The Running Experiment: A Weekly Walk Away From the Sofa

by Kristann Monaghan

The Running Experiment (A Weekly Walk Away From the Sofa) is an honest, in-your-face look at one woman's journey from sofa and Skittles to exercise and healthy choices. Taken from her blog, Fat Girl Running, these essays cover everything from food to having fun, exercise, relationships, family, body issues and the dreaded 'F' word...FAT. She includes anecdotes, tips, recipes and common sense suggestions for surviving your own Running Experiment. Mature language

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

292 pages, Paperback

First published June 19, 2013

About the author

Author Bio:

Secretly a Disney villain, Kristann began writing her blog (www.thefatgirlrunning.com) as a way to chronicle her weight loss journey. She never dreamed she would soon have over 1K followers on both the blog and on social media. When not avoiding deadlines and stalkers, Kristann can be found in the mountains of Arizona either doing activities that do not require pants or working as a nurse by night. She is currently hoarding Skittles and books in preparation for the apocalypse. Join her and BFF as they plot to take over the world…

Blog: www.thefatgirlrunning.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFatGirlRun
Instagram: thefatgirlrunning
Twitter: @thefatgirlrun
Snapchat: ladymiryaa
Reader group: Kristann Monaghan’s Fat Girl Nation: http://www.facebook.com/groups/FatGir...

Reviews

[Cathlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a hilarious collection of stories about one girl's journey to lose weight. Kristann Monaghan narrates about her life and her own struggles with weight loss including tips and recipes that she has picked up along the way. Her wit and humor definitely shines through and is totally speaks to the inner fat kid inside of us. I could easily relate to her struggles and hilarious vernacular (while learning new terms along the way). She also includes funny anecdotes about her friends and family that make you feel like you are one of her close friends. If you're looking for a good laugh or to be inspired to get off the couch and hear from someone who has been where you are, definitely pick up this book now!

[Diann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristann Monaghan writes a hilarious and inspiring book that will have you laughing, crying and cheering. Taken from her blog, www.therunningexperiment.wordpress.com, this book is an unapologetic look at her own life and her journey as a "Fat Girl" to try and improve her life. Along the way, Ms. Monaghan shares with us stories about her trials and successes in weight loss, her family adventures, and the interesting characters she meets along the way. She includes family recipes and tips for everyone trying to get off their own couches. I could not put this book down and laughed so hard that tears ran down my face. Ms. Monaghan shows an honest humorous way of looking at her life and even makes up her own vocabulary (make sure you don't miss the glossary at the end!). I highly recommend this book for anyone, whether you want to start your own weight loss journey or join Ms. Monaghan on her couch with a bag of Skittles. Hilarious, honest and real, this book is a must read and a must share!!

[Tav Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a rough day? Feeling blue? Well, let me tell you about a perfect pick-me-up! This book is hilarious! Every time I read it I catch myself laughing out loud- like a silly huge laugh, too, not a tiny giggle. Let me tell you, I get some funny looks on the Max train from other commuters! I really love how Kristann can find the funny in all the things that bug me about my body, my life, my exercise habits, my diet, my inability to fix it all. Pick up this book and have a chuckle- you will be glad you did! (And big belly laughs build abdominal muscles, don't you think?)

[Jamie Vert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristann Monaghan takes us through her weightloss journey with a heaping serving of laughs and a dash of fun, not to mention a few recipes, and new vocabulary words to share with your friends. A great read, even for us guys, but especially for those of us trying to shed a few pounds. The author is not shy about sharing the most intimate details of exercising, including her preferred choice of underwear while working out. It is an inspirational read, filled with anecdotes and stories that I'm sure her family is still cringing about. Personally, I can't wait to read her next book!

[Katie Monaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Love Love Love it!!!! She tells it like it is and how hard it is to lose weight.. Plus she tells of her family and personal life that she goes through. She is capturing the attention of new readers and book lovers a like. Keep up the good work!!!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Tina Buchberger Oase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these stories! She understands the struggles that we woman face and yet is able to make me laugh but still feel good about myself.

[Katherine Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Spectacular walk through life events. Will make you smile even when you think you can't.

[Shona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second read of this book, re-reading before I am lucky enough to be attending Book Bonanza, and with fan girling allowed, get to meet Kristann.

The first time I read this a few years ago, I was looking for inspiration to get my fat-girl ass off the couch and moving. Moving turned into walking, then into running, and I do attribute some of my success in moving to this book, it was the perfect motivation I needed and it got me out the door.

Kristann tells the honest truth about the things that us not-size-0 girls are feeling and definitely thinking as we attempt to lower our dress sizes and gain health. I spent a lot of time laughing extremely loudly as Kristann renames body parts we all love to hate and tries to escape her Silence of the Lamb neighbour. I also shed a few tears, albeit happy tears, over very personal moments shared, shared through ABSOLUTE hilarity.

GO READ THIS, even if you are already size 0 and need to appreciate us with STOOBS!

[Renee Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just don't even have words for this book. My jaws hurt from laughing. This is not a romance, erotica, or anything else I generally read. This is a funny book. The author is writing about an experiment, she is going to start running. As a person who has been there I can so relate to this book. There is nothing wrong with the word fat just because society is uncomfortable with it, if you want to call yourself fat then go ahead. She talks about her neighbor with complete humor, such detail that I feel like I am there. I am jealous of the snow she talks about although she despises it greatly. Not sure if it is the snow she hates or the city plow man. The author goes out of her way to give tips for those serious about running, exercising or wanting to be healthy and recipes for those who want a little treat. If you are looking for a really great book, one that will have you laughing out loud, smiling to yourself as you read and slapping your knee because truth is funny - do yourself a favor and get this book!!!

[Nicole Manville · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was gifted this book by the author. I really enjoyed the blog nature to the book, but with that being said I wish it would have stayed a blog. This is something I really would have looked forward to reading on a weekly basis if I had known about it when she was writing it on a blog and posting new stories every week; however, this is not something I could get in to reading in a book format. There are funny remarks, phrases, and comparisons throughout the book. I can relate to her struggles and would have loved to have gone on this journey with her. I only made it about halfway through the book, reading it off and on for about a month.

[Zeia Jameson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Running Experiment is a collection of Kristann Monaghan's blog posts that allow readers into her journey of leading a more active lifestyle. Kristann journalizes her experience into a hilarious, real, and inspirational story that is not only a quick page turner but also a wonderful motivational catalyst to get those running shoes laced up!

If you want to know what it's like to start a couch-to-5k type program, this book is for you.
If you want to laugh with every single page turn, this book is for you.
If you fear your couch may swallow you whole one day if you don't get up and move around, this book will be your survival guide.

I highly recommend.

[Connie Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through goodreads and was very excited about reading it. I thought it would be a fun book to read, but I didn't make it through the book. I think she was trying too hard to be funny and it just got a little annoying for me.

[Warren Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dreaded Chub Rub... A Code WP... Disneyland adventures with the BFF... Hiding from the Silence of the Lambs guy...

It's a whirlwind adventure away from the couch...