344 Pounds: How I Lost 125 Pounds By Counting Calories

by Shawn Weeks

344 Pounds: How I Lost 125 Pounds by Counting Calories is the incredibly humble and true story of how Shawn Tyler Weeks, writer of the popular weight loss blog 344Pounds.com, overcame obesity and lost over 100 pounds in six months while still eating all of the foods (cheeseburger, fries, oh my!) he loved.

In the book, Shawn talks about what it was like growing up obese and always being the biggest person in the room, whichever room he may be in at the time. He shares with us the many daily struggles he encountered living with obesity up until the point he was finally able to conquer his lifelong demons and lose weight for the very first time of his life starting in January of 2009.

344 Pounds: How I Lost 125 Pounds by Counting Calories is for anyone at a "normal" weight who wants to try to understand what it's like going through life morbidly obese. The book is especially for those looking to lose weight, whether it be 10 pounds or 100 pounds, without having to starve themselves or subscribing to yet another fad diet or gimmick.

Shawn goes in-depth in the book about how he lost weight and provides useful insight, information, and tips on how to lose weight by counting calories, how to get weight loss support from friends and family, finding motivation, dealing with adversity, and many more common topics relating to weight loss.

Ultimately, 344 Pounds: How I Lost 125 Pounds by Counting Calories leaves readers who need to lose weight with the hope and encouragement they need so that they too can find success in losing weight.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Diets

69 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 28, 2012

Reviews

[laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any one who want the truth about weight loss this is hard core truth.

Shawn has put into words what it feels like growing up with extra weight. He also said what people say and how you are treated being overweight. Like you're a non person. This is not get thin fast book this a lets get real book about how he walked the road to being healthy on his terms!

[Gabe Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good book... commonsense advice.

[Aubre Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book and really loved it! The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because I wanted MORE! I got to the end of the book and was sad it was over! Shawn is very down to Earth and the book feels like your reading the story of a friend...or of yourself. His story isn't a bunch of hype, rather the story of an everyday "Joe" who decided he was done being fat and wanted to take charge. The best part about this book is that he isn't selling anything...no diet plans, no quick fixes, no miraculous pills or potions, no crazy exercise routine. He is all about moderation and lifestyle change, one small step at a time. It was refreshing and motivating. I finished the book and really felt motivated and inspired to start making small steps towards health and weigh loss. I didn't feel overwhelmed and discouraged, rather, I really felt like "I can do this". My only complaint is that I would have liked to have had more tips on calorie counting, maybe some ideas of his favorite foods and "go to" foods. I would have liked to have heard more about how he got started calorie counting and his method for doing it day in and day out. We need another book Shawn! I highly recommend this book!

[Carla JFCL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what to say about this book except...if you are someone who is wanting or needing to lose a few pounds, improve your health and get more active you can't go wrong by investing the hour or so it will take you to read this excellent memoir.

Personally, I used exactly this same method to shed 30 pounds almost a year ago, but didn't realize I was using a "method" at the time. I pretty much came to the same conclusions the author did for figuring out what would work for me and how to do it. But, he explains things much more elegantly, concisely and entertainingly that I ever could.

Seriously...give this book a try if you're at all interested in this topic. It will cost you less than $4, and if you're an Amazon Prime member you can even read it for free via the Prime Lending program.

[Alison Diem · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more memoir than diet guide and I don't think it's selling itself as anything different. It's his story, which is very inspirational, and he does suggest the various sites, books, and actions that he took to get the results he got, but, again, it's not a "how to".

I started reading his blog about halfway through his journey and began posting on the message boards, so I was already familiar with a lot of the material here. I did enjoy seeing how the material was presented in this format.

I bought the kindle format, which did not come with any pictures, which I think is the major failing here. The book's argument would have been more strongly supported with photographic evidence.

All in all a good, short read for $3.44.

[Rajiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Main reason to buy this book was to get some idea on writing a book about weight loss through counting calories. I too have lost 30 pounds in 5 months through same method as author. Since I am not writer but deep desire is there to share my success on weight loss through a book. Those who have not tried this method, I recommend to read this book, it will surely help them losing weight without sacrificing their favorite food. The book explain of all how's and what's of calories counting.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a good reminder I already have all the knowledge I need to lose weight successfully and that calorie counting is the way to go. I need to focus on taking action, and not just learning more information. The author is very down to earth and when I read this I felt as though he was a friend reminding me of the things I already know. I would highly recommend this book.

[Icurnjohnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read and motivating!

I found this book to be an easy relatable read. It was motivating without being overly preachy or commercialized. I can appreciate the authors honest approach to a touchy subject.

[Spook Sulek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it very much! Weeks talks about making your own plan, the difference between making a plan and sticking to it, and how easy it is to blame everyone and everything around you instead of being accountable. Reminded me of Suddenly Skinny to an extent. A short, valuable book!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Easy to read, sensible advice for weight loss

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A required read to all who are stuck on their weight loss journey. The formula for weight loss is so simple and he does an excellent job explaining how he was able to loose the weight.

[Shawn Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book. I also read it. I liked it.

[Virginia Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest
Refreshing
Encouraging
Convincing
I highly recommend this book. I rarely give 5 stars on a review, but I don't hesitate this time. Weeks has a clean writing style.