 130 pounds. Great reading fast and simple. Good ideas for all. Thanks Julia

_Self-Esteem Comes In All Sizes_ is one of my favorite self-help books of all time. In fact, I've gone back and read it more than once.

For those who think this might be a book about "giving up on yourself," be aware that there's nothing here that says we shouldn't take care of our health, enhance our looks, or be aware of what we eat; quite the contrary, it's all about how to have a healthy--and happy--lifestyle, including normal eating and exercise. The author reminds us, however, that in our current culture, being fat isn't regarded simply as a health or even an aesthetic problem, it's viewed as "sin." To compare weight with other health issues, she asks, "Would I have let the number that represents my blood pressure dictate my worthiness as a person?"

In response to the way women beat ourselves up about our appearance and use our feelings about how we look as a reason for self-hatred and emotional paralysis, Johnson urges us to remember that "your beauty also comes from your zest for life, your fun-loving spirit, a smile that lights up your face, your compassion for others..." Many women's lives are so consumed by their obession with weight that they put their lives on hold. "The anxiety it breeds fills the mind to overflowing and washes away any ambition that is not related to losing weight."

She points out that one of the foremost authorities on eating disorders, Hilde Bruch, said, "There is a great deal of talk about the weakness and self-indulgence of overweight people who eat 'too much.' Very little is said about the selfishness and self-indulgence involved in a life which makes one's appareance the center of all values."

_Self-Esteem Comes In All Sizes_ emphasizes that we need to be proud of our differences. She wonders "why should a tulip aspire to be a rose?" and one of the members of her Largely Positive support groups reminds us: "God made both St. Bernards and Chihuahas."

This is a book that encourages its readers to commend themselves for their good health decisions every day, and think of each positive step as a "bonus" rather than focusing on our deficits.

I read Carol Johnson's book a long time ago, before it's revision and it truly changed my mind about myself. While I am not obese, I have weight issues that I have dealt with since my first diet at age 12. I think that some of the other customer reviewers have missed the point of the book. I don't believe that Carol Johnson ever denied that healthy eating and exercise are a very big part of being healthy. What she does emphasize is that even those who eat healthy foods in reasonable portions and who exercise to their best ability may not fit into what one reviewer called "normal" status. "Normal" is one of those words that some people use to keep prejudice going. What is normal anyway? There certainly isn't one definition for that word, because what you feel is normal is different from what I feel. That's because we are viewing it with a subjective rather than objective eye. Self esteem is vital to success; whether it be in school, business or your personal life. I believe that Carol Johnsons' book supports self esteem for all people, regardless of their size. And that is the point, my friends. Thin people are not necessarily better or smarter than heavy people; the so-called "experts" out there would just like us to believe that it is so.

I put off buying this book for a long time for whatever reason, but am so glad i finally did! This is a life-changing book. For those of us who struggle with weight and everything that goes with it, this book is for us. It reminds us that there is more to life than what size we are and has some really good resources of where to find clothing, shoes, etc. I highly recommend this book. It is right up there with Hirschman and Munter's book, Overcoming Overeating and When Women Stop Hating Their Bodies. This is a keeper!

In the course of the mere two days it took me to read it, this amazing, empowering book helped me to realize that I need to stop feeling like a "defective" human being for being fat. Marilyn Wann uses humor and style to help nurture a sense of self-esteem much greater than anything you'd get from dropping twenty pounds... she reminds her readers that it's okay -- even encouraged! -- for them to love themselves exactly as they are. I strongly recommend this book to anyone with a weight issue, whether you weigh 135 or 335. Marilyn, you rule!

As a fat male, I was overjoyed to read this book on the celebration of the fat body. I know that there is certainly a large constituency of females in America that advance a fat-positive view, but I was supremely happy to count myself amongst them as a fat man after reading FAT!SO?. Ms. Wann's book provides a collection of essays that grab the reader's attention for their ability to inform, entertain, and educate. All are wonderfully written, and the more I read, I realized that I was included in these pages as well. A fat male, one who wants to now share this book with every fat person out there. Start this book, and you won't stop until you've come to the last page. A 'zine and website serve to compliment the information contained within the book, each in their own fashion. Get educated, learn to love life and the body you travel in. A must read.

Marilyn Wann has written the funniest, most intelligent, and engaging book you can imagine. I got my hands on a copy nearly two years ago and have read the book over and over since; I even keep a copy on my desk to share with colleagues and friends. Every time I read FAT!SO? I find myself laughing ("little LB, the pound of fat who went around the world), crying (some of the stories of discrimination are heartbreaking) and generally wrapped up in the amazing world of FAT!SO?.

As a fat aerobics instructor and personal trainer I recommend FAT!SO? to all my clients. If you've ever hated your body, no matter what size you are, I recommend it to you, too. FAT!SO? will change the way you think about your body the way no other book can.

The fashion tips in this book are far from original. The tired ideas about wearing "neutrals" and "the uniform" have been presented in perhaps 95% of the books on this topic for the past 25 years. In fact, the truly fashion conscious among us are unlikely to find a wardrobe of black items and, of all things, white tee shirts to be appealing.

Though, unlike many popular books today, Catherine's does not contain the "poor mes," the trendy, boring ideas about "self-esteem" (and the assumption that one who is large is lacking in same) are totally stereotypical and tired. One wonders if those with weight problems (with which I can empathise, since it is a lifelong situation of my own) will not stop to think that few genuine difficulties in any life were caused by, or would be decreased by, anything connected with one's weight. It would be far better if Catherine had dealt with fashion in itself, rather than flavouring her work with pop psychology which falls flat.

Being a model, Catherine Lippencott shares rich insight about the fashion industry. She strives to shatter the intimidating, mythical "beauty standards" that Madison Avenue has helped to create. I appreciate that Lippencott encourages readers to accept their bodies. The body image exercises are very good.

While raising one's self-esteem may be more complex for many than what is implied in Lippencott's eight steps, a well-rounded woman may well be on her way. Sometimes a person just needs a few tools (postivie affirmations, body image exercises) to reach a level of new-found confidence. I have also benefited from the relaxation exercises.

Lippencott encourages readers to look within first before taking drastic external measures to boost self-esteem. Although she talks about clothing/fashion later, it's the first part of the book that holds the most importance.

I'm a Gay man of large size (6'4", 210-220 pounds) and I related to Ms. Lippencott's struggle with yo-yo dieting and learning to appreciate her unique body. Her 8 Steps are very useful regardless of gender, and the "Toolbox" exercises are a great way to learn to reassess one's view of one's body and immediately begin to see a more positive image. They are effective when put into practice, and the book is a relative fast read -- and re-read.

I found this book more transforming than some others I've read because the author is truly focused on the reader, it seems, not her own story. She taps her own experience to make practical points, and conveys "no B.S." sincerity in her efforts to support and affirm the reader.

I feared this might be a "makeover" book with a smattering of broadly useful information (thought I could always pass it along to a woman friend). It's really the opposite -- largely helpful information for any person of size with just some specific tips for women only. If you want to explore accepting yourself as you are, this is as good a place as any to start the journey.

Also, guys, there aren't books for us out there directly on this subject -- don't pass up this one. Self image is one problem we can all share.

As a nutritionist for a bariatric surgical program, I empathize with Carnie Wilson. She nicely depicts the personal struggle for self-identity in people who lose a great deal of weight through bariatric surgery. The style of writing is enjoyable and funny. She has a sense of humor that makes for lighter, enjoyable reading.

However, from a nutritional standpoint some of her diet information is completely inaccurate, and I'm wondering how false nutritional information is permitted to be printed. For example, on page 172, she describes diet sodas as having "tons on sodium." Diet sodas have approximately 25-50 mg of sodium per serving, amounts that fall under the category "very low sodium" as defined by the Food and Drug Administration. Also, fruit, as she described as being "loaded with sugar", has approximately 15 gms of carbohydrate per serving, and can easily fit into a meal plan designed for a patient who has had WLS.

Carnie does a great job of describing how she confronted the battle of weight loss; however, she should leave the nutritional recommendations up to a professional.

Let me say this. I love Carnie Wilson . I am inspired by Carnie Wilson. "I'm Still Hungry" is an extremely personal account of Carnie's successful weight-loss surgery. She tells it like it is. You have a great sense of her effusive personality. She is definitely an entertainer. She provides valuable information about what to expect after. I am however, a little suprised that her co-author did not restrain her unvarnished praise of her husband (the most talented musician the world, cutest most amazing...you get it). Long before there was Rob, there was Carnie..a beautiful talented woman, at any size. The book reads almost like a journal and is a great change for those people who are exploring Weight Loss Surgery. With great detail, but in approachable language, Carnie Soars...

I just finished this book. Her first book was great but this one was awesome! I had gastric bypass surgery in Aug of 2001. Carnie truly is an inspiration! This book talks about how losing all the weight does not magically fix all our personal problems. She tells it like it is and doesn't hold back. I think it is awesome that she decided to accept Playboy's offer to pose. You go girl!

This particular book is an adventure book because it is entertaining you mainly. There is a kd that lives in Antler Texas. He is having an ok time until another fat kid named Zachary Beaver comes and turns the town upside down.Toby doesn't like this kid much then he ges to know him better.I am finished!

Life in small towns is not necessarily any easier than life elsewhere, and when Zachary Beaver came to Antler, Texas, Toby Wilson, like the rest of the town pays his two dollars to gawk at the fattest boy in the world. But when Zachary's manager, Paulie leaves Zachary in Antler with no proof that he will come back, Toby and his friend Cal learn that not only is Zachary a "side show freak", but that he is a person with feelings and dreams himself. In the course of the book Toby learns to deal with his family, his friend Cal, Zachary, and his heartthrob, Scarlett Starling.

The book is well written and deals with what could be challenging issues calmly and plausibly. This is a solid book, that while probably not deserving the National Book Award, definitely deserves to be read.

Crazy James

This book is about an average kid, Toby, living in a small town and having one person make a huge impact on him. An overweight boy named Zachary, comes into the town by trailer for the town to come look at and make fun of his size. Toby and his best friend Cal's first impression of Zachary is like everyone else's: mean fat boy. Through the book as Toby faces reality of having his mother leave his home, girl problems, he realizes that Zachary isn't just the boy that he seems. Toby looks right through that, and what turns out to be a growing friendship. I would highly reccomend this book to anyone that would like to read a heart warming, exciting, and comforting sweet story. I am 13 years old in 7th grade, and I started reading this book and couldn't put it down. It is one of the best stories I have ever read, and one that I will never forget. :-)