I just finished reading Chicken Soup for the Soul: Shaping the New You (published December, 2010), edited by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Amy Newmark.

(I feel I should add some sort of disclaimer here, for any snobby literary types who may snub reading and reviewing a book such as this. As you’ll soon find out, I read and enjoy many different kinds of books. No shame!)

I was in the checkout line at Shoppers Drug Mart with my husband when this book first caught my eye. “Ooh!” I said, “I used to love reading these Chicken Soup books when I was a teenager.” He replied, “You aren’t buying that book.” Of course not. I took a picture of it and later put it on hold at the library.

It’s hard to stay committed to fitness, so I try to find motivation wherever I can. This book appealed to me because I thought it would be filled with one inspirational story after another. It was, but they weren’t really the stories I was expecting.

The foreword by Richard Simmons should have tipped me off. I did learn that he used to be a waiter on roller skates in Hollywood before he opened his first fitness studio. Oh, Richard. He’s ridiculous, but does have a great life attitude. Lifitude!

This book is not meant for people who are a) under 40 and/or b) already active in any way. There are a lot of stories about people who have never thought about exercise, people who woke up one day to find themselves 40 or more pounds over their regular weight (denial!), and people who didn’t recognize themselves in photos (who is that obese woman standing next to my husband on vacation? It’s me!?!?). I find the cover to be very misleading. As you can see (above), there is a young woman of a reasonable weight on the cover, hugging her retro scale. To the people who designed the cover: what the heck?

One story made no sense at all. It was about this group of overweight women who go to a restaurant where there is a low-calorie section on the menu. After reviewing their choices, they all giggle maniacally and order whatever they want. A thin friend and her husband come into the restaurant. The women berate them, before deciding to walk two shops over to the ice cream shop for dessert, claiming it’s good exercise. More maniacal laughing ensues.

Seems a little out of place…

I can see how this book would be motivating for some people, but it wasn’t for me. For that, I am giving it one neutral face out of five potential big smiley guys .

Book: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Shaping the New You
Review: _ _ _ _