The Shift: How I Finally Lost Weight and Discovered A Happier Life

Good Morning America contributor and businesswoman Johnson’s wakeup call? A carefully placed comment by a higher-up female executive convinced Johnson that her job was at risk due to her nearly 60 pounds of excess weight. Confronted by the possibility of losing her dream job, Johnson began her transition from a lifelong battle with the scale to a positive commitment to her own health and wellness. In this breezy, yet surprisingly intimate chronicle, the author traces her journey to slimness, one bite, step, and weigh-in at a time. Johnson reveals her painful past as a mostly confident girl who suffered secret shame over her weight, traces the multiple diets she embraced and abandoned, and shares her victories and setbacks. While her commitment to long-term change is commendable, occasional oversharing about buying Spanx, her reinvigorated sex life, or even the joys of her country home may be too much information for readers looking for diet tips. Additionally, her strict approach should not be taken as a health manual (and those with health problems should not adopt her rules without consulting a physician). Regardless, Johnson’s positive message and commitment to sustainable long-term behavioral change make for an inspiring read. Agent: Heidi Krupp, Krupp Kommunications. (Sept.)