#The Elephant in the Room #NetGally#
Tommy Tomlinson

To all of the people out there who have ever had a problem with their weight, this book brings new insight to how one obese man struggled with it. Obesity has long been a problem in America and elsewhere. This book reveals some of the daily problems Tommy Tomlinson had in his life. It is a real eye opener. I bet that most people have no idea of the hardships that obese people face in how our world is set up. This book reveals how an obese person feels each day when they face their world, the looks they get and how it makes them feel diminished, the elephant in the room.

Tommy makes the hard decision to lose weight and take it seriously. I, for one, salute him in sharing his story with us. I admire his courage to reveal it all to us, the readers. This book should be read by all, not just the ones who have weight issues..

Thank you to the publisher and NetGally for the advanced read copy for a fair and honest review.

One of the rawest, most real depictions of what it's like to be morbidly obese in America. Tomlinson bares his soul and does a great service for the millions struggling with weight; the big bodies in the tiny worlds.

I hadn't planned to read this book right now but I thought I'd check out a couple pages . I was immediately hooked on Tomlinson's writing style and found myself reading to the last page. He writes with brutal honesty about himself - something not many people can do. His intelligence and humor shine through on every page; his dry wit had me laughing out loud often. I think fat people - and that is how he describes himself - are often thought of as unintelligent and lazy and not worth knowing. It's a sad commentary on our society but a bias many of us have without even realizing it. I've never had the weight battles Tommy has fought - and is still fighting. I think we all have something in our lives that we fight - his just happens to be overeating. It was refreshing that Tomlinson didn't revert to the excuse so many addicts use - a horrible childhood or being poor. He readily admits to growing up poor but also acknowledges that he had a loving family and a good childhood.

I cried in the chapter about Fred (you'll know it when you see it) and groaned every time Tommy backslid; but by the end of the book I was cheering for him and hoping his fight continues to be successful.

The Elephant in the Room is about a man and his weight. In this case, the man’s weight had climbed to 460 lbs. In Tommy Tomlinson’s memoir he details the food he loves and the things he misses out on because of that love as well as the many accomplishments he made in spite of it. The book is well written but after a while so many stories about adventures in eating became monotonous and boring. I wish him all the best. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an advance copy for review.

This memoir by an obese man raised in the Deep South is riveting for it’s honesty and courage. Tomlinson, a seasoned sports writer (along with lots of other earlier subject focuses), is unflinchingly honest and never once makes excuses or blames anything other than his own behavior and choices for his weight. But the story is nonetheless full of love, compassion (for himself as well as others) and poignancy. He tells the tale of his love affair with his family, with food and with his wife...all dominant themes in his life. Anyone who scorns fat people for their laziness or apathy will be chastened, as will those who laud the fat acceptance movement. Tomlinson is a master of distinguishing between the luck of his own relative good health and the proposition that one can be obese and healthy. He approaches his aim to transform his body, and with it, his life, with the humility that a lifetime of failed attempts at weight loss has taught him. But he approaches it nonetheless, and he narrates us generously through both how he got to his starting point of 500 plus pounds, and how he progresses through the year over which he hopes to be making his last attempt at transformation. Whatever your Achilles’ heel may be —the vice that grips and derails you from the life you truly want — you will see yourself in his journey and come to love him and root for both yourself and him along the way.
Finally, although that last sentence may make the book sound painfully sappy, it is not. It is funny, occasionally crass, full of more information about the innate humiliations of being fat, and likely to be a page turner for you as it was for me!
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy of the galley.

Utterly relatable, Tommy Tomlinson is a guy you can't resist pulling for every step of the way. Weighing in a little over the 450 pound mark, Tommy experiences life differently than most of us do. He knows his lifestyle is killing him, he's already lost a beloved sister, but Wendy's is calling and he's at her mercy.

Anyone who has ever struggled with weight loss, addiction, self-flagellation or a self imposed prison will cheer for, feel exasperated by, and ultimately root for Tommy as he does the hard work of self-examination and fights for better health.

Thank you, Tommy, for sharing yourself so transparently and bravely. It was a privilege to read and I devoured it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Simon and Schuster, and Tommy Tomlinson for giving me this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Elephant in the Room is journalist Tommy Tomlinson’s memoir of growing up fat and how, as an adult, he got to 460 pounds. He had a wife who loved him and a successful career, but the allure of fast food and vending machine or gas station junk food was a siren song so strong, he had to give up doing the sports he loved and many other things in favor of eating a spectacular amount of crap.
At times funny, at times repetitive, anyone who has ever struggled with his/her weight or another addiction will identify with his constant battle. Many of us have begun exercise programs, started feeling great—sleeping better, climbing stairs without wanting to call paramedics—and quitting three weeks later anyway. I don’t recommend you read this book if you’re trying to lose or maintain your weight and fast food places are alluring to you. I’ve been a vegetarian for twenty-something years, and therefore, haven’t eaten fast food since college, so that’s not my particular albatross. (Being a 5’3” female who’d rather read a book than exercise is.) I say that because he talks ENDLESSLY about his furtive trips to Wendy’s, McDonalds, etc.
One of the things I found most interesting was when he talked about the way American businesses have had to expand things to accommodate the expanding waist lines of Americans. For example, he talks about a website discussing what to do with the corpse of your morbidly obese loved one. You’ll have to special-order caskets that can contain up to 1,000 pounds of human remains. You’ll need to buy two to three burial plots close to access roads for equipment to deliver the body. Firefighters may need to be called in. Cremation? Most crematoriums can’t accommodate really supersized cadavers.
I did enjoy this look at navigating the world in a body that he readily acknowledges he created himself. He doesn’t blame the Southern meals he grew up with meant for people who worked with their bodies all day, while he was a sedentary kid with book in hand who’d regularly eat sandwiches and Little Debbie snack cakes before a heavy fried dinner. This is not a tale of a guy who was fat and quickly loses a zillion pounds and becomes a triathlete, but of a man who is simply trying to do better with his life choices.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this nonfiction book, which RELEASES JANUARY 15, 2019.

This is a fantastic book! My favorite read of 2018 and I've read 80 books so far this year.
I loved the bare-all look at how obesity has affected Mr. Tomlinson's life. A great deal it turns out. But it took his sister dying for him to finally do something about it. The writing has this understated grace about it and coupled with the self-deprecating humor the reader feels you are in the room with the author as he tells his tale of food obsession. I've got my fingers crossed he attains his slimmer self!


Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a copy to review.

This book was such a surprise to me. I expected to like it; I did not expect to love it. It was honest, thoughtful, emotional, compelling... I read it almost in one sitting. Not only is this book highly relevant for all of us living in a country struggling with obesity, but it was relevant in my own life as I recently lost 30 pounds.

I also loved how much we saw into the author’s life as a journalist. All in all, this was everything you would want, and not necessarily expect, it to be. Highly enjoyed reading this one and can’t wait to see what he writes next.

Thank you netgalley for a free copy of this gem in exchange for an honest review.

I am thankful I read this book. At times I was laughing, and other times I was moved to tears. This book does an excellent job of giving the reader a glimpse into a life of obesity and the struggles that go along with it, including the struggle to lose weight. Tommy Tomlinson is a gifted writer, allowing the reader to see his most vulnerable thoughts and emotions, and showing that true beauty comes from within. I wish him the best as he continues his weight loss journey, and I hope he writes another book in the future.

Tomlinson's book is a final love letter to his mistress named food. He sees food as an unhealthy love affair that must end, and never be rekindled. Starting at over 400 pounds on the way to 500 pounds the death of his sister snaps him into action. Her death was weight related. Although some issues are dark, he keeps a sense of humor. An even greater love is his wife, he will succeed because of his love for her. I received this book from 'Net Galley'.

"The Elephant in the Room" by Tommy Tomlinson is an excellent read. Tomlinson, a veteran writer for a number of print publications, has a flare for humor. He also has a tender heart that is laid bare for all to see.

The book is about a man with a major weight problem. He decides to take a year and devote himself to dropping as much of his 460 pounds as possible. His struggles, and his achievements, are told in a lovely narrative. He is the first to make light of his girth, but equally shares the hurdles he's faced in living a life of overeating and food abuse.

I strongly recommend this for anyone interested in a fun but poignant read. Don't nibble red velvet cake while reading this beauty. It could lead to obesity and heartache.

Tommy Tomlinson is no stranger to body image, health issues and the realization that HE is ultimately, as an adult, responsible for his obesity . Not once did he blame his family for equating love with rich foods, or his friends or his wife or the rest of the world for his weight.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM is a sometimes humorous, sometimes heartbreaking story of the author’s attempts to change his lifestyle and lose the weight he KNEW was robbing him of many of life’s joys and adventures. Tommy Tomlinson admits, he has had a wonderful life, accomplished much and yet, even knowing he was morbidly obese, could never get a handle on self-control. He had the support of his wife, he had the tools of knowledge, but for anyone who has ever found solace in food knows, he lacked the self-discipline to stick to making better food choices when the going got tough.

He doesn’t blame “fat shaming” or make excuses as he details his ride up and down the “escalator scale” with raw honesty, heart and a touch of humor. Perhaps he wrote this as his attempt to solidify his own determination, making a public statement. Perhaps he wrote this to let others see the human side of obesity.

If you have ever been obese, even as a child, you will identify with Tommy. If you haven’t, lucky you. This is his story and it carries some true gems of reality and will be the catalyst to help one person while showing everyone else the rest of the story behind obesity and its hold on an ever-growing population looking for an easy fix. Pretty much, there isn’t one and yet, Tommy Tomlinson has found his key to success in losing!

This one is a must read whether you are thin, medium or large!

In January, 2015, nearing 50 years old, Tommy Tomlinson started his weight loss journey. He bought a Fitbit and vowed to track his calories- eaten and expended each day. His goal was to burn more calories than he ate. He weighed 460 pounds.

His diet plan was simple. But he added something more complex to it- he decided to look within and examine his own life to see if he could learn why he weighed 460 pounds. This memoir covers his first year of his plan.

His reports of his weight each month are terse- what he weighed the month before, what he weighed at the end of the month, and the difference. His honest search to learn why he gained weight and why he continued to live in a way that caused him so much pain is the heart of this book.

Fans of Tommy Tomlinson, an accomplished journalist know that he is a warm and dedicated writer with a flair for engaging his readers. His stories of growing up in a close Southern family that loved all Southern foods are delightful. Mr. Tomlinson is honest. He knows he’s fat- he’s reminded of it each day. The search for a sturdy chair, the seatbelt extension, the looks and remarks of bystanders, the difficulty in hiking with his wife, are all challenges. Was he someone worth saving?

By the end of the story, he hasn’t lost as much weight as you might have thought he would. In fact, he’s gained something- an understanding himself. I was surprised at his conclusion about himself.

Like many people, I have a weight story, too. I have gained and lost 40-50 pounds several times in my adult life. I am always keen to read the stories of others. This is a good book! Highly recommend.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I wasn’t sure if I would make it to the end of this book but it was such an easy read that I made it easily. The author, Tommy Tomlinson is a journalist and some of his work related antidotes are very funny. He has such an eclectic group of friends that support him in his eating and in his quest to lose weight. And his wife, Alix, obviously loves him to the moon and back and he reciprocates that love. I’m a retired nurse and I’ve fought my weight for the last 20-30 years. I’ve never been as big as Mr. Tomlinson but it is still a very real battle. I hate having my picture made because it puts my weight in front of my face. I think this is a good book and I will recommend to family and friends. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

A 'real world' look at what it's like to be obese today. If you're not obese.... this 'tells it like it is', if you are obese.....you'll find so much to relate to. The author (a journalist by trade) gives a very readable account of his life & challenges. He presents this in 12 chapters following the months of the year. It's a quick, easy read......it's a good 'window' into what's become a growing percentage of our population. I thought the title very appropriate. I think it's a good read for everyone.
I received this e-ARC from NetGalley, the author, & publisher Simon & Schuster, with the understanding that I'd read it & offer my own honest review.

Tommy Tomlinson is an acclaimed journalist, a happily married man, middle aged, intelligent, witty....and overweight. The Elephant in the Room is a book about his struggle with weight, heartfelt discussion on how his weight effects his life, thoughts on his writing career, family, and life in general.

This book is a bit like sitting across the dinner table with Tommy Tomlinson and just listening to him talk. He's funny, witty, emotional and serious. He started out at 460 pounds....he faced entering his 50s feeling like the largest person in the room. He laments that he is likely the largest person most people will ever see. So, he decided to do something about it.....

This book doesn't end with a shocking before/after set of pictures with Tommy touting some wonder drug or surgery for his complete success. He admits he is a work in progress, sharing his thoughts and emotions about the journey.

I jumped at the chance to review this book because Tomlinson is from Charlotte, NC...just an hour from where I live. I understand the struggles with trying to lose weight in the south where everything is fried and tea comes to the table with about a cup of sugar in each glass (ugh -- I was born in the Midwest. Sweet tea is about the nastiest concoction on the planet. And even after 15 years in NC, when I ask for unsweet tea, I still get confused looks and then commentary about how weird it is that I don't drink sweet tea. And I won't even start on the comments I get when I pass up grits, pimento cheese spread or liver mush.)

I enjoyed this book. Tomlison is real and open....he's sharing his life, his struggles. The story isn't just for people who are struggling with weight...but anybody who faces a challenge and needs motivation. He doesn't offer some magic fix or spend long chapters talking about how he did it and anybody can. It's all about the journey. And he's making progress!

Proud of you, Tommy! Keep going! :)

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

The life of the morbidly obese is hard to imagine for normal individuals. Tomlinson does a masterful job of providing a daily tour of what insults accrue to those who are plagued with excess weight. The indignities and shame that led to and compounded poor self esteem provided a circuitous route to aggravate the issues with further eating. Tomlinson explores how his early childhood contributed to his eating and then traces the events through his current life. Although I appreciated his plainspoken prose, I was hoping that he would provide a more in depth analysis and self exploration . I didn't necessarily agree with his process for losing weight because I feel that he will focus so much on the calorie content that it will consume his world. If he could only eat plant based meals, with non starchy vegetables and no sugar, he would not have to count calories and not be consumed with thinking about what he is eating.

I decided to read this book because I am very familiar with the travails of the morbidly obese. I thought I would be able to commiserate with the author. I found the memoir uninteresting and repetitive. Although I appreciated the spirit in which this memoir was written, it did not keep my interest. I wish the author good luck on his weight loss journey and hope he will be successful. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Poor Tommy Tomlinson. Being obese is no fun. No one wants to be a 6X. No one wants to be subjected daily to humiliations the extra weight causes. So why did he wait until (almost) age 50 to do something about it? Good question, and one I hoped to find the answer. Instead I got ‘we were poor’ to ‘my work history is irratic’ all the way to ‘my parents instilled such a love of reading in me that I was a sedentary kid’. Sneaking sweets and junk food binges got a passing nod as does stealing food at work. There was a strong undercurrent of ‘other people get to eat like this so why can’t I?’. But nowhere did I sense any real ‘come to Jesus’ moment. I was waiting for that realization of ‘I can’t live my life like this anymore’ but never really found one. That left the book as an autobiography of an eventful life who just happened to weigh 450 pounds.