Your Big Fat Boyfriend

A Conversation With The Author, Jenna Bergen

by Habib Wicks, PEERtrainer Co-Founder


We had a chance to do some Q&A with Jenna Bergen, author of the new book Your Big Fat Boyfriend: How to Stay Thin When Dating a Diet Disaster. We found this interesting!

What was your inspiration to write this book?

Health has always been really important to me. Two of my siblings are type 1 diabetic, and diabetes really runs in my family. My grandfather and his siblings struggle with type 2 ... I don't want to go down that path. I was also a heavy kid between third and sixth grade, until I started eating healthy and working out and getting involved in sports. Ever since then, I've loved working out and taking care of myself, and finding fun ways to make food taste good and still be good for you.

When I started dating, I was shocked how little most guys knew about basic nutrition, which foods were good for you, which foods weren't. And even though I never gave up my big leafy salads and trips to the gym, all the tastes there and nibbles here added up over time and I realized I was gaining weight. Once I was aware, I found little ways to cut fat, calories and carbs and sneak in extra activity while still having fun with the guy.

After awhile, I started talking to other women and hearing how much weight they were gaining in relationships—some were gaining 10, pounds, 20 pounds, or more. A few pounds isn’t anything to cry over, but when it starts to affect how you feel, how your clothes fit or when it’s a big enough jump on the scale that you’re suddenly at risk for obesity-related health issues like type 2 diabetes, it’s a serious problem.

Around this time, I was also reviewing diet books for Women's Health. That's when I realized there wasn't a book out there about relationships/weight/health. And I also didn't enjoy reading most diet books. I found many of them were very complicated (eat this meal at this time and make sure it has X amount of carbs, protein, etc.) and I knew I would never follow something like that.

Many of them were also very scientific and a bit boring. I had learned how to break down a lot of scientific info and make it fun and readable while doing all of my work for Men's Health and Women's Health, so I knew I could write something that was not only factual and truly helpful, but also fun and entertaining. I also didn't want it be about dieting. I wanted to inspire women and couples to be healthy and active for life. Continue Reading Interview...



What kinds of people did you talk to while writing the book?

I spoke to study authors, dieticians, therapists and aerobic instructors. I also interviewed over 50 women about life with their BFBs. Their stories are hilarious! I included a lot of them, as well as many of their tips and tricks to keep love-associated lbs at bay, in the book.

What were some of the things you learned writing the book?

That this it’s a proven fact that guys can cause women to gain weight. They can really affect your waistline and your health if you’re not careful. I also found that knowing so many other women were going through the same thing helped me stick to my own eating habits/workouts even more. It was great to know I wasn’t the only one going through this.

What was your biggest struggle in the process of getting the book from idea stage to the bookshelf?

The first was time. I had to work very quickly. Quirk wanted the book written in three months, and I’m also on staff at Philadelphia magazine and I also do quite a bit of freelance health writing. I’ve written for Men’s Health, Women’s Health and SELF. So it’s been a crazy year! But I love to be busy and working so I am incredibly thankful to have these opportunities.

The other was not having enough room—there was so much more I wanted to include in the book, from vacations to road trips to holidays. And there are always new studies out and new tips I want to talk about, which I’m now doing over at my blog, yourbigfatboyfriend.com.   Continue Reading Interview...



What surprised you the most while writing the book?

How many women were so excited about YBFB, even before it printed! As soon as I told anyone the title they would start laughing and say “That’s my life!” or “I know! I gained 10 pounds when I started dating!” It was so great and it’s been amazing to hear how much women relate to the book after they read it.  Whether they are married or engaged or dating—they all see themselves or their guys in the stories and are so eager for help on how to keep the weight off or drop the pounds they’ve already gained.

What unexpected questions have been asked since the publication of the book?

Hmm. I’m not too sure if there have been any unexpected questions yet. I guess I would say that women really love talking about their own lives and experiences while dating or their husbands, so a lot of it just ends up with us chatting and sharing stories and ideas on how to keep the pounds off while still having fun with your guy.

The most unexpected and wonderful thing has been the response. Entertainment Weekly put it on “The Must List: 10 Things We Love This Week” and People magazine deemed it a “Great Read: Not Your Average Diet Book.” I feel so lucky to have that kind of recognition.

If someone was to give this book as a gift, who are the right and wrong people to buy it for?

It’s great for anyone who’s sick of dieting! This book is about making healthy habits and food choices for life, not about restricting yourself or timing out your meals. And it’s a perfect gift for any girl who’s going to tie the knot, because now you know for sure she’s going to be spending almost 24/7 with her guy.

It’s a great gift for any of your girlfriends or your sister who’s been lamenting about how her veggie-hating BF won’t try anything she cooks, or your Mom who’s never been able to get your Dad off the couch on a Sunday afternoon. And guys: This is a great gift for the woman in your life, too, especially if you’ve caught her looks or eye rolls over what you’ve brought home from the grocery store or if she says “Really, again?” when you tell her you’re hungry an hour after a meal. I guess I’m just saying that everyone really relates to this. Whether you’re single or dating or married, you will, at one point, most likely have to figure out how to co-exist with someone who’s food choices and calorie needs are way different than your own.  Continue Reading Interview...



What are you going to write about next?

There is so much I want to write next! I love health and fitness and think it would be amazing to do another book, whether it jumped off of Your Big Fat Boyfriend or was a little different. I also would love to write a novel or a screenplay. I went to school for film, so I really love setting scenes and developing characters, too. I tried to bring as much life into this book as possible. I wanted it to be fun, not another dry diet book. (I’ve read quite a few reviewing them for Women’s Health and I really wanted to write one that I would actually enjoy reading. So I hope you enjoy reading YBFB!)

Do you have any questions for the PEERtrainer community?

Yes! First of all, please let me know what you think of the book! I would so love to hear your thoughts and comments. Please email me at [email protected] or stop over to my blog, yourbigfatboyfriend.com. And the other thing I want to know is why does your guy make it hard not to gain weight? And guys, don’t worry, I have heard the gripe: My girlfriend is the one making me fat! So please, stop over to my blog and tell me about it! I would so love to hear your stories!

Amazon Link For The Book: