Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir

Jennette Fulda tells a remarkable story of determination. It's an incredible journey of dispair, joy and redemption. Fulda tells it like it is with honesty and large doses of humor. Anyone who is seriously overweight can relate to her stories. Only an obese person can truly understand life in a fat-unfriendly society. Her weight-loss journey is not an easy one but Fulda seems to have the inner-strength needed to succeed. She tells her own story without offering specific weight-loss advice. This is NOT a diet book. In fact, she refuses to discuss her exact method of losing weight. The diet she followed remains unnamed. She follows a healthier way of eating and tries to banish bad foods from her life, but there are a few mishaps and setbacks along the way. She knows it has to be a permanent lifestyle change. It's a journey of self-discovery on all levels. Her weight immobilizes her with so many aches and pains until exercise becomes her salvation. She is ashamed and self-conscious of her weight but her will is strong. It is her story and no one else's. She doesn't want to be come a weight-loss guru and doesn't preach for or against any way of thinking. She has her own views on fat acceptance and weight loss. It's up to the reader to find what is the right path and how to begin. Here story of dispair is one that so many seriously overweight people can understand. In Fulda's case, dispair becomes hope and hope becomes cautious joy as she nears her ideal weight. She tells her story with a humor that is often self-depracating. It's no secret that she succeeds in her quest before you start the book. She no longers suffers the stigma and pain of severe obesity. Readers just beginning their journey to weight loss might be put off with some of the humor. Fulda often uses humor to hide her pain, embarrassment and humiliation. Her humor can be a bit disparaging for a person who is still obese and the pain, embarrassment and humiliation is still a daily routine. She describes how she sat in an arm chair her weight spilled over the sides and looked like a muffin top. It's a funny visual unless being a muffin top is your reality. There is great joy in knowing that someone did succeed and ended the misery and pain of obesity. Her experiences show that the obese person is not alone in their suffering. Although obesity is a national epidemic, there are few books that address this issue in such a frank way. This is a gem of a book for anyone who suffers with obesity and seeks hope.

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!

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.

I've been following Jennette's blog for about a year now and have found her to be witty, inspirational and truthful. She says what I've thought for years. It's so nice to see her attitude change throughout the years and what peace and athleticism she's found. She's also shown how she treasures those traits as well. Her ability to put herself first and still be kind to herself when she has a slip up is so refreshing. All in all it was a great read just at the time I needed the umph to be kinder to me. Even though I don't know her personally, I feel so happy for her and the hard work she has made happen! What a triumph.

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!