Jennifer Hudson is best known for her appearance as a finalist on American Idol as well as her role in Dreamgirls. I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down, an autobiography covering her rise to success and weight loss journey, is her first book.
The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the American Idol audition process. It continues with detailed stories of her days on Idol, where she made fans across the country and finished seventh. Hudson also writes extensively about being cast in Dreamgirls, shooting the film and her reaction to winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the film.
Hudson is candid about her struggle with weight issues, including how upbringing told her looks were more important than health and how the birth of her son inspired her to start living a healthy lifestyle. After suffering a personal tragedy when her mother, brother and nephew were killed in 2008, Jennifer took awhile off to regroup and returned as a Weight Watchers' celebrity spokeswoman in 2010. Since that time, she's lost more than 80 pounds and become a positive and encouraging role model to millions searching for weight loss success. In the book, she offers an introduction to the Weight Watchers plan as well as tips on how she's adopted healthy habits.
American was first introduced to Hudson in 2004, when she appeared on the third season of American Idol. Dreamgirls followed just two years later. The film was praised by audiences and critics alike, and won Hudson an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, an NAACP Image Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
"Anyone who is a Jennifer Hudson fan, a Weight Watchers member, or just a person who has struggled to overcome obstacles in their life will love this book! I Got This is an autobiography that serves as an inspiring and motivational tool. JHud recounts her early career aspirations, rise to fame and the importance OTHERS put on her weight, weight gain and weight loss along the way. She goes into great detail of how she made the decision to become healthy and why Weight Watchers has worked for her. She even includes information on how 5 of her family members have consequently been inspired by her to start the program on their own. As of the printing of the book- her family members had lost over 2000 lbs! I loved this book because Jennifer is so open, honest, encouraging and joyful about her career and weight loss journey and the unique ability she has to improve the lives of others through her actions and fame. It's obvious that her greatest joy is educating people about weight loss through Weight Watchers. As a member of WW and a fan of the author - it was a pleasure to read this book."
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Tiffany (4 out of 5 stars)