I Got This

How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down

By: Jennifer Hudson

Narrated by: Shanelle Gabriel

A personal and inspirational memoir from Grammy and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, focused on her amazing transformation as she embraced a healthy lifestyle and lost over 80 pounds.

Soulful and sultry, Jennifer Hudson wowed the world with her powerful voice in American Idol's third season, and then took Hollywood by storm with a star turn in Dreamgirls that won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. But before we knew her as an American Idol standout, Jennifer was singing in her church choir in the Southside of Chicago. This uplifting memoir tells the story of Jennifer's meteoric rise from American Idol to Dreamgirls to her amazing weight loss on the megablockbuster Weight Watchers diet plan. With the Weight Watchers brand endorsing her, Jennifer gives her fans tips for embracing a healthy lifestyle in order to lose weight and reclaim their bodies.

Full of stories from her American Idol days, her experience acting in Dreamgirls, and how her son inspired her to want to live healthfully, this book is a gift for her millions of fans and an inspiration for anyone struggling with weight issues.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2012 Jennifer Hudson (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Jennifer tells it like she sees it

Overall all I thought this was a good book. She does go on a little too much about what she eats. I am sorry but there is no way that some cashews and an apple tastes just like a caramel apple. Now it might be a great substitute if you aren't really having a serious craving but in my weight loss efforts I found it best to just eat what you are really craving only have a small one or half a piece not 5. :)

Nice Listen

Where does I Got This rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Close to the top, but not 5 stars like "The Help" and a few others

Would you recommend I Got This to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, only because of her personal triumph with Weight Watchers and the encouragment that she has brought ot so many others in her family to live a more healthy life.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Shanelle Gabriel?

possibly...I could hear Jennifer in her voice. She certainly seemed to have her "whatever" attitude. Unfortuntately, I thought Jennifer was reading it thats why I bought it. It only disappointed me mentally-Shanielle did a great job!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

"Whatever"!

Any additional comments?

I was disappointed that while Jennifer spoke more of her weight loss than anything, she did not really speak of her personal tragedies in 2008 and how she was able to deal and heal. I believe this could've been a 2 fold book of deliverance for many readers (listeners) had she done that. To oversome self esteem issues, healthy living and triumph over tragedy-it would've been a "10". I do understand that perhaps sh ewas just trying to focus on the good.Altogether, goo book...i would read agin if I had to

Excellent Start!

I guess I got a little too excited to hear J-Hud's story. I applaud her for her weight loss journey and her commitment to the weight watchers program but I would appreciate a little less weight watchers details in this book. If you are struggling with weight loss 'I Got This' would be an excellent listen. I like that she did not dwell on her tragedy but focused on the positive so kudos to her. The narrator did a fantastic job getting into character. Overall it was a great motivational book.

An ad for weight watchers

I enjoyed her story until she got to the part about weight watchers. I sympathize with her journey as I also struggle with weight issues. I also like the weight watchers program and I am a member online. But this book turned into a weight watchers commercial. It felt like that part of the book was written by a weight watchers PR person rather than Jennifer. At one point in the book she became very defensive about people who had different opinions about her. I enjoyed two thirds of this book but the last third . . . not so much.

Good for Weight Watchers

Any additional comments?

The best audience for this recording are probably other Weight Watchers (WW) members. Unlike some other reviewers who disliked the last third portion, I personally didn't mind, where yes, it does describe the WW program. Since I enjoy reading weight loss "Success Stories" from time to time, I was probably their target audience. For people not inclined for such topics, I think this recording could be annoying for them.

Pretty good!

Would you listen to I Got This again? Why?

Was a good read. I do adore her! I would recommend it. I was surprised by some of the things she wrote about. But would of liked to of known more.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

.

What about Shanelle Gabriel’s performance did you like?

.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

.

Any additional comments?

.

great book.

this is a great book. the story moved along at a pace. she told the story without it becoming stagnant. I recommend this book to anyone.

INSPIRING

If you could sum up I Got This in three words, what would they be?

Inspiring, uplifting, enouraging

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jennifer Hudson battled the weight and won the battle. She inspired me to get back on the Weight Watchers Plan.

Interesting story - weak narration

What did you love best about I Got This?

I really enjoyed the inside scoop about the American Idol audition process. I also found it very ineteresting that the culture in which Jennifer grew up left her with the impression that there was nothing wrong with her extra weight or the way she was eating.

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Got This?

Jennifer's shock and disappointment at how some of her fans effectively

Would you listen to another book narrated by Shanelle Gabriel?

No, I did not enjoy Ms. Gabriel's narration. Her tone and choice of pronunciation for some words, such as asked, left me feeling like she was narrating for a specific audience - specifically a teenage, African-American girl. I appreciate that she was perhaps trying to emulate Jennifer as much as possible, but I would have enjoyed a more neutral delivery much more.

Any additional comments?

I appreciate that Jennifer feels she owes a lot to her faith in her religion, but I feel like there was too much emphasis put on this aspect of her ability to lose weight and get healthy. I don't like to think that people (such as me) would be discouraged about their own ability to achieve successful weight loss without the help of the diety of his or her choice. I really wanted to hear more about how she worked the Weight Watchers program.

Motivational and Inspiring

Where does I Got This rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

At the top of my motivational and inspriation audiobooks, and believe me I have a few that I listen to when I'm feeling down and uninspired.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jennifer of course. I did not realize the strength of her faith and tenacity. By some she may have seemed bull headed, but to me she was very determined and strong in her faith, she new God had a plan that would change her life and give her all the things she deserved. Also, her trainer when she joined Weight Watchers. You always need a positive force when you are embarking on a life change. Without this positive reinforcement she would have made it, but not as fast and not without backsliding. You go girl. You definitely had this.

Which scene was your favorite?

When asked on the Red Carpet about being a big girl. I'm probably not saying it correctly, but her response was on point. Not the way I would have handled it, but then that why she is Jennifer and I'm me.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

How she dealt with the disappointments and the terrible loss of her family.

Any additional comments?

Look at her now. As she says, I Got This, and so can we.