A brilliant book which I do not hesitate to recommend - relatable for everyone and a great resource for those experiencing anxiety or the people around them.

Full review over on my blog, link below.

https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2019/02/02/book-review-bella-mackie-jog-on/

I've read quite a few of the books that Mackie mentions in her book about her anxiety and how running assisted her.

I found it a little slow going to begin with but I am glad that I persisted until the end.

Jog On is an unfiltered, insightful account of how running helps Bella battle her crippling anxiety and depression. There is no sugaring coating the details in these pages, from the depths of despair, the euphoric runners high and everything else in between all her accounts are detailed with refreshing honesty. Sprinkled with humour, Bella incorporates a wealth of others inspirational experiences, interesting research results and tips for absolute beginners. Full of hope and motivation to get those running shoes on!

Thanks to NetGalley & Harper Collins UK for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

The book is part memoir, as Bella Mackie opens up honestly about her anxiety and personal troubles, and part motivational book as you certainly want to go running after reading it. She has an easy writing style, drawing upon published works and studies on depression & anxiety, along with interviews she has conducted with people with anxiety and depression.

A book that is recommended not only for those with anxiety and related issues, but those with a general interest in metal health and the benefits of running. The book does contain useful tips on starting out jogging, although don't go expecting this to be a beginner's guide to running as it is much more than this.

I've got to admit I saw the title of this book come through on an email from Netgalley (thanks, Netgalley for letting me read this in enchange for an honest review), and I thought "yep, that sounds good, I'll give it a go". I knew in the new year when eveyone is trying to follow the new year, new me hype I would fancy something inspirational to read and this seemed to fit the bill.
I quickly realised this book is so much more than that. Like the author I have a bit of an interest in running. I used to be good at it and would like to get back into it. I also suffer from anxiety, which the author writes about in such a way that I thought this book was written solely for me.
Running really did save the authors life in many ways, or at the very least changing it forever (for the better). After a divorce after only 8 months of marriage the author is suffering from heartbreak amongst other things. The author is not a natural runner but she decides to do it, succeeds and realises that it is life changing. The most interesting bit for me was that it was not only about loosing weight and looking fit, which I have to admit are my goals but also about feeling happy and healthy and good. Certainly goals I need to work on in 2019.
I did skip some of the bits where the author spoke about different mental illnesses. I just felt like I didn't need every detail that was included but I found the bits about anxiety very interesting and could relate to lots of it.
A definte 4.5 out of 5 stars. Now I just need to be motivated enough to get my butt to Park Run at the weekend. Eek!

I requested for this book from Netgalley, just by looking at the cover and its description- since it said it was about running, and I had recently picked up running myself, so I was looking for something to read for inspiration.

However, thank you so much, Bella Mackie, for writing a book, that not only inspires people to exercise and run, but baring your soul out to the world and talking about something very important and relevant - mental health issues, studies, facts, and symptoms with personal experiences that the author faced with anxiety, panic and depression.

The book reads very simply, is packed with a lot of references, but what I loved about it most was the fact that it felt like you were listening to a friend talk. Funny, straight from the heart and full of useful information, not to forget, lots of inspirations and tips for amateur runners like me.

Thank you, Netgalley, for letting me read this lovely book! I would love to meet Bella Mackie in person, and go for a run with her someday, followed by coffee :)

This is not just a book about taking up running. It’s mainly about mental health and how exercise, especially outdoors and in particular jogging can help to alleviate at least some of the symptoms of anxiety and depression. I tend to suffer more from a lack of motivation and perhaps a little laziness rather than serious mental health problems so the first half of the book didn’t really apply to me. However it does give an insight into how restricting and debilitating severe anxiety can be for the sufferer. I should imagine this book would be a fantastic source of both understanding and hope for anyone who does suffer mental health problems, especially anxiety. Bella tells her story of the way anxiety affected her everyday life, what led her to go out for that first run and how she gradually started to turn her life around by getting out every day and running.

She has done a lot of research into the effects of exercise on mental health and how much it can help. The book quotes from many studies that have been carried out in this area but is an easy read with a humourous and friendly narrative to the writing. I haven’t finished the book yet, but I definitely will keep reading to the end. It never preaches but as you get further along the authors enthusiasm for exercise with its positive effects on mental health oozes from the pages and you can’t help but feel motivated to get outside and just move. Her enthusiasm is contagious.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who either just needs a push to get out and run (or walk or cycle), I promise by the end of the book you won’t have a single excuse left for not doing it; or those who suffer mental health problems and want to hear from someone who completely understands their problems and has been there.

So what are you waiting for? Buy the book and get those trainers polished up.

Jog On is a memoir about how Bella Mackie started running in the wake of her marriage breaking up and found that it transformed her life, but it's also more than that. It's a memoir about anxiety, how it can take over your life, what it feels like to have a panic attack and the various ways in which she has tried to counter all of that over the years. There's a very useful breakdown of what all the different kinds of anxiety are, and a reminder that it isn't feeling a bit nervous, or rational worries - something which many people are only recently coming to understand. There's a lot about the fear of what people might think on discovering that you have mental health problems and how she dealt with that - sometimes by hiding it, later by facing it.

I'm not a runner by any stretch of the imagination, but this did make me wonder about taking it up! It's also funny - I particularly like the point where she says that running is her way of coping with that day, but so is wine, but sadly doctors don't recommend wine. It's genuinely inspiring, and also informative about what these conditions can mean. If in doubt about her because you know her background (daughter of a newspaper editor) - she's well aware of what that means for her and that in some ways she has been very lucky. Don't refuse to read it because of that, she really does know what she's talking about.

I recommend reading it!

I adored "Jog On." Not only is it an accurate portrayal of navigating the world with mental illness it's also an inspiring tale of the impact exercise can have on mental health and wellbeing. As an anxiety sufferer and lapsed runner this book spoke to me on a deep level. The highest praise I could give the book? As soon as I finished I ordered a new pair of trainers and signed up for a local 5k race. I don't think I will be the only one motivated to do the same after reading this book.

I am a fan of running books in general so was pre disposed to enjoy Jog On by Bella Mackie. I raced through this read and enjoyed every second of it.

Honesty pours through from the author, yes she struggled with mental health, yes running helped her, no it won’t be the same for everyone- find the thing that helps you- not the thing that helps others.

Each chapter contains personal experience, well researched science and other examples from people who have been able to use running to support their mental health.

I will definitely be re reading and look forward to further writing from the author.

If something makes you want to chuck your trainers on and get outside, then it’s pretty powerful. A poignant, warm and engaging read.

I’d like to thank William Collins Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Jog On’ written by Bella Mackie in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Bella suffers from mental health issues, agoraphobia, panic attacks and depression and when her husband leaves her eight months of marriage she finds it hard to get off the sofa let alone carry on with her life. She could stay on the floor feeling sorry for herself but instead she has a sudden urge to run despite having never taken part in any physical activity. She puts on her trainers and starts running and although her first run is barely three minutes it’s just the beginning and she gradually increases her distance until she’s running around London taking over control of her life.
‘Jog On’ is a well-written and moving account of one woman’s efforts to overcome her problems and get her life back on track. I’ve never been into running but I have nothing but admiration for someone who does and who can give such inspiration to others who may have similar problems to her own.

Bella Mackie started running and, lo and behold, it improved her life. But that's not beefy enough for a book so she pads it out with reams of dull research into how unhealthy most people are these days. Boring read, uninspired concept - I wanted to read about Bella's journey but to get to it you've gotta wade through so much waffle that it's not worth it.

Jog On is refreshingly honest, witty and relevant. Bella Mackie’s battle with anxiety rang many bells with me - from the school days filled with worry and the constant ‘what ifs?’, to the failed relationship that derailed her completely. Her account of these dark times is so relatable.

Bella shares brave and inspiring anecdotes on how a discovery of running has helped to relieve and control her mental health issues, in one of the best books I have read on the subject. A powerful memoir that will do so much good, thank you!

I really enjoyed this book, but I felt it was a little incomplete which is why I've given it a slightly lower rating.
The book charts Bella's journey from divorce and issues with anxiety, to a better place, via running. As someone who has suffered with anxiety over the years, I identified with a lot of the problems the author has endured. I only wish the book was a little more linear - it tends to bounce around quite a lot, and things that have been mentioned previously pop up again with a slightly new emphasis. In places it seemed like the word count was being stretched a bit too far.
The book also features anecdotes from other people who have used running to try to cope with anxiety, together with studies that back up the advantages of running. I'm sure a lot of people will love these, but I would have preferred to see them set aside from the rest of the text...maybe in fact boxes or case study sections.
This isn't really a guide book about running for anxiety sufferers - it's just one person's account of how running benefited them...and that's not to downplay it. It is a powerful memoir of a very difficult period in Bella's life. I just thought it came across slightly jumbled (which could be the intention) and repetitive, and I think that's more to do with the editing of the book rather than Bella's writing.
All in all, a really interesting read.

This book is more than just a memoir- it is also a book that offers advice/self help.
It takes you through Bella’ life and how running helps her get through hard times in her life. I found that I was cheering Bella on with regards to her achievements through running- starting small distance and achieving a fantastic 13k
This is totally unfiltered. Bella writing style is so beautiful- her book is both inspiring and a joy to read.
Bella is raw, honest- She doesn’t leave anything out- I loved how she isn’t ashamed to talk about her mental issue. A subject that is sadly still a taboo,
Thank you to both NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest unbiased review

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is great for people who suffer with anxiety. Bella was very honest about her own struggles and that's very refreshing to read.

This book is a combination of memoir and running/mental health guide. I found the sections where Bella shared her own experience of running - from initially pacing up and down an alleyway to increasing her distance to an impressive 13k - to be honest, relatable and quietly inspiring. In much the same way as Bryony Gordon, Bella is a person who decided to run, therefore she runs. The tips for beginner runners at the end of the book are sensible and realistic for complete beginners and/or those with little confidence in their abilities. There were large sections in the first half of the book that described a variety of mental health issues. I read this book during an anxious period and skimmed these sections as they heightened my own anxiety. That said, for people who have little or no knowledge of anxiety/depression/PTSD and more, the detailed medical explanations may offer an insight.
Great to have a book about running that doesn't focus on long distances.

A beautifully written and inspiring book. Bella's style is approachable, her story is poignant and compelling, and her account of the mental health benefits of exercise is completely convincing. This is much more elegant than your usual self-help book. It's a memoir, but one which uses the first-person experience to reach out to the reader. Timely and honest. I can think of many people who I'm looking forward to recommending it to. Now, where are my running shoes...?

I would honestly go as far as saying this is the best book I’ve read this side of the millennium. Bella has described, with such honesty, all the strange bits of anxiety that no one ever mentions and offered anicodes and ideas to back them up.
I was hooked on this book from the beginning, and truly believe it’s going to change my life, or at very least my perspective of it