Do I Look Fat in This?

by Jessica Weiner

Negative self-image and body criticism is a growing problem, especially among young women who vocalize their anxieties by speaking 'the language of fat'. Acclaimed motivational speaker and author of A Very Hungry Girl (Hay House, 2003), Jessica Weiner has spent years decoding this language and analyzing the destructive bonding sessions that women engage in every day. Written in a sassy, accessible tone that speaks to the MTV generation, this book shows women how to break the cycles of body loathing that affect all aspects of their health, wealth, career, family and relationships.Filled with wisdom, guidance and stories of inspiration and triumph, the book is a step-by-step plan for creating a more fulfilling and positive life - and ending those negative bonding sessions for ever.

Genres: Self Help, Health, Nonfiction, Cookbooks

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 27, 2005

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book purely by accident, but I was glad to pick it up and get perspective on what I was going through. It shines light on our relationship with our bodies, and some of the thinking behind why we look at ourselves a certain way.

I've recommended this book so many times, i actually have a copy I keep for myself, as well as one I lend out!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always down for some body-positive reads, and Do I Look Fat In This? certainly delivers. However, this book came off more like half-baked cheerleading than something that had been thoughtfully researched.

[Tamara Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A empowering book to instruct women on how to stop focusing on their weight and focus on living and loving life in their current body. The book is divided into twelve different sections and I liked that each section ended with action items for the reader to complete. Weiner also includes letters/emails from actual women and provides advice on how to stop the language of fat. I’d recommend this book to any woman who’s even felt bad about their body or men who want insight on women’s struggles with their bodies, weight and low self esteem.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am torn between three and four stars. Three for the mediocre writing. I'm sure she's a great motivational speaker. The book reads like a big pep talk. Three for the lack of life-changing insight and depth of research. But, I would give this at least a four for the message. More women need to realize that "life doesn't begin five pounds from now." She does a great job of deconstructing the Language of Fat, with which women tend to bond. Who hasn't said to a friend, "You look great, did you lose weight?" I read this book mostly to be aware of how I talk about women's bodies around my three little girls. I will do everything I can so they grow up healthy and loving their bodies, in spite of the media. "Because every girl deserves to feel good about herself and feel how beautiful she really is." - Dove Campaign for Real Beauty www.campaignforrealbeauty.com
Bottom line: This is at least worth a good skim.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't always like "self help" books, but this is an excellent book in any sense of the word. And it's written for all genders and people of ALL sizes, which i really appreciated. She talks about finding out why we abuse ourselves, and how to stop the cycle with ourselves and with our friends.

It's a wonderful resource, and i think it would be beneficial to anyone who has ever said negative or horrible things about themselves, not just related to size.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took away a surprising amount of new insight in the first few chapters. The last few I had trouble relating to but still could be helpful to many people. I will definitely approach life, conversations and friends in a new light.

[Rachel Ebner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, I don't love non-fiction, but this was a good one for me cause it helped me really look at how women language talk about their bodies. And I'm totally a believer in the power of words and speech in our lives, so it is making me more cognizant of what kind of conversations I participate in about my body and other peoples' bodies. It went hand-in-hand with a Weight Watchers journey, which I have found to be a weight-loss plan that is more accepting and more realistic than others. Talks about society and women's feelings about food - food being "good for you" and "bad for you" - food is just food; it's not good or bad and women have to quit associating self-worth and guilt with what they consume. It's a bad lesson that society continually teaches and we have to look at that lesson, its implications and what we will do about it. This book is a good discussion piece (even internal) for that examination.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended for gr. 6-adult. Subtitled "A Step-by-Step Guide to Loving Your Body Today", it carries the message that people, particularly women, spend a lot of their time using the "Language of Fat", obsessing over their bodies, rather than working to change what they are really feeling (sadness, anger, feelings of not being in control). I'm not sure that the book will appeal to middle-school girls as they are too wrapped up in fitting in, but the message applies to children as well as adults, including parents who send unconscious messages to their children in the Language of Fat. A good self-help book and a fairly quick read, journaling suggestions are included to help the reader figure out his/her own feelings and escape the Language of Fat.

[Joy Weese Moll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess Weiner is out to decode and abolish the Language of Fat. She wants to rid us of the question in the title and all the awkwardness it creates in our relationships. She wants to eliminate the female bonding ritual of complaining about our respective bodies. She wants women to stop giving away their power and possibilities until they lose a little weight.

Much more on my blog where I fret about how to deal with an obesity epidemic and rising rates of other disorders at the same time: Book Review: Do I Look Fat in This? by Jessica Weiner.

[Rakisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Weiner has really written an excellent book for fat women, skinny women, and all types of women who have fallen into the trap of putting their life on hold until they can fit into their so-called skinny jeans. It also teaches not use defeatist or negative language when describing your body, because it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It also encourages husbands, boyfriends, and friends to not get sucked into the "do I look fat in this?" game, but suggesting gentle conversation deflectors that will help the woman get to the root of her problem. It is an across the board winner.

[Farrah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Highly recommend it for women, teens, and men who grimace when they think of their own bodies. Perfect for the woman who has walked into her closet full of clothes and growled because she has "Nothing to wear! And Nothing fits! And she is gross!" Come on ladies...you know you have been there!

This book breaks the stereotypes and sheds light on the absurd ideals of what we "should" look like vs just accepting who we are!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can glean insight from this book no matter what your size. Men can learn from this as well. As women (and men too) I am SURE that you have asked this question at least a hundred times. Learn the detrimental language of fat that Jennifer speaks about. It can only help you to help yourself or other women in your life when this most touchy subject rears its ugly head, and I assure you that it will.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the message of this book but didn't love the actual writing style. She does a great job of helping the reader identify "The Language of Fat" and why people use it and how destructive it is. She also does a great job of showing how to identify other people in your life who speak this "language". But the writing was just a bit too flakey for me or something.

[Barbara]

I've read my share of diet and nutrition books. This one is more about self image. It's about how many times we say "Do I look fat in this?" It's really nothing new but I did like how they set up the book and especially the quotes. Easy to read with an important message. Now if only I could practice what she preaches maybe I wouldn't have to read anymore of these types of books.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really changed the way I look at weight loss and woke me up to the way I treat myself. If women in our society could break the cycle of body loathing, future generations would be healthier both body and mind. Lots of great advice and actionable tips, plus a good sense of humor and down-to-earth attitude. I will recommend this book to my friends.

[Juicy_Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone with bad body image needs to read this book.I used to always blame my weight when I was feeling sad or stressed,ect without realising it.Now I've stopped doing that I feel way better about myself.

[Newmoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you're saying "I feel fat..." you're actually expressing something else. What is it and how can you deal with it? The author makes good points about the whole "feeling fat" issue that women bond over. "Life doesn't begin five pounds from now!" Helpful for my "Body Image Workshop."

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me realize how many times a day I think about my weight. Sad since I could be doing something much more productive instead.

[Rosie]

If you are asking this question on a regular basis, this is a book you need to pick up.

[T · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pay attention to the way you talk about your body

[Ger · Rating 3 out of 5]

The theory in this book is sound; it's believing it that is the hard part!

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Fat is not a feeling...It is not an emotion. Pain, anger, joy, sadness—those are emotions. Fat has just become a catchall phrase we assign to the emotions that we are at a loss to describe."

[Tracy]

some sort of non-fiction/essay/memoir but I don't recall.