book data
192 ratings,
4.16
average rating, 71 reviews
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published
January 29th 2008
by Corgi Adult
binding
Paperback, 400 pages
url
setting
The United Kingdom
isbn
0552155780
(isbn13: 9780552155786)
description
In January 2001 Shauna Reid was twenty-three years old and twenty-five stone. Determined to turn her life around, she created the hugely successful we...more
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| Chicks On Lit: Book Challenge | 344 | 524 | 3 days ago, 04:11PM | |
| 75 Books 2009: Andrea's 2009 Book Challenge | 31 | 75 | 06/01/2009 08:41PM | |
| 50 Books A Year: Donna's 2009 Fifty | 4 | 37 | 05/09/2009 08:54PM | |
| diet girl | 2 | 8 | 02/11/2009 09:21AM |
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 393)
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1 star (1)
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avg 4.16
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in January, 2009
The plot of Shauna Reid's book sounds almost like a chick lit book...girl goes on weight loss plan looking for self-worth and conveniently finds a tender and caring Scottish man to sweep her off her feet who loves her just as she is. There are definitely aspects of Dietgirl that are Bridget Jones-esque, but knowing that it is a true story makes the book so much more meaningful. The book is laid out like a diary, with most entries including the date of the author's weight loss journey and her cur...more
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Read in March, 2009
recommended to Molly by:
Calissa Wiley
While I certainly acknowledge what others have said, as far as Shauna only recognizing her potential and finding self-acceptance once she favoured the number on the scale, I still hold this as one of my favourite "fat girl loses a bunch of weight and gets happy" books. Her sense of humour is really quite comedic, and I particularly LOLed so hard at the part where she catches Gareth with his bum out the window, tooting due to the curried lentils she'd made for dinner earlier that evenin...more
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Read in January, 2009
Best book of 2008, since that was the release date, and 2009, since that was when I read it. First book that's made me cry in a long, long time. First book whose real-life love story set my heart a-flutter. Most inspirational book ever, maybe? I'm sure Ms Reid knows this but the story was so much more than her (truly amazing) weight loss. It was when she finally let go and dove head-first into Life and Experiences and Freedom from 'The Body' (boy, can I relate) that she became a Superhero. I lov...more
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Read in May, 2009
I loved this book from start to finish! Even though the plot is one all too common to many of us, the author's personality shines through clearly with every entry in this unique and enjoyable memoir. This is the perfect book for any woman who wants to lose a few — or more — pounds (and who hasn't wanted to at some point in her life?). Over the course of six years, Shauna Reid lost half her weight, and I think she's courageous for allowing us to so intimately follow the ups and downs of her ...more
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Read in August, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone attempting weight loss
An inspiring and motivational read. This is one book that I will keep and re-read time and time again. There is a lot of Shauna that I see in myself and I share her experiences and emotions. What I like also is that Shauna is human and comes across as being human too. That may sound ridiculous but so many people write books to make money and have no care for who actually reads it. This started out as a blog and as a result was receommended for a book. I have personally contacted Shauna a couple ...more
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Read in June, 2009
At the beginning of this book, you realize you have picked up the Secret Diary of the neurotic fat chick you knew in school. As the author herself says at the end of the book, you want to either strangle her or hug her. But I stuck with it, and, well, it was kind of amazing - she went from this poor woman pretty much afraid to leave the house to going halfway around the world, working, traveling, all sorts of things. So she loses weight and grows up, and that's pretty cool. Also she loses ha...more
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Read in June, 2009
I have lost over 100 lbs myself, so I could relate to the struggle itself in the book, but I couldn't relate to the author. I have always been confident and outgoing, even when I was over 300 lbs. I always went out, socialized and took advantage of life, so it was tough for me to relate to that aspect. I just couldn't get into the self-depracating humor of the book. Much preferred Jen Lancaster's sassy and savvy take on weight and such... guess this just wasn't my cup of tea. Bravo to the author...more
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Read in January, 2009
It is difficult reviewing this book because it is a memoir. However, that does not negate the fact that I hated it. I bought it thinking I would be inspired but it had the opposite effect. Plus, I think it sends the wrong message to women. Just because you are heavy does not mean you have to sit at home like a hermit binging on food all day. I am overweight but I have friends, I travel, I swim, I go out and have fun. In fact, there are very few things I cannot do. It's like Reid is saying t...more
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Read in May, 2008
I borrowed this, and held off starting it. I didn't think I was going to like it, frankly. Though I am formerly morbidly obese, I never had the strength (courage? will-power?) to lose my weight the "old-fashioned" way - diet and exercise. But I feel such a sistership with people who are or have been obese. The stories of their humiliation and struggles and self-loathing and agony touch me so much. Only a couple of dozen pages into this book so far, and I've had numerous sobs catch...more
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This isn't really a book so much as a string of journal entries, sort of like an Australian version of Bridget Jones Diary. But it is a true story, complete with photographs of the author who lost over 150 pounds, during the course of a few years. The twist is that she lived in Australia and travelled to Scotland where she worked her way around much of her way through Europe while she was losing the weight.
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
everyone
I finally finished this book today, having spent the better part of four days either voraciously reading it or forcing myself to put it down and go to work, etc., only to return to it hours later. I've been a fan of dietgirl.org for a long time, but reading Shauna's book was an incredibly moving experience for me. I think regardless of whether you do not have a weight problem, and yet especially if you do, 'The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl' will make you vacillate between laughter and tears as...more
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Read in May, 2009
This is one of the best books I have ever read! The book is the real-life story of a young lady who decides to loose half her body weight. It started as a blog and is now a published book! The story is both hilarious and thought-provoking. It is well-written and endearing. One warning though: It would probably receive a PG-13 rating for language.
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Read in March, 2009
I really related to Shauna in this book. I have battle with weight for the last 13 years. I go up and down. I have been big and small. Now I'm in the middle again. I really enjoyed reading this as she shares a lot of the same self doubts. Maybe it is a fatgirl thing. Either way, this book was wonderful.
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Read in January, 2009
I tore through this book in one night. I think its a terrific story! She has written a funny and inspirational novel for those of us who may stuggle with weight or self image. She gives an honest take on the roller coaster life can be when you really want to be thin, but perhaps really like cheescake too : )
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This girl is my hero. She has lost 180 lbs. She kept a blog of her 6 year journey and turned it into a book. The book is funny, heartfelt and informative. I recomend it to everyone. Not just fat girls. Everyone has issues, and I saw alot of mine in this book. Now I need to create my own lard-busting adventures!
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Read in February, 2009
What a fun book. I loved Shauna's blog, and was excited to have a book form come out. While the book lacked some of the detail of her blog (which makes sense) there were other blanks filled in. I laughed out loud and cried a few tears. I immediately called a friend and told her she had to read this.
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Read in February, 2009
I heard about this book from many magazines, well before it came out. I must have looked for about 2 months before I found it. It's an inspiring story, more about learning more about yourself, and family, than just dieting.
I highly recommend it!
I highly recommend it!
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Read in May, 2009
This was a gift from a friend who didn't like it so well, but I found it candid, honest and an inspiring memoir/diary of a huge commitment finally, painstakingly achieved. It is of course, a blog turned book. The very personal straight-forward diary-style tone is the best part about it really. And her slow-but-steady approach to changing both her body and her outlook are worth applause and hoo-rahs. Good for her, I say. And if she can, maybe me too.
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Read in February, 2008
Shauna Reid was 23 and obese when she decided to keep a blog of her weight loss journey. Over the next five years, she charted her ups and downs with brutal honesty and poignant insight. I admit that when I got this book froma publisher to review, I groaned, thinking, "Oh, crap, another bloody diet book." But Shauna spends just as much time detailing what didn't work as she does telling what did, so it wasn't so bad. Her writing style is accessible and humorous and she doesn't hold any...more
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Read in February, 2009
recommends it for:
everyone.....
Shauna was so real and raw in her descriptions and just pure honest on what it’s like to be overweight. I couldn’t put it down because I could relate to everything she wrote; thank you for your brutal honesty.
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