The Elephant in the Room

One Fat Man's Quest to Get Smaller in a Growing America

By: Tommy Tomlinson

Narrated by: Tommy Tomlinson

ONE OF NPR’S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

A “warm, funny, and honest…genuinely unputdownable” memoir (Curtis Sittenfeld) chronicling what it’s like to live in today’s world as a fat man. Journalist Tommy Tomlinson, approaching fifty and weighing 460 pounds, decided to confront the risks and realities of living in a body at war with itself.

At risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke—and unable to climb stairs or fly without two seats—Tomlinson had long lived in denial. Raised in a food-loving Southern family, he tried countless diets, saw doctors, wore Fitbits—none of it stuck. Until he decided it was time to truly change.

In The Elephant in the Room, Tomlinson recounts his journey with wit, grit, and searing honesty. His voice combines the emotional urgency of Roxane Gay’s Hunger with the personal intimacy of Rick Bragg’s All Over but the Shoutin’. From his own habits to America’s obesity epidemic, from shame and overeating to resilience and accountability, he explores how weight shapes our relationships with food, our bodies, and ourselves.

By confronting his compulsions and unhealthy patterns, Tomlinson doesn’t just aim to lose weight—he reclaims his life. This powerful addiction memoir and wellness journey offers inspiration to anyone navigating body image, self-esteem, or personal transformation.

Tommy Tomlinson at his best

I’ve been a fan of his writing for a long time . . . I even got a chance to meet and know him . . . and he is one of the most honest, transparent and compelling authors that I know. Well I’m sure that the written book is phenomenal, it’s hard to imagine that it compares to hearing his story in his own voice. He takes you from childhood to adult life, skillfully pulling back layers of his own life to reveal both an inner child and a voice that want to be heard. It’s both revealing and inspiring. I highly recommend and will go get the written book as well.

A Look Inside the Mind

At times I felt Tommy was too hard on himself and too focused on regrets. He has lived and has an incredible life. But I kept listening knowing I wanted to find what he learned - and I am glad I did! Excellent story & so glad he read it himself. Came to me at a time in my life when I needed to hear it. Very grateful for him, his honesty, and for this book.

An intimate look at obesity

This book is an intimate look at obesity. The author admits that he really has it all -- wonderful parents and friends, a fascinating job and a loving wife. Yet he cannot restrain himself from overeating. He tells his life story with great humor and candor, blaming absolutely no one but himself for overeating. His voice, which is hoarse from a throat operation he had many years ago, is initially hard to understand but adds to the experience of the book. It's a good, albeit not super deeper read, and will make me look at all obese people a little differently.

Read it in 3 days!

We chose this book for our Bariatric Book Club and I literally listened to it in 3 days! Great story of will and determination!

Such a Great Audiobook

Don't be discouraged by the sample of Tommy's raspy voice as it is easy to listen to and just right for his story. This is an honest account of Tommy's struggles with diets and the many negatives of weighing 460 lbs. But this time, he tried something different after failing so many times. There are stories about his family, his love of fast food, his career, his food favorites, and his beloved dog Fred. This is a book we can all relate to as we all have addictions, complete with bad choices and regrets. Thank you Tommy for writing such a honest, heartfelt book.