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brontherun's review
4.0
A very open and honest look at weight loss surgery. If anyone is considering such surgery, or has a family member or friend considering it, this is a good book to pick up. Al is his normal engaging and numerous self throughout.
soulkissed2003's review
4.0
In his book, "Never Goin' Back", popular TV weatherman Al Roker does tell his life story, but does so in light of his weight. He shares about his struggle with being overweight for much of his life. However, when his father passed away, his dad had Al make a deathbed promise that he would lose the extra weight -- for good! For awhile, Mr. Roker notes, he had trouble trying to figure out how to do this. He recounts how he had tried just about every fad diet out there, only to lose the weight and then regain it back, and then some! Does this sound familiar?
For the rest of my review, please visit: http://www.bubblews.com/news/747177-book-review-never-goin-back-by-al-roker-with-laura-morton
For the rest of my review, please visit: http://www.bubblews.com/news/747177-book-review-never-goin-back-by-al-roker-with-laura-morton
steph238's review
3.0
‘Never Going Back’ is segmented into different areas of Al’s life and his focus on his life struggle with weight loss. He first introduced his family background. His dad’s dedication to working hard for his family and his mom’s comfort food laid the foundation on Al’s hard-working attitude and his love for food. When Al’s father was on his dead bed about fifteen years ago, Roker Sr. pleaded to Al to do one thing for him – make a commitment to get his health and weight in check so he could live a long life for his kids.
Roker did make this promise. After his dad’s death, Al let his promise to his dad resonate in his mind, yet he didn’t make the move to alter his life just yet.
After trying every diet, he started doing the research for gastric bypass surgery. He dismissed the surgery initially, but a few years down the road Al ran into a colleague who had the surgery and raved about her results. Roker called it being in the right place at the right time and was convinced he would give another doctor a call.
Al’s weight loss journey has been a rollercoaster ride for over twenty years. From ballooning to over 300 pounds at his last wedding to eating clean on a detox plan, Al has finally learned the right choices to a healthy lifestyle.
Sometimes I felt Al’s anecdotes were all over the place. He would talk about his gastric bypass surgery but then talk about shopping for suits or his favorite dessert. I think his editor could have helped him tie all the stories together a little bit better.
Also, I felt like some of his personal stories were TMI, but that was the point of his memoir. Al wrote, “If you’re going to get anything from this book, I’m hoping you will embrace my honesty and find some solace that you are not alone on this journey. I have chosen not to hold back because it’s a road we have all traveled, and you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been.” Amen.
This quote makes sense and does put an angle on Al’s book and differentiates itself from ‘just another weight loss book.’ Eating disorders and weight issues are the hardest to admit sometimes. It can be a skeleton in someone’s closet for years and years until it’s hard to release. Sharing your story can only let you free. You go, Al!
Roker did make this promise. After his dad’s death, Al let his promise to his dad resonate in his mind, yet he didn’t make the move to alter his life just yet.
After trying every diet, he started doing the research for gastric bypass surgery. He dismissed the surgery initially, but a few years down the road Al ran into a colleague who had the surgery and raved about her results. Roker called it being in the right place at the right time and was convinced he would give another doctor a call.
Al’s weight loss journey has been a rollercoaster ride for over twenty years. From ballooning to over 300 pounds at his last wedding to eating clean on a detox plan, Al has finally learned the right choices to a healthy lifestyle.
Sometimes I felt Al’s anecdotes were all over the place. He would talk about his gastric bypass surgery but then talk about shopping for suits or his favorite dessert. I think his editor could have helped him tie all the stories together a little bit better.
Also, I felt like some of his personal stories were TMI, but that was the point of his memoir. Al wrote, “If you’re going to get anything from this book, I’m hoping you will embrace my honesty and find some solace that you are not alone on this journey. I have chosen not to hold back because it’s a road we have all traveled, and you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been.” Amen.
This quote makes sense and does put an angle on Al’s book and differentiates itself from ‘just another weight loss book.’ Eating disorders and weight issues are the hardest to admit sometimes. It can be a skeleton in someone’s closet for years and years until it’s hard to release. Sharing your story can only let you free. You go, Al!
madgirl's review
3.0
This isn't a well written book, or particularly compelling, but I have to give Roker major props for his honesty and forthrightness. I think that anyone who has struggled with their weight will relate to a lot of what he says, and sometimes it's good to just remember that it's not just you.
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