Have you ever wondered how overweight people feel, both physically and mentally? Do they struggle with their weight, or do they just not care? How do they get from normal-sized babies to adults who weigh over 300 pounds? You will find the answers to these and many more questions in Tommy Tomlinson’s memoir, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

Tomlinson is a freelance journalist from Charlotte, NC. In December 2015, he was nearing his 50th birthday and weighed 460 pounds. That same month, his sister died due to complications caused by her weight. This heartbreaking loss was a wakeup call for Tomlinson. Although he did not have diabetes or any other weight-related disease, he knew he had to lose weight or he might die in his 50s. So that’s exactly what he did, and he decided to write a book about his journey. However, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM is not merely a diary recounting Tomlinson’s quest to get smaller in a year; he also explains how he managed to put on all that weight in the first place.

"Tomlinson’s honesty sometimes borders on brutality as he strips his soul naked.... THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM is an amazing book that I highly recommend, even if you are not seeking to lose weight."

The book is divided into 12 chapters, each with two parts. In the first part, Tomlinson reveals a piece of his life, along with his thoughts and observations. He begins with his early childhood, and then delves into his high school and college years, followed by his career, marriage, etc. But this is not a linear account of his life, as he also offers his perspective on the TV show “The Biggest Loser,” talks about Oprah’s weight fluctuation and explains why diets don’t work. In addition, he reveals the secret formula for weight loss: Just eat less and healthier; burn more calories than you consume, and you will start losing weight. Exercise is a crucial component, but ultimately it’s a long and painstaking process.

Tomlinson’s honesty sometimes borders on brutality as he strips his soul naked. However, there is no self-pity here or blaming others, and he peppers the text with a lot of well-placed humor. He also emphasizes that being overweight does not automatically lead to illness and that his health, despite his weight, was fine.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM is an amazing book that I highly recommend, even if you are not seeking to lose weight. Since most of us experience some kind of struggle in our lives (which may or may not be related to our weight), it’s always fascinating to see how one deals with these challenges. And aren’t you just a bit curious to find out how much weight Tomlinson ended up losing?