Tales From The Scale [Paperback]

Erin J. Shea (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

In Tales from the Scale, author Erin J. Shea - creator of the immensely popular "Lose the Buddha" weight-loss blog - puts together the best rants of some of the most prominent diet bloggers online today, creating a raw, real, and radically different look at losing weight. The Twinkie Defense: how they got fat in the first place; The Inner Fat Girl: the little voice that longs for an identity beyond her body; The Tenth Circle of Hell: Weight-in Day - facing the worst enemy: the scale; Fatty Clothes: for when you've given up

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Shea, who gained national attention with her weight-loss blog "Lose the Buddha" in 2003, presents a zesty, honest collection of stories following the triumphs and trials of several overweight women who "got to The Point and found their own map out of Big Girl Town." The book's format is similar to a blog, with short, informal entries, but rather than just sharing a lone blogger's struggle to shed pounds, it brings together tales by Shea and six of her girlfriends who also have diet blogs. Some of the pieces are tinged with bitterness, especially in their descriptions of other people's reactions to the writers' diet attempts and subsequent lack of support. Mainly, though, the women find humor and encouragement through shared experience. Shauna Marsh wonders why department stores always put plus-size clothes in inconvenient locations, like the basement or the top floor: "Perhaps the more remote the location, the less they have to acknowledge that the plus-size section even exists. Or maybe they think, The walk will do you good, fatty!" The writers take on other issues, too, like sex, fat camp, identity and life after weight loss. The savvy, amusing voices will provide a refreshing treat for any diet-weary woman. Agent, Stephanie Lee. (May)

Review

"…Anyone who has ever faced a weight problem, big or small, will find something to relate to in these pages…" -- The Wall Street Journal, November 28, 2005

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Polka Dot Press; First Edition edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593373287
• ISBN-13: 978-1593373283
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read Tales, May 5, 2005

By 

A. Smigiel "amberlynne" (Silver Spring, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales From The Scale (Paperback)

If you've ever been overweight, know and love someone who's overweight or ever looked at an overweight person and judged them to be something less than you, this is a book you must read.

These ladies are brutally honest, funny and poignant about their various experiences. And they are varied! Each of them have a unique perspective on the process of taking better care of your body and fitting in to those smaller jeans. You won't hear the same story twice and they all have something different to teach us. There is no set food plan or exercise routine that got them their success. In fact, they even disagree on things like the importance of the scale and whether or not Weight Watchers is the way to go. What they do agree on is that it's hard and it takes time.

I found myself laughing and crying, sometimes in the same paragraph. I practically sprained my neck nodding in agreement, too. Even if you have never struggled with your weight, you will see a piece of yourself in this book. I bet you've always wondered what was going through the mind of your daughter/wife/that girl you knew in college. How did they get that big? Why isn't it easy to just not overeat? Why does she wear such hideous shirts? The answers are inside and they will probably surprise you.

I feel like I should buy this book for everyone I know because between those covers is *me*. It was an amazing experience reading it and it reminded me I am not alone. I owe them all a debt of gratitude for making me laugh and cry, and most of all, giving me hope.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, April 7, 2006

By 

BookAddict (canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales From The Scale (Paperback)

This book is an interesting, humorous look at the lives of women who have 'found their way out of Big Girl Town'. I identified with these women and I wish there were more books like this one. I found the humor was terrific. More than that though, this book is honest about why these women became overweight. There is also no self-pity in this book. "I find it hard to blame my parent's divorce for why twenty years later I am wolfing down Cheetos like it's my job and I am gunning for a promotion". Great book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice reality check, October 1, 2006

By 

Carla Baku - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales From The Scale (Paperback)

It's all here, folks. Want to know how truly discouraging it is to buy plus-size clothes? Ever wonder how scary and all-consuming (pun) an office birthday party feels? Wonder what goes on in the heart of the big girl that is everyone's friend and no one's romance? There is a lot of genuine stuff between the covers of this book, and it is a very fast read. Heartfelt and heartening.