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From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction
This guide chronicles how one woman’s very public journey to lose weight mushroomed into a community quest to get fit. At the age of 60, Carole Carson broke the taboo of speaking about obesity when she openly admitted her shame and guilt about being fat and out of shape on the front page of the local newspaper. As she recounted her transformation from butterball to butterfly in a weekly newspaper column, she gradually inspired more than 1,000 people in her Northern California community to join her. People who had struggled with weight loss and fitness suddenly found that when they joined with their friends and neighbors they could accomplish together what they could not do by themselves. They learned a completely new way of living and discovered that getting fit was fun and in the process lost the equivalent of a school bus! Through the guide’s seven-step process, among other practical strategies and resources, readers will find a framework for duplicating the Nevada County Meltdown’s successes in their respective communities—their congregation, their office, their friends and family—realizing the power of partnership and revitalizing their ties with each other.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 28, 2011
Now that the holidays are pretty much over for a while, people start thinking about the New Year and New Year's resolutions. One of the most common resolutions I hear (and make) is to get into better shape. Since many of us pack on five or ten pounds with Thanksgiving dinner and holiday gatherings, I suppose this only makes sense. Did you know that sixty-four percent of Americans are overweight? That's certainly a statistic that frightens me! Carole Carson is the Coach to the AARP Fat 2 Fit Community Weight-Loss Challenge and is sharing her weight loss of 62 pounds in her new book From Fat to Fit. She explains how she went from a size 18 to a size 6 and you'll learn how you can do the same thing regardless of your age!
From Fat to Fit starts off by introducing you to Carole and how she began her journey. At almost sixty years old, she found herself weight 182 pounds at 5'1" tall. She realized she needed to change and started interviewing trainers at local gyms. One thing led to another and her journey became a regular column in a local newspaper. From Fat to Fit shares her journey with pictures, progress reports, and what you need to do to implement her program in your life.
I really enjoyed reading From Fit to Fat. I love that Carole gives a realistic look at weight loss from a *not 20 year old's point of view*. Sorry but what I could do at 20 is not what I can do at 45 even if I want it to be. She also gives a very realistic look at the costs associated with weight loss. Fitness equipment costs money as does a gym membership however Carole also explains the hidden costs of being overweight including added medical expenses and prescriptions for things like high blood pressure and diabetes. I also appreciate that she shares what didn't work for her - like the yoga class she didn't enjoy taking. Sometimes fitness/health books make everything seem so easy when for me and many other women, it really isn't.
To help you understand that what she's done isn't impossible, this book also shares stories of other men and women who have gotten in shape in middle/later age. She also shares stories of several people with disabilities that have made the journey as well which is particularly motivating. She even shares information on whole communities that have taken the challenge. The back of the book has a bunch of great resources that you can refer to in order to find more information and resources in your area.
This book is definitely inspiring and a great way to get in the mindset of weight loss and healthy living. I would have loved a few meal plans or recipes as well because sometimes I run out of ideas and lack inspiration.
From Fat to Fit starts off by introducing you to Carole and how she began her journey. At almost sixty years old, she found herself weight 182 pounds at 5'1" tall. She realized she needed to change and started interviewing trainers at local gyms. One thing led to another and her journey became a regular column in a local newspaper. From Fat to Fit shares her journey with pictures, progress reports, and what you need to do to implement her program in your life.
I really enjoyed reading From Fit to Fat. I love that Carole gives a realistic look at weight loss from a *not 20 year old's point of view*. Sorry but what I could do at 20 is not what I can do at 45 even if I want it to be. She also gives a very realistic look at the costs associated with weight loss. Fitness equipment costs money as does a gym membership however Carole also explains the hidden costs of being overweight including added medical expenses and prescriptions for things like high blood pressure and diabetes. I also appreciate that she shares what didn't work for her - like the yoga class she didn't enjoy taking. Sometimes fitness/health books make everything seem so easy when for me and many other women, it really isn't.
To help you understand that what she's done isn't impossible, this book also shares stories of other men and women who have gotten in shape in middle/later age. She also shares stories of several people with disabilities that have made the journey as well which is particularly motivating. She even shares information on whole communities that have taken the challenge. The back of the book has a bunch of great resources that you can refer to in order to find more information and resources in your area.
This book is definitely inspiring and a great way to get in the mindset of weight loss and healthy living. I would have loved a few meal plans or recipes as well because sometimes I run out of ideas and lack inspiration.
September 14, 2009
From Fat to Fit
Well today was weigh in day for me at Curves. I am still on the down side which is good. But I want to make a bigger change. Feel I am not doing enough. And I am not. It shows a 6.5 lbs lost and 3" lost in the last month. And I know a pound a week is good for a slow steady weight loss. How do I get past the feeling I should be really working so much harder? I am sure this is something that happens to all of us. What do you do to get past the blah....I am not doing....or the "I should try more/harder/longer/something" times?
I then shook myself and said time to buck up girl. Remember what all you have done and the things you have learned? I grabbed the book I have been reading. "From Fat to Fit" by Carole Carson. She has helped me with the positive message that we all can change by doing the right things one day at a time. And beating ourselves up is not going to help us.
So I popped back over to Part 4 of her book Proliferating Weapons of Mass Reduction. I love this saying! Here I was able to revive some tips and positive ideas. I also like the 56 discoveries about eating and cooking she added.
You might also enjoy Carole's story. She has documented her weight loss and how she achieved it in a weekly diary form. Carole shares how she lost 41 lbs and 66 " in just 4 months all at the age of 59. Yes, as a senior citizen (we all are getting there) Carole made some life changes and came out all the better for it. She then shared this with others in her community, then wider in the state and finally nationwide. She even host an AARP site of Fat2Fit. I know that there is a host of stories of how others have also made the wonderful changes by accepting their own personal challenges.
Well, if she can do it then I know I can too. Along with the many other stories I have been sharing online. I need to pull up my boot straps. Drop the whip and just go for a walk. Bet I will feel better for it in the end.
Well today was weigh in day for me at Curves. I am still on the down side which is good. But I want to make a bigger change. Feel I am not doing enough. And I am not. It shows a 6.5 lbs lost and 3" lost in the last month. And I know a pound a week is good for a slow steady weight loss. How do I get past the feeling I should be really working so much harder? I am sure this is something that happens to all of us. What do you do to get past the blah....I am not doing....or the "I should try more/harder/longer/something" times?
I then shook myself and said time to buck up girl. Remember what all you have done and the things you have learned? I grabbed the book I have been reading. "From Fat to Fit" by Carole Carson. She has helped me with the positive message that we all can change by doing the right things one day at a time. And beating ourselves up is not going to help us.
So I popped back over to Part 4 of her book Proliferating Weapons of Mass Reduction. I love this saying! Here I was able to revive some tips and positive ideas. I also like the 56 discoveries about eating and cooking she added.
You might also enjoy Carole's story. She has documented her weight loss and how she achieved it in a weekly diary form. Carole shares how she lost 41 lbs and 66 " in just 4 months all at the age of 59. Yes, as a senior citizen (we all are getting there) Carole made some life changes and came out all the better for it. She then shared this with others in her community, then wider in the state and finally nationwide. She even host an AARP site of Fat2Fit. I know that there is a host of stories of how others have also made the wonderful changes by accepting their own personal challenges.
Well, if she can do it then I know I can too. Along with the many other stories I have been sharing online. I need to pull up my boot straps. Drop the whip and just go for a walk. Bet I will feel better for it in the end.
December 10, 2017
When I first saw mention of Carole Carson’s story, it spoke directly to my heart, or was that my stomach? Whichever, I knew this was a book I had to read. Would I get great tips on finally losing that 10 pounds I’ve tried to shed for about 20 years? Would Carson’s story inspire me to get more exercise?
Right on both counts! From Fat To Fit (Turn yourself into a weapon of MASS REDUCTION) is an easy to follow guide for losing those unwanted post-menopawsal pounds. The first part of the book follows Carson through 16 weeks to discovering better eating habits and learning to exercise. From an overweight, not-so-healthy 50+ woman, we learn her method for losing 40 pounds, just in time for her 60th birthday!
She describes herself as a reluctant journalist when the publisher of her hometown paper asks if she will chronicle her journey. I cringe with the author as she deals with seeing her picture splashed on the front page of the newspaper – complete with tape measure revealing an expanded waistline.
But, humiliation soon turns to support when friends and new acquaintances cheer her bravery and her determination to lose weight.
The rest of the book deals with overcoming obstacles such as injury, and learning to balance her new regimen of finding time to exercise and continuing to eat healthy.
I highly recommend this book!
Right on both counts! From Fat To Fit (Turn yourself into a weapon of MASS REDUCTION) is an easy to follow guide for losing those unwanted post-menopawsal pounds. The first part of the book follows Carson through 16 weeks to discovering better eating habits and learning to exercise. From an overweight, not-so-healthy 50+ woman, we learn her method for losing 40 pounds, just in time for her 60th birthday!
She describes herself as a reluctant journalist when the publisher of her hometown paper asks if she will chronicle her journey. I cringe with the author as she deals with seeing her picture splashed on the front page of the newspaper – complete with tape measure revealing an expanded waistline.
But, humiliation soon turns to support when friends and new acquaintances cheer her bravery and her determination to lose weight.
The rest of the book deals with overcoming obstacles such as injury, and learning to balance her new regimen of finding time to exercise and continuing to eat healthy.
I highly recommend this book!
November 9, 2010
Carole Carson's book is a terrific example of how one person's enthusiasm for lifestyle change can start a ripple effect in her community. I'm already making changes as a result, instituting a 3-day-a-week regular gym schedule that I refuse to miss, no matter what's going on around me. If people from all walks of life and age groups can get into shape, why am I--a healthy woman in her 30s--putting exercise at the bottom of my priorities list? This book is a great kick in the pants, and quite charming.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews