Penny’s book is incredibly informative and thoughtfully written. Her story is inspiring, and while our approaches differ, I found many points of connection. I believe others will too—especially those who are tired of quick fixes and looking for something more grounded and lasting.

I started my own weight loss journey in 2021 and, like the author, saw steady monthly losses with no gains. I was supposed to stop—but lost another 15 pounds and now need to focus on maintaining.

I didn’t think of what I was doing as dieting. Like Penny, I weighed and measured everything. My focus was on cutting portion sizes and eating healthier. There was no diet and post-diet for me—just a way of eating I could live with for the rest of my life. Now, I will just increase portions a little bit to see if I can maintain my weight loss. I have to be careful to stay away from trigger foods that can cause binging.

It was interesting to see the author’s personal weight loss journey, but much of it felt familiar to other weight loss stories you read online and not especially unique. The recipes are simple and beginner-friendly, but too plain for my taste, and I’m not convinced the plan would work long-term. Inspiring at moments, just not a fit for me.

Definitely gave me some solid advice. I’ve struggled with obesity for a long time, and I am now on a journey to remedy that.

I just didn't like this book. As someone who struggles with weight loss, I am intrigued by other people's stories. This one left me wanting something else. It felt like someone wrote down their train of thought and had no edits.

I usually do not go for weight loss content.
I also do not read about being slim or obese.
Though, the blurb caught my attention and I am glad I picked this book up.
As the blurb describes, this book is about eating and being healthy.
It contains some useful health information, recipes, and tips.
The writing is refreshingly not annoying.

The author shares her experience and what worked for her. It’s fairly decent information for those looking to lose weight and get healthy. It’s not the magical answer many want, but it’s what worked for the author and May work for you as well, if you work it.

This was an interesting look into one individual’s weight loss journey. The author shares personal insights and experiences that give a glimpse into their process, though much of the content felt quite generic. The recipes included are simple and may work for someone just starting out, but I personally found them a bit too bland for my taste. While they might help with the meal portion of the journey, I did find myself questioning whether this type of eating plan is truly sustainable in the long run. Overall, it’s an okay read—motivating in some aspects—but not something I’d personally choose to follow.

Easy to read, with some big claims. Would have liked more recipes maybe as a lot is just conversational and anecdotal. Didn't really feel serious enough.

The recipes look really good and easy to follow. I thought we were all pulling away from harmful diet culture. From OBESE to SLIM would have fit in with the 1990s diet books.

Thank you NetGalley and Troubador for this eCopy to review

From OBESE To SLIM is everything I want in a personal transformation memoir, honest, inspiring, and refreshingly practical. From the first page, Penny Scriptor’s voice is warm, relatable, and full of determination. This isn’t just a story about weight loss, it’s about reclaiming health, joy, and self-worth without gimmicks, shame, or deprivation.

🥗 Plot Summary
After years of struggling with weight gain and failed diets, Penny Scriptor found herself at a crossroads. With her health on the line and traditional solutions like surgery, injections, or expensive diet clubs off the table, she made a bold decision: to lose over 7 stone (45 kg) in 9 months using real food, no fads, and a whole lot of self-belief.

What follows is a candid, empowering account of how she did it, through delicious, hunger-satisfying meals, a simple and sustainable approach, and a mindset shift that prioritised long-term health over quick fixes. Penny shares not only her journey but also practical tips, food strategies, and even recipes that helped her succeed.

💪 What Worked

Authenticity: Penny doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle. Her honesty makes this book incredibly relatable and motivating.
No Gimmicks: No shakes, no injections, no clubs—just real food and real change. It’s a breath of fresh air.
Simplicity: Her approach is straightforward and achievable, even for busy people or those who’ve “tried everything.”
Recipes & Tips: The included food ideas are genuinely tasty and easy to follow. I loved that she still eats them post-weight loss.
Mindset Focus: This isn’t just about food—it’s about changing your relationship with your body and your habits.

🧾 Final Thoughts
From OBESE To SLIM is a powerful reminder that transformation is possible at any stage of life, and that you don’t need to suffer to succeed. Penny Scriptor’s journey is proof that with the right mindset, nourishing food, and a bit of grit, lasting change is within reach.

If you’re looking for inspiration, practical advice, and a story that feels like a friend cheering you on, this one’s for you.

The author tells her own personal story with factual tips, recipes and ways to understand the world of weight loss. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review this educational book.

Enjoyed the book. It was interesting. But i did feel at times there was a lot of information that wasn't really needed. I did get bored reading when it would go on and on. But the main topic was of interest

This was an excellent book. It was well-written. I would highly recommend this book. It's very easy to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Did not finish this book.
I'm not even sure how to process my thoughts. While on one hand, as a very plus-size person myself, I understand the author's frustrations, want and need to lose weight. However, her methods read like a step-by-step account on how to develop an eating disorder. I 100% believe this book should come with a trigger warning. I have lived and lost the extreme dieting battle, and now live with the aftereffects that life has had on me both mentally and physically.
I am shocked that a publisher would bring a book that encourages cutting out foods such as carrots, for goodness sake, and eating less than 800 calories a day to the shelves.
It's wholly irresponsible.

While I'm happy for the author that her methods succeeded for her; the approach in this book of reducing calories to such an extent seems like it would not be long term sustainable.

Really enjoyed reading about the author’s weight loss journey.Well written informative with delicious recipes.# NetGalley #troubador

Unfortunately I DNFd this book at about 40%. I don't doubt that this person had this particular experience and I'm always interested on hearing about fat people's experiences as a fat person myself, but this really got on my last nerve. I found it really hard to empathise with the author because I felt like she kept overdetailing the plethera of pathologies being overweight was causing her, and I feel like we've got enough of that outside of the fat community and honestly I'm not keen on hearing about it. The dieting part was the least interesting to me since I'm not looking for diet advice, so... that's on that. Not the author's fault but it was not for me.

As someone who has struggled with obesity since my teenage years the titme and description of this book immediately grabbed me. I enjoyed reading about the author's weightloss journey and the information and recipes look great.

Author has her take on losing weight. Informative and helpful.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

This was such a wonderful story telling of the author's weight loss journey and some of the things she learned. From learning to balance protein and carbohydrates, to the things she had to come to face in her journey such as finding the right diet to accommodate her daily activities and needs. As someone who struggles with starting their own journey in loosing weight, I can't explain how frustrating it is to attempt time after time in trying to loose weight, only to relapse and try again. The charts, recipe ideas and information on what to keep in account when trying to loose weight is so insightful, and motivates me even more in my own journey!