Confessions of a Couch Potato [Paperback]

Stephen Furst (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2002 | ISBN-10: 1580401449 | ISBN-13: 978-1580401449 | Edition: 1

A hysterical memoir of growing up as a husky . . . plump . . .heavy-set . . . OK, FAT! child, who struggled with weight problems through adulthood, Stephen Furst shares his tips and recipes for how he went from an out-of-control 320-pound person with diabetes, to his lean, mean, low-fat eating machine of 175. A self-help cookbook of epic proportions­­or actually, epic portions­­filled with all kinds of tips and anecdotes, it includes everything from real recipes (such as cheesecake, soup, and pasta) to how to get through the holidays without killing yourself instead of your relatives. You've tried everything else­­try laughing your way to better health.

Stephen Furst has been an actor for the past 23 years, starring in the classic movie comedy Animal House and two multiaward-winning television series­­"St. Elsewhere" and "Babylon 5."

(20021208)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Los Angeles Daily News (c. 200,161)

From Flounder to Fit, By Mariko Thompson

Back when Stephen Furst weighed a hefty 320 pounds, his favorite meal of the week was the Monday Night Football all-you-can-eat rib special at Moorpark’s Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill. The actor-director, who first made his name as Flounder in the 1978 film “National Lampoon’s Animal House,’ would gorge on plate after plate of ribs from the kickoff until the final seconds of the broadcast.

Today, Furst is spreading the story of his dramatic weight loss as a spokesman for the American Diabetes Association. Laced with humor, his book “Confessions of a Couch Potato’ chronicles his struggles with dieting and how he finally lost the pounds by committing to a regimen of low-fat meals and moderate exercise.

Furst’s book has the potential for a wide audience. The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta found that 65 percent of American adults are overweight. The study also found that 16 percent of youngsters age 12 to 19 tip the scales excessively. The ever-expanding American waistline has health educators concerned about medical consequences, including increased risk for stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. An estimated 17 million Americans suffer from diabetes.

(Los Angeles Times )

About the Author

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Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: American Diabetes Association; 1 edition (September 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580401449
• ISBN-13: 978-1580401449
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,468,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More about this book...from the ADA, September 30, 2002

By 

E. Sequeira "Lee Romano Sequeira" (Philly, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confessions of a Couch Potato (Paperback)

A MUST FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO LOSE WEIGHT, HAS LOST WEIGHT, OR JUST NEEDS A GOOD CHUCKLE!

A hysterical memoir of growing up as a husky... plump...heavyset...Okay FAT! child, who struggled with weight problems through adulthood, Stephen shares his tips and recipes for how he went from an out-of-control 320 pound person with diabetes, to his lean, mean, low-fat eating machine of 175. (Although he still refuses to wear a Speedo!) A self-help cookbook of epic proportions or actually epic portions, filled with all kinds of tips, anecdotes, it includes everything from real recipes, (like cheesecake, soup, and pasta) to how to get through the holidays without killing yourself instead of your relatives. You've tried everything else, try laughing your way to better health. Key features:

 Inspirational and humorous-tells Stephen Furst's story of overcoming his problems with weight and out-of-control diabetes
 Includes the recipes that helped Stephen lose 150 lbs. and manage his diabetes
 Tips for eating out at restaurants without sabotaging your diet

Stephen Furst has been an actor for the past 23 years, starring in the classic movie comedy Animal House and two multi-award winning television series-St. Elsewhere and Babylon 5. After tipping the scales at 320 lbs. even though he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 17, Stephen found himself in the hospital with the prognosis of a foot amputation. He decided to take charge of his life and dropped to his current weight of 175 pounds-where he has held steady for the last six years.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I finally see the light!, February 3, 2003

By 

Robin (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confessions of a Couch Potato (Paperback)

I highly recommend this honest, funny and motivating book! I have been on every diet that has been out on the market. These diets always left me starving. Thanks to Stephens book for the first time I finally see the light! This book teaches you that you can feel full while losing weight. Our media sells us starve yourself diets that don't work. This book points you in the right direction to eating healthier fat free foods and had great recipes. I have tried all of these recipes and can tell you I love them! Diabetics will find hope, courage and a good laugh in this book. Thank you Stephen for helping me finally really understand that I can lose weight (or maintain a healthy weight) and still feel full. I have read a many books on weight loss and it was Confessions of a Diabetic Couch Potato that finally made me see the light. Bravo Stephen!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book does anything but "flounder"!, December 29, 2005

By 

Jennifer Mooney "chickietutu" (Jacksonville, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confessions of a Couch Potato (Paperback)

What a fantastic memoire! I've enjoyed Furst's films for many years and was delighted to discover this book. I've struggled with weight my entire life and it seems like about this time (New Year's) every year I end up searching for another "diet" to follow. This year I get to say "NO" to the diet books and read Furst's book instead. Furst doesn't preach- he only shares his experience, his hope, and his fabulous sense of humor! The book will leave you feeling upbeat and ready to conquer the battle of the bulge using his sensible lifestyle recommendations that can be taylor-made to fit your life. You won't be hungry a moment and a guarantee you'll lose weight following his recommendations. Enjoy!