Confessions of a Reformed Dieter

How I Dropped Eight Dress Sizes and Took My Life Back

By: A.J. Rochester

Narrated by: A.J. Rochester

When A.J. Rochester is singled out as the ideal candidate for a television show on obesity, she is at first appalled and then resolved. Enough is enough. She vows to lose forty kilos - not because she yearns to become a pretzel, but so she can keep up with her little boy and turn her life around at last.

A funny, insightful and inspiring account of a woman who lost forty kilos without losing her sense of humour - and discovered a whole new life.

©2003 A.J. Rochester (P)2003 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"A.J. Rochester tackles the subject of weight loss with refreshing humour and raw honesty." (The West Australian)

"Fresh, informative and moving." (New Weekly)

"Will make you laugh and cry … You will be inspired by a woman who fears she will never succeed – and does, against all odds." (mumme.com.au)

Very lively and enjoyable!

This was a really lively and enjoyable book, well-written, funny, and very well narrated. I have actually gone back and listened to parts of the story again, and was inspired enough to get my own personal trainer and lose more than thirty pounds!

Sad

The diary of A.J. just expresses how much help she wasn't getting from her nutritionist and her psychologist. The advice they both gave her just made her feel bad about herself especially at the rate times when she went off track. It's an ideal book to show you how not to lose weight. The proof is that post the book, AJ didn't maintain her size and is still struggling!

Inspiring and Motivational

I agree with the previous reviewers that the fat jokes were lame, but the actual story that is told is motivational and is one that I listen to again and again on my own journey to a healthy weight. I find it amazing to witness the difference in the Author's perspective and attitude from the beginning to the end. It is the most realistic and honest book I've ever read (or listened to, I guess) about the pain of being heavier than you want to be and the struggles, set-backs and successes on the way to remolding your body, mind and life. Thank you A.J. for sharing your journey and WAY TO GO!!!! Each time I listen, I gain more perspective and motivation.

What a Funny Lady

I absolutly loved listening to this one. I listened to it on my ipod at the gym and a couple of times had to laugh out loud. I was hooked and cheering her on her journey. I would recommend it to anyone women who has struggled with weight or image issues.

TOO SELF ABSORBED

The first hour was good, then it was downhill. I mean there are recipes, lists of ingredients and how to cook it in the book. I fast forwarded that part, after all, I did not buy a cookbook. The story was well told for what it was, basically somebody's diary. You may think that Bridget Jones was a diary too.... it was but things happened in her life, this one is strictly a diet diary. I suppose it can give somebody inspiration, but be warned it is strictly AJ's story of how she got fat, and how she gets thinner. Not the worst I heard for diary stories.....

Wow how did she get inside my head!?!?!?

This book is essentially a memoir written by AJ Rochester, now host of the Biggest Loser in Austrila. I can not rave enough about this book and the courage that it must have taken to write this honest account of her personal dieting journey. Yes she dose make self depricating remarks in the beginning but I really believe that if you have ever gotten to the point that she was with being unhappy the weight that you are then you will totally relate to her. I know I did, I am glad to see that someone elses brain works kind of like mine. She is such an inspriation. She is woman enough to aknowledge her short comings, laugh about them and share them with the world. By the end of the book you can't help but celebrate with her when she finally realizes that she has truly changed her life.

Wow... This was bad!

Have to say this was a bad book. Partly due to the book itself but mostly due to the reading by the author! Yikes!

Gut wrenchingly honest

The sample had me laughing out loud and this book became one of my favorites! I've listened to this six times and don't think I'll tire of it. A. J. Rochester has a unique ability to share her struggles in such an honest way, I found myself cheering her on. A must read that won't disappoint!

Entertaining and Inspirational

I'm listening to this book for the third time since downloading it in January. A.J. is very human and very real, and also very funny (funnier when she's not forcing it.) This is a clear-eyed look at how she almost ate herself to death and how she turned her life around. The title gives away the ending, but sometimes throughout the book, it doesn't seem like she's going to make it. Very worth the listen. I'm eagerly awaiting her next audiobook.

I love this book!

I have, admittedly, read this book several times. I find it both entertaining and inspirational in the sense that the author never wavers from being an "average" person battling an issue so many people have. Honesty, vulnerability and a bit of sarcasm make this book relatable.