Reshaping It All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness by Candace Cameron Bure

Reshaping It All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness Reviews

• 
  Avolyn Fisher

  Even though this book is definitely centered around weight loss and healthy eating, it is so much more than that! Yes, it is Christian based and her faith makes up the core of this book, but I didn't feel that it was harassing me into believing God. Rather, using scripture Candace illuminated what God wants for all of us, how he so desperately wants us to succeed, and wants to help us every step of the way.
  
  I picked up this book because of its diet focus but I ended up gaining way more than I anticipated because of the well-rounded focus of the book. It truly helps you reshape it ALL. I have battled with anxiety most of my life but only recently realized that I was struggling with clinical generalized anxiety disorder and this book is filled with little nuggets to inspire, keep focus, and bring comfort to those who read them. I highly recommend this book regardless what your current struggle is and keep an open mind that I would say it's more about healthy eating and attitude rather than a 'diet' as we typically think of diets.
• 
  Brooke — brooklynnnnereads

  This was an okay read but after the first couple of chapters, some of the thoughts and ideas started to seem a bit repetitive. I did enjoy the sneak peek reading about her growing up as an actress along with Candace Cameron Bure's life now; however, that didn't really seem like the intention of this book. This book is more of an aid for healthy living (through diet and exercise) with just a glimpse into the actress' life, not a memoir.
  
  In all honesty, I moreso picked this up hoping it was more of a memoir. If you are looking for a tool for healthy living, I would say there are better books out there. This book does not really give that much factual information into wellness and is more towards the actress' suggestions on what has worked well for her.
• 
  Abri

  I loved this book... it was full of a lot of "ah-ha" moments for me. I have always struggled with my relationship with food, but never thought about the spiritual side of it. I learned a LOT from this book - even though it was really written for someone who is just beginning their journey.
  
  Here are some of my favorite quotes from this book:
  
  "What I didn’t realize at the time is that my heart was longing for the things of this world. I ran to comfort food instead of running to God. I discovered my sin, but I hadn’t discovered that my heart was in the wrong place. I sought moral reformation instead of a spiritual transformation. I had known who He was, but I still hadn’t grasped who I was in his sight."
  
  "The basic plan I suggest is to stop abusing yourself with food, start making healthier choices, and get serious with God. Move more, control your portions, make wise choices, and keep God close by your side. Stick to that plan, and you’ll see some results!"
  
  "Life will offer us a thousand and one reasons we shouldn’t follow Christ, but those who have built their faith on conviction won’t give up because they have counted the cost beforehand and their eyes are fixed on the goal ahead."
  
  "If you want something you’ve never had before, you have to do something you’ve never done before."
  
  "There’s nothing inherently wrong with putting food to your mouth, but if you’re doing it to fill a void that should be handled another way, then you’re not being the best manager that your body deserves."
  
  "You are beautiful, interesting, accepted, and loved by the most high God. Be content with both the woman you are today and the woman you’ll be tomorrow. You don’t have to look back; just keep looking forward. Maybe you failed before – so what? Failure from the past is not a reason to give up today; in fact it’s the very reason you should press on and make it work this time. Change what you can. You hold the God-given power to do that, and the great news is that He doesn’t expect you to do it alone."
  
  "Action means I’ll have an active role in my life. I won’t sit around waiting for things to change but will take the necessary steps to make it happen. Things that are important deserve nothing less than vigorous pursuit."
  
  "It’s great to have fun and let loose, but it’s equally important to be self-disciplined. In Scripture after Scripture the Bible stresses the importance of controlling our bodies, our tongues, and our thoughts."
  
  "Worship speaks to my heart and moves me to obedience. It’s amazing, to be able to worship God by giving up a part of myself. Being able to give up the hold I had on the world as an act of worship to God. It’s not always easy, but it’s how I serve as a living sacrifice – giving up my will for His."
  
  “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill
  
  "If you spend the morning fantasizing over your lunch and the afternoon meditating on how great your dinner will be, then something desperately needs to change."
  
  "That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” (Gal. 5:8-9)"
  
  "Making it through the little lessons helps to strengthen us for the tougher ones: grief, fear, shame, regret, wrath, terror, judgment, and death. It’s not easy to put down our will so that His can be done, but I promise you this: it will bring peace to your life."
  
  "I want to live in obedience, but there’s always a part of me that hopes that obedience will turn in my favor. Being putty in His hands, resting in His plans, and laying my burden at His feet means that I’ll be a different wife, mom, daughter, friend, and actor than the world would expect. It means that I’ll be animated by the hand of my Lord, ready to do His will when He speaks. I can’t be salt and light if I become like everyone else."
  
  
• 
  Kirsten

  I came across this motivational book by Candace Cameron Bure, yep, the Candace Cameron from Full House. There was some good in the first few chapters of the book but mostly there was bad.
  
  THE GOOD:
  
  Part autobiography, part diet book, part motivational speech - I enjoyed the first few chapters well enjoy. Reading about her childhood and how she got into acting was interesting, but not really engaging. She discussed her troubles trying to maintain her weight and regularly advocated healthy ideas like not drinking your calories in the form of soda and sugar drinks, and that dieting isn't about denying yourself but learning some self control. She wrote reasonable advice about having a plan for your weight loss and sited scriptures to back this up. She recommends "breaking up with food" --knowing how to not essentially eat one's feelings, and only eating when you are hungry (not merely when it is time to eat)...
  
  THE BAD
  
  Somewhere after the first few chapters it started being bad. She began using her fan letters to address certain topics, such as breastfeeding.
  Candace tells the inquiring to watch her daily intake of cream because "surely you can shed a few more pounds". However numerous studies have found how good cheese can be for you as well as cream, especially for a breastfeeding mother. Studies have shown how milk and milk based products are healthful especially for growing children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
  
  THE DEAL BREAKER
  I was feeling unnerved about her breastfeeding advice. I was devastated when I got to page 50 and read an example of what Candace eats everyday. I cannot express how sad I was to learn that this woman who promotes health and NOT starving yourself, who is seen on the back cover of the book eating a bowl of fruit loops, is actually STARVING HERSELF.
• 
  Rebekah

  At first I was a bit skeptical--I've read celebrity biographies, and they aren't usually worth their salt, especially as self-help books. I had heard about the book from following Cameron Bure on Twitter, and I came across it when I was at a local Christian bookstore in the health section. For a long time I have struggled with healthy eating and snacking, and I have come to feel that it was connected to my spiritual life and the "snacking" I do with my relationship with God. When I picked this book off the shelf and saw that that's exactly what it was about, I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did! Because there is a co-writer, the writing is actually good. The analogies are also spiritually based and don't feel hokey. There is a good use of scripture and encouragement to see overeating/undereating as sinning in not propery caring for your body. I was inspired and also gained helpful tips and "nuggets" that I can post on my mirror, on my fridge, and anywhere else that I need a reminder about who I really am.
  
  If you are a Christian, and you struggle with eating improperly, I highly recommend this book!
• 
  Kathryn

  I wanted to like this book, and I did for the first few chapters. Bure has some good advice about incorporating your faith into all parts of your life, including food/health/fitness. All admirable. It was the self-congratulatory fan letters, the constant reminder that "I no longer struggle with this" and the (not-so?) subtle message that one is fat/unhealthy/depressed simply due to a lack of prayer that pushed this over the top for me. The Scriptures she used to support her messages were not used in the context in which they were written, but were cherry picked as motivational phrases. Yes, Scripture can inspire us, but it needs to be looked at as a whole, not as catchphrases for your fridge.
  
  As several others have pointed out, neither Bure nor her co-writer are doctors, nutritionists, or any kind of trained/degree holding individuals educated or qualified to be dispensing diet and health advice.I also took offense, as another reviewer did, at her mocking of an employee (or volunteer?) of hers who had a panic attack on an airplane. That's not funny. Wouldn't that have been prime time to act like Christ and pray with the woman, instead of mocking what is to her a very real fear? That really soured me on Bure.
• 
  Mindy

  I was really excited to read this book - having grown up watching Full House, I was anxious to read about Candace's faith and weight loss journey.
  
  I was quickly disenchanted with the book. Perhaps it's just not what I needed to read at this stage in my life, but to me, it came off with a bit of a "holier than thou" attitude. I'm not saying that was the intention, because I highly doubt that's the case, but there was just something about it that rubbed me the wrong way. I think she does have some good, practical advice, but it was also advice I already know and share as things I've learned in my own journey. All in all, I thought the book was a bit of a let down.
• 
  Gretchen

  OH MY HECK, I'M GLAD THAT'S OVER. This book was not well done. When it wasn't acting like a running advertisement for Bure's acting and money making ventures (it referred incessantly to her stint on "Full House", her run on a show that I'm guessing has since been cancelled since I've never heard of it called "Make It or Break It", and speaking engagements, and a line of t-shirts that she sells via her website) it's reading like weight loss as directed by someone with only the vaguest notion of how the body works.
  
  Which brings me to my next point: neither of the women who authored this book have any medical, dietician, or exercise science credentials whatsoever and yet they feel comfortable shelling out advice to women on how to eat, how and when to exercise, and how to control food addiction. Not only is their pat advice patronizing, it's unethical! In one scenario, Bure answers a fan who has written to her advice about weight loss while breastfeeding by telling her to CUT DOWN ON HER DAIRY INTAKE. She makes no mention of the fact that limiting her caloric intake and ramping up her exercise regimen could cause this woman's milk supply to drop, no mention of hormonal changes that might be causing this woman's body to halt weight loss as a way to support breastfeeding, NO mention of even SEEING HER DOCTOR TO SEE IF SHE SHOULD BE TRYING TO DIET. Nothing. Nada.
  
  This book is a definite case of "a little information can be dangerous." Bure takes the little that she knows from her own personal study (her bibliography has, I kid you not, FIVE sources listed, one of which is Dr Phil's Ultimate Weight Loss Solution. *head desk*) and stretches it into NINETEEN CHAPTERS OF DRIVEL and outright DANGEROUS assertions like the idea that Jesus and lots of will power can cure an eating disorder, dieting and breastfeeding go hand in hand, and that living in Hollywood is, like, SUPER HARD you guys.
  
  The recipes were ridiculous (who needs recipes for things like fruit and yogurt parfaits and breakfast oatmeal?!) and the guidance was slim.
  
  Listen, I'm not saying that Bure hasn't had a rough time. I'm sure she has. But to assert herself as an expert in curing food addiction and eating disorders as well as expecting me to listen to judgmental prattle about people who, according to her message, just need to try a little harder and they'd be thin is offensive. Her nasty little jab at the fatty cooking styles and abilities of women from churches in the South (that's right, she credited the WHOLE South) were out of place and unkind, especially when used in a story about how these women were feeding HER after inviting (read: paying) her to speak at their church. There was also a mean little tale about how a family friend, who is absolutely terrified of flying, would "get on a plane for ME time and time again" and once had a fairly severe sounding panic attack which was "hysterically funny" to Bure. Nice.
  
  As a final comment, the co-author of this book has, since it's release, put on what looks to be about 50lbs, which is totally fine. Except that, according to the tone of this book, that just means that she's lazy and letting food rule her life. I have no problem with weight gain in other people (I actually read this because I thought it would inspire me in my own weight loss journey) but if you're going to put your name on a book that is as judgmental and self-righteous in tone as this one, you'd better be able to o your money where your mouth is. Otherwise, be a ghost writer.
  
  I DO NOT recommend this book to anyone. At all. There are far better resources out there for pretty much everything that this book tries to address which won't make you feel like God hates you if you're not actively working at staying slim and trim as a way to "maintain His temple."
• 
  Kristen

  Disappointing, disjointed and unorganized. I'm a Christian but found this novel disturbingly preachy and felt as though Candace is judging the reader.
  I feel as though this bookis an attempt at:
  -converting the world to her extreme form of Christianity
  -justifying the fact she married at a very young age
  -convincing the world that she's indeed happy and 'normal' (though most North American women cannot afford to be stay-at-home mothers)
  -'proving' to people that she eats
  -showing off how good she looks now
  -Jesus solves eating disorders (I believe prayer helps with all but there comes a time when God wants you to help your self which means getting professional help)
  
  I read Jodie Sweetin's book before this one - it was honest, raw and fascinating. I thought this book would be similarly enjoyable but it wasn't. I grew up watching Full House on television and wondered what had come of Candace.
  This novel is very disappointing as I really wanted to like it and tried to enjoy it. I did like the pictures of her growing up and her family in the middle of the book.
  I would NOT recommend this!
• 
  Kalyn

  I was all set to give this book a 4/5 stars after the first few chapters. It was SO inspiring and I loved learning more about Candace's acting background. But towards the middle and end of the book, something felt off. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but it was like the attitude had changed from motivational and encouraging to a little condescending and prideful at how healthy she is now. Then she explained what she usually eats in a typical day, and it's literally like she's starving herself just to maintain her shape. I'm a big Candace fan, but even I have a hard time not letting this book affect my total view of her.
• 
  Joanna Jennings

  Great thoughts and strategies for getting fit, losing weight, ultimately being self disciplined with every morsel you put in your mouth.
  
  Stop when satisfied.
  Practice saying “no”; that treat will still be there tomorrow.
  Get God’s help. No battle can be won without Him.
  Food is fuel, not an emotional filler.
  
  Really enjoyed her thoughts, such a Biblical perspective, it’s hard to believe she is in the entertainment, Hollywood industry. I hope she still believes everything she wrote in this book.
• 
  Lisa

  I absolutely loved this book! For anyone who is struggling with an addiction (alcohol, food, drug, shopping, smoking, etc.) I think this book could help. I know a lot of people don't get what the big deal is because she "only had 20lbs to lose" but the issue is bigger than that; not that 20 lbs is not a big deal because in my opinion it is! I think the biggest issue is that people, myself totally included, are using their addictions - however small they may be (such as Facebook or cell phones!) to satisfy something that no one can satisfy except God. I personally was trying to find joy out of some chocolate (or other tasty treat) because the kids were driving me nuts rather than asking God to help me in that moment. It was and is a BAD habit that I couldn't seem to break no matter what I tried. It is NOT easy at all to give up our addictions and lean on Christ instead. But it's something I really wanted to change about myself. I really do want to live for Him and not for me. I didn't want to be eating the way I was - just out of stress and boredom and thinking "I deserved a little indulgence". I want to think that my body is a temple that He gave to me and treat it as best as I can. And yes, that sounds great in theory but it really IS hard to practice! I read this over a month ago now and it's getting a little easier but still a BIG struggle. As Candace points out over and over it is a huge life style change and something that only He can do for you. But He won't do it if we don't ask, which I was only half-heartedly doing to be honest. Now I am trying to be in for life. I know I will slip up and I know it won't always be easy but I will try to do what is best for my body in order to honor Him! I do agree with Candace in that we ARE meant to enjoy His blessings, which includes food, but not to the degree I was doing it by no means. There is a fine line between enjoying His blessings and overindulgence and with His help, I will try not to pass it again!
• 
  Terri

  Disclaimers:
  1) I am not Christian.
  2) I don't believe in diets.
  3) I had no idea what this book was about when I picked it up.
  
  Honestly, I saw this book on a display shelf at the library and assumed it was a run-of-the-mill cheesy celebrity memoir so I picked it up. Oooops! Turns out the book is focused on "motivation for physical and spiritual fitness" and is a combination of self-help, weight loss, and spiritual advice book.
  
  I learned a little bit about her personal life, but I mostly just skimmed the book for those non-weight loss, non-religious parts. The most disturbing and depressing part is that Bure seems to think that finding God "cured" her from an eating disorder! Pretty sad that clearly she has not received the proper psychological treatment that may have helped her when she was younger.
  
  I also laughed when she mentioned that she said she doesn't do yoga (but Pilates is acceptable to her) because she couldn't handle the meditation part (as if meditation has to do anything with spirituality). Other choice bits of "wisdom" from Bure: people need to pray when they are presented with "temptations" of food.
  
  Nut job.
• 
  Carla Calvert

  Candace brings it FULL ON....not only focusing on what we need to do to "reshape" our bodies, our eating habits and our lifestyle choices as women but more importantly what we need to do to "reshape" our hearts!
  
  This is an easy read...well-written...and you hear her heart and passion for bringing you closer to Christ with each turn of the page. Love the tips (The Pantry - choked full of food for thought) with scriptures, quotes and more plus the healthy recipes!
  
  If you are looking for insight and encouragement to take your physical journey to the next level while gaining a more intimate relationship with the Lord (instead of FOOD!), this book is an excellent guide!
• 
  Sher❤ The Fabulous BookLover

  I really enjoyed reading about her weight loss and healthy living journey. I don't think she's laying on the "I love Jesus" thing too thick, that's just who she is and I applaud her for it! I did feel like sometimes she ran out of things to say, so it all started to blend in a little, but overall it's a really good book. It teaches you that putting Jesus first in your life and weight loss go hand in hand. Once you are obedient and you trust God and you live the way He wants you to live then you won't struggle with your weight. And I believe that 100%.
• 
  Rachel {bibliopals}

  I have been looking for someone who puts faith and fitness together well--not cheesy, not stretching the Bible to make it fit the topic. Candace did a great job! Scripture was on almost every page. The focus wasn't on the "right" diet or workout, it was on Christ and had very helpful, practical, straightforward words of wisdom.
• 
  Briana

  Excellent! I really enjoyed this book! It was filled with easy tips and tricks for anyone wanting to live a healthy life, physically and spirituality. Each chapter has some great reminders, a summary of the verses used in the chapter, as well as an easy recipe. Highly recommend for anyone struggling mentally with fitness or a new believer.
• 
  Haelie

  Yes, yes, you probably recognize the name and possibly the face...but something about her looks different.
  
  Candace Cameron Bure is the famous pre-teen beauty from Full House and is one of Kirk Cameron's sisters. (He was on Growing Pains, remember?)
  
  What's missing on that beautiful face of hers, though?
  
  Oh, yeah! The cute, chubby cheeks.
  
  You see, in the years since we last saw her on Full House she has done some growing up. And I must say, it looks beautiful on her. However, those years in between the cutesy pre-teen days and now have by no means been easy for her.
  
  In Reshaping It ALL, Candace openly shares the story of her life growing up as an actress, battling an eating disorder, and rediscovering her faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior.
  
  Candace Cameron Bure candidly (no pun intended) opens up her life and shares lessons learned along the way so that we can glean wisdom and practicality from her struggles and successes. Candace offers everything from narrative life recounting to thoughtful quotes she finds inspiring. She presents scripture to go along with each chapter as well as some down-to-earth advice on how to succeed at reshaping your body and soul. She even includes a favorite recipe with each chapter---several of which I have since made and enjoyed.
  
  Though Candace's problem is/was more in the area of addiction to food, my struggles are not the same. I do enjoy food, however I am pretty good about not overindulging and such. My issue is exercise---or lack thereof. Because I lack the energy, time, motivation, and stamina to begin and maintain a regular exercise program, my body is now showing the fruit of it. I could not have gotten this book at a better time.
  
  Thanks to Candace's encouragement, I plan to make this INSPIRATION turn into PERSPIRATION.
  
  And who knows, maybe that will in turn produce some much needed REJUVENATION!
  
  Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher from B&House Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
• 
  Liralen

  Oh dear.
  
  I checked this out of the library because 1) I watched Full House when I was little and 2) I'm still reading about eating disorders.
  
  This book?
  
  Not good.
  
  Frankly, I think her messages are pretty lousy, too. I don't have a problem with books with a bit - or a lot - of religion in them, but I'm not so comfortable when the message is pretty clearly that only one form of religion is "right". (Apparently yoga is spiritually bad because it asks you to connect with yourself. Who knew?) On self-control, she tells people who write in for advice (who, by the way, all spend lots of time praising her before getting around to their questions) that if they can't limit themselves to (for example) one cookie once in a while, then they should just not have cookies at all. Ever again.
  
  ...thus dooming anyone who actually takes her advice to failure, or possibly eating disorders, or possibly both.
  
  It's all very... earnest. And misguided. And goodness, she really is Summer Van Horne, isn't she?
• 
  Laura

  She lost 25 pounds at 19 years old, with a trainer and a broomstick and has managed to keep it off. Does she give us exercises to do with a broomstick? No. And from this, she feels able to tell me how to take off my weight? Her #1 helpful hint? I have to have willpower. Are you kidding me? I got fat from having willpower, losing the weight, and then being tired of always denying myself when everyone else was eating. The yo-yo syndrome had me gaining more weight every time I dieted. The constant telling us how wonderful she is as a mother and a Christian got old fast. It's a wonder she didn't break her arm patting herself on the back every other page. Did I really need to know what shampoo and conditioner she uses? I wanted to read about her struggle with weight and how she got it off. It appears she didn't struggle at all. I wanted wonderful recipes to try. Tacos with no seasoning? Just cooked ground turkey, drained and rinsed black beans, tomatoes, lettuce and cheese? Not even a teaspoon of chili powder? Seriously? I was underwhelmed.
• 
  Amanda Mooney

  I picked this from the library because I grew up watching Full House. I really just read it to learn more about Candace's life. It wasn't really anything too exciting. I think her genuine and sweet personality comes across through her writing - she is obviously very excited to share her journey and her faith with others. However, as others have mentioned, it wasn't very well written. I found it pretty choppy in certain parts - jumping from topic to topic with no real transitions. I think her book definitely will help some people who are battling with overeating, but it's not for everyone. I'm glad that I read it, but I'm also glad I didn't spend money on it.
• 
  Tina Grozelle

  Consider the audio version of the book. Her voice is so comforting (bringing me back to my childhood TV days) that it lends a wee bit more credibility to the messages. If you are a Christian and / or have struggled with any kind of healthy living, then there's nothing in this book that you haven't already heard at some point before but.....the messages on both faith and health were somewhat basic and almost foundational; simple to remember and apply and likely the pointers that help us be successful each day.
• 
  Joy

  This was an easy and fun read. I read the whole thing in 2 days. It is surprisingly biblically sound and encouraging advice for those who want to reshape their thinking about food, eating well, body issues, and exercise. It has a lot of personal stories from Candace's life and I found it thoroughly enjoyable to read about her life and her journey. Can't say I agree with everything in the book, but I did like it and it did give me some things to think about.
  
• 
  Elizabeth

  The way her faith shapes her daily life is admirable and inspiring. However, as a book, I was hoping she would get into her own problems and how she overcame them much more. She really glossed over her issues with bulimia. The recipes at the end of each chapter were ridiculously simple. She seems like she'd be a nice friend to have, but this was not a great book.
• 
  Loni

  I highly recommend this book. It's an easy read and very inspiring. I can't wait to try some of the recipes. I'm looking forward to starting the change in my life and my childrens life. Must read!!
• 
  Christina DeVane

  4.5 🌟
  Candace is so relaxing to listen to, yet motivating!
  I think I’ll listen to this every so often to stay motivated and I loved the Biblical perspective of it all!
• 
  Kristin Hodge

  Wowww!!! I stopped reading this shortly after starting because of issues at home I just couldn’t focus on this. But man I SHOULD HAVE FOCUSED ON THIS!
  
  Also the audio for this is VERY good! I read some and listened to some!
  
  This book is stuffed with practical spiritual practices for discipline with food or anything you lack discipline with! Everything is backed by scripture. There was nothing I felt like went against Gods word.
  
  I also pushed this book off cause of the author. I just totally underestimated this impact this book could have on me!
  
  Thank you Candace for pointing my eyes to JESUS not some health plan or not you. But Jesus. I can’t wait to get my plan together tonight and do this Gods way!
• 
  Erin Odom

  I read this book because it was a free option with my Audible membership. I don’t think I would have chosen it otherwise.
  
  I am SO glad I did!! It was an incredibly encouraging book. Candace narrated it herself, and not many chapters passed before I felt like I was hearing directly from a friend.
  
  She gives many practical health tips, but what I appreciated most was the Scripture & spiritual inspiration Candace offers in this book. The book was full of Scripture!
  
  Highly recommend!
  
  
• 
  Mikaela Green

  I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone. 19 chapters of “Look how great I am!”
  The underlying tone regarding diet is all restriction, yet she preaches no restriction. Not a fan🤷🏼‍♀️