Customer Reviews

Life Doesn't Begin Five Pounds from Now

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am not your typical guy and I hate when books pander to men as though we are idiots who don't understand emotional compassion or intimacy. I have been looking for a book to better help me communicat with my wife and teenage daugthers. They most definitely speak in the Language of Fat - constantly asking if they look good in their clothing, always talking about food, and most times obsessing about losing weight. Many men (and women) can shake that off as just something women are supposed to talk about. But that is not OK for my girls or for my wife. Yet I wasn't sure how to answer it beyond "No" or "You look beautiful".

A co worker recommended this book as she had read Jessica's prior work and I found "Do I Look Fat In This" to be a super read. It was quick, funny, and full of insight for me as a husband and father. I must admit that the book cover was daunting to carry around but once I got to reading the tips and tools of what Weiner wrote I knew I had found the answer I was looking for.

I highly recommend this book to men out there who have women in their lives who ask this question. It is time as Weiner writes "to take action". It also has me questioning my own relationship to my body and watching carefully the language I speak.

Well done!

I loved Jessica Weiner's books A Very Hungry Girl and Do I Look Fat In This. Therefore, when I saw she had a "new" book out, I immediately ordered it from Amazon without paying attention to details. Please be aware that if you already own Do I Look Fat In This, you do not need to order Life Doesn't Begin 5 Pounds From Now; this is the same book with a different title and a new forward. So now I own two copies of this book with different covers, but I don't mind so much because it is filled with wonderful information for not-slim women like me. Guess I must have needed to re-read it, huh?

Women are burdened by learning early and well that unless they are slim and beautiful, they simply don't matter. Activist Jessica Weiner has been fighting this awful myth for years. In her new book she helps women see through the myth building that goes on all around them and gives them tools to be themselves. This is a great gift to women and those that love them.
Jessica, we're lucky to have you.

If you're tired of dieting, this may be the book for you. Jess's book is a breakthrough experience for anyone who has struggled with self-appearance and self-esteem....and isn't that most of us. She believes that by focusing on what others tell you are your shortcomings-- you miss opportunities to feel connected, sexy and powerful. Whether you're a size 2 , 12 or 22 or beyond-- you can benefit from Jess's words of wisdom. The motivational speaker, author and self-described "actionist" versus Activist...writes in plain English and tosses in some great motivational quotes from famous people and some fun facts about self approval and more. Twelve chapters plus an afterword are included..and the chapters are fun to read-- get this even if you don't have the time to read it-- just scan it and you'll benefit -- I promise...ANyway the chapters range from Decoding the Language of Fat...to the Famous or should I say infamous question most women ask daily "Do I look Fat in This? to "I Feel Fat" to If I were Thinner, He'd Love me" to Thunder Thighs Run in my Family to Ch 6-- I'd be so happy if I looked like a Celebrity to 7) Once I lose some weight..... to 8) All of my Friends are not and I'm not...9) But I'm jsut trying to be healthy to 11) [...] 12) Sorry I don't speak that language. Quizes, roleplaying experiences and fun quizes are interspersed with TAKE ACTION steps...Probably the most important thought though is that YOU CAN"T FEEL FAT -- because fat is not a feeling-- and if you read that section alone (I don't want to steal her thunder with her response to this) ...you'll benefit greatly...AN amazing lady and a fun, easy-to-read book that's great for girls above 12, teens, college chicks and women of any age...great to get this before the holiday parties start! Fun birthday gift...

I have been a psychotherapist for about as long as Jessica has been on the planet and a writer longer than that. From both of these vantage points I applaud this excellent book. Most of all, Jessica is honest and vulnerable in what she has to share and teach and it is that kind of genuine connection that really helps people heal. Buy 2 copies; you'll want to give one away.

I am a frequent reader of books on women's body image issues as I work with young women in high school and college. This book hands down provided me with the most realistic set of tools I could use to challenge the Language of Fat so prevelant in women's lives. I had never thought so much about how a simple phrase like "I feel fat" could really be a code phrase for something else. Weiner really lays out for us just how sabatoging this language can be in our lives. And better yet - leaves you with action steps to begin changing this language today. Women hating their bodies is an epidemic these days. Jessica Weiner is doing something about it and it works! I urge you to buy this book!

After reading Jessica Weiner's second (DO I LOOK FAT IN THIS?)book I am amazed at the clarity and thorughness she has. It is so true that women use the "language of Fat" constantly. Since reading this well written and enjoyable book I am working on listening more to my friends and trying to ask the question that will inspire them to move on in their lives. I too am working hard on being an "actionist". I intend to ive my life now, and "not 5 pounds from now". Thank you Jessica for deciphering a language we as women have spent too long on developing.
A sixty year old grandmother from Ft. Lauderdale

So many self-help-ish books pretend to offer the real deal. This one does. I just finished it last weekend and has already influenced how I feel about myself and others in my life. It is amazine, when you pay attention to it, how much our society is obsessed with food and weight. Weiner gives realistic, usable advice and a really soul-searching way.

I just read Jessica's article in CosmoGirl! magazine and she rules!! She is my new favorite role model. She always has the best advice for girls on how to stop hating their bodies. She is real and cool and lives her life now - not 5 pounds from now. After I read her article I asked my mom to get me her book. I am on page 56 and I can't stop reading it! It has a lot of grown up advice but it also has a lot of advice for girls my age, too. She just makes a lot of sense. Go buy her book. You rule, Jessica!!

I just saw Jessica on the Today show and she was great. Both me and my mom are reading her book now. It is the first time my mom is actually reading a book with me. I think too many of my friends read fashion magazines and worry about what diets they are on. I am going to be recommedning Jess's book to my friends instead. At least then they'll feel better about their lives instead of feeling like they always have to be skinny.