Half of her

Hey, I'm sure you all read Half of Me, right?  Jennette has lost half of her body weight and not only that, but she talked about it on the Today Show last week. 

Cool, right?  Well, next week, I'll be giving away a copy of her brand new weight-loss memoir called Half-Assed, a weight-loss memoir and posting an interview with Jennette.  And this is no canned interview.  No, sir-ee-bob.  I'm going to ask her actual real questions.

And that's where you come in. 

Do you have any questions you'd like to ask?  Post them in the comments below and I'll try to work them in.  Oh, and to make it even more interesting, how about I choose the winner of her book by random drawing of those who comment on this post?  How about that?   Want to win a free book?  Leave a question for Jennette or just a comment for me (something like, "Mel, you are so pretty!" will do). 

On your mark, get set, go!

(Oh, and yeah, I'm half-way through the book and I love it.  So will you.)

* * *

Update:  LeeAnn is the winner.  Congratulations, LeeAnn!

Comments

[Sybil]

Question for Jennette-
How long was your longest plateau (if you had one) and how did you deal with the mindgame of the scale not moving?

Have you regained any weight over the last few years and again, if so, how did you deal with that issue?

Oh, and "Mel, you are so pretty!" :o) Keep plugging along....you'll get there!

[Emma]

question for Jennette (who i've never read but who I will be "visiting" soon) What was the one thing that made you want to start your journey and what was the hardest part of starting?

Oh and Mel, I'd love to read your answer to that too.

(((hugs)))

[Sandy McCann]

MY question may be shared with anyone who has committed to the journey to fitness through acheiving a healthy body weight: How do you help encourage the people who either don't see the need to get healthy (in other words, how do you communicate the truth about their situation in a loving way to those who truely don't know,) and/or have circumstances like being poor that make it VERY difficult to afford to eat healthy.

[b]

I wonder how she dealt with sabotages. You know, the people who say, "Oh, you can have that this once." I mean, some people are down right confrontational about it!

[mrs darling]

Ive been following her life quite closely. LOl I saw the Today show via the Internet. Ist she looking great? And yeah, Mel, you look great too! :)

My question is this: Did you ever hit a time during the weight loss process that your mind was just not in the game in the sense that you just didnt feel like eating right for a week or two? Were you afraid you'd give up before the goal was reached?

[Paige]

I've read Pasta Queen's blog, and I think she's a hoot. It's not only encouraging, but funny as well. I'd like to know what that "goal outfit" for her was. You know, the one piece of "skinny clothing" she was so excited to wear? Or maybe what she bought and wore once she had lost the weight that she would never have considered wearing when she was fat.

I just bought a skirt in a size 12. I don't wear a size 12, and I don't actually remember ever having worn a size 12, but it was the most darling skirt, and it was only $5.99 at Ross, so I figured if I never actually wear it, I won't be out a ton of money.

[Sara B]

I loved that book too! I nodded along with her experiences and kept wanting to say "Me too!" at some things.

I haven't read all of her blog entries, so perhaps she's covered this here, but here's my question: Did she ever have days where she wanted to stop working at it? And if so, how did she get past it? I've had moments where I am tired of thinking about ever morsel that does (or doesn't) go into my mouth, that I just want to stop trying to lose weight because it seems exhausting and the process is slow.
Thanks!

[karen]

Jennette is awesome. I found her blog quite a while ago through you. I won a copy of her book a couple of months ago, and I loved it. Great book. I laughed and cried while reading it. i have not lost half my weight, but having lost 62 lbs, I could relate to a lot of the book. Obviously, don't put me in the contest, just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the book.

[Sarah]

Hi there - love your blog!

I have a question for Jeanette, I don't know if it's addressed in the book (just found it through this blog, will have to read it). I've now lost 65 pounds and am finding myself in the normal size department when shopping for clothes. Does that get less weird? How long did it take you to figure out how to shop?

[LeeAnn]

Hey, sounds like a great giveaway! I don't really have any questions....

[Prairie Lady]

What has become a favorite food for you. That you always thought sounded gross before?

[Lynne]

I've been a fan for a while. I am curious -- Now What??? Seems like this weight loss/life style change has been all consuming for the last few years. She trained and ran the half marathon, but quipped that she wouldn't have to run that far again. SO... What's the new focus? Any new challenges (aside from making sure she doesn't become one of the many who re-gains the weight)? Will she continue to blog? What will HALF OF ME become?

[janet]

i can't think of a question but I'd love to read the book.
Saw the interview on tv. it was great. I don't know why but I thought she was from the south so she didn't sound anything like I thought she would so I had to watch it again to hear what she was saying.
Mel, you are so pretty but you are encouraging and wonderful as well!

[Renee]

I would like to know what motivated her to move from wanting to change to her lifestyle to actually making the first move in that direction. And was the first move?

[Cricket]

I would love to ask her how she gets through the bad days? Cause I know we've all had em. ;)

cricket

[Amy]

Wow! A lot of good questions already. I would like to know what she thinks is the most common myth about dieting. What do people believe or do that they think is helping that really isn't? Oh, and Mel you are GORGEOUS DARLING! (Smile)

[Karen]

I would like to know how she handled rude comments made by strangers, when she was fat and alone.(not with thins)(they never say it when you are with thins)
Just loud enough to be overheard, but not spoken directly to her. Example, I am fat but I work out and after my workout I went for a coffee by myself. A group of three college age students made comments, like "why is she dressed like that" "well maybe she works out"
"well SHE needs to"

[Mariah]

My question would be the same as has already been voiced in one way or another, pretty much. Where does the motivation come from when the motivation just isn't there? The knowledge that it NEEDS to be done is there. The motivation HAS been there, but what do you do when the motivation has packed it's bags and left the building?

[Mariah]

My question would be the same as has already been voiced in one way or another, pretty much. Where does the motivation come from when the motivation just isn't there? The knowledge that it NEEDS to be done is there. The motivation HAS been there, but what do you do when the motivation has packed it's bags and left the building?

[Kelly]

How do you get started running? If you know nothing about running and have never done it, how to get to the point where you can run a half-marathon?

[Karen]

I read "Pasta Queen" all the time. This is my first time on your blog and was directed to you by ELFF. It's nice to meet you and I'm sure if I win Jeanette's book, I'm sure I'll enjoy reading it also.

[Heather]

How did you get started in your weight loss journey? What is something that you eat now that you once thought you wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole?

[Azul]

I'm dying to read this book!

I'd love to ask Jeanette how those closest to her have reacted to her dramatic transformation.

[Debra]

Question for Jeanette:

How much do you think exercise played a roll in your weight loss success? Do you think you could have done it with just eating alone? How much do you exercise and how often.

[Laura L]

I do read Half of Me b/c you recommended it once! I have 3 blogs I read regularly and you and she are 2 of them! My question for her is this - is there a lot of excess skin? If so, do you have plans to have it removed? Is that something insurance will cover? Just curious (sorry if it's too personal!). Also, I look to you both as great role models! Even though you have had a plateau lately, I have too and you make me feel like it's a normal thing. Thanks for being there!
Laura

[Beth]

Hi Mel,
I HEART your blog ... and think you are looking fabulous!
I have been reading "Half of Me" for at least a year, and would love to read the book, but I don't have any questions for her.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and for being so inspirational.
-Beth

[breckgirl]

Mel - Can I still get in under the wire for the drawing? "HEY MEL, YOU'RE HOT!!!"

I think everyone else has the question for Jenette thing covered. Wait - Does Jenette feel SEXY now? I know when I was heavier, feeling "sexy" was just out the window. I still struggle with it sometimes. From what I've read of her blog, I don't think Jenette is the type of gal who would characterize herself as sexy, really, but I just wonder if she has had feelings about being more attractive and/or alluring now that she is slimmer. How has her weight loss affected that? I guess I did have a question after all.

Oh and Mel - YOU ARE SEXY, TOO!

[Cindy]

Mel, you're so pretty! And, we won't forget, funny, poignant, and helpful!

[MamaBearJune]

I am one of the few who had not heard of this book. Sounds like something I need to have! Went to her blog and read about her TV experience. She's an absolute doll!

And Mel, you ARE gorgeous! ;-)

[MamaBearJune]

I am one of the few who had not heard of this book. Sounds like something I need to have! Went to her blog and read about her TV experience. She's an absolute doll!

And Mel, you ARE gorgeous! ;-)

[PastaQueen]

Mel, you are so pretty! :) (And hey, you are.)

[Rebecca]

Questions for Jennette:

What is an example of a daily menu for you? Do you keep a food journal?

How do you handle cravings during PMS?

This may be too frank, but: Did you have a lot of excess skin after your weight loss? Did you/do you plan to have it surgically removed?

Thanks, Mel!