Monica Parker’s Getting Waisted: A Survival Guide to Being Fat in a Society That Loves Thin
This is a memoir, taking readers back to the time before she was born and seems to suggest that she was pre-destined to be fat with the various issues she faced right from the time she was born. Food, became Monica’s drug of choice as she ate her way from being a chubby baby to a large adult, feeling neglected and alone, laughed at and becoming the butt of many fat-jokes.
As you journey with Monica through her many attempts at dieting and weight loss, you cannot help laugh out loud and yet have something she says clutch at your heart. She begins each chapter with a diet she committed to, how much weight she lost as a result, how much money she spent on it, and self-esteem she lost in the process, and finally how she gave up on the diet.
For me, the beauty of ‘Getting Waisted’ is its honesty and humour. To get a glimpse of Monica’s delightful style of writing, sample this:
I knew how to lose weight! I had done it over and over again. I had a gold star for losing weight and a platinum one for gaining it back: fifteen pounds lost, thirty-five found; sixty pounds lost, a hundred pounds found. Off it came and on it went like a cheesy “lights on, lights off ” Clapper, just as it does for 90-plus percent of those who lose weight. But do you ever wonder where the fat goes? Those hundreds of thousands of pounds lost every year —lost and then found. I’m no scientist but I do have a hypothesis. Fat doesn’t just disappear. These “fatoms” circle high above the hole in the ozone, just waiting for one bad hair day, one teeny emotional meltdown, a mini-rejection and WHAM! Fat always finds its way back home.
As you can see, she very skillfully weaved in the fact that many overweight people know – a lot of fat is born in one’s head – our perception of ourselves and feeling overwhelmed, stressed or depressed can cause one to overeat.
Do watch Monica Parker’s video introducing Getting Waisted and highlighting how difficult it is to live in a Thin World!
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For people, like me, who have struggled with weight issues (both real and perceived) the book is truly inspiring, because it tells us that everyone has issues, and fat is just another one. We can choose to be interesting, fun and fabulous – no matter what size we are!
This post is written for the letter ‘G’ for the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014. José and I are doing the Challenge on From 7Eight too.
Sounds like an interesting read…I quite like your choice of books Corinne…:)
nabanita recently posted..Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat…It’s not your fault!
It was fun and wise, Naba. And thanks – but books find me! 😉
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Immortal Nelson Mandela Quotes
I used to be extremely fat in my childhood all the way till 12th.. My waist was 37 and I used to weigh around 85. Even my nickname in school was golu. I never cared for the jokes then and never tried to reduce either. A chance drink of the dreaded Delhi roadside drinking water gave me jaundice and that shrunk me from that 37 to 26 and weight to 50. I never reached my original figure after that 🙂
PhenoMenon recently posted..Gymnema sylvestre
Ouch! Not a pleasant way to lose the weight.
Damaria Senne recently posted..G is for Garlic
Looks like an inspiring read. Loved the humor and honesty in writing! Yes, as you rightly mentioned, all people have issues and for some fat is an issue, so I believe, it is truly important to be happy in your own skin.
Shilpa Garg recently posted..G is for Giving
This looks like another interesting read. The excerpt really speaks well of the humour in the writing, and the bindaas attitude of the author. Thanks Corinne for bringing to our attention so many good books – through this and your other blog.
Beloo Mehra recently posted..G is for Gradual, Law of Graduality; Guidance, An Inner Guidance
I am into Paul McKenna’s weight loss programme, it worked when I lived in Spain but not so well here in the UK. Perhaps ought to change reading.
Loved the post.
Yvonne.
How inspiring! I’d love to read this book. I\’ve always had weight issues that have impacted my self esteem. I have been going to Weight Watchers to change my lifestyle and accept myself the way I am. I still struggle with emotional eating. It\’s too bad society isn\’t more accepting of the fact that we come in all shapes and sizes. Most women are on the larger size anyhow and that\’s just fine. Health above all is what matters.
Sounds like a great read! And that’s a great perspective Corinne! I remember once there was this guy I knew…He was quite on the heavier side (140-150kg!) and once someone asked him about his weight. HE looked back, smiled and said, “I am created in GOd’s image so I don’t have a problem with it.” I guess perspective changes a lot of things!
Danny Simon recently posted..G for Giver
I have a family member who went through this for years. She calls it ping pong dieting, and now regrets having spent so many years focused on her weight instead of enjoying life. I am very sensitive to weightism. There is an advertisement next to my Facebook page that I’d swear they placed there to taunt me. It’s for “plus size” swimsuits, but all of the models look like they’re my size, so the swimsuits are sagging on them. No underarm sag, no belly bulge–what are they trying to say? “We made these swimsuits because you deserve to feel attractive in your clothes, too, but we’re still going to feed social prejudice by using itsy bitsy teeny weeny models!” Sorry–it’s my daily rant!
I was actually pretty slim until puberty hit and then it hit the fan. My family moved 2/3 the way across the country when I was 9 or 10. Besides the esteem issues I already had, dealing with being “the new kid” sent me heading towards the kitchen for some comfort. I had hoped, when nursing my firstborn got be below my pre-pregnancy weight within 6 weeks, my troubles would be over. Such was not the case. I gained and lost the same 8 pounds all through my 3rd pregnancy because I was determined not to hit a weight ‘milestone’.
I’ve requested it on NetGalley and TBR’d it on Goodreads.
LuAnn Braley recently posted..#AtoZChallenge – Gratefulness and Proverbs 31
Sounds like an interesting read. I gave up dieting decades ago. I was a chubby baby who grew into an overweight teenager into an overweight adult. I only realised later that as a child, I was not as fat as I thought in my mind. I have since lost most of the extra weight(the scale and people around tell me) by eating well and being physically active, but when I look at myself in the mirror, I see every kilogram I reputedly lost. It’s a very skewed and unreliable perspective of one’s self.
Damaria Senne recently posted..G is for Garlic
I gave up trying to fit the BMI (body/mass index) suggestions here in the US. According to that chart, I am obese. Really? I am 61.235 kg (used a converter from pounds) and am 4’11. I don’t look obese at all.
I just say to heck with it and focus on the real measure of beauty – am I happy?
YUP!
Cristina recently posted..G is for Grace
Losing weight is one of the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. I have never been that successful with it. ♥
Kathy recently posted..G is for Ghost
Thanks for the nice review. The glimpse of the text is cheesy and humorous . Will try to read after this challenge is over :-).
Jayanta Tewari recently posted..Humility : Knowledge Gives Humility
Hey Corinne, Thanks for this. in the last 8 months I have put on 10 kgs 🙂 so I am still learning to accept myself and yes I must add am a bit lazy also.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful post !
Ananya Kiran recently posted..HATRED
Aah 😀 Weight !! Something we all, especially women keep bothering about 😉 I joined the league after my daughter was born, and I’m still trying hard to shed the post-delivery weight 🙂 Thanks for this inspiring post, Corinne 🙂 There’s always something happening to reinforce our faith in ourselves 🙂
Sreeja Praveen recently posted..A to Z Random Post # 8 H – Holding on !
“I knew how to lose weight! I had done it over and over again.” Monica’s words are so true. Losing weight, like giving up smoking, is easy. Many people have done it many times.
One must be aware of, but not obsessed about, weight, size, etc.. It’s more important to be healthy.
Proactive Indian recently posted..Honesty
I already like her. The excerpt is hilarious 😀 and I am sure many would be able to relate to it. Her style of writing is indeed delightful
I kind of want to read the book ..
simple girl recently posted..AtoZchallenge – H for hing er kochuri….
Well, I am no way related to the weight management concept!! Luckily, it gets managed itself!!! However, seeing the ladies comment here about post delivery weight gain :O I am afraid *faints* I love my curves and figure 🙁 🙁 Anyways you review makes me curious about the book!!
S(t)ri recently posted..Have A Trick Up To One’s Sleeve – AToZ Challenge 2014 – Day8
U know I hv come to realise people pickig on u for being fat – well more oft thjan not it gives thjem sadistic pleasures! So my mantra now is to laugh it off loudly n deny them tht happiness.. smart no 😉
Meena Menon recently posted..Holidaying @ Ooty
fat is beautiful….people will love you ….:)
Pratikshya Mishra recently posted..Writing a New Chapter to Their Half Stories..
This sounds like an interesting book! I think fat can be beautiful, you just have to have confidence in yourself first. Which is easier said than done, as I know from experience. I think more important than being thin or fat is being fit, and that comes from eating good, wholesome food and getting some exercise.
Modern Gypsy recently posted..{H} My favorite things: beginning with the letter H
Hi Corinne
Sounds like a fun read. Is there anyone that hasn’t had to fight this? Oh yes, my sister she is surprised when she weighs 101 1/2 lbs, she does count the 1/2 like it is a milestone. She is very slender and I have not seen a 100 lbs since I was maybe in the 9th grade.
I was reading the other day about people that lift weights and no matter how much they lift or how often they don’t bulk up. The reason is that they don’t believe that they can…so I got to thinking if it is all about mind over matter then why not change what we tell ourselves. I am trying this and believing this. “Whatever I do or eat I will lose body fat.” It is important it is body fat and not weight, don’t want to lose muscle or water.
Mary
Mary Stephenson recently posted..God Bless The Rat!
Sounds like a really interesting book, one I can relate to easily especially now when the weighing scale refuses to budge downwards irrespective of what I do. Thanks for the review Corinne.
Archana recently posted..Knowledge is Vital