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703: How I Lost More Than a Quarter Ton and Gained a Life Audiobook
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(3.06) - 320 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Nancy Makin weighed an astounding 703 pounds in May 2000. She was forty-five years old and had diabetes and heart disease. Thanks in equal parts to shame and logistics, she'd been homebound for a dozen years.
But all that changed after a gift from her sister: a computer. A technophobe, Nancy ignored it for months, until finally boredom and curiosity pushed her into cyberspace. And there, in a chat room, she found the friendliness, the support, and even the love she'd been missing for so long. Nobody flinched when Nancy spoke up; people treated her with the same respect accorded to everybody else. Thanks to these emotional connections, Nancy's life was transformed.
She followed no diet plan; no pills, potions, or ab-crunching exercises played a part. There was no silver bullet, no magical, elusive ingredient—yet Nancy has lost more than 530 pounds. Nancy's tale is one of redemption, a story of reevaluating her worth and insisting she had value simply because she was human. It will show a growing America that life is sweet and always worth living.
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"Really loved this book. Most of it took place in my hometown which made it that much more interesting. I've always been interested in people's struggles. She tells an engaging story with a wonderful outcome. Read the majority of it in one sitting."
— Chris (5 out of 5 stars)
703 Listener Reviews
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" Thought this was a fascinating memoir about Nancy's life. It's fascinating to look into another person's life, especially when it can be so different from anything you can imagine. "
— M, 2/18/2014 -
" Interesting read about a woman who loses hundreds of pounds -- except the book isn't really about losing weight, as much as it is a detailing of her abusive childhood and eventually finding affirmation in her adult life. It reminded me of The Glass Castle, except not as well written, since this book didn't have a solid theme. I scanned some reviews before I read the book, and some people were upset that she didn't give details as to her weightloss, which didn't bother me at the time -- I mean, who wants a chronicle of every squat, lunge, and broccoli stem? Except this book didn't have details at all. So this woman lost 500 pounds because she starting chatting with people online? Just seemed confusing that it wasn't really touched upon in the book. Nonetheless, the book is still enjoyable as the author's style is pleasant (minus the part where she describes Joe Biden's hairplugs as "debonair" -- eww), if a bit unfocused. "
— Laura, 2/5/2014 -
" If you've ever wondered how someone could gain a few hundred pound without realizing it then this is the book for you. Really interesting. "
— Christine, 2/3/2014 -
" Just picked this up while browsing through our local library's audio books section. Actually, I got obsessed with listening to it while cooking meals, doing exercises, etc. A fascinating story of how a woman got to be 703 pounds and then the unexpected event that got her on the road to losing it. Slimmer Nancy has been interviewed on many national TV talk shows to tell her heart-warming story. "
— Linda, 2/3/2014 -
" Hazel picked this book for me, she like the numbers made of frosting (at least I hope that is the reason). It was not my normally reading choice, but pretty good. Her childhood was very interesting (cult!) and the discussion on how she gained was good. I lost interest as she was losing weight, however. "
— Meadow, 1/19/2014 -
" Awesome is about all I can say! Very inspirational and gave me new perspective. Highly recommended!! "
— Kelly, 1/16/2014 -
" It was an insightful and honest look at a common struggle. "
— Cynthia, 1/14/2014 -
" Amazing story of a woman getting her life back. "
— Libby, 12/19/2013 -
" Interesting book, though it does not always flow well from one story to the next. The author's journey is remarkable though and worth the read for anyone who is faced with having to lose a lot of weight. "
— Heather, 12/3/2013 -
" good book, interesting ending not as good "
— Cynthia, 12/2/2013 -
" This is a really inspirational story. "
— Jennifer, 12/1/2013 -
" Meh. The author is not a gifted writer, but the prose is clear and organized. I wanted some insight and I guess I got some into her life but it wasn't really what I was looking for. "
— Redheadeb, 7/31/2013 -
" An excellent and absorbing memoir, very well written, and Nancy's experiences are so well-related I feel as though we've met! Her vibrant personality _makes_ this book. "
— Spook, 6/23/2013 -
" Awesome book for anybody that is dealing with a eating disorder or a weight problem. "
— Michael, 5/6/2012 -
" This all goes down in Grand Rapids, Michigan, making it much more interesting to me. . . "
— Rachelle, 3/23/2012 -
" A great story written by a family friend about finding herself and overcoming a food addiction without any miracle diets or crazy exercise regimens. "
— A., 10/24/2011 -
" An excellent and absorbing memoir, very well written, and Nancy's experiences are so well-related I feel as though we've met! Her vibrant personality _makes_ this book. "
— Spook, 4/12/2011 -
" I felt as though that saying "until you walk in her shoes" came to life. It made an impact and I would recommend this as a must read to anyone interested in treating obesity. "
— Karen, 3/31/2011 -
" Another one of my extremely dogeared books and heavily highlighted. "
— Belenda, 3/6/2011 -
" Awesome is about all I can say! Very inspirational and gave me new perspective. Highly recommended!! "
— Kelly, 2/19/2011 -
" Meh. The author is not a gifted writer, but the prose is clear and organized. I wanted some insight and I guess I got some into her life but it wasn't really what I was looking for. "
— Redheadeb, 1/26/2011 -
" This is a really inspirational story. "
— Jennifer, 12/20/2010 -
" Great writer. The story is riveting NOT because of her weight but because of her life. I normally don't like biographies but this is a good one. "
— Sharon, 11/21/2010 -
" Uneven. Started strong, with an exploration of her large catholic family and her mother uprooting them to move to a frigid religious commune. Then, well, things got kind of boring, the connection with the narrator wasn't sustained. "
— Therese, 9/26/2010
About Nancy Makin
Nancy Makin went from being on disability and homebound in subsidized housing to becoming a motivational speaker. She has appeared on Oprah and Good Morning America. Nancy lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
About Coleen Marlo
Coleen Marlo is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator who has been nominated for an Audie Award twice, winning in 2011. She has been awarded three Listen-Up Awards from Publishers Weekly, an AudioFile Audiobook of the Year Award in 2011, and was named Audiobook Narrator of the Year for 2010 by Publishers Weekly. She is a member of the prestigious Actors Studio and taught acting for ten years at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. Marlo is a proud founding member of Deyan Institute of Voice Artistry and Technology.