Customer Reviews

The Incredible Shrinking Critic: 75 Pounds and Counting: My Excellent Adventure in Weight Loss

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is the first book in months that I've picked up and not been able to put down till I finished it. I am so glad that I came across it before spending another nickel on some weight loss scheme or how-to book. I was once so tiny I could fit into a size 2, but after years of self indulgence woke up one day and looked into my full length mirror to find a size 22 staring back at me. Ms Bernard writes of a similar experience, and how it placed her in a position of self knowledge - no longer could she imagine herself as the svelte, seductive siren of her 20's. She had been on a roller coaster ride of eating plans, self indulgent food choices, in a mire of marketing methods encouraging her to eat, eat, eat. She discusses the influences of men, friends, and family dynamics on her perception of herself as a young girl and adult. She shares herself unstintingly, and in the end, it is her matured vision of herself that wins out.

Self knowledge being what it is, you are left with a couple of choices. Either you intentionally delude yourself and continue on a self destructive, unhealthy life path, or you wake up and start taking care of yourself one step at a time. Jami Bernard writes of her awakening with great compassion, humor, and skill. I consumed her book instead of food, licking my lips with satisfaction and feeling like I'd just been to the best seminar ever on growing up and facing yourself in the present. I found priceless truth in the pages, perhaps a kindred spirit. Ms Bernard reveals to me what I already suspected - that I can choose to live a healthy lifestyle involving exercise, nutritious foods, and supportive friends, or I can continue on my self destructive and excuse-ridden, painful descent into a life of infirmities. I already have been through more than enough trendy diet plans, yo-yo dieting, and the consequences - sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis, painful joints, etc.

I would love to share this book with everyone living in the purgatory of the overweight. I would love to see anyone searching for a way out of excessive eating stop being a victim and become empowered. Reading this delightful book was a key to my empowerment, now it rests with me to follow through.

I really enjoyed this book. Unlike a lot of books about weight loss and eating and exercise - this book is honest and funny and sensible. Bernard doesn't try to sell a particular method, diet, or path. Instead she offers up her story in a funny and honest way that really resonated for me. She provides lots of useful tips throughout the book as well but overall the book is more inspiration than roadmap. I highly recommend it!

This is the best book on weight loss I've ever read! I laughed all the way through it and could relate to almost every piece of it. I found myself smiling and nodding in agreement repeatedly...sometimes cheering! If you've stuggled with weight issues for a good part of your life do yourself a favor and buy this book. A week after I bought it I picked up a copy for a good friend and she finished it before me. I will go back for a second read through very soon. Jami gives sound advice and combines personal experience with research and facts. I can't say enough about this book.

I bought this book when it was plugged to me as a recommendation at a bargain price. I read half of it the first night, and parts of it were laugh out load hilarious. I do think it is worth the read. However, it was hard for me to finish for a few reasons. Mainly, not all of us are as well cultured, well traveled, and well off as the author. It was hard to feel sorry for her and especially to relate to her when she can go to spas, have expensive massages, go to the best gyms and have the best food (some of which I had no idea what it was since it appeared to be written in French).

I did like her approach and style of writing. I just felt like the book was written for somebody other than me, and the reviews had me believing otherwise.

I have read a lot of diet books, or should I say, I have started a lot of diet books. I know the fundamentals of weight loss and nutrition. I know what needs to be done to lose weight, yet, I seem totally unable to motivate myself. I keep thinking that if I can just read the "right" book, the one that makes sense to me, the switch in my brain will turn on. For ME (but maybe not you) this book is it. I feel like Jami exists in my head and I can totally relate to everything she writes.

It annoys me when people say "This book changed my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Obviously, I am the only person that can change my life. The steps and processes (in the weight loss journey) I have been going through (albeit very slowly, just like Jami) are more "real" and more of a "success" becuase I can identify that they are a step in the right direction. This book has allowed to be able to identify that I have made progress and will continue on if I stay in the right mindset.

On a side note, I enjoy reading Martha Beck's columns and have read portions of some of her books. I started reading her new diet book, "The 4 Day win." The 4 Day win is way too out there for me. I am a logical analytical person. I am a lawyer. Performing little tasks where I write questions with one hand and answer them with the other hand seems absolutely ridiuclous to me. I just don't see the connection between these types of psychologist games and weight loss. If you are turned off by this type of mumbo-jumbo, I highly recommend "The Incredible Shrinking Critic." There are no gimmicky tests and Q & A. It's obvious that Jami had done some soul-searching to see how her history led to her poor eating habits. Something that anyone can accomplish without resorting to chanting to induce deep relaxation while simulatneously writing random questions with your left hand and answering them with your right.

All in all, I highly recommend this book. I got a lot out of it and I didn't feel as it were written solely as a hyped-up marketing tool purely to make the publisher a few dollars.

I got the book today and am through the first 100 pages, and I love it. I find myself laughing out loud at her familiar stories of being overweight . .I would cry if I didn't laugh. I think she has the most realistic approach to weight loss that I have come across in a long time. Fad diets don't work. And how uncomfortable it can be to be overweight and working with/socializing with the thin, fabulous and sometimes famous. Her discomfort with her sexuality during her teens also strikes a cord. She is simply spot on with all her remarks. I advise this book if you are thinking about dieting or actually dieting, or even if you just know someone who struggles with overweight.

This book is definitely worth your while. it is laugh out loud funny, yet poignant at times as Jami recalls her life long experience without, with, and without again, the extra pounds. For anyone who has had to endure a weight loss journey (the indignities of it all!), this book is for you. Recommended.

I am going to buy this book for myself, and a few dear ones who are struggling with the whole weight thing. I borrowed it from the library and read it in one sitting! Now I want my own copy!

If like Jami (and me) and grew up thin, and suddenly looked in the mirror and saw this heavier version of yourself and wondered, "who the heck is that and how did I get here?" I think you'll find this book insightful and helpful and funny too!

I really, truly recommend this book also for your family and/or partner to read as well.

Jami is a General in the Fat Wars. She's been to Thinland and hasn't forgotten her friends trying to will their chubby frames across the town's stringent borders. Turns out you only need small daily changes built step by step to get in. She is empathethic, funny and practical.
Buy this and any other book she writes on weight and you'll be glad you did.

I have read so much about dieting, diets, what to do, what not to do, but the thing I always found missing was the motivational aspect.
This book is well written, and the story is something I can relate to. Nothing extreme happened! Jami simply grew fatter, and then fixed it. I love this book!