| Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir |  | Author: Jennette Fulda
Publisher: Seal Press
Category: eBooks
In Stock
Rating:  60 reviews
Sales Rank: 15,617
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
Pages: 250
Number Of Items: 1
Dewey Decimal Number: 362.1963980092
Publication Date: April 28, 2008
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Product Description
After undergoing gall bladder surgery at age twenty-three, Jennette Fulda decided it was time to lose some weight. Actually, more like half her weight. At the time, Jennette weighed 372 pounds.
Jennette was not born fat. But, by fifth grade, her response to a school questionnaire asking “what would you change about your appearance” was “I would be thinner.” Sound familiar?
Half-Assed is the captivating and incredibly honest story of Jennette’s journey to get in shape, lose weight, and change her life. From the beginning—dusting off her never-used treadmill and steering clear of the donut shop—to the end with her goal weight in sight, Jennette wows readers with her determined persistence to shed pounds and the ability to maintain her ever-present sense of self.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 60
 A fresh perspective on living a healthier life. August 16, 2010
Lanie Painie
I found this memoir to be entertaining and insightful. On a weight loss journey of my own, it is always helpful to find somebody who has been there and achieved success. What I love most about Fulda's personal journey is that from the very beginning, she took responsibility for her own situation. She realized that she was ultimately the person that could fix it, she educated herself, and made good, healthy decisions along the way. She admits her downfalls and has a refreshing self-deprecating humor that feels honest and true. She reminds herself not to "take herself to seriously" which I think we humans need to do more often. I would recommend this book to anybody, not just the overweight population, because it's a story that needs to be told and told again. We can achieve our goals, and we are the only ones that can do so.
Fat Can Be Funny And Upbeat August 13, 2010
S. D. Paul (WI)
Jennette Fulda wrote a very honest, funny, and easy to read novel that chronicles her weight loss adventures as she drops over two hundred pounds. I believe that most people would feel uplifted by her phenomenal achievements and inspiring journey.
My favorite thing about this book is that even as an obese woman, Fulda never seems to loathe herself. She admits to being a bit shy, but at no part in the entire novel is she flat out speaking negatively about herself or her bad habits. Jennette remains upbeat throughout the whole tale, even when she falls off the wagon once in a while. She also expresses joy over her ability to continue losing a steady amount of weight over a long period of time. Fulda's attitude delights me because she expresses so much pride in her achievements. She also feels no inherent need to be a skinny girl, she just wants to feel healthy and live better. I loved it when she got down to around 200 pounds, and was just so dang pleased with herself about it. She talks about shopping for clothing and feeling beautiful even though she knows that her goals haven't been met yet. I think that it is important to love yourself every step of the way, and not just when you have been able to lose that last ten, twenty, or even a hundred pounds. If you can love and support yourself and your imperfections you've got a much better shot at long lasting happiness.
I also like the fact that Jennette didn't turn this into just another diet book. Fulda mentions making diet changes, but she stresses the point that a magical diet cure is not the answer. There is not one set of rules that every person will be able to follow successfully. I appreciated it that she placed more emphasis on getting out into the world to do physical activities. Park far away from the entrance! Take the stairs! Don't worry about looking silly just get out there on a nice day and go for a jog! Your diet is something that should be gradually changed which is why dieting generally fails. Too much at once just can't stick! Start with something simple, and then build on it. This seems to be the underlying theme of the novel. For example, at her highest weight Fulda begins with a simple walking routine on her treadmill. Walking leads to running, and collectively this activity results in massive weight loss.
Even if you only have twenty pounds to lose I would still recommend this book. The positive tone and humorous style will at the very least provide some good entertainment.
There are a number of editing mistakes, but that's probably the only negative thing I can say about this book.
Dog Ears Throughout! August 9, 2010
Nicholas R. Miller (Waterford, CT)
I can always tell how much I like a book by how fast I read it, and how much I abuse it. I received this book, and within 24hours I was turning the last page. Hours would slip by as I was reading Jeannette's witty, charming and honest portrayal of the weight loss journey. Other reviewers have pointed out that is wasn't 'inspirational' to them, or they couldn't relate - or she didn't give enough advice for them - but for me none of that was an issue.
I am a 29yo man who has had (and continues to have) a battle with weight similar to Jeanette's. It was so nice and refreshing to have someone say all of the things in my brain without me having to say them. She had me in stitches when she said she couldn't just throw all of her junk food out, and needed to start a 'bundt cake relocation program'. I also liked how a topic she came back to a few times was that as a heavier woman she always felt that skinny people were judging her, and when she lost the weight she felt that heavier people were judging her - dealing with our fear of other's judgement. Another topic that I could really relate to was when she talked about the 'FA' (Fat acceptance) clubs throwing her out cause she wanted to lose weight to be healthy.
No matter what Jeanette is writing about, she does it with a dry wit that can't help but make you laugh. If you are looking for a how to book, or a quick fix - this ultimately isn't for you - but if you are looking to comiserate about the internal struggle with weight loss, then pull up a bowl of sugar free Jell-o and crack the spine.
 Good inspiring book July 16, 2010
V. Stack (New York)
Half-Assed is an inspirational book. She walks you through her embarrassments, let downs, and triumphs. There is some sarcastic humor in the book which helps making it an easier read. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the last 4 or 5 chapters are a little hard to get through because they are a bit dry. Otherwise, she makes anyone feel like they can do it too!
My Half-Assed Review ;-) May 13, 2010
S. Spicciati
I just read Jennette Fulda's Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir. Fulda, who goes by the nickname of "PastaQueen", started as a successful weight loss blogger. Her blog, accessible at pastaqueen.com or from my blogroll, has enjoyed a seven year run as a one of the most successful weight loss blogs on the web.
Having read dozens of weight loss blogs, I've decided my top criteria for identifying the ones I'll follow is that the author tells a good story, and has a good story to tell. Fulda is great writer whose humor and use of analogies makes her story much more than a slog through her loss of 200 pounds. With expressions like joining the "fat person witness protection program" and "Nancy Grace wouldn't have come looking for my fat ass," Fulda makes the time pass while she's sharing her transformation.
Fulda's book concentrates on the journey, the metaphor of weight loss, rather than the tips and tricks of the process. I would have liked her to share what she did to lose weight - she refuses to disclose her actual eating plan - but she feels strongly that diets are personal and that hers works because she likes the particular vegetables and so forth she has learned to eat. At first, it seemed evasive, but avoiding the quick fix advice allowed the story to evolve.
What makes Half-Assed work is Fulda's complete lack of preaching. She tells her story and is self-deprecating without being insecure. This would never work if PastaQueen didn't have an amazing story to tell. Her life is, frankly, uneventful, but in the way that most of our lives are. The beige backdrop keeps from distracting the reader from Jennette. What comes through instead is a normal person - though clearly talented - accomplishing an extraordinary thing, and allowing the reader to feel what it is like to lose, to use one of Fulda's analogies, the equivalent of seven bags of cat food.
Congrats to PastaQueen, for telling a good story, and having a good story to tell. (reprinted from my blog [...])
Showing reviews 1-5 of 60
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