Diary of a Fat Girl

It's easy to poke fun at the latest weight-loss scheme, but when you're struggling with a poor body image you're willing to try anything that promises results. Such was the case for Lisa Sargese when, at the age of twenty-three, she became one of the first in the United States to receive the adjustable gastric band as part of a 1988 experiment group. Unfortunately, the very thing she thought would solve her problems only made them worse.

Frankly recounting her weight-loss surgeries and resulting complications, "Losing 140 Pounds the Hard Way" follows Lisa on her difficult journey to recovery-not to a certain weight, but rather to a holistic understanding and acceptance of her body that goes beyond dress sizes or gym hours.

Both a memoir and a manual, this book will change the way you think about food, fitness, and yourself. Learn the art of affirmation, discover how to respond gently to your body's needs, and then watch how improving your emotional well-being helps your physical body, inside and out.