Thin Is The New Happy, Plus Two Bonus Essays From The New Memoir It's Hard Not To Hate You (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
When Val was only 11 years old, her mother started in on her about dieting and losing weight. That has stayed with Val her entire life. This book tells of her struggle to stop the constant dieting. I really enjoyed reading this. Val had a tough time, not only at home, but was teased at school, as well. Each chapter focuses on one main thing in her life (though there are a few chapters about her mother, with whom she does have a good relationship now) like school, her rebelling as a teenager, each of her two husbands, and more. There is a chapter where her friend and coworker, Stacy London (yes, from What Not to Wear) helps her with her wardrobe. It was really fast to read. I hadn't even realized that she has also written a number of fiction books, and I might take a look at some of those, too. Valerie Frankel had written a very humorous look at the ups and downs of our scales, waistlines, dress sizes, and self esteem we tie to these things. We all know the story because most of us live it every day. If we sneak a cookie we might as well eat 10 more as we have already blown it for the day. A bad reflection in a window ruins our day. If there are two things I took away from this book that I hope to remember they are this. 1) Your husband will not notice if you lose 5 pounds. Or maybe not even 10. So don't get bent out of shape when he misses that 1.2 lbs. 2) We spend WAY too much time thinking about this. If I could focus all of that energy toward something productive I could achieve great things.And in the end I would still be the same weight! It's a good read and if you don't mind poking a little fun at yourself a long the way you might learn something.
What do You think about Thin Is The New Happy, Plus Two Bonus Essays From The New Memoir It's Hard Not To Hate You (2008)?
meh. too repetitive & too whinny. I was hoping for something more motivational. Bummer.
—lourose
A really insightful (and entertaining) look at one woman's road to self acceptance.
—Gman
This book had some great pointers that one should live their life by!!
—melissaphua
