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

by Jami Bernard

Book Overview

Jami Bernard was fat and now she's not. In this riotously funny, intensely personal book she tells us how she did it. After trying countless diets and workout routines, she stopped dieting: She began... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1583332626
• ISBN13: 9781583332627
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Avery Publishing Group
• Length: 286 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Regain your Power

Don't let her awesome sense of humor and impeccable timing for comedic writing fool you, Jami's book is thoughtful and analytical. She has walked the walk, over the years gaining 100 lbs of excess weight. Her intellectual approach to finding out why, and learning how to change her life, are absolutely empowering. I had already lost 75 lbs myself when I found this book, but I consider it my best motivational tool. Maintenance is an ongoing, lifelong process, and when I need a jump-start, this is the book I reach for. I have a full shelf of weight management media, but Jami makes it fun. Not only can you join her on her merry way, you'll find that you want to. Sound advice and sensible exercise and eating plans have never been so fun! And weight management has never been so easy. Forget will-power, it's all about strategy, baby. Jami gives you the tools to triumph. You will finally learn how to shed your self-destructive behaviors and begin to enjoy food in a sane and healthy way. The fact that you will get your sexy, supple body back is almost second-best to the self-discovery you will enjoy. Jami faced her demons and regained her power, and she'll show you how you can too. Share her journey, benefit from her wisdom, pick up some great tips along the way, join her in lifelong weight management. And have a few laughs along the way. It doesn't get any better than this.

For Your Own Sake, Buy This Book!

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.

Wise and funny!

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!

"Progress, not perfection"

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.

Funny, insightful . .like she lived my life

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.