From the leading bloggers in the fat-acceptance movement comes an empowering guide to body image- no matter what the scales say.
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reviews
May 06, 2009
Mbarkle
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I've been reading Kate Harding's blog for several months, and really like her writing about fat acceptance and calling the media on their biases and degradation of fat people. So, when she posted that her book was published, I put it on my Kindle right away and sat down and read it the same day.
For me, this book is confirming exactly what I've come to believe from my own experience. Diets don't work. I am a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers. I lost 40 pounds 13 years ago, put it More...
For me, this book is confirming exactly what I've come to believe from my own experience. Diets don't work. I am a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers. I lost 40 pounds 13 years ago, put it More...
Oct 06, 2009
Mary
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This book puts forward the life-changing idea that perhaps you ought to accept your fat self and put away the mirage that one day you will be thin and perfect. The authors, who are both fat-acceptance bloggers, go some way to dismantle misinformation about the health risks of fat and the so-called obesity crisis. Their first and major point is that diets don't work. The vast majority of people are unable to lose weight and keep it off for more than five years, so why are we being continually tol
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Jul 15, 2010
Katherine
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I am crazy in love with this book. It is all about accepting yourself at your current weight and not putting off living until you've lost some weight. As someone who has done some SERIOUS yoyo dieting in my life, I love this message. It is so easy to say, "I'll do so and so when I get thin again" and this book emphasizes how this is wrong-headed thinking. For one, you lose out on a lot of your life that way. For two, 95% of people who diet gain the weight back within three years. Ninet
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May 09, 2010
Sarah
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I read a lot of self-help books - I mean, A LOT. And I've come to the conclusion that what makes a self-help book helpful doesn't really have much to do with the actual content; for me, at least, it's more about the author's voice. Are they giving me the information in such a way that it resonates with me? This one really worked for me. The recurring basic theme is that there's no morality inherent in one's weight, eating habits, exercise habits, etc; that is to say, you're not "bad" o
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Mar 21, 2010
Amanda
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I only knew my weight from the times I went to the doctor. Mostly, I just knew if my clothes were fitting or not. If they weren't, and I was to cheap to go buy new ones, I would hop on the treadmill just a little bit more than usual. Then I discovered online food tracking and "helpful diet hints". While I got down to a skinny weight, I ended up gaining it back (plus more when I had thyroid surgery and my meds got out of whack). Even though I've never been obese, or even heavy, I beat m
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May 15, 2009
Angela
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I loved Kate Harding's essay in Yes Means Yes, so I rushed to buy Lessons frm the Fat-O-Sphere as soon as it came out. Harding and Kirby are fun, engaging writers who have written a book with a message that isn't heard often enough. This is a light, quick read that I enjoyed, though for the most part I don't think I'm its target audience. For sure, there are good lessons for anyone to take out of the book, but it's mostly written for the benefit of larger readers.
There isn't a treme More...
There isn't a treme More...
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Jun 10, 2009
Gnomad
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It was a good, quick read, though I expected to like it more than I did since I'm already a big fan of Kate's website.
My major complaint is that they talked like they were writing a blog, which is great if you're, you know, writing a blog, but I when I'm reading a book I need and expect arguments to be a little more rigorous. For example, I hated that they would spend several pages going off about how most diet research doesn't do a long enough follow up (true), but then quote from More...
My major complaint is that they talked like they were writing a blog, which is great if you're, you know, writing a blog, but I when I'm reading a book I need and expect arguments to be a little more rigorous. For example, I hated that they would spend several pages going off about how most diet research doesn't do a long enough follow up (true), but then quote from More...
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Jan 28, 2012
Carolyn
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I wish this book had been around when I was in high school. Unfortunately, these ladies were going through the same thing I was at that time (only in college) and hadn't quite formulated their philosophy of being fat and awesome yet. This is a great introduction to fat acceptance. It's not very in-depth, but it covers a lot of ground, and it's very upbeat and encouraging. It also refers you to a bunch of fat acceptance resources, which is awesome. Please read this if you are fat or "fat"
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Sep 07, 2009
Loretta
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There's nothing revolutionary in this book - except it kind of is. It's nonetheless necessary reading for any woman who hates her body because she believes she's "too fat". It's a clear examination of the screwed up messages the mass media and medical establishment keep shoving down our throats about the "obesity epidemic" (or, as the authors refer to it, "OBESITYCRISISBOOGABOOGABOOGA") - Which, it turns out, no so much an epidemic; obesity is not quite the death se
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May 07, 2010
Nikhila
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Another in the series of it's OK to be fat books. Personally, I love these types of books because they ask a reader to consider other aspects of their lives as the real source of their misery. Perhaps the body disatisfaction is a distraction from the real unhappiness sources? Aspects that appear harder to change? Bad relationship? bad job? etc? Or just consider the low-esteem rooted in being fat as a source of settling.
The best part of the book is the bibliography at the end--I was a More...
The best part of the book is the bibliography at the end--I was a More...
Feb 11, 2012
Gretchen
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As cheesy as it sounds, Kate Harding's blog "Shapely Prose" changed my life. Anyone who knows me would vouch that I'm not a New Agey, optimistic sort of person, but there is a certain wisdom in being kind to yourself and knowing what your body wants. This book is pretty much just a condensed version of all the great stuff that's online, and you guys, it all makes so. much. sense. So, I highly recommend checking out one or both. This book doesn't have that much new information if yo
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Jun 01, 2011
Emily
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Diets don't work, in fact they cause all kind so physical problems for the humans who repeat weight-cycling (losing-gaining weight over & over again). Obsession with physical appearance, being thin (spurred by images of women & men who are not typical in body shape & size AND who are made up, dressed and then Photoshopped) leads to depression, self-hate and other psychological problems. Harding & Kirby advocate Health at Every Size: Eating when you're hungry, finding exercise you actually LIKE t
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Mar 02, 2011
Ana
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Lessons from the Fat-O-Sphere / 0-399-53497-0
A perfect introduction to fat acceptance (FA) in particular and self acceptance in general, this book is a wonderful read for beginners and veterans alike. The writing is witty, direct, and insightful; never do you feel that the authors are being less than honest with you or that they are blowing smoke in your direction. The incisive writing is seasoned with a deep empathy for the reader - Kate Harding and Marianne Kirby speak to the reade More...
A perfect introduction to fat acceptance (FA) in particular and self acceptance in general, this book is a wonderful read for beginners and veterans alike. The writing is witty, direct, and insightful; never do you feel that the authors are being less than honest with you or that they are blowing smoke in your direction. The incisive writing is seasoned with a deep empathy for the reader - Kate Harding and Marianne Kirby speak to the reade More...
Jul 15, 2009
Beth
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Highly recommended.
I'm a huge fan of the blog created by one of this book's authors, Shapely Prose (kateharding.net), so naturally I'm predisposed to like this book. But I really think it is a groundbreaking work. It's well-written, witty, at times hilarious, and yet powerful, insightful, and a blow to society's fatphobia and woman-hating forces. It will make many readers rethink their assumptions about themselves, about fat, about the "science" of "obesity." This book More...
I'm a huge fan of the blog created by one of this book's authors, Shapely Prose (kateharding.net), so naturally I'm predisposed to like this book. But I really think it is a groundbreaking work. It's well-written, witty, at times hilarious, and yet powerful, insightful, and a blow to society's fatphobia and woman-hating forces. It will make many readers rethink their assumptions about themselves, about fat, about the "science" of "obesity." This book More...
Jan 02, 2010
Rosa
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I like the idea of "healthy at every size" that the author's espouse, but I can't totally come around to their way of thinking (a chapter is devoted to finding a doctor that won't weigh you during check-ups). The authors go on about reading pop science pieces with a critical eye for distorted facts, yet they state that, because the average American woman is a size 14, half of all American women are larger than a size 14. Their misinterpretation or misunderstanding of elementary stats r
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May 30, 2010
Elly
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I liked this book. It reads like the two authors are talking to you, in a way that feels good to me. It is much more a book with the personal story of the authors than a book giving just factual information. That does not mean the factual information is not in there, but it is presented in a way that is larded with personal information.
I read Kate Harding's blog, and after reading this book I will probably add Marianne Kirby's blog too, as I like the writing style of both authors.
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I read Kate Harding's blog, and after reading this book I will probably add Marianne Kirby's blog too, as I like the writing style of both authors.
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Sep 13, 2010
Kim
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I cried while I read this book. Written by two bloggers who are working for fat acceptance, it hits home with all women and men who have body image issues and for those of us who do not fit into the neat little boxes of body type, and never have. This book is not a diet guide or anything useless like that. This lays it on the line, gives you on-line resourses and backs everything up with scientific research.
READ THIS BOOK!
READ THIS BOOK!
Jul 23, 2011
Cameron
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This is the second book Bri recommended/lent to me this year, and it was almost as much a paradigm shift as the first. Reading this book, a strange mashup of narration that reads more like a long motivational e-mail than a book, I felt like I already secretly knew everything Kate and Marianne were telling me. But reading it was like setting off a tiny flame in the back of my mind that has been slowly burning up all the evil messages and body hate I've been storing for so long. Seriously, this bo
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Jul 18, 2010
Sarah
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I'm not really in the target audience for this book, but I thought it was really well written and an excellent read. It's got a really awesome message about being body positive both for yourself and for the people around you.
I've absorbed a lot of the dangerous media messages they discuss, and this book really made me think about a lot of pre-conceptions. It's a great resource, and I'm glad I read it.
I've absorbed a lot of the dangerous media messages they discuss, and this book really made me think about a lot of pre-conceptions. It's a great resource, and I'm glad I read it.
Aug 12, 2009
Christiane
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I have to like any book that tells you to stop dieting, stop obsessing about your weight, stop blaming your weight for everything that's wrong with your life, and start living NOW. No matter what size you are.
Both authors are also bloggers and it's worth checking them out:
Kate at kateharding.net (Shapely Prose)
Marianne at therotund.com
Both authors are also bloggers and it's worth checking them out:
Kate at kateharding.net (Shapely Prose)
Marianne at therotund.com
Sep 05, 2009
Liz B
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This was a good read but had nothing I hadn't already heard from reading the archives of Kate Harding's excellent blog, Shapely Prose.
If you are interested in feminism and body image--no matter what your BMI--I highly recommend Shapely Prose. Harding and her fellow bloggers are angry and profane and hilarious and smart and insightful.
If you are interested in feminism and body image--no matter what your BMI--I highly recommend Shapely Prose. Harding and her fellow bloggers are angry and profane and hilarious and smart and insightful.
Oct 05, 2010
Sarah
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It didn't read like a book. It just seemed like a continuation of the same things that have been repeated, over and over, on the blogs of the authors. I was bored the entire time, because I had read it all before. It would be an alright read for people who don't regularly peruse fat acceptance blogs though.
Sep 25, 2010
Julie
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I don't know--there was a lot of valuable information here, for sure, but it skated over the surface of most of the issues. Sure, they recommend books for further reading, but the end result is that a reading list would have been almost as useful. It just touches on everything too lightly and superficially.
Jun 02, 2011
noelle
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I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did, but none of it is Brand New Information for me. It's written more for people who are totally new to the fat acceptance movement. If I had read this a few years ago I probably would have loved it, but I was already reading the blogs at that point.
Jul 18, 2010
Christine
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This should be required reading for young women. In order to sell people on their plan, the book needs to be more focused. I know it's acting as a minimalist reference of sorts, but it's hard to convince anyone that this lifestyle actually works with only the input of the two authors.
Jan 03, 2011
Melinda
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Loving this book! Full of information that I already know about fat acceptance but written in such a fun, kick-ass fashion that I'm reading it all the time.
I finally finished reading this book and it has really reinspired me to take charge of my health. What I find the most interesting about this book is the focus on health and not weight loss. I appreciate that the authors are challenging the idea that you can't be fat and healthly by telling their stories and passing on tools f More...
I finally finished reading this book and it has really reinspired me to take charge of my health. What I find the most interesting about this book is the focus on health and not weight loss. I appreciate that the authors are challenging the idea that you can't be fat and healthly by telling their stories and passing on tools f More...
Jan 12, 2010
Stacey
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Nothing I haven't read before, but surely updated since the once-groundbreaking "Fat! So?" I don't read either of these ladies' blogs often, but the book was good - and gave a lot of references, which I wholly appreciate.
Jul 23, 2010
Kate
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Really enjoyed this irreverent take on the normal "love your body" type self-help books. This book brooks no bullshit, and has some wonderful discussion on what it means to be fat in a fat-hating world. I particularly like the chapter about how if someone loves you because they fancy your body as it is (i.e. fat), they are not some deviant pervert, but just someone with a taste for large bodies, just like some people have a penchant for red hair.
Wonderfully affirming stuf More...
Wonderfully affirming stuf More...
Dec 01, 2011
Elizabeth
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I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/6125775
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/6125775
May 03, 2010
SheWunders
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Wow... this one was a eye opener. I know giving up on "The Fantasy of Being Thin" is going to be a SLOW process, but I'm ready to give a try.
