Pick up any woman's magazine. Read any pamphlet in your doctor's office. Like it or not, you'll find that exercise seems to be the prescription for...
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reviews
Sep 08, 2009
Jeanette
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I've read other books by Emily Watts and heard her speak on a few occasions and have usually enjoyed what I read and heard but not so much this time.
The book is set up with 31 short chapters that discuss exercises to help keep you in shape spiritually. They were quick reads filled with lots of personal stories and experiences but I felt like I'd read or heard many of them before. What I had not specifically heard or read before was still nothing new or overly inspiring.
It is pro More...
The book is set up with 31 short chapters that discuss exercises to help keep you in shape spiritually. They were quick reads filled with lots of personal stories and experiences but I felt like I'd read or heard many of them before. What I had not specifically heard or read before was still nothing new or overly inspiring.
It is pro More...
Jul 31, 2009
Melissa
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Could it be? I think I'm the first person on here to review this book! :) Sorry... just had to throw that in there.
Emily Watts has done it again. She has taken humor, mixed it with some poignant truths, and ta-dah! You have this great book. She covers 31 "exercises" for your soul throughout the book. I know that the point was to have something to do each and every day, but it felt a bit overwhelming. Maybe I should have read just one chapter, tried implementing it a More...
Emily Watts has done it again. She has taken humor, mixed it with some poignant truths, and ta-dah! You have this great book. She covers 31 "exercises" for your soul throughout the book. I know that the point was to have something to do each and every day, but it felt a bit overwhelming. Maybe I should have read just one chapter, tried implementing it a More...
Jan 23, 2010
Kim
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I read this outloud to my husband as we drove home from Arizona this past Christmas. Fun read. The book is easily divided into 31 chapters with each having a "spiritual" exercise assigned to a physical action to such topics as gratitude, forgiveness, stress etc. There are some hilarious stories and upbeat mood to the book that allows you to plow right through it or savor each chapter and try out some of the assignments. Glad I bought it. This is NOT just a book for women.
Jul 27, 2011
Hunybe
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Fun and lighthearted, with lots of amusing antecdotes.
I picked up this book because I heard the author speak at BYU's Women's Conference this spring, and she got the prize for my favorite quote of the conference. "I remind my children often that I am giving them the gift of an unperfect mother, so that when it comes time to enter into their own marriage they won't have any unrealistic expectations."
Nice to hear we don't need to be perfect.
I picked up this book because I heard the author speak at BYU's Women's Conference this spring, and she got the prize for my favorite quote of the conference. "I remind my children often that I am giving them the gift of an unperfect mother, so that when it comes time to enter into their own marriage they won't have any unrealistic expectations."
Nice to hear we don't need to be perfect.
Jun 29, 2010
Kristen
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Exercise--blech! Something we should all do but just can't seem to get around to doing. In this book, Emily Watts outlines a month long exercise program, not for the body, but for the spirit. With funny and down to earth personal stories she points out some logical solutions and advice to fix those nagging bad habits and make life more enjoyable. Loved the insights and the humor. This is one exercise program I could really get into!
Aug 17, 2011
Lori
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I enjoyed this little book about how to strengthen ourselves spiritually. There are 31 short essays, one for each day of the month. They are the perfect length when you need a quick "pick-me-up."
Emily Watts has a delightful, funny way of sharing examples from her life to illustrate her point. I especially appreciated her insight on motherhood, the guilt we often feel and what we can and cannot control. Delightful reading.
Emily Watts has a delightful, funny way of sharing examples from her life to illustrate her point. I especially appreciated her insight on motherhood, the guilt we often feel and what we can and cannot control. Delightful reading.
Jul 28, 2011
Rachel
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I loved this book! I love how simple Emily's advice is and yet very inspiring and motivating at the same time. It motivates you to make small changes in various areas of your life that seem so obvious but that we too often overlook. I enjoyed reading it and will probably pick it up to review a chapter or two every so often to remind myself of a new goal I want to work on.
Apr 07, 2010
Mom
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I put off reading this gem of a book because I mistakenly thought it dwelt with 'exercise'.... I was so happily surprised to find that it contained nuggets of insights that could apply to my own life. Emily Watts, author, comes across as an ordinary woman sharing what she's learned. I think I would like to have her as a friend. I recommend this one!
Mar 20, 2010
Christina
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Not a hugely deep read, but a fun and lighthearted look at principles to live by. I liked her story of what happened the Sunday they had all the men sing on the stand (it was great) followed by what happened when all the women came up to sing (kids were screaming all over the place). The point? Moms matter! Lots of great stories and examples used.
Jan 27, 2010
Summers
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This is a small book, but I very much enjoy the way Emily Watts writes, so will probably finish this pretty quick. Same messages as usual but put in a fun and interesting format. Her "Confessions of an Unbalanced Woman" is still one of my favorite reads and re-reads.
This was a good read. Had some thoughtful but simple ideas for setting goals and working towards improvements. Really liked her comparison to everyday situations and lessons we can learn.
Worth readi More...
This was a good read. Had some thoughtful but simple ideas for setting goals and working towards improvements. Really liked her comparison to everyday situations and lessons we can learn.
Worth readi More...
Feb 22, 2010
Martha
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I love Emily Watts' writing. She can make me laugh and think. The only reason why this book doesn't have 5 stars is that it is a self help book with a suggestion at the end of each chapter. And I stink at following suggestions at the end of chapters. It would do me lots of good to follow her suggestions though.
Apr 20, 2010
Sarah
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I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick read filled with a variety of ways to exercise your spirit. Some were predictable, but many of the suggestions were not. Emily Watts has provided some interesting ways for us to look at life that will allow us to be more open, more willing, and happier.
Apr 30, 2010
Jen
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Emily is witty and insightful but what I love most about her books is they always makes me laugh. Of course, this is because I can usually totally relate to whatever she is talking about! This book is no different. She teaches that life is not perfect, but it is definitely worth the journey.
Oct 04, 2010
Julia
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Love, love, love this book! This author is so real and so very funny. It feels like you're having a conversation with her when you read her books. I love her book on motherhood and re-read it whenever I'm feeling really lost or fed up and I'll totally re-read this one as well.
Aug 16, 2009
Melissa
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Quick read, and just what I needed for some uplifting ideas. I could read these 31 "exercises" over and over for ideas on being a better mom, wife, and person. They are quick thoughts, and they are helpful for me when I just need someone to brighten my day and give me ideas on how to change my attitud when I need it.
Nov 05, 2009
Susanne
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It was fine. All of the mini chapters had good ideas but I didn't feel passionate about the book. She has an exercise to do at the end of each chapter and I think if you followed through with her homework it would be beneficial. I just didn't do the homework.
Oct 27, 2009
Jenben8426
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I really enjoyed this quick but enlightening read. I bought it recently at Time Out For Women because the title made me chuckle. The author did a great job of incorporating humor and spirituality. It was clear to the reader that she wasn't trying to make you feel guilty or feel like she, herself, was perfect; but rather engaged the reader fully in understanding of the topics presented. I actually plan to read it again and actually do the 31 exercises (one each day for a month) it suggests at
More...
Dec 29, 2009
Julie
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You can imagine my surprise when I found a book with the exact same title as a conversation I'd recently had with friends. So I had to read it. It's a quick read - less than a day - but a hit-the-nail-on-the-head sort of read. So, so good!
Sep 02, 2010
Loriann
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This is a great self-help book that is not too intimidating! These exercises that Emily Watts has come up with help you improve yourself on an emotional and spiritual level in small increments. I'm planning to take these exercises on one by one and write about my progress in my journal. I'm also going to share this book with a few friends.
Aug 18, 2010
Loraine
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I didn't finish this book. I thought it would be more entertaining, but it felt more like advice and it even had a "to do" list. I have enough to do right now in my life. I was looking more for entertainment than another "self-help" book.
Jan 25, 2010
Jenette
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Very good book with a good way to look at things. I just get a little nervous when books suggest stepping up your efforts a little when you are already feeling quite overwhelmed. But other than that, it is a good quick read.
Feb 12, 2010
Teresa
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This was a Christmas gift. Quick, easy read--I didn't have anything against it when I read it. But now, a month and a half later, I can't remember anything about it, so it obviously didn't impact me that much.
Jan 12, 2010
Carol
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Emily Watts is very funny and down to earth as a speaker and as a writer! I really enjoyed this book of ideas for self-improvement-not one of them was physical exercise! LOL Yeah, I know that's necessary, too.
Sep 10, 2009
Great book!! Just finished, had a lot of good reminders and helped me remember other books that went into more detail on these subjects. It is a book that you can keep on your shelf for many of lives situations.
Jun 22, 2011
Sarah
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I really enjoyed this book. I heard Emily Watts speak recently and many of the anecdotes she shared in her talk were in the book. I liked how the chapters were very short and to the point. Her words were encouraging and optimistic. I enjoyed reading this book.
Dec 19, 2009
Melanie
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Anyone who's read stuff by Emily Watts knows that she has a great perspective on life, and communicates it in humorous, yet poignant ways. I loved the short, concise chapters, especially as a holiday read; some days I only got through one of her 2-3 page segments. This book is full of some of Watts' personal experiences, and what they taught her about life. If you are a person who learns well from life experiences, this book is for you. It really is an "exercise manual" for life.
Sep 26, 2009
Michelle
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This is by Emily Watts, so it was practically a guarantee that I'd love it. Her sense of humor is right up my alley. :-) This is a short, quick read, full of personal stories. Uplifting, fun and hilarious.
May 27, 2010
Sally
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I love Emily Watts from Time Out for Women, and she's just as great in this book. It's an easy, fun, quick read, but it got me thinking about some of the bad habits I hold on to.
Apr 17, 2010
Valerie
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this book dealt with issues I'm having right now- I'm going to read it again in a week or so and do the exercises it talks about to try and get myself in the mental place I need to be.
Sep 15, 2010
Kristi
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I enjoyed this one as much as I enjoyed "I Am a Mother" by a different author. The contains some really good food for thought and helpful tips on parenting.
