Just the Weigh You Are: How to be Fit and Healthy, whatever your size [Paperback]

Steven Jonas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1997

North America is currently in the midst of a backlash against dieting, and many physicians have begun to realize that it is more important to concentrate on total health rather than on weight control alone. Just the Weigh You Are shows readers the path to a healthy lifestyle, regardless of your weight. The authors' "Big Picture Plan for Health" encompasses self-acceptance, improved nutrition, moderate exercise designed for larger people, stress management, and also offers advice on how to control such unhealthy behaviors as smoking and excessive drinking.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

What a refreshing outlook! Steven Jonas, M.D., and fitness journalist Linda Konner assert that you can get fit and healthy whatever your size. Just the Weigh You Are affirms that whether or not you are genetically able to get slim, you can get healthy and feel good about your body. "You may stop dieting now," say Jonas and Konner. According to the authors, weight is only one of the factors that determine your overall health, and the other risk factors are easier to handle and to control. The book includes profiles of fit, healthy role models who happen to weigh 200, 250, 300 pounds, or more. All work out daily, have normal blood pressure and low cholesterol, and live fulfilling lives.

Just the Weigh You Are presents clear, friendly, and motivating information about health-risk evaluation, nutrition ("eating for health"), exercise, and stress reduction, with checklists that personalize the information. The goal is to make changes to increase health while shedding the "get thin" attitude. Once the pressure to slim down is lifted, you may find you enjoy healthy eating and exercise much more. If you've tried unsuccessfully to lose weight, you'll find this book wonderfully affirming, freeing, and enlightening. --Joan Price

Review

"If you're ovreweight and low on self-esteem, this book is for you." -Richard Simmons

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (March 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576300269
• ISBN-13: 978-1576300268
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,880,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A groundbraeking book, June 18, 2000

By 

Mary G. Longorio "Texasbookgirl" (Eagle Mountain, UT) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just the Weigh You Are: How to Be Fit and Healthy, Whatever Your Size (Paperback)

In this world of weight loss and diet books, finally a book that makes sense. Just The Weigh You Are is a no nonsense book that encourages people, no matter what size, to live healthier lifestyles. Between some of the chapters are the personal stories of people from all walks who have battled with weight and self image issues all their lives. This is a very straight-forward, no nonsense book which gives real insight into taking better care of yourself, stopping self-loathing and taking control. Whether you are thinking of losing some pounds or struggling with self acceptance, it is a must read.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A REAL BOOK FOR REAL WOMEN!, December 29, 2001

By 

Marie A Luciano (Riverside, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just the Weigh You Are: How to Be Fit and Healthy, Whatever Your Size (Paperback)

Finally a book that does not make Plus Size sound FAT and unhealthy. I think this book is great and gives a realistic approach to weight. Not a "Diet" book but a "real life" book that you can apply to your own lifestyle whatever you size is.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Focus on Health, not Weight, August 31, 2000

By 

Mayflower Girl "amazon-junkie since 1996" (Albany, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Just the Weigh You Are: How to Be Fit and Healthy, Whatever Your Size (Paperback)

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! It does a great job of encouraging people of all sizes to make little changes in their lives that will lead to improved health, not necessarily weight loss (although that could happen as well). What I really liked about this book was that their beginning program was designed for true beginners! Most beginning exercise programs start with 30 minutes 3-4 times/week. The goal of this book is to get you into the habit of exercising, not tire you out at the beginning. It starts you with 3 10-minute sessions for the first two weeks. You can do that! You gradually build to doing 3 30-minute sessions over 13 weeks. The book doesn't leave you there, either... it offers a phase 2 intermediate program and then a choice of 2 phase 3 maintenance programs. One which is more challenging than the other. The book is filled with profiles of large active fit people--regular people and celebrities--which are truly encouraging. There are aerobics instructors who weigh more than 200 pounds, people over 300 pounds as well. People of every size proving that you can be large and fit and healthy. The book also covers healthy eating, emotional eating, and other topics. One thing I really liked about this book is that they also talked about other topics related to health, such as wearing seat belts, going to the doctor for a Pap smear, and quiting smoking. All in all, a motivating empowering book! Also check out Glenn Gaesser's "Big Fat Lies" and Marilyn Wann's "Fat!So?".