Books
Self-Esteem Comes in All Sizes: How to Be Happy and Healthy at Your Natural Weight by Carol A. Johnson, M.A. with a foreword by Gary Foster, Ph.D.
Carol A. Johnson is a therapist and founder of Largely Positive which is a support group for large sized people, both ment and women. This book is upbeat, and Johnson’s positive thinking is an inspiriation to anyone fighting their weight, fighting to accept their weight and fighting for self- esteem. This book has given many the confidence to live life, enjoy the moment, not to hide and to finally accept themselves. Carol A. Johnson’s personality shines through in this book and truly warms the reader seek esteem and confidence.
Bountiful Women: Large Women’s Secrets for Living the Life They Desire by Bonnie Bernell with an introduction by Carmen Renee Berry
Bonnie Bernell, author of ‘Bountiful Women…’, is a psychologist in California who wants to help and empower the women in this country who are generally dismissed, put down or at times discriminated against in this country by employers, the press, the general public – and sometimes even their own family and friends. The book contains not just encouragement, but real-life ideas about how to deal with judging or unkind comments and other practical challenges a larger-sized person encounters in daily life.
Bernell, herself a “bountiful woman,” also addresses the much-overlooked subject of love and romance for the larger population. I think my favorite part of the book can be summed up by the Chapter Titles in Section Four: ‘Bountiful and Sexy’ · ‘To Flirt or Not to Flirt’ · ‘Creating a Safe Place to Meet Interesting People’ · ‘Friends or Lovers?’ · ‘Love Comes in All Sizes’
This book addresses acceptance and the whole person, inside and out.
Sexy at Any Size: The Real Woman’s Guide To Dating and Romance by Katie Arons with Jacqueline Shannon contributing
Katie Arons writes about gaining confidence and how to attract the right kind of man for you – no matter what size you are! She offers encouragement, inspiration and real, practical advice on where to find the “right” kind of man for you, the best places to meet them, style tips for larger-sized ladies and more. There are also a multitude of real-life and on-line resources in the book. This book can definitely go a long way towards boosting one’s confidence.
Wake Up, I’m Fat! by Camryn Manheim
Camryn Manheim won an Emmy Award for her work on the television show ‘The Practice.’ She is also a “fat” girl (in her own words) and has written a book called “Wake Up, I’m Fat!” The very title of this book screams acceptance. It not only announces to the world that she has accepted herself, but it challenges the world to accept her.
Having fought her way up through the ranks in a field that is known to be very shallow and unforgiving where a person’s looks and size are concerned, she definitely has courage and strength and a lot to say on the matter.
The book was born out of her one-woman show on the subject, and is both humorous and deeply insightful.
FAT!SO? : Because You Don’t Have to Apologize for Your Size by Marilyn Wann
Marilyn Wann want the world to know that we should be happy – no matter what size we are. She is frank, open and actually very funny. This book tells us we can feel good about ourselves, be stylish, be confident and most of all just live our lives.
This is not your ordinary book, either. Fat!So? grew out of a ‘zine into a website, then branched off into this book. The book contains activities, games, drawings and more. It’s as much fun as Marilyn Wann herself and just as empowering.
The Fat Girl’s Guide to Life by Wendy Shanker
Despite being really funny (what is it about us “fat girls” and humor – apparently a lot of us develop humor as a defense in life), Wendy Shanker’s book has some real and important information. It addresses many elements of life for a larger-sized person, but contains some very good information about the health care industry when it comes to “overweight.” She says, “”Let’s take the focus off ‘fat’ and put it on health.”
And as a person who has tried as many diets, programs, pills, books, etc. as she has, you know that is advice she has come to the hard way. She came to her acceptance after fighting hard for years to lose weight. So she knows a huge bit what she is talking about.
There is a lot to relate to for many people in this book. And if a few people outside of it’s “core audience” would read it (i.e. non-larger-sized people), it could be very enlightenting and educational as well. This book is about acceptance of ourselves and promotes hope we can gain acceptance from others.
