The Weight-Loss Diaries
From Shape magazine’s popular “Weight-Loss Diary” columnist comes a hilarious, sometimes heartwrenching look at the daily struggle of dieting In this frank and funny book, Courtney Rubin shares what she learned a. . . More >>
This book had all the hallmarks of a diet memoir: it was self-indulgent, solipsistic, whiny and asinine. After reading it I ate a pint of Haagen Dazs Vanilla and decided that I blame nobody but myself. It was liberating. I am so sick of people who sit around name-dropping and blame everybody–their mother, their sister, their friends–for their fat butts. The worst part of this book was that it wasn’t even well-written! Courtney should quit her day job.
Rating: 1 / 5
I gave it two stars rather than one because the book did hold my interest throughout the entire reading. It is amazing to me how many people blame their weight problems on “their mother”. Please enough already – maybe if when you were very young your mother fed you tons of goodies I could understand but after you left home to keep blaming your mother for what YOU put in your mouth is ridiculous.
Rating: 2 / 5
I hated her column in Shape but I was having a fat moment and decided to read her book anyway and man, oh, man, it blew. What a whiny drama queen!
All she does is blame and refuse to take any responsibility for the fact that her weight loss project sh^t the bed becasue she has no control over her eating. Wah. Po’ Coutney. Have another Jumbo muffin.
Rating: 2 / 5
I remember Courtney Rubin! In fact, I followed her story faithfully in SHAPE magazine (where I’m actually a success story in the June 2004 issue. ) I personally could relate to so much of the turmoil Courntey Rubin faced in her struggles to get the weight off – I could FEEL her frustration and emotions. I genuinely hope to hear more from this talented writer in the future.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a fantastic book, written with such honesty and humor. For anyone who has struggled with weight loss and gain or with any self esteem issues, it will definitely strike a chord. You won’t feel so alone after reading blow by blow what someone else has been through. Not only do you get helpful insight about exercising and avoiding crash diets, but the book also focuses on all the stressors young women have to face during their teens, twenties, and thirties. The author talks about the difficulties of balancing one’s independence with fitting into old roles/routines that families and friends expect of us. This book really ought to be used by all-female book groups because it will spark a lot of discussion. I’ve already recommended it to my sister, mother, co-worker, and co-worker’s daughter. Most of all, Rubin’s writing style is just plain funny! And as a woman from Generation X, I enjoyed a lot of the details the author included–things like reading the Ramona the Pest books or the reading about the Sweet Valley High twins.
Rating: 5 / 5