A brutally honest memoir of life as an obese woman-the pain, humiliation . . . and hope Jennifer Joyner was slowly killing herself with food. She didn't know what to fear more: dying, or knowing that she was causing her own death. She was powerless to stop. She weighed 336 pounds. She had uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure. She'd lost jobs and friendships, and her marriage was hanging by a thread. She disgusted herself. She couldn't even attempt a sex life. She'd never felt so desperate or alone. Designated Fat Girl tells her story. It is a painfully honest account of Joyner's experiences as an obese woman-of always having to buy new clothes that fit, pretending to order for two people at drive-through fast-food joints, the constant cycle of binge and regret, not fitting into her wedding dress, the cruel comments. It's a story about her decision to have gastric bypass surgery and the resulting complications. In the end, it is also a story of recovery and survival.

About the Author
Jennifer Joyner has been a television reporter, radio show cohost, news director, and writer in North and South Carolina for more than sixteen years. She anchors morning newscasts for two Fayetteville radio stations; gathers news for the Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville markets for WRAL-TV, one of America's largest CBS affiliates; and is a featured writer for WRAL.com. Joyner also chronicles her personal journey at jenniferjoyner.com.

Reviews
"[A] brutally frank voice."-O, The Oprah Magazine "A no-holds-barred look at what it's really like to be addicted to food. Joyner spares no details in telling the story of how she spent years slowly killing herself. . . "-MarieClaire.com, "Editor's Blog" "[I]n her engaging memoir, [Jennifer Joyner] reveals the incredible toll morbid obesity took on her life. Joyner paid dearly during her sixteen-year battle with food. She tallies the costs in ruined friendships, stalled professional advancement, rocky family relationships, and shattered self-esteem. . . . She gamely explores circumstances in her life accounting for her twisted logic surrounding food and happiness."-Publishers Weekly"So much of Jennifer Joyner is big: her heart, her spirit, her wit, her compassion. That's the stuff that really matters, the stuff we should worry about measuring. She's written a book that speaks to women of all sizes, in the voice of a dear and trusted friend. We live in a weight-obsessed and fat phobic world. It's easy to miss what's truly beautiful when all you can see are the numbers on the scale. I loved Jennifer's story. It's a really lovely book - I wish she lived next door!" --Sheri Lynch, cohost of the Bob & Sheri show, author of Be Happy or I'll Scream! and Hello, My Name Is Mommy"A no-holds-barred look at what it's really like to be addicted to food. Joyner spares no details in telling the story of how she spent years slowly killing herself. . . . Her food addiction sent her weight to more than 300 pounds, lost her jobs, and ruined relationships with friends. She also talks about her decision to have gastric bypass surgery-and the resulting complications." -MarieClaire.com



Book Information
ISBN 9780762759620
Author Jennifer Joyner
Format Paperback
Page Count 264
Imprint skirt!
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 312g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 13mm