Review: Such A Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster
by Jenners • 07/31/2010 • 4 Stars, L Authors, Memoir, S Titles • 19 Comments
2 words that describe the book―Weight-Loss Memoir
3 setting where the book took place or characters I met
- Setting: Chicago, Modern Day
- Jen Lancaster has created a cottage industry of sorts writing her special brand of memoir-lite, which are filled with her trademark snark and wit. This time around, she chronicles her efforts to lose weight.
- Fletch is Jen’s long-suffering husband, who must endure her attempts at dieting and the mood swings that accompany it. Plus he isn’t allowed to eat anything that he wants to eat without suffering severe consequences.
4 things I liked or disliked about the book
- I liked how Jen Lancaster is down-to-earth and totally relatable in her efforts to lose weight. I cannot stand when people write about trying to lose weight and don’t acknowledge the misery and struggle that accompanie it. Jen has real reactions to her attempts to lose weight … including frequent starts and stops, failures, and constant temptations by food that isn’t so good for you.
- I liked how Jen talks honestly and openly about the three weight loss programs she tried. Her first attempt to “do it herself” was a dismal failure. (As it always is for me too.) She next tries Jenny Craig, and although she sees some results, she dislikes how the program relies heavily on using prepackaged food. She is also open about the difficulties she has with her various counselors. She finally tries Weight Watchers (a program she disliked in the past) and finds that it works for her. (From personal experience, Weight Watchers is the only program that has ever worked for me too. The thing is I don’t necessarily stick with it.)
- I disliked how Jen finds that regular exercise is a key part of a successful weight loss program. As someone who loathes exercise and continually starts and stops exercising, I hated hearing this. Deep down, I know there is no way around it. If you really want to lose weight and feel good, you have to exercise. Jen’s experiences with a personal trainer were inspiring, and her eventual drive to exercise even when no one was forcing her to communicated to me that, at some point, you probably do end up feeling better if you exercise. I’ve just never gotten far enough in the whole exercising thing to experience that myself.
- I liked how Jen is funny, utterly relatable and honest about her weight loss journey. This is a fun book to read whether or not you care about losing weight or not. I’ve read two other Jen Lancaster books, and I thought this was her most focused. If you are on a weight loss journey yourself, Jen would be an ideal companion to have along the way–one who will make you laugh, inspire you, and remind you that you’re not the only one who struggles with your love of food and making time to go to the gym.
5 stars or less for my rating:
I’m giving the book 4 stars. I’m a big fan of Jen Lancaster, and I thought this book was one of her better ones. It is even my guess that you might even lose some calories from laughing as you read! If you’re looking for light, funny memoir written by a gal you could imagine being one of your best friends (or you), Jen Lancaster is your woman.
The Whys and Wheres: I really enjoy Jen Lancaster, and I’m slowly working my way through all her books. I got my copy from Paperback Swap and will be sending it to Rebecca at Lost In Books, who is going to send me copies of the Jen Lancaster books she has that I haven’t read yet. Ahhh…the joys of swapping with fellow book bloggers!
What are other book bloggers saying about this book? Find out at the Book Blogs Search Engine.
This one sounds good. I'm still trying to lose that last 15 pounds!
I have already asked Jason for a WW online membership for Christmas. He says it's not appropriate, but I don't care!
I can really relate to the struggle to lose weight. I've been exercising regularly lately and not losing weight. I'm sure it has something to do with my sugar and chocolate addictions (and coffee and cheese…). It's such a struggle to eat healthy and exercise.
Somehow I keep thinking "I've exercised so that means more chocolate, right?"
I agree. Exercise sucks. I try to like it but it's the one thing that I cannot do regularly and all of these weight loss books and memoirs keeps pushing it. Grrr.
I have a co-worker here that works out 3 times a day. I know!! So weird!
i really enjoy jen lancaster and all of her crazy footnotes. her last book left a bit to be desired but she generally leaves me laughing!
I haven't read this one but read Bitter is the New Black and My Fair Lazy, loved them both.
I think exercise is a conspiracy and am just waiting for it to be exposed!!
This sounds like a good one, Jen does sound down to earth.
Great review!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Considering I've struggled with my weight my entire adult life (which is now the majority of my life), I think I would really enjoy this. Count me as another one who dislikes exercise.
I love Jen Lancaster's books – this was the first of hers that I read. Having tried to lose weight multiple times in my life I related to her journey.
I wrote a previous comment, have no idea what happened to it. Anyway. I love your dislike. I hate exercise
I do it, I have yet to have more energy as they claim. I'm going to the Dr. for my physical on WED. and if I'm healthy, to heck with the diet, and exercise. I'm living my life the way I know how. Eat healthy and get off the couch. Which I do. Love your review. You're very good at this.
Guess what? I READ ALL THREE "TATTOO" books IN ONE WEEK. Couldn't put them down. Just finished "Little Bee." Now that one should have come with a warning label. Wonderful writing, such a wrenching tale. xoxo molly
I haven't tried Lancaster's work yet, but I really want to because everyone seems to love her humor. I haven't struggled with weight loss so this might not be the one for me to start with.
I need to jump on this author's bandwagon. I have spent my entire life on diets. But see, I love food and wine, and I won't give it up permanently. I will say that no matter what I am eating or not eating, I always exercise. I hate it, don't get me wrong. But the audios! It is my only "me" time with them (well, exercising and cleaning the house) and it makes it all worth it. I can honestly say because of audios, I don't really mind drudgery anymore. Now I'm off to clean the pool and to try to get through another disc of The Passage.
I think she's right about the Jenny C use of packaged food. Who is going to live like that when they are through with the program? Nobody! WW does work but my problem, like yours, is in sticking with it. *sigh* there are no magic answers, I guess.
Hehe, your dislike
. Me too but tg for audiobooks – makes it a bit less painful.
Jenners,
Since we both loathe exercise, maybe we can come up with a way to lose weight and keep it off without??? The you and me will be thin and RICH!
You made my husband laugh out loud with your "dislike". That's why I love ya!
I would knock off points for her insistence on exercise. Doesn't she know any magic so we don't have to?!!!
This is gonna sound so lame, but her foot-note style of writing was a total deal breaker for me. Which sucks because there a gazillion and four reasons why I should love her.
I would definitley hang out with her in the city any chance I got. She seems like a lot of fun and hilarious.
Having to pay attention for a footnote, stop, look down, read, look back up, scan for where I was at, get back into story… in a chick lit book… was way too much work for me and more importantly took me too much out of the story to keep my attention to care to keep reading her.