This Is Why You’re Fat Sparks the F-word Debate
June 15, 2010 by Jenn
We were recently hipped to Jackie Warner’s new book, This Is Why You’re Fat (And How to Get Thin Forever): Eat More, Cheat More, Lose More—and Keep the Weight Off. Because we adore most things that Ms. Warner touches, we knew we had to check it out. While the book title may not be, er, succinct, it does get the point across: You are FAT and I will help you get thin. See? I have redonkulous abs to prove I can do it.
Okay, I’m prematurely hating and I’m definitely judging a book by its cover, but this seems like cheap marketing to me. Jackie is the shiznit! She knows her stuff, and she knows how to do it the right way—plus the book is filled with sane (and cutting-edge!) nutritional advice, tips to stop emotional eating and really effective workout plans. But the book cover? It just turned me off.
Soapbox, please. Thanks.
When I see the word “fat,” I think “hate” or “ugly” or, even, “not good enough.” In my mind, if you call yourself fat, you’re hating on yourself and not honoring the person you are inside and out.
If you are overweight and are unhealthy and are wanting to change, declaring yourself as ugly isn’t—in my opinion—the best way to go about it. I had negative self talk about my body for years until I finally recognized it for what it was. Once I started overriding it, my choices and outlook began to change. I learned how to replace “You have a fat stomach and you’ll never be as good as [enter any skinny girl who was near]” with “You’re strong and making healthy choices—what does someone else have to do with that?” Basically, I learned to never talk to myself any differently than I would a best friend. And I wouldn’t call a best friend fat. I might be concerned with her unhealthy habits or sedentary lifestyle and talk to her about how to change those, but I wouldn’t use the “F” word.
I know there are plenty of people out there who have reclaimed the word fat, and by no means do I think anyone should be treated differently because of his or her size. Sure, my take on it may be a little P.C. and very much wrapped in semantics, but when it comes to how we see and view ourselves, fat is a disrespectful word. And it’s a word that doesn’t make anyone feel good. Unless it’s phat, in which case, rock on.
I’m sure that by using that word on the cover (and that body), she’ll definitely sell a lot of copies and probably change hundreds—if not thousands—of lives of people who actually pick it up, read it and follow her advice. (And by all means, this is not the first book to use this technique; it’s just the first one we’ve reviewed that I had such a reaction to.) The book really is filled with some good, good information, including research that I haven’t seen elsewhere and some killer workout plans.
But do the ends justify the means? Or are we further perpetuating a culture that hates fatness, yet mostly is, in fact, overweight? Are we trying to hate ourselves into change?
I think we all know this post is less about a book and more about a cultural norm, but, still, the sensationalism doesn’t sit well with me. If you tore the cover off, I’d adore the book. But with it on? It just makes me twitch and, obviously, stand up and shout. —Jenn
Want to read Jackie Warner’s new book and decide for yourself? Leave a comment and we’ll pick one random U.S. winner to win it!
Totally agree with you on the cover. And the redonkulous abs! LOL! I’d love to see what she has to say on emotional eating!
I have been hearing a lot about this book lately, but mostly just due to its title. I would love to see what the content is.
I’ve heard a lot about this book too. Jackie’s body is ridiculous…unbelievable. I never thought too much about the word ‘fat,’ but now you’ve given me some food for thought
Is it possible that I’m the only person in the world that hasn’t heard about Jackie Warner? I’d love to learn what she’s all about (besides maybe a bit rude)…
>I’m sure that by using that word on the cover (and that body), she’ll definitely sell a lot of copies and probably change hundreds—if not thousands—of lives of people who actually pick it up, read it and follow her advice.<
To me, this is all that matters. She put out a book that is probably going to help a lot of people. We are nattering about her word choice. Admittedly, the subject of negative self-talk and the use of the word "fat" is a valid subject, but in this case it's just a sideshow. The real issue is, will her book be effective?
Dan
Casual Kitchen
I have never heard of her until this point. I am very turned off by the title and quite frankly, would be pretty embarrassed to buy it in a store.
I am however, pretty interested to see reviews on it. She may have some great advice and tips, I just think the title is a little out there.
I love your post today! That is what so many of us live with hour by hour. But, for me, taking the emotions out of eating meant learning to take the emotions out of words. They are just words. Fat can be a hateful, judgmental, dig at someone or it can mean so many other things. You are soooo correct with the cover, the title immediately uses the word to stir emotions that something is SOOOO wrong with you. But the bottom line…we can’t change other people, we can’t change marketing techniques, we can only change ourselves……What an AWESOME post!
I agree that the title is not \politically correct\ yet I applaud encouraging personal responsibility for one’s health status.
I’ve watched Jackie’s workout show and enjoyed it a lot. I would love to read this book to see what Jackie says about nutrition.
I would LOVE to read this book. Jackie tends to know her stuff,f rom what I’ve seen of her. But yes, the book title is quite a shocker. But… on the other hand, do you think that may be what they were going for? The shock value does bring your attention right to it. I wouldn’t have personally done it that way, but I don’t have abs of steel, so what do I know.
I had never heard of Jackie Warner before this post, and have to agree: what a terrible title! Let’s banish “fat” and “thin”- I’d much rather be FIT and HEALTHY than thin.
I use the word fat for myself, although never for someone else – am in the process of setting up a fitness plan for myself (your website is a great source of inspiration – you both are role models for me!) Would love to take a look at this book
I have both her dvds and love them. I would love a chance to see what her book has to offer.
I’m not a big fan of the word FAT, either, but I do think that the book would be interesting to read. Maybe I will get those abs, haha.
Not sure how I feel about this title. I would never call anyone fat, but maybe some people need to be told it. So many overweight people that I know truly have NO idea why they are overweight. They swear they eat healtfully and not too much, that they exercise. Most blame their genes. We all know that’s not really their problem. Maybe they do need to be told in the most basic way possible “THIS is why”.
Then again, it’s kinda mean.
Just want to add – don’t ever give this book as a gift to someone! Can you imagine opening that up?? Talk about mean! lol
“In my mind, if you call yourself fat, you’re hating on yourself ”
Horse hockey.
I’m fat. There’s nothing there about self-hate. It’s a simple fact. I’m fat. I weigh 40 more pounds than I should (which is better than the 250 I weighed when I started out, granted). My belly is too big. My thighs rub together when I walk. My clothes don’t fit right (although they fit better than they used to).
I’m fat.
Until I realized and accepted that I was fat, I wasn’t prepared to do anything about it. “Overweight”, “heavy”, “unhealthy” … those are all politically correct euphamisms to hide the fact that most of us don’t want to admit that WE’RE FAT.
People need to quit putting their emotional baggage onto factual words. Admit that you’re fat – not in a self-hating way, but in a simple factual way – and you’ll be in a better position to actually do something about it.
Fat is just a word, means exactly the same thing as overweight. Either way, we all need to take ownership of our own fitness and health and if being upfront is the only way to get people to pay attention and make the changes they need, then maybe that’s what is needed.
I’m intrigued by the book – I caught her on Joy Behar’s show the other night, and in defense of her title, she said the following:
“I titled it this to let people exactly know what is making them fat. So, again, being fat is not necessarily a problem. There`s a lot of factors that stack up against you in our society in America. But staying fat once you get some very basic tools such as I lay out in the book, that is — that is your problem, that is your responsibility.”
So while it may be offensive on its face, I’m willing to dig a little deeper and give it a chance to see if there’s as much substance to her effort as she thinks… even though it is harsh.
Wow! It’s amazing how simple words can elicit such emotions! I’d have to say though that it’s just an adjective to describe a body type, and if people attach emotion to it, that’s their choice. I’d love to read the book and see what’s it’s all about though!
@Kara I agree!
I view saying “I’m fat” as more of a statement of fact than trying to be emotional. I think what’s emotional is what comes after it. That’s the “what are you going to do about it” point in the self-talk. That’s where you need to be really positive.
But let’s be honest, I want those abs. It will happen…someday…probably right around the time when I complete an Iron Man (<– one of my many Life Goals). Whatever the cover says, I'd love to read the book!
I’m really looking forward to reading this book. I agree about the title and the entire cover, if I’m being honest here. The whole cover seems like a bit of a marketing gimmick, regardless I still plan on reading the book!
Jackie is awesome! I loved her Work Out show on Bravo and her 2nd workout dvd. She is no nonsense type of lady. I am anxious to check out her book & get some real advice.
I’d love to win the book. I have her 2 DVDs and like them. I think she appeals to girls and guys, and I don’t think the cover is too over-the-top. I work out my abs mainly so I don’t have back problems, so I think the cover is motivating. I can see where people would get offended though.
While this book may help a lot of people, I can’t stand the title. I’m sure she was going for shock value to sell books. On that note of bad titles…I love that there is a new show on ABC Family about loving yourself no matter what your size, but why call the show “Huge”? That title goes completely against what they are trying to get across.
i too hate the cover and the title, but the woman knows what she is talking about. Hence, I would love to read her book!
I totally agree….the huge red bold “FAT” on the cover just makes me want to cringe and hide!
Couldn’t agree more with today’s post, between the title and the picture I would have never even considered picking the book up, will consider it now.
I have the book and continue to get nauseated over her (or her ghost writer’s) constant reference of “her” diet – like it’s something new. It isn’t. It’s the Eat-Clean principle. I’m not hating on Ms. Warner – her workouts are killer. And to be honest, that’s the best thing about the book – her interval workouts! Love them. For the nutritional info – I’ll stick with Tosca Reno. She doesn’t beat you about the head and spouting off as if she discovered this all by herself.
i guess i don’t relate the word “fat” with “ugly”, so it never occured to me that the title was offensive. truth be told, my initial thought was “THIS GIRL is the reason why i’m fat??” like somehow looking at her 6-pack makes me dolefully reach for the Cheetos. (what can i say – i get confused sometimes.)
I have to agree with many of the comments above. First, I am happy to be healthy and fit – not thin. Funny, thin sometimes has a negative connotation for me too – I think “sickly” or something along those lines. I have a healthy BMI and as I approach 40, I am in better shape than I’ve been since high school – probably better shape because I don’t eat the same junk I did back then.
Although I never really watched Jackie’s workout show (not 100% sure of its title), I have seen a few clips and I think she uses drama to sell the show and harsh words to get people motivated. Although I’m not a fan of calling others (or myself) fat, I think she is appealing to those people who are still stuck in that negative self talk, “I’m fat, so what am I supposed to do?” My hope is that these people – who might need the most help – are drawn to this book. I think those of us who are already taking steps to being healthier can see the offensiveness of “fat.”
As someone who is focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, I am always interested in new techniques (especially exercise) and would be interested to see what she has to say. No matter what it is though, my goal will always be to be HEALTHY. Thanks for the post!
I hate the word fat!!! Hate it and maybe it’s because of the way it is used. It isn’t really used to say how someone looks it’s said in a way to put someone down, and to try and make them feel bad about themselves because some think that will help them wake up and get thin.
I have always been overweight. I know I am and I own it. I could say fat and it means the same but when I say fat I am butting myself down and I know it.
The book title isn’t about helping but putting you down while saying what you look like. I am sure there is good info in there but only wanting 1000s to pick up why not millions since there are millions of us overwieght people in the US. Why not draw us in to want to read and hear what is being said and what new research shows. Why put us down? Why would I want to b put down while trying to get myself in shape and fit? When I have been but done my WHOLE LIFE…why would I still want it while working on myself. It doesn’t make sense.
and while Thin is great, not everyone is healthy at thin. I will never be Jackie’s size no matter how I much i work out. I was never a thin child and was always a little on the overweight side but I was always healthy and I am still am.
While FAT might be a word to say what I look like, I have learned in my life that that is not what you really mean. I have learned it isn’t sad to say how i look or what shape my body is but to say your fat your worthless you need to eat less and blah blah blah blah.
I know that I am turned off from the book and will seek my info else were. Probably with the dear friend I am watching her change and grow and get in shape and how it’s working for her. I always would rather get tips from someone that has been there done that. (gone from overweight to healthy) rather than just anyone.
I have seen what true support and learning to love yourself and having people love you for you can do in the weight loss journy works much better than putting people down and calling them fat. Once this baby is out I know what I am going to do to get healthy my goal isn’t thinness it’s to be healthy at the size my body is made to be healthy at not what some chart tells me.
Sorry, I don’t see where you’re getting “ugly” from — that’s your judgment of the word, but that’s not what it means. Being fat is a state of body that is just a fact.
I’ve been fat, and now I’m thin, and I was/am pretty both ways if I do say so myself. This book title wouldn’t have offended me when I was fat and it doesn’t offend me now. When I was carrying 60 extra pounds, I *was* fat. Why is so terrible to call it what it is?
You said “When I see the word “fat,” I think “hate” or “ugly” or, even, “not good enough.” In my mind, if you call yourself fat, you’re hating on yourself and not honoring the person you are inside and out.”
I am fat. Fat is a description. It says that I am larger than what some arbitrary person says I should be. Note: larger, not heavier. My blog is “Fat Girl Shrinking,” which is a description, and I do not think I am hating on myself when I say it. I am honoring the person that I was (at 320), that I am (240ish), and that I will be (whatever weight I will be.)
Women think they are fat because we have been told all our lives that we need to be “thin” to be pretty. Thus, if you are not “thin,” then you are “ugly” and “not good enough.” This is not any fault of the word, but rather a sickness that is in our culture.
I would rather live in a world in which ALL women (and all people), are considered beautiful for the beauty that they have, inherent to their being alive, rather than one that says our looks are the only thing that matters to us.
Of course you wouldn’t call your friend fat because that is unacceptable in our society. But that doesn’t change the fact that she is fat! Fat is only a descriptive word. The negative connotations, which are actually judgments you are making about that person, have been added and can even vary from person to person. One person might think “fat” means “unhealthy” while another assigns it the meaning of “ugly” or “lazy”.
I think it is definitely a marketing ploy. But I think that not using the word “fat” because it may hurt someones feelings is silly. If someone doesn’t like calling themselves fat, then they can call themselves fluffy. But let’s call a spade a spade. Using nicer terminology won’t change the fact that someone is fat. I think it is an over-used word but a valid term none-the-less.
Would love to read this book! Need some nutritional advice and workout ideas!
If a person does not use the word “fat”to describe themself or others what word is appropriate to use? “Morbidly obese” will make them feel better?
If someone is fat, why sugar coat the obvious truth? A book that acknowledges the process of getting there and getting back to “not obese” should say so. Plus we who watched Jackie’s show on Bravo know she is not one to pull punches.
Despite the negative connotations (which I completely agree with you about), “fat” is a medically relevant term. I wish it were not abused in society and, as a result, used to make women (and men) feel badly about themselves.
Cheap marketing ploy to sell books? Absolutely. But I hope it works – because then the overweight people she deems “fat” will reclaim their fitness. I hope I get to be one of them!
I don’t like the title of the book either, but in all fairness, it was most likely dreamt up by the publisher – not Jackie Warner.
I have mixed feelings. I agree that the word FAT is merely a word and is, as such, purely descriptive. A person with too much body fat is FAT.
But I also agree that, at least in the U.S., pop culture uses FAT as shorthand for “unattractive.” So that even a cute 15-yr-old with a 26-inch waist, if she isn’t feeling good about herself, says “I’m so fat.”
She just means she doesn’t feel pretty, but using the word FAT when we mean unattractive, or even just temporarily icky, creates this secondary meaning that now pervades our public language.
Which is a problem because, for example, if I tell my BFF that I’m a little fat, she says Oh no! You’re gorgeous! But (thanks darling) I am about 10 lbs overweight, and it’s all fat, so yeah – I’m a little fat. It’s an objective assessment. I don’t think I’m significantly less attractive for those ten pounds, but they’re ten pounds my heart and endocrine system and joints don’t need to be fighting.
It is very possible to be FAT (objective term) and still be beautiful. It is not really possible to be FAT – over the long term – and still be healthy (sorry, for the vast majority of people, it just isn’t). When JW uses the word FAT I believe she is referring purely to the objective term and is using it to jar people into accepting that being FAT is something that needs to be faced if you want to be healthy.
I too am not a fan of the negative words, like fat or ugly… but I can respect Jackie for using it in her title as a wake up call to her readers. I’d love to read the book! Big fan of hers.
Honestly, I’ve never heard of this woman before, but the cover and title of the book turns me off immediately. It’s very poor marketing. However, I’m willing to take a look inside at some point.
I don’t like the title at all, but I know Jackie knows her stuff, so I will have to take a look. Like the new show so far.
Jackie Warner has no qualification in nutrition, and you only have to watch an episode of Thintervention to see the advice she gives is completely unsound. Her approach to weight loss is unhealthy – both psychologically (e.g. demonising foods) and physically (e.g. losing weight too fast, doing too much exercise too soon). People seem to be attracted to punitive, extremist approaches like Warner’s because they promise quick results and help us get into a very focused mindset. But in the longterm, it is not realistic nor healthy to stick to, weight will return, you may do some physical damage overtraining and, perhaps most significantly, you will develop an unhealthy relationship with food. Though often less appealing than such a forceful approach, there are plenty of books out there with sane, sensible, useful advice on diet and exercise. Look elsewhere.
I agree. Fat does equate to ugly in my mind. However, I’d love to win Jackie’s book, because I really do need some help with my emotional eating. And heck, if I could get some insane abs like hers, I’m all for it!
I’d love to read this book. The “fat” word is a tough call for me; as much as I dislike it used as an insult, it holds a fair amount of power in terms of being realistic about weight and health goals.