Book review: “The Big Skinny”
From Sunday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
California cartoonist Carol Lay dispenses common-sense advice and heartfelt personal experiences about weight loss, nutrition and exercise in a fast and fun format with “The Big Skinny: How I Changed My Fattitude” (Villard Books, 195 pages, $10).
In the memoir, Lay details how she came to terms with her lifelong weight problems and ultimately shed pounds and kept them off. In the sometimes touching, often comical and pointedly practical graphic novel, the artist-turned-author discusses how she used diet pills, hypnosis and Weight Watchers to lose weight only to see the fat make a comeback.
Shortly before she turned 50, Lay set out to change her life, dropping pounds by scrupulously counting and writing down her calories and exercising daily.
“Calorie counting is neither difficult nor easy – I’ve found it requires diligence and rigorous honesty – but once I got the hang of it I knew I was changing my life for the better,” she writes.
Lay details her specific diet plans, her calorie counting method and some simple exercise moves she likes. She also shares sample diet plans, abbreviated calorie charts and healthy recipes.
Most important, Lay forthrightly shares the humiliations, challenges and successes related to weight loss.
While I don’t agree with some of her approaches – Lay eschews red meat and dairy – I found her story relatable and inspirational. I’ve incorporated a modified version of her methods and already experienced success.
Even people who don’t feel compelled to apply Lay’s well-illustrated ideas to their own life, her story certainly will make readers more aware of their health choices.
- BAM
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