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42nd out of 68 books
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101 voters
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Running With Angels
Pamela Hansen shares both her struggles and her success, using the marathon race as a metaphor for facing life's challenges. She candidly discusses the pain of living with obesity and the hopelessness that accompanies it.
Paperback, 211 pages
Published
April 30th 2005
by Shadow Mountain
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I'm doing Weight Watchers again, this time on my own, and picked up this motivational memoir to help get me going. I love this woman! I want to meet her!
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I think this book began stronger than it ended. The powerful part of the book, to me, was the candid description of her emotions and experience of losing two of her children to death, and two of them to severe health challenges. The writing was strong and insightful on those topics. I felt her writing became too repetitive on the subject of weight loss and marathon running. Maybe I expected more of her marathon "story" because it is ME who gets the privelege of "Running with An...more
This was an extremely motivational true story of a woman who overcame tragedy and obesity and eventually went on to run a marathon. I loved this book because as I read Hansen's struggles, it felt as though I were reading my own diary. I could see myself in her story, in her self-loathing, in her attempts to lose weight, and in her determination to love herself.
This book was exactly what I needed at this time in my life, because I am finally in a place where I am ready to receive the ...more
This book was exactly what I needed at this time in my life, because I am finally in a place where I am ready to receive the ...more
I was hoping for more about her running training, but that part was very skimmed over. I found her children's challenges (two babies die, two are diagnosed with chronic diseases) the strongest part of the book and heart-breaking. It was easy to see how eating became her coping mechanism for dealing with tragedy.
I was surprised at how much self-loathing Pam had at herself, at her body. She imagined everyone was judging her by her size everywhere she went and was constantly ashamed ...more
I was surprised at how much self-loathing Pam had at herself, at her body. She imagined everyone was judging her by her size everywhere she went and was constantly ashamed ...more
I loved her thoughts and experiences with overeating and trying to change her habits. I also appreciated that she didn't give advice on what works to lose weight, but instead shared what worked for her and why she was finally able to lose weight after years of gaining.
I really enjoyed the first part of the book because it felt very plot driven. I struggled through the last half which focused more on general feelings during the weight loss journey, filled with short story examples. ...more
I really enjoyed the first part of the book because it felt very plot driven. I struggled through the last half which focused more on general feelings during the weight loss journey, filled with short story examples. ...more
This book was enjoyable, though not the best written. I can echo other people's thoughts when I say I noticed how much she repeated herself. Certain phrases were used a lot, but it was also nice to read as if it were your friend writing it. Nothing fancy. It is endearing to me to read her marathon moments. I loved the support she felt from her husband and the strength they were to each other. I, too, cried when my husband and I crossed our finish line holding hands. Such a monumental thin...more
I loved how this book was written. The story is inspiring and teaches us a great lesson in health. The author recounts her battle with obesity and becoming healthy enough to run a marathon.
This isn't the type of book I would normally choose to read, but my wife read it and loved it, so I thought I would check it out. It's a true story about a woman's struggle with food and her desire to lose weight and run a marathon. She shares several ideas that worked for her as she struggled with personal problems and to lose weight. She also tells many stories throughout. I thought the story was inspiring and I learned some things. The writing was repetitive at times--so much so that you...more
This was an incredible story - for the story, I give it 5 stars! But she is not a writer, and often repeated herself - the general organization of the book was distracting. I felt like I was reading the same exact sentence throughout the entire book. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed the story that she had to tell - what an amazingly motivational book! This book is for everyone. Obese, overweight, or skinny as a rail. She speaks so candidly - it seems that she held nothing back in tel...more
I am training for a half marathon, so I'm trying to read some books to motivate me with my running. I did enjoy this story. It was more about her struggles to lose weight, but very applicable to any struggles we have. We all have weakness and I think she did a great job of sharing her story of overcoming her weakness. She lost over 100 pounds and ran a marathon, AMAZING! She tells about her struggles with losing 2 babies as well, I really liked her metaphor of running to get through trials and d...more
Overall, I feel this book was motivational.
I will admit, however, that I found her repetitious physical descriptions expressed in self-loathing to be rather on the offensive side. I know and love many sisters larger than she was, and it pained me to read her descriptions - despite the fact that they were aimed toward herself. I almost felt as if she was vicariously insulting THEM. I often had to remind myself of her intent.
Even so, a generally motivating book that I ...more
I will admit, however, that I found her repetitious physical descriptions expressed in self-loathing to be rather on the offensive side. I know and love many sisters larger than she was, and it pained me to read her descriptions - despite the fact that they were aimed toward herself. I almost felt as if she was vicariously insulting THEM. I often had to remind myself of her intent.
Even so, a generally motivating book that I ...more
I admittedly didn't finish the book. I was engrossed for the first couple of chapters when the book is heavily focused on plot. I found Pamela Hansen's story to be inspiring and heartbreaking. As the book progressed, I found it lost focus and plot. The chapters focusing on her emotions towards obesity were very repetitive. I slogged my way through these chapters and then gave up when the book turned into a self-help story. Overall, an amazing story, a truly incredible woman, but I personally did...more
What an amazing and inspirational story! Pamela Hansen share a very personal journey, set along the backdrop of her first marathon experience, and she relates her struggles with obesity and grief. While many of her sentiments were very similar to struggles that I face too, I think the universal appeal of her story is that it can relate to any kind of addiction/trial that people are trying to overcome. At the end of her story, you just want to jump up and cheer for her and then put on your runn...more
I checked out this book on a whim. I’d heard it was not just good but inspiring … and yet in spite of the recommendations, I really didn’t expect that I’d find it inspiring. The premise is an overweight woman (the author — this is nonfiction) who loses weight — a hundred pounds! — and then runs a marathon, inspired by her angel-children in heaven and the support of friends and family. Thankfully (thankfully!) I haven’t faced even a fraction of the challenges that Pam Hansen has had to — and nor ...more
Although I must admit I've never had a serious weight problem, still I have struggled in the last few years to lose the spreading tummy bulge that comes as a result of many years and many children. I find I have little motivation to exercise and a love of snacking.
So I can empathize somewhat with the problems Pam had when she had to confront the fact that she weighed over a hundred pounds more than when she got married. And I can surely feel her pain at the death of two of her babi...more
So I can empathize somewhat with the problems Pam had when she had to confront the fact that she weighed over a hundred pounds more than when she got married. And I can surely feel her pain at the death of two of her babi...more
Jenny
rated it
Recommends it for:
runners, people who want to lose weight or find motivation for anything
Shelves:
running
I really enjoyed this book. I do have to admit I felt the same way as another reviewer who said that the book was repetitive. A lot of times she did say the same things again, but in a different section to support a different point. But despite being redundant at times, it really was just her telling the story of how she overcame some pretty big obstacles. Being a young mother of two young children, it was a timely read for me as I am just trying to get back into running. I appreciated reading h...more
Regina
added it
Recommends it for:
inspirational, prioritizing, goal-setting
Recommended to Regina by:
Andrea
I really liked this book, it was about filling your own well before trying to fill others. It wasn't brilliant writing, but that was never the point. It reads like a blog, straight from the heart and not fancy. I love the marathon analogy and that is what this book is. It almost persuaded me to want to run a marathon, but not quite.
What triggered her to lose 105 pounds? It was an event during the stillbirth of her seventh child. She had hated her body for 13 years, but when ...more
What triggered her to lose 105 pounds? It was an event during the stillbirth of her seventh child. She had hated her body for 13 years, but when ...more
I loved this book. A fat lady loses weight and runs marathon! That means, normal sized Abby can lose 10 lbs and run a marathon, too! WHOO HOO!
Really, such a good book. It's one of those perspective changers. A thought provoking look inside the head of someone else. A real paradigm shifter.
The author gained a significant amount of weight over about a 12 year (I think) period, amidst several personal tragedies. (One child was stillborn, another lived only briefly, and two...more
Really, such a good book. It's one of those perspective changers. A thought provoking look inside the head of someone else. A real paradigm shifter.
The author gained a significant amount of weight over about a 12 year (I think) period, amidst several personal tragedies. (One child was stillborn, another lived only briefly, and two...more
A powerful and motivating read that touched me personally on many levels. Pamela Hansen is a wonderful example of the power of prayer, family support, and the human spirit. Although the story relates her experiences in overcoming obesity, the insights she shares are valuable to anyone facing challenges, addictions, or physical limitations.
The book isn't perfectly constructed - as to be expected of a first-time writer sharing an emotional experience - but it was fascinating to follo...more
The book isn't perfectly constructed - as to be expected of a first-time writer sharing an emotional experience - but it was fascinating to follo...more
I realized when I picked this book up that I had heard the title of the book alot but never anyone's specific opinion on the book. I read it in hopes of being able to use it in a book column I write but quickly decided against it. While this woman has a very interesting and potentially motivating story to tell, I feel like she spends way, way, way too much of the book recounting all the horrible things that happened to her before she lost the weight. She kept a pretty good journal throughout the...more
Even though I only gave this book three stars, I really liked it. It is the true life story of an LDS woman who lost herself as a priority through many various trials-mostly dealing with death and the major health problems of her children. She details the pain and suffering she experienced physically, mentally, and spiritually as an obese woman and mother and shares her experience in finding the strength to change her lifestyle to a healthy one. The book is written as a metaphor for a maratho...more
I cried to read her struggles and felt her grief at the loss of her children and the health issues of her surviving children. I was inspired by her ability to overcome unhealthy habits created by years of self neglect. There is a lot to learn about how crippling obesity can be to self confidence and inner peace. It made me think about how to support those who struggle with any addiction and to admire even more those how are fighting the good fight.
I thought this book would be about running and it's not. I felt like this book was surprisingly negative given the title. I was expecting to hear inspiring stories of triumph and while this woman accomplished an amazing feat (and I applaud her for that) I can't help but ask myself why at least 1/3 of the book is dedicated to narcissistic tales when she believed people were judging her as well as an intimate account of self loathing. It was hard to read.
Jenna my runner girl left this with me and I finally read it. I have to admit, it made me cry. This was a story of great personal courage and I was very inspired...not to run a marathon, but to plug away at my little efforts and not give up. A good read for anyone that needs a boost and wants to see someone's life that has had so many challenges that you just cannot believe them...yet she overcomes them all. Very inspiring.
I really liked this book. A lady in my ward suggested it. She said it was the inspiration to her weight loss. I have wanted to be a runner for some time now, but lack motivation. This book helped spark it up. It follows an obese woman's life and the tragedis that led to her weight gain, then it skips to the MARATHON she was running. Yes I said marathon, it is also good at reminding mothers to take a little "me" time.
Semi-inspiring story about a Mormon mother from Orem who lost 100 pounds by learning to eat better, exercise, and ultimately deciding she as worth it. The take away tip for me was that she got through her cravings one hour at a time. She would say, "Ok, if after this hour I still want to eat it, I will." But many times after that hour passed she would say, "I can make it another hour without eating that." Babysteps.
Pamela Hansen is an inspirational woman. She has tremendous challenges in her life, that I can only imagine. She lost two babies and two others have severe disabilities. She gained a lot of weight through all of that, and this is the story of her losing that weight and running a marathon (actually two!) Though the book needed some editing and focus- especially at the end- it inspired me to do and be better.
I was touched by this book. I think most women and mothers especially would find something in Pamela's journey that they can relate to. During her life she endures heartbreaking losses and overwhelming challenges. In this book she explains how she figured out the difference between what she had to accept and what she had the power change and control. I found her story to be honest and inspiring.
Having just lost a child, I could relate to the author's story and reason for beginning her journey of fitness and running. I too felt a need to make something positive come out of a horrible tragedy. Having said that, the last half of the book was a bit blah, especially for a person who has not struggled with weight issues as she has. The writing of the last half and concepts fell flat.
This book was inspiring, but I have to agree with another review that I read that said it was very repetetive. The story could have probably been written better by someone else. And, I would have enjoyed the book more if it was shorter. The story was really told within the first few chapters. Reading this story was like reading a high school essay: 3/4 babble to get to the 1/4 true stuff that was actually researched.
Even though I struggle with emotional eating at times and am overwei...more
Even though I struggle with emotional eating at times and am overwei...more
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