The Fat Chick Works Out (3/30)

Jeanette DePatie is a plus-sized, certified fitness instructor, also known as The Fat Chick.

In the The Fat Chick Works Out book, she tackles the question, “what if I stopped obsessing about my weight, and started living as if I already had lost weight?”

The result?  A compelling book aimed at helping others do what she has done, unlink her definition of happiness from her pant size.

As Jeanette points out, in her book, exercise “is the easiest, most direct way to have a major impact on long term physical, mental, and spiritual health…” When Jeanette first contacted me about reviewing her book and her The Fat Chick Works Out DVD, I was intrigued.

“What is a fat fitness instructor going to teach me?” I thought as I read her email ( I know, it’s the same sort of the mentality that my brother expressed when I was a kid and said I wanted to become a hairdresser… “Why would someone with hair let someone WITHOUT hair style it for them?”  Then I visited her site, and the question, “What’s the MOST fun you’ve had with your clothes on?” leapt off the screen at me.  I immediately thought, “this chick is funny.”  So, I agreed to review the DVD and book she offered.

When the book and DVD came in, I started reading the book and popped the DVD into the player.  While I can’t say that I agree with everything written in the book, I do have to say that I found the book to be enjoyable and encouraging with over fifty exercises and great tips. The book is divided into twelve “bite sized” weeks.   The first five weeks tackle self image and get you moving.  Week six briefly addresses healthy eating habits, although it doesn’t really get into nutrition.  Weeks seven through twelve help you avoid procrastination, encourage you to change your environment up, celebrate your successes, and plan for breaks.

I think my favorite part of the book is her analogy of pigeons and  peacocks.    “Some of us are peacocks and some of us are pigeons… there are a lot of business out there trying to convince us that of all the birds out there only peacocks are acceptable.  And not so coincidentally, a lot of those businesses happen to sell “peacock plans…”   I know, right?

Okay, now the DVD… the first DVD I received was defective and kept sticking.  I returned it, for quality control analysis, and received a replacement.  The second DVD works beautifully.  My kids, and I, enjoy working out with this DVD.

Since I am recovering from my knee injury, and still in physical therapy, I appreciate that the exercises are geared more toward getting you moving than toward completing an intricate dance.  I am a klutz and have two left feet.  I’ve never been able to do the electric slide, rumba, or zumba.   The exercises are simple and fun, and the routines are easy to follow.  Easy enough that my four year old routinely asks, “Mom, can we exercise with the fat chick today?”  LOL.

Unlike many “get thin quick” exercise programs, The Fat Chick doesn’t promise a load of crap that 1)she cannot deliver and 2) wouldn’t last if she could.  Instead, she delivers what she promises in a guide to help get you moving, motivation to do it, and tips on how to avoid injury and failure along the way.  It is a great introduction to fitness and beginner workout video, and I would recommend that it be used as a launching pad into healthier living.

To learn more about The Fat Chick and The Fat Chick products, visit http://www.thefatchick.com/.  The Fat Chick Works Out DVD is available on The Fat Chick website and on Amazon.  The Fat Chick Works Out Book,  available in softcover and digital format (Nook or Kindle), can be purchased on The Fat Chick website, on Amazon, on the Barnes & Noble website,  as well as at independent local retailers.

Jeanette would like to offer one lucky TBC reader a The Fat Chick Works Out DVD/Book combo of their own, as well as five additional digital books for giveaway.

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