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The Big Fat Truth

The Behind-the-scenes Secret to Weight Loss

Published by Trusted Media Brands
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

When Meredith hit the finish line at the Niagara Falls Marathon last year, people in their living rooms all across America choked up. Who could help it? Here was a young woman who, just a few months earlier, had weighed in at 340 pounds on the hit ABC show Extreme Weight Loss. Now for all the world to see—and merely part way into her one-year effort to pare down—she’d (literally) gone further than she’d ever expected. From barely being able to walk up the stairs to running 26.2 miles in practically no time? The body is an amazing thing. And yet … it’s no match for the brain. It wasn’t the strength of Meredith’s body propelling her across the Niagara Falls finish line—it was the power of her mind.

No one knows that better than JD Roth, who as the number one producer of TV weight loss shows has helped countless overweight people change their bodies—and lives—for the better. Viewers of Extreme Weight Loss, The Biggest Loser, The Revolution and other transformational shows have seen the “technicians”—the trainers, the nutritionists, the doctors, and other health pros who appear on-screen—but they’ve never seen the heart and soul behind these amazing makeovers. That would be JD, whose production company not only created weight loss television, but who has produced more episodes in the genre than all other producers combined. He’s the behind-the-scenes wizard who gets inside the heads of the shows’ participants, encouraging, persuading, prodding, and inspiring them to succeed. Intimately involved in casting the shows’ contestants, then seeing them through the weight loss process, he’s the guy whose picture they tape onto their elliptical trainers and angrily scream at each night—then hug out of gratitude the next morning. He’s the guy who holds them when they cry and the one who tells them they need to get back on the treadmill even though they’re crying. JD is the shows’ tough-love dad—love being the operative word. Because it’s not just TV to JD; he’s on a mission to change people’s lives.

Every fat person (yes, “fat person”—there’ll be no sugarcoating here) knows that you need to move more and eat less to shed pounds. Not exactly rocket science. Yet that simple formula doesn’t get to the root of what makes someone top out at 500 pounds, or sometimes just carry an extra fifty. The missing link in transformative weight loss is mental and emotional fortitude. Mining the same problem-solving and motivational skills JD has used so successfully with reality show contestants, The Big Fat Truth gets readers to address the real reasons they’re overweight (and nobody gets away with saying it’s because they love food). With his combination of enthusiasm, empathy, no-holds-barred style, and master story-telling abilities, JD helps them unearth and tackle the unresolved issues they’ve buried under the French fries and chocolate chip cookie.

Presented in three parts, The Big Fat Truth includes short straight-to-the-point chapters that help readers identify their real issues, create their own reality show, and then shake up their lives to do the impossible. Included throughout are inspiring stories, advice, and before-and-after photos from people JD has helped to lose weight (both on camera and off), along with quick tips for how to stay accountable and a 30-day plan for putting this advice into action.

About The Author

Product Details

  • Publisher: Trusted Media Brands (April 12, 2016)
  • Length: 288 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781621452904

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Raves and Reviews

“To lose weight for good, you need to become a beast—a beast who crushes your workouts, who can outsmart temptation, and who has shed the fat in your head. On The Biggest Loser, JD Roth was the guy who could wake the beast within anyone. With The Big Fat Truth, he can wake the weight-loss beast in you.”

– Jillian Michaels, The Biggest Loser

“JD Roth has a passion for making this world a better place and a unique experience helping people change their interaction with food. His ideas are as original—and professional—as any I have heard on this important question. His views are inspiring, and they will help you lose weight forever.”

– T. Colin Campbell, PhD, bestselling author of The China Study

“On camera, you see incredible stories of transformation…but off camera is where the magic happens. Yes, you need to diet and exercise to lose weight, but making the heart and mind connection—with yourself and with others—is what will change your life forever. No one knows how to make that connection better than JD Roth.”

– Chris and Heidi Powell, Extreme Weight Loss

"JD Roth will cheer louder for you, fight harder for you and believe more in you than you may even do for yourself. He has become a guardian angel to so many people around the globe who struggle with their weight. I devoured his book, The Big Fat Truth, faster than my favorite roast turkey sandwich with lettuce mustard and tomato on Ezekiel bread. And, if you are like me, while reading his book you will feel his inspiration, devotion, commitment and passion to make our bodies less heavy and our hearts more full."

– Idan Ravin, author of the nationally acclaimed The Hoops Whisperer and a world-renowned trainer who has worked with superstars such as Stephen Curry, James Harden, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony

“I respect JD Roth's total commitment and passion for helping people live their best life possible. Through his time with The Biggest Loser he learned it was not just about a physical transformation but an emotional shift that helped facilitate that external change. So whether you need to lose 10 pounds or 110 pounds, The Big Fat Truth will be a helpful resource of information and inspiration.”

– Gabby Reece, volleyball player, sports announcer, model, and author

“This book isn't about weight loss; it's about life gain. JD is the ultimate coach. He encourages, believes, motivates, and, above all, loves those who don't love themselves. Thank you, JD, for giving the best of yourself to help others.”

– Charissa Thompson, co-host on Fox NFL and Extra

“I had the opportunity to work with JD for many years on The Biggest Loser. This is definitely a man that thinks outside the box. He is passionate about what he does and he believes with his whole heart that we all can and, more importantly, all deserve to live the life that we are meant to live..”

– Bob Harper, The Biggest Loser

“JD’s unparalleled positive energy is contagious. He motivates and inspires even the most pessimistic, and has bottled his message of positivity in this book!”

– Harley Pasternak, MSc, New York Times bestselling author of The Body Reset Diet, 5-Factor Diet, and 5-Factor Fitness

“Though the process of weight-loss is a complex one, and controversy may exist in the medical and nutritional worlds about how to best accomplish this goal, one thing is certain: it all starts with the mind-body connection. No one knows this better than JD Roth. If he could write a prescription for that, it would be ‘inspiration: take one daily; repeat indefinitely’!”

– Jennifer L. Ashton, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., ABC News Senior Medical Contributor on Good Morning America and co-host of The Doctors

“JD has a way of finding the best in everyone. With his book, he’ll help you find the best in yourself!”

– Dolvett Quince, The Biggest Loser

“JD is a reality engineer who possesses the gift to create the real we all want!”

– Ashton Kutcher

"JD Roth throws out a life line to those who want to lose weight. He's a powerful compassionate ally whose tough love approach will absolutely help you shed extra pounds. The Big Fat Truth is your answer to a healthier, lighter you!"

– Ming-Na Wen, actress and founder of WENever

“JD Roth embodies empathy and compassion, two qualities that are exceptionally rare is this industry. His lessons and examples make this book a must-read.”

– Tim Gunn, Project Runway

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