A Funeral for My Fat: My Journey to Lay 100 Pounds to Rest

by Sharee Samuels

I wear black when I work out; it’s a funeral for my fat.

Why a funeral? Because death is permanent; when something dies, it’s not coming back.

Sharee Samuels was seventeen and 256 pounds when she hit her rock bottom. But with incredible determination and an unflaggingly positive attitude, she went on to lose more than one hundred pounds over the course of five years. When she began documenting her journey on Tumblr, she never expected to become such a powerful voice for health, fitness, and self-love, but her blog, called Funeral for My Fat , soon morphed into an inspirational guide for hundreds of thousands of individuals looking for support and advice on their own fitness journeys.

Here Sharee tells her story. Integral to her success has been her burgeoning passion for teaching group fitness classes, including Zumba, as well as her commitment to eating vegan. However, she firmly believes that it is important for everybody to follow their own paths and find what works for them while treating themselves and their bodies with care and respect.

If you have a journey ahead of you, Sharee has a story worth reading.

Genres: Nonfiction

264 pages, Hardcover

Published July 5, 2016

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have followed Sharee's journey on Tumblr for years, and her story is so inspirational and relatable. I really liked this one!

[Meenal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motivating.

[Marci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like this book was just not for me. I admit to ditching it unfinished because it wasn't particularly inspiring for me (and let me be honest: I continue to read these diet and weight loss books because they continue to feel motivational and I feel like my end-point is in sight), but I also feel like that's just as much about me as it is about her.

So: Nothing she said rang false to me and I'll bet she's great instructor and friend. I just didn't like the book.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weight loss books are like finance books, there's always something you find to make your own. Sharee Samuels has a catchy title to go with the story of her 100+ weight loss and long term weight maintenance. It took her 5 years to reach her goals or conquer Mt. Weight Loss.

She preaches self love but also tough love that requires people to face eating habits stuck in childhood. She is a vegan but not judgemental or militant, she gives an overview of many diets and good advice like a grocery list. sample meal suggestions and an extensive FAQ section.

Samuels' is very up front about the less than positive body changes like stretch marks and loose skin. I don't think I'd ever have a tummy tuck but she did. She describes the surgery and recovery in great detail, one of the bravest things she did.

[Carianne Carleo-Evangelist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t sure how much I’d identify with a teen / early 20s, but Samuels’ was an interesting narrator. The book could have done with better editing, but it felt like you were talking with a friend, not reading this for quality. Not all of what she did works for me - but she makes the case, this is her story not an argument. I googled her mid read and was surprised to learn she hadn’t kept the weight off after going through a hard time , which made me side eye some of what I was already a little harder. But overall an interesting read.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this girl. She's realistic, motivating, and relatable. Regarding her composition style, I do wish she had not used "et cetera" so much (and the narrator had pronounced it properly--I listened to the audio version). But I was encouraged and uplifted by her steady and consistent style. Simple, repetitive, common sense info--yet in the confusing food world of today, we need frequent reminding, especially implementing an upbeat approach, such as what Sharee provides.

[Zee Monodee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring and empowering!
The read could do with less clunky pages and smaller paragraphs - most of the time when I was reading this on my e-reader, the page and words would blur all together because they were just so clunky and together.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad, honest, sarcastic, thoughtful and very motivational.

[Lexi Zuo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical, balanced and to the point opinions shared on health and weight loss. I loved reading Sharee’s story!!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharee’s story is so motivating and inspirational. Go ahead and add it to you list.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!

I remember following Sharee on Tumblr many years ago and finding her journey inspiring. This book reinforced that and also gave me major nostalgia!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story of the journey to weight loss. I learned it takes consistency and time to change what is happening for your body.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. Fairly preachy, and not alit of useful information so far outside of din’t eat junk food and exercise.

[Sharon L · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better suited to New Adults than this old lady.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. I have read many fitness and weight-loss memoirs and this book tops them all. It is a true, beautifully honest account of what it is really like to lose weight. It isn't trying to yell at you or make you feel like you have to be or act a certain way in order to be successful in a weight loss journey; Instead, this book provides you with tools and motivators to search within yourself and find your own path to health and weight loss.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who's on a journey to find self-love and health.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not follow Sharee on her social media pages and had not heard of her prior to seeing this book. I took a peek after reading and I am sure she is a nice person. My review here is not a reflection on her and I hope it is not taken as such.

I didn't enjoy the book; frankly, there's a strange dichotomy wherein she makes a lot of self aggrandizing statements then follows up with messages of her poor self esteem, terrible body image etc...I'm not sure if this is an underlying fault of the story or, her perception of herself having changed, she is writing in memory of that time.

For me, I have 3 rules on these self help type of books: Is it true? Is it positive? Is it relate-able?
For the first criteria, I am sure it is true as she remembers it. To the second, she does try to convey a positive message. On the third point, it was not relate-able. Maybe this book is intended to appeal to a younger crowd.

[Abby Kolosieke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharee is such an inspiration and so many parts of this book correlated to my own weight loss journey. Her voice is simple but direct and very intimate. It felt like she and I were having a conversation all our own while I was reading it. Her messages are also very clear cut and helpful - I do like the little journal guides she has at the end of each chapter. She tells her story but wants you to be part of the narrative. Find yourself in her words and realize your own potential.

Thank you so much for this book, Sharee!

[Joanne Pardie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really hit a spot that I could relate to. It was also nice to read about another persons struggles with weight loss. I was lucky enough to have won this book through a goodreads contest.
I am actually going to read it again, hoping to build myself up and make some adjustments in my life. I would definitely recommend this book to any one who might struggle or is looking to lose weight.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Rock bottom is not a permanent place unless you decide you want to stay there."

I came across Sharee's Tumblr many years ago and have since followed her journey. Sharee's memoir did not disappoint. She's real. She's inspirational. She discusses her struggles and offers advice for those who may be in that position today. If you're seeking to lose weight or just get healthy, check this out.

[Britt Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great, straight-forward, lovingly no-nosense story of Sharee's weightloss journey. It is honest, and while I do not think she necessarily takes the though-love approach, I greatly appreciated her real-life struggles and comments. Her story is relate-able, inspiring, and worth the read if you are struggling to get yourself in gear with health.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a highly motivational and truly relatable story of one of my favorite weight loss bloggers. Sharee really understands what it's like to start a fitness journey when everything feels impossible. I really think anyone struggling with their weight should give this book a chance, you won't regret it for a second.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharee is an inspiration! After teaching with her this year and attending her Zumba classes biweekly I can say this book is genuine and her story is one of hard work and dedication. A great read if you want to reflect or improve upon your fitness and health goals.

[Carleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I prefer to allow people to drown in their oen hate-filled puddle rather than splash around in it with them." -Sharee Samuels

"We adopted the holiday food approach: "Fill your plates with islands, not continents," which is the portion-control idea where you don't pile your food high on your plate. Your food items should not touch each other because you're making islands." -Sharee Samuels