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Full: How I Learned to Satisfy My Insatiable Hunger and Feed My Soul
Full is the true, poignant story of one woman’s spiritual journey as she recovers from anorexia, eases the emotional pain of her hunger through yoga and Buddhism, and finally becomes full.
In this inspiring and captivating memoir, Kimber Simpkins captures vividly—with piercing insight, raw emotion, and often humor—the all-consuming hunger she felt on a daily basis as a result of an eating disorder. Sick of dieting and hating her body, Simpkins decides to get to the bottom of her unhappy relationship with her body. That’s when she discovers the healing power of yoga and Buddhism.
Along the way, Simpkins realizes her hunger isn’t simply physical, but that it comes from a place deep inside her. Through the wise teachings of yoga and meditation, Simpkins discovers she doesn’t have to live in a prison of self-dissatisfaction. In fact, by understanding the root of her pain and learning to love herself in body, mind, and spirit, Simpkins is able to truly set herself free.
As she wrestles with her inner demons of hunger and perfectionism and learns how self-acceptance can soften even her toughest inner critic, Simpkins takes us along on her voyage of self-discovery. At its core, this book is a journey to find true self-fulfillment that will inspire readers in their own search to create a full and meaningful life.
In this inspiring and captivating memoir, Kimber Simpkins captures vividly—with piercing insight, raw emotion, and often humor—the all-consuming hunger she felt on a daily basis as a result of an eating disorder. Sick of dieting and hating her body, Simpkins decides to get to the bottom of her unhappy relationship with her body. That’s when she discovers the healing power of yoga and Buddhism.
Along the way, Simpkins realizes her hunger isn’t simply physical, but that it comes from a place deep inside her. Through the wise teachings of yoga and meditation, Simpkins discovers she doesn’t have to live in a prison of self-dissatisfaction. In fact, by understanding the root of her pain and learning to love herself in body, mind, and spirit, Simpkins is able to truly set herself free.
As she wrestles with her inner demons of hunger and perfectionism and learns how self-acceptance can soften even her toughest inner critic, Simpkins takes us along on her voyage of self-discovery. At its core, this book is a journey to find true self-fulfillment that will inspire readers in their own search to create a full and meaningful life.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2013
20 people are currently reading
1188 people want to read
About the author
Kimber Simpkins
4 books28 followersHi, I’m Kimber Simpkins, author of “Full: How I Learned to Satisfy My Insatiable Hunger and Feed My Soul” (New Harbinger Publications, Apr 2015).
From civil rights lawyer, to mother, to yoga teacher, and now writer, I’ve learned over the years that the most important thing is letting my heart guide me, even when I was unsure of the direction it was headed. Hey heart? None of this looks familiar. Are you sure this is the right way? Shouldn’t we stop and ask for directions?
The heart has its own internal GPS, the inner workings of which are mysterious to me. Instead of asking for directions, my heart will take me to sit for long hours at meditation retreats or lead me to practice yoga poses as the sun sets over a walnut orchard. Once I’m quiet, mostly my heart repeats the words, “Listen. Wait. Feel.”
Heart also says: “Write.” Full is the story of learning to listen to my heart and finding out how to include my body in the circle of what is beloved. I hope it speaks to your heart too, and encourages you, as Anne Sexton said, to “Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard.”
My heart is also guiding me through a second book, "52 Ways to Love Your Body" (New Harbinger Jan 2016), which is full of simple practices you can use daily to treat your body with more love. When I’m not balancing on my wobbly indoor standup paddleboard yoga mat, I might be outside in the garden meditating on our flock of backyard chickens while getting ready to go teach a yoga class or workshop. I am a big fan of the Health At Every Size (HAES) movement and community, and welcome students of all sizes and levels in class. I’m grateful to be a long-time Bay Area resident, enjoying the California weather with the love of my life, son, dog, and cat in Oakland.
(Profile photo by In Her Image Photography)
From civil rights lawyer, to mother, to yoga teacher, and now writer, I’ve learned over the years that the most important thing is letting my heart guide me, even when I was unsure of the direction it was headed. Hey heart? None of this looks familiar. Are you sure this is the right way? Shouldn’t we stop and ask for directions?
The heart has its own internal GPS, the inner workings of which are mysterious to me. Instead of asking for directions, my heart will take me to sit for long hours at meditation retreats or lead me to practice yoga poses as the sun sets over a walnut orchard. Once I’m quiet, mostly my heart repeats the words, “Listen. Wait. Feel.”
Heart also says: “Write.” Full is the story of learning to listen to my heart and finding out how to include my body in the circle of what is beloved. I hope it speaks to your heart too, and encourages you, as Anne Sexton said, to “Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard.”
My heart is also guiding me through a second book, "52 Ways to Love Your Body" (New Harbinger Jan 2016), which is full of simple practices you can use daily to treat your body with more love. When I’m not balancing on my wobbly indoor standup paddleboard yoga mat, I might be outside in the garden meditating on our flock of backyard chickens while getting ready to go teach a yoga class or workshop. I am a big fan of the Health At Every Size (HAES) movement and community, and welcome students of all sizes and levels in class. I’m grateful to be a long-time Bay Area resident, enjoying the California weather with the love of my life, son, dog, and cat in Oakland.
(Profile photo by In Her Image Photography)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 4, 2013
Having attended Kimber's yoga classes, I came into this book expecting a certain level of wisdom. What I didn't expect, though I really should have, was the beauty. There is so much good solid poetry in her prose, so much lucidity, that when I try to come up with a metaphor, my head fills with the image of a gorgeous sunlit afternoon lighting up the San Francisco Bay. Which is quite an unanticipated image to be left with, for a book that also tackles the hardship and pain of hating your body in very concrete, vivid terms. Since we're of similar ages, there was something horribly familiar about the particular flavor of body hatred Kimber's teenage self experienced -- I too fidgeted to burn calories thanks to what is probably the same damn article in "Seventeen" magazine -- and I recognize all too well the unrelenting cycles of self-criticism, of self-alienation, which too many of us dutifully apply to not just our bodies, but every single act, every single gesture, every single word. That is one of the challenging parts of the book: at times, Kimber does an almost too-good job of capturing that isolating inner experience, and I had to watch myself carefully for my reactions, to make sure that I didn't linger, that I paid attention when the text turned from faithful reproduction to compassionate observation to careful analysis -- that I made sure to go with her as things shifted. Because as they shift, ah, it's a beautiful thing. This book shows you just how beautiful. (I'd also like to thank Kimber for putting just enough Mom-related material in: if that epilogue hadn't been there, my main comment would have been pretty much, "OMG CAN WE PLS TALK ABOUT UR MOTHER?!" So, you know, thumbs up on that writerly judgment call.)
January 14, 2016
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I enjoy reading about people's personal body journies and as somebody still very new to yoga, I wanted to learn how yoga helped her come to love her body.
The problem was that this book was longer then it needed to me. At times I felt like she repeated things - and it's because she actually did. Towards the end of the book she writes, almost word for word, the same message to her yoga students as she already told us, the reader, previously. I applaud her for writing so candidly and I can be happy she has found peace with herself. I just wish she'd found a better way to express her story.
The problem was that this book was longer then it needed to me. At times I felt like she repeated things - and it's because she actually did. Towards the end of the book she writes, almost word for word, the same message to her yoga students as she already told us, the reader, previously. I applaud her for writing so candidly and I can be happy she has found peace with herself. I just wish she'd found a better way to express her story.
September 1, 2016
I've taken many of Kimber's yoga classes in the Bay Area, I've attended her Love Your Body workshop, and I read most of her blog posts during the writing of this book, so honestly, I was not planning to read this book (or at least not right after it came out); I thought it would be like revisiting a conversation I'd already had. But to my surprise and pleasure, I found myself truly moved while reading, again and again. Kimber's generous, astute, and beautiful spirit shines through in every chapter, making it all feel vital and immediate and individual. Her story genuinely feels like an ongoing journey; she resists the kinds of easy declarations that so often go along with any kind of food, mind/body, self-acceptance, or yoga book (e.g., "do this and it will solve everything, once and for all," or worse still, "look how enlightened I am!"). Her attitude is that it's not about fixing a problem, but about learning to live in this body and this life, and that is a task to grow into for the rest of our lives. I also appreciate that she's well aware of the relative privilege and luxury of her life: although it's her personal journey, her outlook is never self-centered, and her compassion and love for the world are as apparent as her struggles with self-loathing. After reading, I feel sincerely inspired to treat myself and my body with greater care and kindness, and to treat everyone else with the same camaraderie. I also can imagine myself returning to this book in future, when I find myself forgetting what true self-care looks like, because I know it will remind me.
August 2, 2015
At first I enjoyed it because of the poetic writing style. However it got redundant, and I got bored with the book.
December 4, 2013
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to enter and live in the mind of someone with an eating disorder, this book will give you a glimpse into that world. Kimber tells her story straight from the heart and she does not hold back. Her candor is refreshing in a world where speaking the truth about eating disorders with this level of honesty is still quiet rare. From the minute I picked up the book, I had a hard time putting it down. Her style of writing is beautiful; it's easy to read and while eating disorder is a heavy topic, she manages to cleverly infuse wit and humor throughout, making it an enjoyable read.
She takes you on her journey, from the throes of her teenage struggle with starvation (anorexia), to her resignation in a 'normal' body, but not quite at peace stage, to her eventual discovery of yoga to set her free. Yoga helped her to find her way back to connecting with the wisdom of her body; a wisdom that she unintentionally strayed from as a teenager. At times, it was not an easy read, but a necessary one to come to fully appreciate the long, messy, and painful path towards recovery, peace and freedom.
I also really like her tips at the end of the book on self-care and ways to foster positive body image.
As an eating disorder nutritionist, I would recommend this book to anyone who is currently struggling with food and body image issues as well as loved ones who want to better understand the intricacies of the eating disorder mindset.
Namaste
She takes you on her journey, from the throes of her teenage struggle with starvation (anorexia), to her resignation in a 'normal' body, but not quite at peace stage, to her eventual discovery of yoga to set her free. Yoga helped her to find her way back to connecting with the wisdom of her body; a wisdom that she unintentionally strayed from as a teenager. At times, it was not an easy read, but a necessary one to come to fully appreciate the long, messy, and painful path towards recovery, peace and freedom.
I also really like her tips at the end of the book on self-care and ways to foster positive body image.
As an eating disorder nutritionist, I would recommend this book to anyone who is currently struggling with food and body image issues as well as loved ones who want to better understand the intricacies of the eating disorder mindset.
Namaste
May 13, 2015
I was a goodreads first reads winner of this book by Kimber Simpkins. I found this to be a good honest book on Body image. Kimber wrote in the beginning of this book that she was anorexic when she was a teenager. Although she did not get dangerously skinny, she had that Hate her body convinced that she was "fat". For years the author continued to battle those anorexic thoughts. the "I hate my body" feelings that millions of women have. It took a long journey for her to slowly begin to accept and embrace herself and her body. One thing she found in her twenties was Yoga. It helped save her and to change her attitude about her body. she learned about how to feel full. not only just eating but the understanding that "full" was not just a stomach satisfied but her mind and feelings also satisfied and "nourished" I can sure relate to body image. In a world where a woman is made to feel they are "unacceptable" unless they are skinny and look good in a bikini.It is no wonder so many women have issues and hatred of how they appear. this is a nice book to read. kind of a cheerleader for us ladies to learn how to accept themselves. Glad I got the chance to read this.
October 4, 2014
This book is a gift straight from Kimber's heart; I highly recommend it. This book shows you, through the author's story, that there is a way to find peace and self compassion and yes, pure self LOVE. I love how Kimber shares her experiences with the reader with such honestly and humor.
I read this book, finished it, and then had to start it all over again. Except for the year of anorexia, which thank god I never had to battle, much of the rest of the book could have been me. It was so familiar. And to read of someone else rising up through the fire and ashes of body bashing and food struggles to a place of self love was so immensely inspiring.
Even if you do not deal with body or eating issues, this book is a powerful lesson in boldly putting one foot in front of the other, moving through deeply rooted challenges, and learning lessons of love.
I read this book, finished it, and then had to start it all over again. Except for the year of anorexia, which thank god I never had to battle, much of the rest of the book could have been me. It was so familiar. And to read of someone else rising up through the fire and ashes of body bashing and food struggles to a place of self love was so immensely inspiring.
Even if you do not deal with body or eating issues, this book is a powerful lesson in boldly putting one foot in front of the other, moving through deeply rooted challenges, and learning lessons of love.
June 26, 2015
I was really excited to read this book and I really wanted to like it, but I really struggled to finish it.
There were bright spots that I enjoyed and passages I want to remember, but this isn't really a book I would recommend.
There were bright spots that I enjoyed and passages I want to remember, but this isn't really a book I would recommend.
March 25, 2021
This was an interesting story of one woman's journey to love her body, ultimately finding peace through yoga and meditation. I found it very interesting to hear her analyze herself as an anorexic and dig deep into that skewed way of thinking. There are some PG-13 parts that you may want to pre-screen before handing to a teen or be aware of if you might be triggered by thinking about sexual abuse, body shaming, or have trouble reading about lesbians.
September 13, 2025
I could not finish this book. Lost interest right away, the story was written as a history with no clear purpose.
June 8, 2015
I was very fortunate to win this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and I am so grateful that I did. As a recovered (recovering?) sufferer of a long standing eating disorder, I am always very eager to read an honest account of overcoming. This book definitely fits that bill!
Ms. Simpkins has succeeded in writing a very open, uplifting, and informative depiction of how disordered eating impacted her thinking, her body, and her life, but more important, she provides detailed descriptions of how she turned things around. This is an element all too often lacking in other tell-alls where one might finish the book thinking, "great for you! I'm so glad you came out the other side to live a healthy life, BUT HOW DID YOU DO IT??" This author explains how yoga changed her thinking and her practices. She also includes very helpful techniques that helped her to become healthy. For instance: "Look in the mirror and say five good things about yourself." How many of us can easily do that without practice? Or she also tells us how she became a friend to her body, by tuning into her deepest thoughts and feelings, listening to her needs and wants, and cultivating a loving, unconditionally accepting relationship with herself. Hey, if she could do this, over time, so can we all
There are so many more quick tips, like, "Change the way you see, not the way you look." "The shape and size of my body, don't have to be determining factors in my happiness." Perhaps I am just ready to hear these things and apply them. Maybe her ideas won't be nearly as helpful to you as they were to me. However, I honestly believe that you will benefit from reading Full: How I Learned to Satisfy My Insatiable Hunger and Feed My Soul. You truly have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Her honesty and realness can help you too.
Ms. Simpkins has succeeded in writing a very open, uplifting, and informative depiction of how disordered eating impacted her thinking, her body, and her life, but more important, she provides detailed descriptions of how she turned things around. This is an element all too often lacking in other tell-alls where one might finish the book thinking, "great for you! I'm so glad you came out the other side to live a healthy life, BUT HOW DID YOU DO IT??" This author explains how yoga changed her thinking and her practices. She also includes very helpful techniques that helped her to become healthy. For instance: "Look in the mirror and say five good things about yourself." How many of us can easily do that without practice? Or she also tells us how she became a friend to her body, by tuning into her deepest thoughts and feelings, listening to her needs and wants, and cultivating a loving, unconditionally accepting relationship with herself. Hey, if she could do this, over time, so can we all
There are so many more quick tips, like, "Change the way you see, not the way you look." "The shape and size of my body, don't have to be determining factors in my happiness." Perhaps I am just ready to hear these things and apply them. Maybe her ideas won't be nearly as helpful to you as they were to me. However, I honestly believe that you will benefit from reading Full: How I Learned to Satisfy My Insatiable Hunger and Feed My Soul. You truly have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Her honesty and realness can help you too.
May 14, 2015
If I could write a book and make it as beautiful and helpful as this one, I would. Kimber Simpkins isn't perfect, but her voice is. She tells her story of pain, fear, and ultimately, triumph, in such a way that gave me hope. I wish I could have her hug me and tell me that everything is going to be all right because I would believe her.
Coming from a childhood that wasn't necessarily unhappy, Kimber begins this book with a recollection of her years struggling with self-hatred and anorexia. I know what it is like to be "plagued" with anorexia. I know how the desire to have a cause-and-effect-reasoning can overcome you. After all, there must be some reason for this loathing, this desire to make yourself as tiny as possible, right? Well, maybe. But so far I haven't been able to pinpoint it, and Kimber never really does either. One thing she does know is that she is sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. And so, instead of sitting around wasting away and feeling sorry for herself, she searches for ways to heal.
Sometimes the first step is the hardest. Often during her quest for bettering herself, Kimber feels hopeless, in pain, and like maybe it's easier to just give in to the little voice telling her not to eat. However, through hard work, yoga, and dedication...and a lot of telling that little voice to shut up...Kimber is able to carry on with her life, and not only live, but live fully. This book is inspiring and wonderful. Even if you don't struggle with your eating and health habits, it is a book every woman should read at some point; you never know what you might learn from it.
Coming from a childhood that wasn't necessarily unhappy, Kimber begins this book with a recollection of her years struggling with self-hatred and anorexia. I know what it is like to be "plagued" with anorexia. I know how the desire to have a cause-and-effect-reasoning can overcome you. After all, there must be some reason for this loathing, this desire to make yourself as tiny as possible, right? Well, maybe. But so far I haven't been able to pinpoint it, and Kimber never really does either. One thing she does know is that she is sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. And so, instead of sitting around wasting away and feeling sorry for herself, she searches for ways to heal.
Sometimes the first step is the hardest. Often during her quest for bettering herself, Kimber feels hopeless, in pain, and like maybe it's easier to just give in to the little voice telling her not to eat. However, through hard work, yoga, and dedication...and a lot of telling that little voice to shut up...Kimber is able to carry on with her life, and not only live, but live fully. This book is inspiring and wonderful. Even if you don't struggle with your eating and health habits, it is a book every woman should read at some point; you never know what you might learn from it.
May 19, 2016
You do not have to have food or body issues to read this book. You do have to have a thirst to change how we as women see ourselves and other women. How we self talk with such hurt and hate about our lives, our own bodies, our failures, and our struggles.
As a teen Kimber saw a picture of herself and immediately started a self dialogue of inner criticism that tipped off her spiral into anorexia and a year of dangerous eating,or not eating.
Now as a yoga teacher she struggles to explore her hunger and dissatisfaction with her hips, thighs, and butt.
The best thing as a chubby chick I took from this book was how hard it is to stop the inner hate dialogue we have. How we need to focus and even though seemingly impossible, to look at and treat our bodies as our best friend.
You would NEVER be that harsh or critical to your friend, yet we are to ourselves.
Honor yourself. Honor what you like and even what you don't like and with a positive frame of mind make changes that move you forward.
Do not honor bizarre myths and mindsets that keep you feeling that only thin can equal happy, if you are fat, your life must be a mess, supermodels and beautiful people have perfect lives. Everyone struggles with something. You can't truly live if that's all you focus on.
Too many women strive to be good. Trying to fit a mold of thin, pretty, happy...why not just be great and just be you and not have to worry about fitting the mold.
As a teen Kimber saw a picture of herself and immediately started a self dialogue of inner criticism that tipped off her spiral into anorexia and a year of dangerous eating,or not eating.
Now as a yoga teacher she struggles to explore her hunger and dissatisfaction with her hips, thighs, and butt.
The best thing as a chubby chick I took from this book was how hard it is to stop the inner hate dialogue we have. How we need to focus and even though seemingly impossible, to look at and treat our bodies as our best friend.
You would NEVER be that harsh or critical to your friend, yet we are to ourselves.
Honor yourself. Honor what you like and even what you don't like and with a positive frame of mind make changes that move you forward.
Do not honor bizarre myths and mindsets that keep you feeling that only thin can equal happy, if you are fat, your life must be a mess, supermodels and beautiful people have perfect lives. Everyone struggles with something. You can't truly live if that's all you focus on.
Too many women strive to be good. Trying to fit a mold of thin, pretty, happy...why not just be great and just be you and not have to worry about fitting the mold.
December 11, 2013
I loved this book on so many levels! I applaud Kimber for her willingness to get naked and bare her soul for us! And with such grace... Especially in an area that we collectively carry a lot of shame. She approaches a topic that could easily become dark and heavy, with a refreshing and genuine lightness. Having navigated my own wounding around my body and my relationship to food, I found witnessing her journey to be illuminating and healing. But beyond that, I just loved her profound self awareness. I think this book is valuable to anyone who is on a path of self discovery, because Kimber exposes the underbelly of our humanness. No matter what flavor of challenge you are navigating on your soul's journey, this book can serve as a friendly, playful, and insightful companion to deeper understanding, compassion and self-mastery. Plus, I loved her writing. Her intelligence and her imagination are vast, and the ride is full of sensuous vivacity. Reading this book was also a great reminder of the difference one person can make in the world, just by sharing our voice, our truth, our story! Full brought me deeper into the core of my own life and being. This book is a huge contribution to birthing a world where we each of us truly love ourselves from the inside out! Thank you Kimber!
April 12, 2015
After taking three ibuprofen for shoulder pain from hauling around luggage on a recent trip, I picked up this book to relax with on the couch. What woman hasn't struggled with body image and attempts to fill holes in her heart and soul with food, shopping, or even binge-reading or television watching? I was fascinated looking into one woman's mind and the demons that haunted her. One the one hand, I wanted to give this poor woman a hug as she bemoaned her thighs and insatiable appetite. I gulped down portions of this book, while skipping others. I applauded her efforts to learn to love her body and celebrated her successes. That said, occasionally while reading about her therapist appointments, yoga sessions, cleanses, study of spiritual philosophy, and rubbing herself with sesame oil, I wanted to scream "WHO has that much time to spend obsessing on weight and body care?" The simple act of making a sandwich (with avocados, of course) becomes a sensual ritual in Simpkins' book. As I read, I wanted to get up off the couch and take a bike ride to work out the kinks in my body. Instead, I took a twenty-minute power nap and got up to boil two eggs for supper. Without bread of the sort Simpkin loves to describe in her book. I will dream of bread tonight, thanks to Simpkin. But I will not eat it, also thanks to her. And tomorrow, weather-permitting? I'll get on that bike.
December 28, 2013
I received this book in the Goodreads Giveaway. In this book, the author shares her battles with food and self-perception. I believe just about any woman (and probably men too) can relate to and learn from the author's journey, whether she consciously compares herself to those "perfect" models in teen and adult magazines, or to other people; whether the reader as suffered with actual eating disorders or not, or has simply tried the myriad popular diets; or has simply settled into an avoidance of mirrors. The bottom line to be taken from this book is that this is your body, it does amazing things for you, and even if you think you like the shape of other bodies, you should love yours and care for it for the amazing thing it is. This all sounds very trite and simplistic, but the author's story shows how this is not something you just decide, or settle for. Her journey was a long one, filled with humor, disappointment, and most importantly, joyful enlightenment. This is well-written, never dry, with lots of nuggets of truth.
June 29, 2015
I received this book as part of a goodreads giveaway.
I too struggled with eating disorders as a teen and still do struggle with remembering to eat as an adult now. I found yoga a few years ago and have to say while I practice it on occasion I haven't been able to make it a part of my daily life like I would love to do. This book is encouraging and I am interested in finding out more about the different types of yoga, exploring the cleanses and in general learning more about how I can love my self/body more. I liked that towards the end at a yoga workshop others were talking about how their body has failed them. That is the part of my life that I am in now. So it was encouraging to realize that I needed to love what my body can do and focus on that. The book is motivating, but sometimes long winded and it wasn't a book that I couldn't put down, but in the end I think it shared a lot of information and in a way I can look back and reflect on how it relates to my life and changes I too can make. So in general inspirational and one I could recommend to others.
I too struggled with eating disorders as a teen and still do struggle with remembering to eat as an adult now. I found yoga a few years ago and have to say while I practice it on occasion I haven't been able to make it a part of my daily life like I would love to do. This book is encouraging and I am interested in finding out more about the different types of yoga, exploring the cleanses and in general learning more about how I can love my self/body more. I liked that towards the end at a yoga workshop others were talking about how their body has failed them. That is the part of my life that I am in now. So it was encouraging to realize that I needed to love what my body can do and focus on that. The book is motivating, but sometimes long winded and it wasn't a book that I couldn't put down, but in the end I think it shared a lot of information and in a way I can look back and reflect on how it relates to my life and changes I too can make. So in general inspirational and one I could recommend to others.
December 5, 2013
I was touched by the journey I was taken on through reading this woman's life story.
This book has the weight and texture of a well balanced, nutritious meal. It's replete with vulnerable revelations of a woman's struggle with her relationship to her body, from the terrifying inner and outer drama of her youth into a maturity that allows her to overcome the punishing (and multi faceted) voices in her head.
It's sweetened with goofy, non-saccharine humor, spiced with candor and offers life giving nourishment in the form of patiently sourced, humbly offered wisdom.
Like many things that are good for us, it can be overly chewy at times. There are times when I felt as tired as the author became with the self obsession required to live with something as destructive as negative body image, but I was always drawn forward to the next bite by certainty of her redemption and the beauty of the path toward it.
This book has the weight and texture of a well balanced, nutritious meal. It's replete with vulnerable revelations of a woman's struggle with her relationship to her body, from the terrifying inner and outer drama of her youth into a maturity that allows her to overcome the punishing (and multi faceted) voices in her head.
It's sweetened with goofy, non-saccharine humor, spiced with candor and offers life giving nourishment in the form of patiently sourced, humbly offered wisdom.
Like many things that are good for us, it can be overly chewy at times. There are times when I felt as tired as the author became with the self obsession required to live with something as destructive as negative body image, but I was always drawn forward to the next bite by certainty of her redemption and the beauty of the path toward it.
January 26, 2014
The writing style was so easy and enjoyable that I would have read it in one sitting if sleep were merely a luxury. Though I have not fought exactly the same demons she has, I certainly can identify with eating for all the wrong reasons and know that feeling full has very little to do with the amount of food intake. I have one main objection to her reasoning. Although she is a yoga devotee, she says she does not believe in eliminating some foods from her diet because that would give them a "bad" connotation and foods can not be morally good or bad. This is mere semantics. What foods can be is nutritionally bankrupt. And ice cream, her seemingly endless comfort food, falls in that category, as do cakes, cookies, et al. I understand that she fears falling back into an anorexic mindset by eliminating some foods, but if the word "food" is defined as what nourishes our body, then bankrupt junk is not food to begin with. I would think a yogi would understand this.
December 21, 2013
I loved this book and found it challenging in all kinds of good ways. I am inspired to look more deeply inside myself and learn a new way of relating to my body.
As a woman who had an eating disorder, I was not surprised that I would relate to Kimber's story, and I expected that it would be hard to read at times. I expected there to be plenty of wisdom, that I'd be challenged and inspired to follow her journey towards body acceptance. These expectations were met - and so much more. What surprised me is how much humor and lightness she'd sprinkle in, how delightful I found Kimber's writing style, and how playful her imagery would be. It's fun to read, as well as important.
I highly recommend this book for all people with bodies.
As a woman who had an eating disorder, I was not surprised that I would relate to Kimber's story, and I expected that it would be hard to read at times. I expected there to be plenty of wisdom, that I'd be challenged and inspired to follow her journey towards body acceptance. These expectations were met - and so much more. What surprised me is how much humor and lightness she'd sprinkle in, how delightful I found Kimber's writing style, and how playful her imagery would be. It's fun to read, as well as important.
I highly recommend this book for all people with bodies.
December 5, 2013
I'm in the middle of Kimber's new book, and I must say that I am impressed. She is a courageous author writing on a deeply important topic. her willingness to confront her demons is an inspiration and a call to action for all women and girls exposed to media of any kind.
As a society we are facing an epidemic of self-hatred and overcoming those negative voices is the key to unlocking our power. Full is an inspiration to all of us who dare to challenge the voices, both inside and out, that will have use doubt our worth and our strength.
Thank you, Kimber, for modeling a way forward.
As a society we are facing an epidemic of self-hatred and overcoming those negative voices is the key to unlocking our power. Full is an inspiration to all of us who dare to challenge the voices, both inside and out, that will have use doubt our worth and our strength.
Thank you, Kimber, for modeling a way forward.
September 14, 2015
This started out promising, but I grew tired of the repetition, the contrived, reconstructed conversations and philosophizing and the excessive use of attempted humorous metaphors and similes. Not every page was required to contain a weak joke. Also, I found it a bummer when she kept talking about all of her excess fat (so to speak) that she also tells us that she was only 20 pounds "overweight", and this as she is trying to endear herself to an audience with disordered eating. But, it wasn't all bad. Some gems are within.
April 10, 2014
Very easy read, interesting insights and heartwarming end. Anyone who has or has had issues with their body image will be able to associate with Kimber at some point, if not many throughout the book. I think the important message is to reverse the inputs, expectations and negative talk that we absorb from a very young age and just go with your own flow...not necessarily yoga, but just your own thing, whatever that may reasonably be.
October 5, 2014
This book is full of honesty and detail. Ms. Simpkins offers anyone who has ever had, or known anyone who has had, an eating disorder of any kind, the loving and supportive opportunity for their own honesty and reconciliation. Not to be taken lightly, she is unafraid to tell her truth. Yet she keeps her sense of humor along her sometimes arduous journey. She teaches us all something valuable about loving and accepting ourselves.
February 6, 2015
As a therapist working with students who struggle with eating disorders or just loving there body, this is a great book with great advice on how get there and how it takes time. She has a lot of insightful moments and I commend her on being so open and honest about herself and her journey. I would recommend this book to any therapist who works with clients with eating disorders or self-esteem issues or any person who is looking for advice on how to love themselves more.
October 16, 2014
Kimber addresses such a hot button issue of our current moment with love, with empathy and such a personalized story that she is inspiring to the rest of us to truly love ourselves and to be honest with ourselves. The writing is excellent full of images and metaphors. He wit is also ever present. I loved this book and I love the message.
October 28, 2016
I appreciated the descriptions of this woman's journey to being more satisfied with her eating and body. She made me want to start doing yoga! I didn't relate as much to her naming parts of her personality and thinking (inner prisoner, guard, therapist, diva, etc.) A very brave book and a hopeful one.
March 18, 2014
Good food for thought...pun intended. I couldn't relate to the anorexic parts but her whole struggle with accepting her body resonated with me. Wish I was into yoga but I'm not. Sure worked for her though.
July 27, 2015
I won this book in a goodreads firstread giveaway.
I feel I may use some of her tips to help create a better self-image and love for my own body. I wonder how many women feel like the author on a daily basis. I know I've had days struggling with body image.
I feel I may use some of her tips to help create a better self-image and love for my own body. I wonder how many women feel like the author on a daily basis. I know I've had days struggling with body image.
May 26, 2015
I think that this book would probably be powerful for a lot of people; it just didn't do much for me. It was fairly well-written, but I've read Geneen Roth and other books about eating so the same material in memoir format just wasn't compelling for me.
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