A Very Hungry Girl: How I Filled Up on Life...and How You Can, Too! (Paperback)

~ (Author) "To help you understand the work I do, I should first explain a little about myself..." (more)
Key Phrases: sweater club, body loathing, Body Love, Mickey Mouse, Mifflin Mob (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Twenty-eight can be a bit young to write a successful memoir, and, in this case, the author, a performer and motivational speaker, would have done well to get more life experience before attempting it. Although her parents were very supportive of her, she was picked on by classmates who disrupted her elementary school years and eroded her self-esteem. By the time she was 12, Weiner had become dissatisfied with her body and quickly developed an eating disorder that led to a seesaw of starving, bingeing and getting sick. She attended a performing arts high school where she enjoyed acting, but spent her free time with girlfriends who binged together in order to maintain the ideal body Weiner felt society demanded of females. She describes her relationships with boyfriends in college, including one that turned briefly abusive. Therapy helped with the eating disorder, and Weiner began performing theatrical pieces that dealt with body image and violence toward women. In 1995, Weiner created the ACT Out national theater company, performing these pieces for several years at colleges across the country, and she details the feedback sessions held with troubled students after the show. Weiner's personal story comes from the heart and may help others with eating and self-esteem problems. Her writing, however, is often unfocused, and the many testimonials from students included throughout the narrative smack of self-promotion.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

We’re all hungry—hungry to look good, feel worthy, be loved, and fit in. Our hungers are deep and insatiable. We try to feel full by using food, alcohol, drugs, sex, relationships, careers, or money. No matter what we look like or where we came from, we all share the same intense need to fill up on life, but not many of us know how.

A Very Hungry Girl chronicles the journey of Jessica Weiner, who spent most of her life hungering to be someone else. She was so desperate to be accepted and valued that she spiraled into an eating disorder, experiencing the attendant lack of self-esteem that ruled—and almost ruined—her life.

This compelling book relates Jessica’s very personal story, and also captures her unique persona as she travels the country as a performer and motivational speaker listening to thousands of other people’s stories. It also presents valuable and concrete tools that you can use to fill up on life . . . and enjoy the full, meaningful existence you deserve!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 217 pages
• Publisher: Hay House (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401902235
• ISBN-13: 978-1401902230
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #299,618 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is my second review - I reccomend it to many of my clients., July 27, 2005

By	Steve Nenninger "Dr. Steve Nenninger NMD" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What Publisher's Weekly (whoever they are) misses, is the fact that by sharing our authentic story we liberate others with the same hidden issues. Whatever the author lacks in life experience (how old to you need to be to tell the truth anyway) she makes up for with her no holds barred authentic real voice. This book is not a self diagnosic manual and the author makes no claims that it is. What it is, is a reflection of one persons struggle with her relationship with food, and herself, and life. All of us that have gone through various versions of these things can relate to the book. As a 42 years old physician I found it as meaningful as my 20 year old daughter. That is a pretty good scope for a personal story. FYI, Nowhere does she mention "memoir" or "diagnosing others". However, her belief that there are many more people out there with unhealthy food relationships is much closer to the truth in my ten years of practice then the "offical numbers". Worth sharing with those you love that may need to reflect on their food relationships.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GIFT TO MY DAUGHTERS, November 16, 2003

By A Customer

I saw this young woman on television recently and rushed out to by her book - not necessarily because I was worried my daughters were struggling with an eating disorder but because I wanted them exposed to such a wonderful role model. As I suspected both of my girls (19 and 22) LOVED the book and related to Jessica immediately.

This book opens up a greater dialogue between familes about body image, weight obession, and the societal view on girls. It inspires you to take action every day in what you can. It made my daughters feel connected and hopeful that they too can touch the world.

Anyone can relate to this book because it is about struggle, journey and triumph. In big and small ways we all have experienced the same thing. I can't wait for her next book!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally Filling UP.., December 8, 2003

By	A Thankful reader in RI (Rhode Island) - See all my reviews

I've always feared self-help books. "What makes them know any better?" I always thought. But after reading Jessica's words and actually feeling her struggle and the struggle of others, I've realized, I have a lot to learn. Empowering, life changing, and amazing, Jessica Weiner's book makes you realize that young women do need a voice, and she is Jessica Weiner. An amazing combination of humor, reality, and a whole lot of soul-searching makes this book a MUST for any woman. You are not alone, and this book allows you to realize it!