Reviews with content warning for Racism - You Just Need to Lose Weight: And 19 Other Myths About Fat People

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

You Just Need to Lose Weight: And 19 Other Myths About Fat People by Aubrey Gordon

40 reviews

katie0528's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective fast-paced

4.5

I've been a huge fan of Aubrey Gordon since finding her podcast Maintenance Phase during the early months of the COVID pandemic in 2020, and this book is a consice, easy-to-follow recap of that podcast. Gordon breaks down myths used to discriminate against and shame fat people. Her no-nonsense approach includes painful personal anecdotes, amazing levels of research from places like the CDC and American Medical Association past and present, and the words and voices of other fat people. Gordon is quick to point out her own levels of privilege and every chapter directs readers to books and stories from disabled, queer, trans, or BIPOC authors to explore the intersection of fatness and other forms discrimination. Each chapter also includes self-reflection questions that are nonjudgement but encourage readers to really delve deep into their own biases and how they behave around fat people, including directly challenging the reader to explore if they are a safe person to be around.

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obfuscatress's review against another edition

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challenging informative sad medium-paced

3.25

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claudiajanette's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

I’m a big fan of Aubrey’s work, especially the podcast Maintenance Phase, so I had a feeling I would enjoy this book! I specifically wanted to read (listen to?) the audiobook version as I also really appreciate her voice and narrating style. Parts of the book felt a bit repetitive to me, but I assume that’s partially because it can be read out order and/or because some of the content overlaps with discussions I’ve read of hers elsewhere. I thought the reflection questions and calls to action that accompanied the end of chapters were a nice addition! I also really appreciated the intersectional lens of the book.

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lalalauren_'s review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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hexedmaiden's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I loved this book. While I have come a long way in my life as a fat person and having been so a vast majority of my life, there was still so much in this book that I took away. I feel like this is another book that I would say that everyone needs to read. It doesn't matter if you're fat, average, or skinny, everyone could learn something from this book. Because fatphobia doesn't just have an affect on fat people, fatphobia hurts everyone.

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chantplant's review against another edition

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informative reflective slow-paced

4.75

The best book i’ve read on this topic so far. has a nice split of personal detail vs intellectual research and never got dry for me like in some other books on fatphobia. I also truly appreciate how Gordon inputs calls to action on how to actively challenge fatphobia within oneself and when witnessed externally.
additionally, i like how she made it a point to say that having body image issues is not an excuse to be fatphobic to others. the quote “all of us have a responsibility to get support in a way that doesn’t threaten someone else’s dignity or healing” really stuck out to me - and called me out. i have definitely been guilty of this type of behavior in my past. and it needs to be spoken about more: body dysmorphia is a horrible thing to endure yet the things it can sometimes make us say or think about fat people is also deeply damaging and dehumanizing. even fat people themselves can be fatphobic to those larger than them and it is still just as hurtful.
i’m very excited for Gordon’s film to release to the public - her thought processes and way of breaking down ideas is easy to digest and immersive all in one.
highly recommend this book to people of all body types looking to erase stigmas they may not even know they upheld.

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