This Is Big Audiobook By Marisa Meltzer cover art

This Is Big

How the Founder of Weight Watchers Changed the World - and Me

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This Is Big

By: Marisa Meltzer
Narrated by: Marisa Meltzer
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From a contributor to The Cut, one of Vogue's most anticipated books "bravely and honestly" (Busy Philipps) talks about weight loss and sheds a light on Weight Watchers founder Jean Nidetch: "a triumphant chronicle" (New York Times).

Marisa Meltzer began her first diet at the age of five. Growing up an indoors-loving child in Northern California, she learned from an early age that weight was the one part of her life she could neither change nor even really understand. Fast forward nearly four decades. Marisa, also a contributor to the New Yorker and the New York Times, comes across an obituary for Jean Nidetch, the Queens, New York housewife who founded Weight Watchers in 1963.

Weaving Jean's incredible story as weight loss maven and pathbreaking entrepreneur with Marisa's own journey through Weight Watchers, she chronicles the deep parallels, and enduring frustrations, in each woman's decades-long efforts to lose weight and keep it off. The result is funny, unexpected, and unforgettable: a testament to how transformation goes far beyond a number on the scale.

©2011 Marisa Meltzer (P)2020 Little, Brown & Company Eating Disorders Mental Health Personal Development Psychology & Mental Health Stress Management Health New York Funny Heartfelt

Critic reviews

"Meltzer did a deep dive into Jean Nidetch, the Queens, NY, housewife who founded Weight Watchers in 1963, for a book that is part biography, part memoir of her own lifelong journey with dieting." (New York Post)

"[Meltzer] writes with a voice that feels like you're chatting with one of your best friends, cracking jokes and digging into all the emotions you'd usually hide from others who aren't as close to you." (First for Women)

"Her story will resonate with readers who have struggled with weight and body image issues. A straightforward memoir of struggling with obesity and finding inspiration from the founder of Weight Watchers." (Kirkus)

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Insightful History • Personal Journey • Compassionate Storytelling • Relatable Experiences • Thoughtful Analysis
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I loved this book as Marisa shared the raw details of her struggle with weight loss. I also really enjoyed hearing about the history of WW and their founder.

Raw truth about dieting

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It is perfect! That says it all, but I am supposed to write 15 words so I will say it again: It is perfect.

Brilliant!

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This was an awesome read about the founder and the story of how Weight Watchers evolved. I believe it mirrors a lot of Weight Watchers members lives.

Excellent Story

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from the first too last chapter of this book I felt like I was walking in both shoes. Marisa you truly made an impact on me. I thought I was alone in this world and that no one really would understand way I thought. thank you for that push and the tears I cried. If one day I had the pleasure to meet with you I would just hug you and tell you thank you.

inspirational

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I enjoyed the investigative reporting on the food industry as well as the background details of the evolution of Weight Watchers to a wellness company. Also, the in depth story of Jean Nidetch's life interwoven with authors own sad story about her weight struggles is interesting.

Food industry and obesity link...

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I really enjoyed hearing the entire history of WW (Weight Watchers) from the beginning to present day!

The Whole Story

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Really enjoyed this book- it was very thoughtful and deconstructed past and present diet culture accurately but with compassion. What do you give up for dieting? What do you deny when you stop? Super interesting narrative and I really liked it.

Compassionate, well-constructed biography of Jean Nidetch combined with authors own memoir

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As a lifelong yo-yo dieter, this book really spoke to me. Thank you for sharing your story!

So relatable!

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The author and narrator is soulful and moving. I love the lens I got to look through. Truly a new favorite. Your writing is amazing. Thank you.

An amazing journey beautifully written

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I enjoyed the history of the WW founder and loved the honest take on weight and body image by the author. Felt hyper real, and a good deep dive into the realities faced by the repeat dieter and the overweight.

Great biography slash memoir addressing weight

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