The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl [Paperback]

Shauna Reid (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 30, 2008

At just twenty-three years old, Shauna Reid weighed 351 pounds. Spurred into action by the sight of her enormous white knickers billowing on the clothesline, she created the hugely successful blog "The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl." Hiding behind her Lycra-clad, roly-poly alter-ego, her transformation from couch potato to svelte goddess began.

Today, eight thousand miles, seven years, and 175 pounds later, the gloriously gorgeous Shauna is literally half the woman she used to be. Hysterically funny and heart-wrenchingly honest, The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl includes travel tales from Australia to Paris to Red Square, plus romance when she meets the man of her dreams in a Scottish pub. This is the uplifting true story of a young woman who defeated her demons and conquered her cravings to become a real-life superhero to inspire us all.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A buoyant, funny, and immensely likable romp--for readers of all sizes.” (4 stars) (People )

“Bookstores are fat with diet tales, but Reid’s stands out. She’s an entertaining, endearing writer - funny, humble, honest, wise, and best of all, compassionate.” (Minneapolis Star Tribune )

About the Author

Shauna Reid grew up in Australia and currently lives in Scotland. She enjoys travel, pub quizzes and watching men's tennis. As well as her 'Dietgirl' blog ahe also writes 'What's New Pussycat?', which has been featured in various newspaper, magazine, TV and radio publications, including the Sydney Morning Herald. Shauna is thirteen stone lighter than she used to be. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 407 pages
• Publisher: Avon (December 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061657700
• ISBN-13: 978-0061657702
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Reid More February 29, 2008

By Peta Mayer

Format:Paperback

This is a read-cover-to-cover-in-one-sitting book. While it is nominally about weight-loss, it's really a story about getting your priorities right and how to live life well. Indeed this presents as one of the keys to weight loss. It is therefore invaluable in that it implicitly exposes the futile, depressing and exploitative nature of fad diets while simultaneously showing you something far more positive. This book lingers with you long after reading, nudging you into asking yourself some powerful questions about the decisions you make everyday. The amazing thing is this is all done very subtly, and therefore generously. Unusual within weight-loss genres, Shauna is far from didactic, nor does she condescend to offer advice. In fact she is very humble, and you get the impression that she's got a lot going on. While the narrative travels smoothly and lightly, it should not fool readers into thinking that Shauna's journey was quick or easy. In reality readers will relate to some deep core issues about self-worth, body image, family, love, the self and other, change, self-knowledge and self-development. This is a moving story which causes you to reflect on your own values and has the potential to help you develop an enriched understanding of your place in the world. It affords a sense of clarity and determination that is addictive. Thankfully Shauna's blog of the same name means the narrative progresses online, where you can continue to follow the story of this remarkable woman.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book! As much about finding courage as losing weight January 6, 2009

By Julianne M. Pohl

Format:Paperback

I started following the Dietgirl blog a few months ago, and I've read through a number of the archives. "Dang!" I thought to myself. "This girl is *funny*!" I preordered the US book awhile back, happily received it on New Year's Eve, and spent the evening (and a few days after...only because of family/job demands, otherwise it would have been devoured in one sitting) reading this book. Totally missed tuning in for the 9 p.m. (PST) dropping of the ball in Times Square, which usually marks the high point of our personal festivities. (We're such the party animals.)

This book is brilliant! (And not, I'm not just gushing about it because I was desperate for a read at all, let alone a good one.)

Remarkably insightful observations of things I loved about the book:
- Numerous laugh-out-loud funny parts
- Parts that made me feel sympathetic, that I could relate to, and that made me ponder my own quest for fitness
- It's *true*!
- The themes: Fitness is not *only* about the scale or a pant size. Don't wait until you're at the "ideal" weight to do the things you really want to do. Don't let fear stop you. It's a message that a lot of people need to hear. (Like Oprah, for example. Girlfriend, pull your head out of Hollywood and plunk it into this book!)

The drawbacks?
- Being irritated at what or whom ever pulled me away during reading
- Potential financial ruin from buying copies for family (especially the nieces) and friends
- Having to *wait* until Shauna Reid (hope! hope! hope!) publishes another book! (Don't wait as long as that OTHER Edinburgh author, please!)

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The untold story is now told-- and it's HILARIOUS! February 26, 2008

By Meg Veres

Format:Paperback

You might think that if someone wrote the truth about living through the process of weight-loss, the book would be so much of a downer that you couldn't bear to both live that life AND read about it at the same time. Think again! Shauna Reid has been "lard-busting" for years and years with amazing success: not only has she lost half of her starting weight, but she's kept her sanity and her raucous sense of humor throughout. It's rare to find someone who is up-front and honest about the godawful process of weightloss AND who can still laugh about it.

This is a book that covers Shauna's "transition years" between the day she reached her breaking point and started lard-busting in earnest, and the day that she found herself happy and comfortable in her own skin. We get to see huge life-changing events-- large amounts of weight lost!moving across the world! touring Europe! re-learning romance! hashing out last-minute ways to stay in her new home!-- complete with all the embarrassing details that make it both human and hilarious, as Shauna grins and shakes her head wryly at the whole ridiculous process of life.

Read it. You won't be disappointed.