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jessorella's review
5.0
It's too pithy and ironic to say I raced through this book, but I really did. Lately I can finish a book in about two weeks on a good run (longer if I'm finding it not quite as enjoyable), but I completed Bella Mackie's JOG ON within about four days.
Having experience anxiety myself in varying degrees since the age of 16, there was a lot I already knew about the condition, the symptoms, the ways of managing, etc. It's not often I discover something new about this condition, but in this book I did. Written in a really open and approachable tone that is honest and yet lighthearted where it suits, JOG ON is a frank look at the author's own experiences with anxiety and depression from her childhood onwards, and how a crisis point in her life led her to discover how going out for a jog could help.
Refreshingly, the book never suggests running/jogging as a be-all-and-end-all fix to anxiety issues - and the author does, in fact, tackle moments where her progress tracked back and forth throughout her time "learning" how to be a jogger. Instead it explores many of the reasons WHY this sort of activity can help our brains wade through the maelstrom of anxiety, not only as a coping mechanism but sometimes also as a preventative measure. There's just enough scientific research and detail to reinforce the book's message without it being too "textbook-y" and the author's tone is a real joy to read. She has a very "cool big sister" manner to her writing (although I am 99.9% certain that she is younger than me) and I really hope she continues to write more books.
In summary, very inspiring and educational, while at the same time providing comfort and humour. I have a feeling I'll be dipping back into this one.
Having experience anxiety myself in varying degrees since the age of 16, there was a lot I already knew about the condition, the symptoms, the ways of managing, etc. It's not often I discover something new about this condition, but in this book I did. Written in a really open and approachable tone that is honest and yet lighthearted where it suits, JOG ON is a frank look at the author's own experiences with anxiety and depression from her childhood onwards, and how a crisis point in her life led her to discover how going out for a jog could help.
Refreshingly, the book never suggests running/jogging as a be-all-and-end-all fix to anxiety issues - and the author does, in fact, tackle moments where her progress tracked back and forth throughout her time "learning" how to be a jogger. Instead it explores many of the reasons WHY this sort of activity can help our brains wade through the maelstrom of anxiety, not only as a coping mechanism but sometimes also as a preventative measure. There's just enough scientific research and detail to reinforce the book's message without it being too "textbook-y" and the author's tone is a real joy to read. She has a very "cool big sister" manner to her writing (although I am 99.9% certain that she is younger than me) and I really hope she continues to write more books.
In summary, very inspiring and educational, while at the same time providing comfort and humour. I have a feeling I'll be dipping back into this one.
kaycpage1990's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to love this book but I just didn't. I didn't learn anything.
ausgesprochen_stumm's review against another edition
1.0
Ich bin mit den falschen Erwartungen an das Buch herangegangen. Für komplette Laufanfänger und/oder Menschen, die sich noch nie mit Angststörungen oder Depression auseinandergesetzt haben mag es ganz interessant sein. Für mich hat es sich extrem in die Länge gezogen, vor allem weil es sehr repetitiv und ein wenig zu egozentrisch (egal wie schlecht es dir geht, Bella Mackie ging es VIEL schlechter und ihr ist wichtig, dass du das weißt) für meinen Geschmack war.
faemorgan's review
4.0
A book about running, maybe not the best thing to read about during a crisis that insists you stay inside, but hey. I needed something a little different from my normal reading.
This was actually a really enjoyable book, despite it not being fiction. It was insightful and in a way brutally honest. Now, I want to point out that I wasn't aiming to get into running when I picked up this book. I saw it on the Mother's Day Shelf and thought it looked interesting. Though it has now inspired me to try and take more walks, which is something I usually avoid unless necessary, especially now that the sun's out.
This was actually a really enjoyable book, despite it not being fiction. It was insightful and in a way brutally honest. Now, I want to point out that I wasn't aiming to get into running when I picked up this book. I saw it on the Mother's Day Shelf and thought it looked interesting. Though it has now inspired me to try and take more walks, which is something I usually avoid unless necessary, especially now that the sun's out.
kittymamers's review
lootsin raamatut jooksmisest, aga see on raamat vaimsest tervisest (ja sellest, kuidas jooksmine aidata võib). tundus lapates asjalik, aga pole mulle hetkel relevantne, jääb lugemata.
ladidareads's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
generalheff's review against another edition
3.0
This is a really heartfelt book that made a really strong impression upon me. Mackie is very open and honest about what she has gone through.
Before describing what I liked, I will immediately describe what I didn't: this book really meandered, particularly in its first half. I found sections repeating themselves and got slightly bored in places (which I regretted since I wanted so much to love every page). I feel a slightly more concrete structure in place would really help; the 1k, 2k chapter title gimmick I think could have been used to structure the work a bit more. As it is, the stories seemed to dot around a lot (perhaps appropriately given the author's points about running for mental health not being a linear bad-to-good progression). But, unfortunately, reading a book is a linear process and a little more editing, trimming and tightening of the narrative would have been very welcome.
OK that's the bad and why this book didn't score higher. Now for the good.
I must admit I felt like a bit of an imposter reading this book; not only have I been running for years - so don't need a book to spur me into running - but, moreover, I realised through Mackie's detailed descriptions of her anxiety that I haven't come close to feeling the levels of anxiety endured by some people. I still know I am anxious and the author is very keen not to diminish anyone else's experience - but it was very plain to me that my very mild generalised anxiety would likely seem a picnic to people who go through the experiences described in this book (the concept of dissociation was particularly new to me).
Yet, though my need is perhaps less severe, I've come away from this book with a renewed interest in exercise (I've started doing my HIIT workouts a lot more, my current preferred exercise). Perhaps the most important takeaway for me is to aim to enjoy exercise more. I have succumbed many times to runs and exercise being focussed on the times, or the PBs etc. I will aim to do more running for running's sake (getting that good runner's feeling) rather than focussing on times and distances. And I will do this as a salve to my mental health (even if it is far less of a problem for me than it is for others, as this book very well demonstrated to me).
Before describing what I liked, I will immediately describe what I didn't: this book really meandered, particularly in its first half. I found sections repeating themselves and got slightly bored in places (which I regretted since I wanted so much to love every page). I feel a slightly more concrete structure in place would really help; the 1k, 2k chapter title gimmick I think could have been used to structure the work a bit more. As it is, the stories seemed to dot around a lot (perhaps appropriately given the author's points about running for mental health not being a linear bad-to-good progression). But, unfortunately, reading a book is a linear process and a little more editing, trimming and tightening of the narrative would have been very welcome.
OK that's the bad and why this book didn't score higher. Now for the good.
I must admit I felt like a bit of an imposter reading this book; not only have I been running for years - so don't need a book to spur me into running - but, moreover, I realised through Mackie's detailed descriptions of her anxiety that I haven't come close to feeling the levels of anxiety endured by some people. I still know I am anxious and the author is very keen not to diminish anyone else's experience - but it was very plain to me that my very mild generalised anxiety would likely seem a picnic to people who go through the experiences described in this book (the concept of dissociation was particularly new to me).
Yet, though my need is perhaps less severe, I've come away from this book with a renewed interest in exercise (I've started doing my HIIT workouts a lot more, my current preferred exercise). Perhaps the most important takeaway for me is to aim to enjoy exercise more. I have succumbed many times to runs and exercise being focussed on the times, or the PBs etc. I will aim to do more running for running's sake (getting that good runner's feeling) rather than focussing on times and distances. And I will do this as a salve to my mental health (even if it is far less of a problem for me than it is for others, as this book very well demonstrated to me).
cakesaretasty3's review
5.0
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would! A friend wanted me to read it, but I misjudged it, thinking it would be another self-indulgent misery memoir. Eventually, I did give in and read it...and I loved it! It’s very honest, funny throughout, and really relatable. And, it breaks through so many mental health stigmas. It can’t have been easy to write, but it’s a beautiful book.
I particularly love that it encourages practical ways forward, and feels bright and hopeful! It’s triggered me to make some changes. I used to run a lot in school (and loved it), I lived for long-distance - it made me feel so good. But then, as an adult I forgot about all that and became too engaged in other things. For the first time in years, while I was reading this book yesterday, I thought back to how much I used to love running and how it sorted my head out every time. So, I found my old trainers (which are 14 years old!) and am going to give it another go! Such a great book for giving hope, I really loved it.
I particularly love that it encourages practical ways forward, and feels bright and hopeful! It’s triggered me to make some changes. I used to run a lot in school (and loved it), I lived for long-distance - it made me feel so good. But then, as an adult I forgot about all that and became too engaged in other things. For the first time in years, while I was reading this book yesterday, I thought back to how much I used to love running and how it sorted my head out every time. So, I found my old trainers (which are 14 years old!) and am going to give it another go! Such a great book for giving hope, I really loved it.