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2nd out of 30 books
—
54 voters
The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl
by
Shauna Reid (Goodreads Author)
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 weblog The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl and, hiding behind her Lycra-clad roly-poly alter-ego, her transformation from couch potato to svelte goddess began. Today, 8,000 miles, seven years and twelve-and-a-half stone later, t...more
Paperback, 400 pages
Published
January 1st 2008
by Corgi
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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
Mar 31, 2009
Molly Morgan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
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 evening. I'm not...more
Reading the Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl was just the thing to read to inspire me to lose weight this year. There were several things that I loved about this book. First, I liked that Shauna was easy to relate to. As she began and traveled on her weight loss journey, you sympatized with her when she had setbacks and rejoiced with her as she lost weight. This book engaged me from the first page to the final page and I coudln't put the book down. I saw alot of myself in this book and I feel that...more
Aug 01, 2009
Kimberly
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone who needs to know there is hope to be found
Recommended to Kimberly by:
Jennette Fulda
Shelves:
fat-fighting,
weight-loss
I must confess that I had never read DietGirl's blog before picking up her book. I had just come off reading PastaQueen's memoir, Half-Assed, and wanted something else to continue to provide me with motivation. I picked up the book because she had recommended it on her own blog. Shauna's tale was emotional and realistic. The ups and downs she faced in dropping the pounds (kilos) touched me in a very personal way. This isn't a feel good book, although you certainly feel good after reading it and...more
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
The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl is part memoir and part chicklit and heavily weighted towards the ups and downs of dieting. It's not a book for everyone, but I think it'll speak to any woman whose had to struggle to lose weight. It's not a diet book really but as Dietgirl shares her experiences, you feel like you're living through it with her. As I'm balancing Weight Watchers and the Cohen diet, I felt the book could have been written for me.
Dietgirl holds little back. We meet her when she's...more
Dietgirl holds little back. We meet her when she's...more
This is not the kind of book I normally read, but I was so unexpectedly moved that I have to review it here. I usually hate memoirs but Shauna Reid is the most delightful person, so charming and funny and well-intentioned that only a Scrooge would root against her. I teared up multiple times and read favorite passages out to my boyfriend as I read, and as soon as I finished I looked up her blog to see how she's doing now. She has pictures on her Flickr of events from the book, FYI - the Vegemite...more
I'm GOING to lose weight in 2011, so this will be the first of many weight loss memoirs I read to keep me inspired.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a realistic look at someone who lost 1/2 of her body weight. It wasn't in an extreme and fast way like on The Biggest Loser ... it was slowly, safely, and with some hiccups along the way. Shauna dealt with real life things - changing jobs, family issues, moving to another country, meeting the love of her life and getting married, planning 3 wedding...more
I really enjoyed this book. It was a realistic look at someone who lost 1/2 of her body weight. It wasn't in an extreme and fast way like on The Biggest Loser ... it was slowly, safely, and with some hiccups along the way. Shauna dealt with real life things - changing jobs, family issues, moving to another country, meeting the love of her life and getting married, planning 3 wedding...more
If I could give this book 10 stars, I'd do it! Shauna Reid is an amazing writer and I hope she keeps writing-it's obviously her calling.
The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl is Shauna's personal story of how she lost over 150 pounds (sorry, I can't remember the exact amount) while she blogged about her weight loss over a period of many years. (Her blog: 'The Adventures of Diet Girl', she's also one of the hosts of 'Two Fit Chicks and a Podcast')
It's a story of triumph and failures and it'll win yo...more
The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl is Shauna's personal story of how she lost over 150 pounds (sorry, I can't remember the exact amount) while she blogged about her weight loss over a period of many years. (Her blog: 'The Adventures of Diet Girl', she's also one of the hosts of 'Two Fit Chicks and a Podcast')
It's a story of triumph and failures and it'll win yo...more
Jan 13, 2010
katie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
five-star-favourites,
done-reading-2010
I thought I was the only Fat Girl in the world. I mean, I thought certain things were Katie Issues, but it turns out they're a particular strain of Fat Girl Issues. I've never been anywhere near 350lb physically, but if I hadn't put a stop to things last year I easily could have been, given time. And I think 350lbs is about where my brain's been living for the last eight years. Like The Blue Castle did for me around this time last year, The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl has changed me. I've alr...more
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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 weigh...more
I really enjoyed this book! I was very very nearly inspired to put the book down and go work out! But alas, I had to figure out how Shauna's story ended! I was so excited the first time Gareth walked into the story. :)
I am going to exercise tomorrow. If nothing else, I learned that it's not about the number on the scale, but about how you feel about yourself and your body. (For me, I'd like to get more toned all over and have my "skinny" clothes fit again. I know it's possible — I'm not THAT fa...more
I am going to exercise tomorrow. If nothing else, I learned that it's not about the number on the scale, but about how you feel about yourself and your body. (For me, I'd like to get more toned all over and have my "skinny" clothes fit again. I know it's possible — I'm not THAT fa...more
I definitely enjoyed this book. I liked how it had a bit of chick-lit aspects to it. I could relate to it in some ways because I used to be overweight myself. What i didn't like was that I felt Shauna never quite found a balance so that she could stay healthy and happy. It's completely normal for people to fly off the handle and gain a few pounds, but she does this several times. Even in the present day she has gained back about 50 lbs. It's just frustrating to read. Why should I look up to this...more
A book about a girl who lost half her body weight to go from approx 25 stone to 12.5. This is an adaptation of a blog she kept throughout those years so it charts her progress, successes, and challenges she faced, from a first-person perspective (and the blog is still going now, which is an added bonus).
Having battled with my weight for most of my life I found this book very relatable. The author conveys well her changing attitudes towards food and exercise over time, and often stops to think ab...more
Having battled with my weight for most of my life I found this book very relatable. The author conveys well her changing attitudes towards food and exercise over time, and often stops to think ab...more
One of those "I picked this up at exactly the right point in my life" books. Also one of the few "blog book that is even better as a book than a blog" books. When I first picked it up, I skimmed a bit in the middle, a date with Gareth, and was thoroughly charmed. I'm glad I did that, because starting at the beginning when she was so filled with self-loathing was harder to get through. But this was utterly rewarding and has made me think a lot about my own life and the Fat Girl Issues we share th...more
I find that with books, I usually either get into them very quickly and can't put them down, or I go very slowly and sometimes don't finish. (Probably why most of the books on my GoodReads list come highly rated, because if I finished them, I liked them.) Anyway, this is a book that goes very quickly, in part because the author's tone is very engaging and funny, although also because her language is very informal (the book is a republished version of a blog she has keep for many years), which so...more
Shauna Reid started her weight loss journey at 351 pounds in Australia, followed it through two different diet programs (and some ups and downs). After losing over a hundred pounds, she moved to Scotland and continued to lose weight in a more non-dieting fashion. The book is in a diary format to match its original source, her blog: The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl.
I loved reading this as an American — it just added to the sense of adventure of the whole thing that both Australia and Scotland a...more
I loved reading this as an American — it just added to the sense of adventure of the whole thing that both Australia and Scotland a...more
Jan 21, 2009
Debbie Greenwood
rated it
5 of 5 stars
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
As someone who has struggled with weight, I enjoy the comraderie of books of this nature. Her self-loathing was palpable in the beginning, and really difficult to muster through, especially because I have been there myself. Similarly, it is rather self-satisfying and encouraging as she starts to make progress - not only with her weight loss, but as a person. She comes out of her shell, goes on adventures, falls in love. The book lagged for me as she went for long periods of time without losing w...more
This isn't an accurate review since I couldn't finish the book. Perhaps it's because I couldn't relate to the weight loss story? I can kind of see why it's getting the rave reviews though - it is an inspiring story and I can't imagine how I would be able to get to the gym at 250lbs, and slowly make my way through an arduous weight loss journey from there. What I loved about the book was how candid Shauna was when describing her raw feelings when at her job, missing out on social events, hiding a...more
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 half h...more
Mar 24, 2012
Joyce Jagodzinski
added it
I decided to make this my March reading project after seeing this on Katie Kempski's profile. It caught my attention and went to check it out at our local library and I am so glad I did. It was a great story, differnt that what I expected and gave me some insights to something I have dealt with all my life, trying to free myself from a life of poor food choices and trying to overcome the exercise limitations I placed on myself. I give it 4 stars out of 5! So I have been able to honor my New Year...more
This is a witty and inspirational true story of a woman that lost over half her size. Just the kind of book to read when wading into the resolutions of January. I just love her honestly in her journey's high's and lows, and her humor is right on target.
On a personal note, I entered to win one of her book giveaways but accidentally missed the part where she instructs goodreads members that they'll need to go to her website to enter. I however left a comment on goodreads and Shauna couldn't have b...more
On a personal note, I entered to win one of her book giveaways but accidentally missed the part where she instructs goodreads members that they'll need to go to her website to enter. I however left a comment on goodreads and Shauna couldn't have b...more
I loved this book! At the start we meet Shauna 23 years old and 350 pounds. She is unhappy and unhealthy and decides to make a change. Joining Weight Watchers as the first and I think the hardest step for her - they have to get extra weights to put on the scale to weigh her. After the meeting she cries all the way home. The Amazing Adventures of dietgirl is the blog she starts to chronicle her journey - exposing herself and staying anonymous at the same time. The book spans 4 years and 175.5 pou...more
Shauna Reid's amazing memoir of transformation begins as a detailed
account of a desperate attempt to lose weight and morphs into an
inspiring tale of physical and emotional transformation. I devoured
this book, cheering Shauna on from her first tearful moment at her
first Weight Watchers meeting, to her budding Scottish romance, and
through to her stunning finish, which is more about learning to
appreciate her strengths than the incredible weight loss that
followed. Her memoir is honest and funny and...more
account of a desperate attempt to lose weight and morphs into an
inspiring tale of physical and emotional transformation. I devoured
this book, cheering Shauna on from her first tearful moment at her
first Weight Watchers meeting, to her budding Scottish romance, and
through to her stunning finish, which is more about learning to
appreciate her strengths than the incredible weight loss that
followed. Her memoir is honest and funny and...more
This book was an inspiring read. Shauna persevered several years to reach her goal, never truly giving up. Yes, she had her months of trying harder and months of giving up, but she eventually picked herself back up and kept plugging away. She also shared her true emotions which so many of us who have struggled with being overweight most of our lives can empathize and sympathize with her as she gets on a high and is able to lose several pounds and then lows when she puts on a few pounds. She enco...more
Reading this book is like making a new friend. The author, Shauna Reid, writes honestly and humorously about her 250 week journey to lose 175 pounds. The book came from a blog by the same name which is still online and well worth a look for anyone who is interested in losing weight sensibly. What's so interesting about the book is that it chronicles her experience as she herself goes through it so you feel like you're going through it along with her.
For a longer review, visit http://www.femagin...more
For a longer review, visit http://www.femagin...more
I am so glad I discovered this book! It popped out at me because of its fabulous cover!
I rarely read non-fiction or memoirs, but am much more of a chick lit gal. This was a chick lit memoir! It is amazing to finally find someone struggling to lose weight that you actually like in the end and are still rooting for. In fiction, all too often the woman becomes unlikable during her transformation and you are just wanting the book to be over. That is not the case here! I wish it would have continued....more
I rarely read non-fiction or memoirs, but am much more of a chick lit gal. This was a chick lit memoir! It is amazing to finally find someone struggling to lose weight that you actually like in the end and are still rooting for. In fiction, all too often the woman becomes unlikable during her transformation and you are just wanting the book to be over. That is not the case here! I wish it would have continued....more
I bought it because I heard about it on a blog and then read the blog it's based from and wanted to check it out.
I enjoy reading diet memoirs, and this one was pretty good. It read in an episodic manner, as if it a diary or blog. My only issue with it is that some of the entries read like straight cut and paste sections from the blog. They referenced things that might have been mentioned in the previous blog entry but were not present in the previous section of the book. I'm a pretty observant r...more
I enjoy reading diet memoirs, and this one was pretty good. It read in an episodic manner, as if it a diary or blog. My only issue with it is that some of the entries read like straight cut and paste sections from the blog. They referenced things that might have been mentioned in the previous blog entry but were not present in the previous section of the book. I'm a pretty observant r...more
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
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| diet girl | 2 | 18 | 11. Februar, 09:21 Uhr |
Shauna Reid grew up in Australia and now lives in Scotland. Her book
The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl
is out now from HarperCollins in the USA and Transworld in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and beyond.
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