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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Shaping the New You: 101 Encouraging Stories about Dieting and Fitness... and Finding What Works for You
You’ll be inspired by these 101 encouraging stories about dieting and fitness... and finding what works for you. Join Richard Simmons in the great adventure of Shaping the New You!
There’s nothing better than hearing the success stories of other people. Read what worked for them and what didn’t. You’ll find your own path to success in these 101 stories about getting fit and shaping the right body for you. Read Richard Simmons’ own story and also read inspirational stories
There’s nothing better than hearing the success stories of other people. Read what worked for them and what didn’t. You’ll find your own path to success in these 101 stories about getting fit and shaping the right body for you. Read Richard Simmons’ own story and also read inspirational stories
400 pages, Paperback
First published December 14, 2010
53 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
About the author
Jack Canfield
1,295 books1,752 followersJack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.
Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.
Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.
In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.
Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.
Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.
Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.
Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.
Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.
In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.
Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.
Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.
Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 26, 2025
You have to be in the right mindset to be successful at losing weight and maintaining weight loss. In each story shared here, various strategies and techniques are utilized within the scope of lifestyle, personality, and personal goals, while still allowing for achievable rewards. I appreciated how these stories address all the seemingly insurmountable excuses, challenges, and obstacles standing in the way with humor and lightness. The struggle is real for each and every one of us. Hearing of others failures and successes may be just the motivation needed to make positive changes while maintaining a realistic mindset and attitude to achieve health and weight loss goals. Relatable feelings, experiences, and setbacks paired with encouraging and satisfying results make this an inspiring read.
December 29, 2011
Okay, so maybe I don't need to lose weight, but having Type 2 Diabetes I do need to keep in shape. These stories are great motivational tools to stay fit and healthy. Regardless of whether you need to lose actual pounds.
I love the Chicken Soup for the Soul books! Each book is fascinating in its' own way, and there is always a story you can connect with on some level.
Another gem for the collection!
I love the Chicken Soup for the Soul books! Each book is fascinating in its' own way, and there is always a story you can connect with on some level.
Another gem for the collection!
April 17, 2019
This is a good book that gives you inspiration and motivation. It makes you feel that you are not alone in the fitness/dieting world. My favorite is A love letter from Your treadmill. Lol.
January 18, 2020
I have used this book as my personal development book. I would read for 10-15 minutes everyday before my workout. Some stories gave me inspiration, some gave me food for thought, some made me think in a new way, and a few didn’t do anything for me. It’s a Chicken Soup book, not every story will hit for anyone. I do have lots of sticky note tabs of things I want to be able to look back on later though, so that’s a plus in my book.
March 26, 2014
This book is very interesting and brings inspiration and motivate people who wanna lose weight and especially when you have nutritional knowledge on how to lose weight but you just need motivation and there some tricks and tips in this books that will motivate and further enhance you in your weight loss journey. And the importance of good health is highlight in this book which i really like, and the mention of what inspire them to lose weight. Also, i really love their quotes which is astonish!
November 20, 2012
Another helping of Chicken soup. Great inspirational stories. Completely motivating, dealing with real situations and real people. If your just getting started in fitness and health and don't know where to begin or feel like you're the only one dealing with a hard situation along those same lines, this is a great book for you.
September 15, 2015
Wonderful inspirational stories for those of us trying to develope healthier habits.
July 7, 2018
Редкая по своей пустоте книга.
Мы толстели, много ели,
нам всё это надоело.
Мы привстали, побежали.
Нас за это в книгу взяли.
Примерно так.
Не читайте.
Мы толстели, много ели,
нам всё это надоело.
Мы привстали, побежали.
Нас за это в книгу взяли.
Примерно так.
Не читайте.
January 29, 2022
I read and owned many Chicken Soup collections in the late-1990s. They fell off of my radar for a while but still pop up every now and then. I love that I can still find ones that I haven't read and that are relevant to my stage of life. These essays are short enough that I could read a bunch during my lunch break and easily dive back in the next day.
I thought the collection was great and offered a little bit of everything. They were mostly from people who had gained weight over the years for many reasons and what finally made them decide to make a change. Some faced serious health risks, some had a "wake up call" after seeing themselves in pictures, and some had entirely different reasons. Some had trouble getting started or staying on track but found ways to persevere (such as with a weight loss program, a partner, or even their dog). It was inspiring to hear their journeys! I enjoyed seeing the various "rules" people had made for themselves but worked for them and their situations. My own story is not as inspiring but I have made lifestyle changes in the past two years that have made me healthier and lose 15% of my body weight. Maintaining my new habits and weight is important to me but I know how easy it is to fall back in to lazier patterns. I will keep this book in mind if I reach a point where I need inspiration and to be reminded of the rewards of a healthy lifestyle.
I thought the collection was great and offered a little bit of everything. They were mostly from people who had gained weight over the years for many reasons and what finally made them decide to make a change. Some faced serious health risks, some had a "wake up call" after seeing themselves in pictures, and some had entirely different reasons. Some had trouble getting started or staying on track but found ways to persevere (such as with a weight loss program, a partner, or even their dog). It was inspiring to hear their journeys! I enjoyed seeing the various "rules" people had made for themselves but worked for them and their situations. My own story is not as inspiring but I have made lifestyle changes in the past two years that have made me healthier and lose 15% of my body weight. Maintaining my new habits and weight is important to me but I know how easy it is to fall back in to lazier patterns. I will keep this book in mind if I reach a point where I need inspiration and to be reminded of the rewards of a healthy lifestyle.
March 13, 2021
You have to be in the right mindset to be successful at losing weight and maintaining weight loss. In each story shared here, various strategies and techniques are utilized within the scope of lifestyle, personality, and personal goals, while still allowing for achievable rewards. I appreciated how these stories address all the seemingly insurmountable excuses, challenges, and obstacles standing in the way with humor and lightness. The struggle is real for each and every one of us. Hearing of others failures and successes may be just the motivation needed to make positive changes while maintaining a realistic mindset and attitude to achieve health and weight loss goals. Relatable feelings, experiences, and setbacks paired with encouraging and satisfying results make this an inspiring read.
The one thing I found frustrating about this read was the fact that the personal stories didn't touch more on the struggles, the emotions and the feelings of doubt. I know in a way thats not really a positive thing to write about however it's realistic and every person struggles with those thoughts, feelings and emotions of doubt and excuses when it comes to excersizing.
The one thing I found frustrating about this read was the fact that the personal stories didn't touch more on the struggles, the emotions and the feelings of doubt. I know in a way thats not really a positive thing to write about however it's realistic and every person struggles with those thoughts, feelings and emotions of doubt and excuses when it comes to excersizing.
May 26, 2023
A step by step guide on motivational stories on how to get started on building the new you. If its loosing weight or just becoming healthier it will show you how to just take a small step and go from there.
May 31, 2019
Some stories definitely could be inspiring, still others are just plain...
December 31, 2019
Inspiration and just what I needed this year. Will keep it on a nearby shelf to reread as necessary.
November 12, 2021
Enjoyed reading this book. Had read Chicken soup books long ago. It is positive with many stories on getting healthy, also, weight loss stories. Hope to find some more Chicken Soup books.
February 9, 2011
But my favorite way of helping take care of my family is by introducing a new Chicken Soup for the Soul book to them. Perfect for a new year is Shaping the New You. Here I can find many ways to encourage my family to work on their diet, fitness and that happy balance with in. It never fails to bring a smile to my face when I am paging through a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. And that is the same here. I am meeting folks who have changed their diet and exercise after a heat bypass like my mom. Others who picked up on moving more with walking and finding ways to lengthen the steps they take as I want to do with Dear Hubby. Here so many share the ways they have found the balance in their life to be healthy mind, body and soul.
February 9, 2012
My sister gave me this book. Since I started back on a healthy eating program last week, I thought it would be appropriate to read it now to get motivation of others' success stories.
I enjoyed it for the most part.
Richard Simmons starts the book off with his story. The majority of the stories are by people who have lost weight by eating healthy, exercising or a combination of both and how they did it. There are also stories by people who have eating disorders or who struggle to gain weight which I wasn't expecting.
I'm not religious and there were a couple stories focusing on God that I will admit I skipped.
Blog review: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2011/08...
I enjoyed it for the most part.
Richard Simmons starts the book off with his story. The majority of the stories are by people who have lost weight by eating healthy, exercising or a combination of both and how they did it. There are also stories by people who have eating disorders or who struggle to gain weight which I wasn't expecting.
I'm not religious and there were a couple stories focusing on God that I will admit I skipped.
Blog review: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2011/08...
October 31, 2015
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11991259
There is much to inspire here -- from the ones who just started walking all the way to the gal who got gastric bypass surgery. There is a little something for everyone here. I don't know if it is going to help me get into shape, but it did give me some hope, that even the little things can make a difference in your health.
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11991259
There is much to inspire here -- from the ones who just started walking all the way to the gal who got gastric bypass surgery. There is a little something for everyone here. I don't know if it is going to help me get into shape, but it did give me some hope, that even the little things can make a difference in your health.
April 29, 2014
the series is called chicken soup because it can almost make your soul feel bettee .. I'm vegan and I don't eat anything with a face or that comes from anything with a face but this book did make me feel better and I could totally relate with some of these stories and some of them were so inspiring .. I enjoyed this book and I sure took my time reading it
Currently reading
February 14, 2011I love it! It's like a great support and motivation for healthy lifestyle changes and fitness goals. It is real life stories and anyone should be able to read at least a few stories that they can relate to and benefit from it.
February 19, 2012
A lovely collection of stories to keep you inspired. In my humble opinion, Chicken Soup for the Soul books are much better in audio. The stories come to life & motivate that much more.
September 13, 2013
I thought this is a great way and thaks for having richard simmons he is great for getting people motivated to exercise
September 4, 2013
it eas fantastjc easy to relate. to the stories
June 28, 2014
this was helpful neef to loose weight and love to sweat unti the oldies
July 12, 2014
Nice mix of stories.
February 4, 2015
inspiring
April 9, 2014
great inspiration
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews