I first met Shauna of Dietgirl fame at Blogher in 2007. I adored her. With a brilliant smile and a sunny disposition, she was a treat to have lunch with. She was amazingly positive and very, very interesting. And then she let the shoe drop. She'd lost 175 pounds - an entire person. I stood in awe of her many, many accomplishments - most important of all of those, she retained her charm and grace. She is, and always will be, a class act.
When she contacted me to read her book, I was DELIGHTED and couldn't wait for it to appear in my mailbox. When it came, I set everything else to the side and read. And read, and read. I couldn't stop - it was that awesome. Throughout the book, I never felt a sense of shame for her size, a sense of despair, or that Shauna felt as if she wasn't an important person due to her weight - just that she had weight to lose and needed to do it. And, man, did she do it.
The thougths that Shauna had, those that she wrote about herself, are the same ones that I've had, time and again. "I'm only a chocolate bar away from 350 again!" Exactly. The book followed her adventures over the course of FIVE years, a few continents and a couple of marriages (seriously - it's that good - you've got to read it to understand.) I loved the pictures, the details, and felt not once as if I was preached to, but that I was reading the inner thoughts of a much beloved older sister. Shauna is a truly warm, personable person, who had a lot of weight to lose and did it responsibly, carefully, and with a great deal of wisdom. She is truly a force to reckon with and a font of wisdom. And check out the drawings in the corner of each page - over the length of the book, the chubby diet girl transforms into a svelte, slim beauty - just like our heroine!
I've been sick for five days, and am not certain that I've done this magnificent book justice. There was so much in this book that resonated with me that it's difficult to pull out just one, or a dozen, points. I've loaned it out to others, and each and every person felt the same way. They loved it, and so will you.
Shauna has graciously offered to give a copy to one of my readers, so if you are interested, leave a comment by Friday, January 16. If you don't win, PLEASE, do yourself a favor and go buy a copy of this book. You will NOT be disappointed.
I would absolutely love to read Shauna's book.
Posted by: Jen R | January 12, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Number 1? Oh no, the first comment doesn't ever win does it? =)
I'm just starting this journey of mine and would love to start it with this book!
Posted by: Tammie | January 12, 2009 at 10:15 PM
An inspiring post and sounds like a great read! I would love to follow Shauna's journey (and probably will anyway if I don't win). Count me in please! :)
Posted by: Monique | January 12, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I would love a chance to read this. It sounds fabulous!
Posted by: Jodi | January 12, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Steph at "A Year of Crockpotting" pointed her readers here: what an amazing book this sounds like!
Posted by: Alli Minch | January 12, 2009 at 10:20 PM
I would really, really love to win this book. I am going to try and lose the excess baggage this year; the weight on my body and the hubby.
Fresh year, fresh start. Thanks for your blog, I just love it.
Posted by: Trudy | January 12, 2009 at 10:26 PM
I just found out about DietGirl today, and she sounds like an inspiration to us all!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Shannon | January 12, 2009 at 10:26 PM
I'd love to read this! I have heard about her before (maybe it was from you?) and had forgotten that she had a book coming out!
Posted by: Heather | January 12, 2009 at 10:27 PM
This is the 2nd site where I've read about Dietgirl. I would love to read this book as I've decided this is the year I will gain the control I've lost a little at a time with each baby...Thanks.
Posted by: Samantha S | January 13, 2009 at 12:23 AM
I've heard such great things about this book. I'll be picking it up if I don't win but free is always better than buying, right?
Posted by: Cori | January 13, 2009 at 12:42 AM
I do plan to read the book whether or not I win a free copy; Shauna sounds like an amazing lady!
I found your blog through the Crockpot Lady, Stephanie.
I'm trying to lose weight AGAIN (I've lost 80 pounds via low carb diets in the past, but have re-gained). I have a lot of health issues which make it difficult to exercise. Like the fact that I'm in a wheelchair due to fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis...but only temporarily I hope!
:))
(that's a smiley face with double chin)
Posted by: JoAnn | January 13, 2009 at 01:07 AM
I told my mom about your blog the other day, and I think to myself each time I want to eat something that isn't that great for me, is this less fatty food? or more? It is helping a lot. Today I had no sugar. That is big for me, and I drank 6 glasses of water. Back on the right track! I would love to read Dietgirl's book! Inspiration at just the right time!
Posted by: Angie | January 13, 2009 at 03:10 AM
I would absolutely positively love a copy of this book. I would really love to have that kind of gentle encouragement!! Thank you so much for the chance to win one!!
Posted by: Cupcake | January 13, 2009 at 07:15 AM
Thank you for being a great blog to read in the midst of all the tempting food blogs! As a woman on a diet (aren't we all) I look forward to reading this new book.
Posted by: Stephanie | January 13, 2009 at 07:15 AM
Wow! Thank you Carmen for such a lovely review :)
I forgot to mention that the giveaway is for US readers only, unfortunately...
Posted by: Shauna | January 13, 2009 at 07:16 AM
I would love to read this! I do have a lot lot lot of weight to lose and would love some inspiration!!!
kajkbishop(at)charter(dot)net
Posted by: Angela | January 13, 2009 at 07:23 AM
I actually went looking for this book last week at Borders, but they said it hadn't arrived yet. Shucks. I would gladly accept this gift!!!
Posted by: mhb | January 13, 2009 at 07:52 AM
Hi.
I would love a copy of this book, it sounds very interesting and a topic that I have been fighting with almost all my life!
Posted by: galina | January 13, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Win or lose I would be so inspired by Shauna's book. We are all only one chocolate bar away from where we want to be or where we've been!
Posted by: Saucy Momma | January 13, 2009 at 09:02 AM
I need to lose more than I care to admit in public lol. I had 4 babies back to back (4 in 4 years) and I need help! I'd love to win!
Posted by: Amydeanne | January 13, 2009 at 09:04 AM
I would dearly love to read that book, it sounds wonderful.
Posted by: Wendy E | January 13, 2009 at 09:20 AM
This books sounds amazing! I am really excited about reading it. Since I am in the middle of my weight loss journey, it could really help to listen to someone who can relate. Thanks for the review!
Posted by: Rachel K. | January 13, 2009 at 09:23 AM
That book sounds inspiring. I would love to read it.
Posted by: Paige | January 13, 2009 at 09:44 AM
I would love to have that book.
Posted by: Lola | January 13, 2009 at 09:56 AM
I would love love love to read that book. What a help to a new year resolution!!
Posted by: Angie | January 13, 2009 at 10:21 AM