The Big Skinny: How I Changed My Fattitude (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
I really didn't like this book. For one thing, she was never overweight in the first place. At 160 pounds at 5’9” puts her at a high normal weight. Even at 140 pounds she still feels like she is unacceptable and describes herself as “zaftig.” Yes, there are all body types and people cary weight differently and all that, but she never goes into that. It would be one thing if she said something like “I have a delicate frame and so 125 is actually better for me than 160” but she doesn’t. It’s just flat out, 160 pounds is at least 30 pounds to much for her height. It also bothers me that she lumps 206 (her highest weight), 160 and 140 all together and labels them all as unacceptable. She’s using “fat” to mean “not a size 2 or 4.”Also, if you read the entire book, you’ll see that she has had issues with her weight and her body pretty much her whole life. Her mother sent to her Weight Watchers when she was a teenager. How could that not be damaging to a person’s self image at that young age? She spends a good page or two chronicling her constant dieting and weight fluctuations since college. To me, this makes it seems like she has spent pretty much her entire adult life hating her body.She mentions how she could have used a good shrink to help her figure out why she was eating so much, an idea her mother promptly poo-poo’s. It’s really odd to me that she goes from wanting to see a shrink to help her figure out her eating issues, to wanting to diet herself down to 125 pounds. Why not see a shrink to figure out why she feels “fat” and “unacceptable” at a normal weight? Why is it a horrible problem to eat too much, and yet, it is perfectly fine to go your whole life hating your body and wanting to drastically change it? This was a huge issue for me.It also seems like her life is still completely controlled by food and her weight. She weighs herself and records her weight every single day. She has to write down every single thing she eats. She won’t allow herself to eat a free sample at the grocery store unless she knows how many calories to assign it. She also eats very small portions of things, such as half a banana, half a piece of bread, a quarter cup of lemonade or a single malt ball from a bulk bin. She mentions how all this accounting for calories gives her a sense of control, which is something usually associated with eating disorders.And beyond the general “eat less and exercise more” she doesn’t really provide anything groundbreaking. For me, the kind of restricted diet she lays out would make me frustrated beyond belief. I agree that eating less, eating healthier and getting adequate exercise are the best things for you, I just don’t think her attitude about herself, her weight and food are healthy. You gotta love a diet book that is also a graphic novel! I picked this one up at the library, not really realizing what it was. Since I just recently lost 30 pounds, it wasn't all that helpful as a diet book for myself. However, if you have been having trouble dieting, I definitely suggest you pick this one up! It's a lighthearted and funny way of looking at food....Loved the panel: "A simple rule for processed food is this: if it contains more than five ingredients and if any of those are unpronounceable, don't eat it." I have been trying to cook more, not only is it less expensive, but it tastes better and is better for your body. Now, if only the summer heat would co-operate!She also says that carbonated drinks leach calcium and minerals from bones and tissues, which can lead to osteoporosis. I'm definitely giving them up totally after reading this book! Now, I have to work on dairy products, which she says there is more osteoporosis, heart disease and cancer in countries where the most dairy products are consumed.....The end part of the book contains calorie charts and lots of low calorie recipes.... Definitely recommended!
What do You think about The Big Skinny: How I Changed My Fattitude (2008)?
She nailed it. I have struggled with my weight for my entire life.
—Laurie
A "how I lost weight" comic book. Cute but not worth the money.
—anamariaulia
Worth the read just because of the layout.
—yllat15
