Eat Sweat Play

Anna Kessel

2017 Nominee

Cross Sports Books Awards: Freshtime New Writer of the Year

14 July 2016
9781509841646
520 pages

Synopsis

Long-listed for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, 2016.

This audio edition is read by the author, Anna Kessel.

For too long society has led us to believe that women and sport don't mix. While perspiration and 'fitspiration' have never been so hot, sport continues to be stubbornly cast as unfeminine.

But why should sport and exercise be so gendered? What happened to the carefree versions of ourselves, the young girls who dared to climb trees, cartwheel across playgrounds or run down hills so fast we laughed until we couldn't breathe? When did we lose our sense of fun, and what else did we lose along with it?

In a brave, funny and personal call to arms, Anna Kessel carries out a very timely health check on the nation and women's involvement in sport. In her exploration of major taboos, including body dysmorphia, periods, miscarriage, sex and the gender pay gap, Kessel discovers how sport and exercise play and integral role in every sphere of our modern lives.

Sharing the tales of a fascinating range of women - from Sporty Spice conquering the music world in a shell suit to mums who box and breastfeed - Eat Sweat Play is the inspirational story of how women are finally reclaiming sport, and by extension their own bodies, for themselves

Anna Kessel's book should inspire a whole generation of women. It ought to be on the school curriculum.
This book is a plea to reclaim tracks, pitches and pools for women, and to ensure that the next generation grows up appreciating - and enjoying - all that their bodies are capable of.
Fascinating, compelling and thought-provoking