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Book Review: Unbearable Lightness

Book Review: Unbearable Lightness

Lisa Eirene

About Lisa Eirene Lisa lost 110 pounds through calorie counting and exercise. She swims, bikes, runs, hikes and is enjoying life in Portland, Oregon. Her weight loss story has been featured in First Magazine, Yahoo Health, Woman's Day and Glamour.com.

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11 Comments

  1. julie

    I saw her on Oprah when the book first came out and it was a great interview. I’ll have to get the book.
    Things are never as they appear. I always try to remember that…you can never know what someone else is going through just by their outward appearance or what you “think” you know of them.

    p.s. I bought my husband a Hipcooks gift certificate after reading your review last September. We finally used it last night and it was so much fun! Apparently they don’t really advertise so I don’t know that I would have heard about it except through your blog, so thank you!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I wish I had seen her on Oprah. I don’t even remember hearing a buzz when this book first came out. The only reason I got the book at the library was because Howard Stern talked about the book and said it was really, really good. I was curious and gave it a try. I’m glad I did.

      That is so cool that you did Hipcooks! It was SUCH a fun night. I’d love to do it again. What lesson did you take?

      1. Julie

        We did Healthy, Fresh, and Zingy 3. It wouldn’t have been my first choice but it turned out fabulous!

        I thought it was interesting in the interview that she said she and Ellen started dating at her heaviest weight ever. Although still beautiful, definitely not at her fighting weight, she found true love. I like when that happens…when you realize your inner person is so much more than your outer shell. We too often manage to forget that…even though it’s hard to admit.

        1. Lisa Eirene

          I liked that part too. When I met Michael I was about 30 pounds heavier. I’m glad he was able to see passed that and see the real me. Not every guy can.

  2. Beth @ Beth's Journey

    Wow I had no idea she struggled so much! that photo of her with those veiny arms is scary and sad… I had a roommate in college who would do that with gum every day… chew an entire pack one piece at a time until it was all gone. It made me so sad to see someone in such an unhealthy cycle!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      The veiny arms are definitely scary.

      That’s sad about your roommate. I definitely have a gum obsession, but for me it’s really just to deter me at work from snacking on the Candy Room. 🙂

  3. Leah @ L4L

    I have this on my “to read” list. I loved her in Ally McBeal and I love her with Ellen. Some of those quotes are crazy! I think it is going to be an emotionally challenging book for me to get through.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      It was emotionally challenging but worth the heartache to read it. The insight into her disorder really opened my eyes to the struggle that people have with Eating Disorders.

  4. Jennifer is Always Sick

    After getting so many comments about how I look pregnant, when I’m not pregnant at all, I did consider going on a crash diet of some kind. But I’m resisting the temptation, because I know I would get sick very quickly. The fact that anyone can last more than a few days eating and living like that is beyond me. I’m so sensitive when it comes to my body’s nutrition, a day without the right amount of calories and nutrients and I’m sick, dizzy and moody as hell.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I wondered the same think Jennifer! How could she live like that for years?

  5. Apurva

    Hi Lisa,
    Your review is crisp and to-the-point.
    It takes a lot of courage to put down your innermost fears and struggles down in print and to share it with the world. You risk re-opening old wounds and revisiting all the dark places.
    Everyone has their own viewpoint and a ‘lens’ through which they view the world..Portia’s was just very different.
    I hardly read memoirs-but this one was worth it.
    I wish I could tell Portia somehow as to how brave she is-and she’s ‘more than enough’-she’s ‘as good as she was meant to be’.
    The only one who can truly help you is you yourself-that’s the message i want to spread to the world.
    Warm regards,
    Apurva

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