Janet Bowser's Story  

In April of 2007, my sixth child turned seven and my husband video taped the the kids party. I was the one in the front of the camera most of the time - or rather my big body was. I was about 272 pounds at 5' 9" -- a big girl. I got a fresh look at me on that video, and knew that I had to change.

I visited my doctor for advice and then I made many changes to my lifestyle, starting with cutting out sugar and cutting back on everything empty and white, such as white bread. I also switched to drinking water, and started walking on a treadmill every day.

These changes have made me feel wonderful -- but I also have to be very vigilant, and that's where SkinnySongs have come in. I am very close to my goal — and feeling thin, sexy, hot, great — whatever adjective you want! But, it is tempting to backslide. So, I need to keep my resolve up, and SkinnySongs really helps me do so. Not only do I listen to SkinnySongs when driving, I also recently bought an MP3 player so I can have SkinnySongs 'on tap' -- wherever and whenever I need them.

We had a family celebration today and I made ham, scalloped potatoes and apple pie. I ate some baked butternut squash, a banana and some wonderful strawberry shortcake with stevia sweetener over a piece of angel food cake -- a good set of choices that makes me feel wonderful. But just to make sure I stuck with it, while the family was eating the richer choices, I had one earphone in my ear and was listening to "You Da Boss" in the background to get me through the celebration without letting food become the boss of me! And it worked.

I've been living this way for a year, and I'm at 160, over a hundred pounds down from the start! I feel like a new person, and years younger. I went from a size 3x to a size 12, and soon to be a ten, thanks in part to SkinnySongs, which is helping me keep to the plan and get to the goal! Thank you SkinnySongs!



Roger Blackmore’s story  

It’s 6.45am and I’m running on a treadmill at my gym, but it’s a morning that I’m resenting being there, especially as it’s still dark outside and raining. Then through my headphones I hear the thundering tones of You Da Boss from the SkinnySongs album on my iPod and I remember that I have indeed finally taken control of my life and that’s the way it’s going to stay.

After a lifetime of being morbidly obese – over 200lb at age 14 and downhill from there – three years ago I realized that my health and quality of life would probably be affected soon if I continued down this track.

I had tried every fad diet in creation over the years and had been part of Weight Watchers groups on four occasions. I knew Weight Watchers worked, because although I had not seen it through, I had known a degree of success with the program. This time I determined to make a total commitment to every aspect of the program and in the course of just over two years I dropped from 332lb to 199lb, reaching my goal on April 2nd 2007.

I now work for Weight Watchers and have come to realize through my own experience and from what I have seen in my members that maintaining focus is the key ingredient in weight loss. That’s why SkinnySongs has become a tool I recommend to all my friends. This album is the most motivating collection of quality songs I have ever come across. Losing weight was one thing – keeping it off is another and I’m so thankful that I have SkinnySongs to help me stay on track.



Denise Pavone-Brooks Story  

Recently I lost 34 pounds. I had tried countless times in the past to lose weight, only to at some point give up and end up back at my starting weight. It was different this time, because last summer, my oldest daughter (who was 16) realized that I was going to be turning 50 in a few months. From the perspective of a 16 year old, I had one foot in the grave. She had me promise I would take care of myself, and inwardly I groaned because I knew that meant losing weight. But, I do owe it to my children to be around as long as possible. They have been very supportive of my efforts, and I like being a good example to them – makes me feel like I’m a better mother.

I was also embarrassed and ashamed to be lumped into the “fat Americans” category. The whole world knows Americans are fat, which is one reason a lot of people don’t like us. The hard truth is that it represents a hedonistic and lazy lifestyle – you know, instant gratification and all that.

I was also tired of having only one bra that barely fit. I hated squeezing into my clothes, not being able to zip them up to the waist and having to wear shirts out so no one could tell. And this may sound strange, but in case of a Katrina-like or 9/11-type event, I don’t want to be the one holding every one up because I was out of breath or too tired to go on. I want to be strong enough to save my kids, dog, AND myself, and maybe a few other people along the way.

Most people fear death or terrorism -- I fear hunger, so I developed an eating plan that would do the most to eliminate this. I basically ate 4 healthy small meals/day, plus a snack. I hardly ever eat junk food any more because there just isn’t room for it. Besides, you’re hungry five minutes after eating it. I know this is a no-no, but I drink Diet Coke more than any other liquid. I just don’t like water that much, and I’m not going to stick with something if I don’t like it.

I knew I had to exercise, but as a single mother of three (two teenage girls and a 10 year old boy with autism), I just didn’t have the luxury of time. So I started to walk on a regular basis. At first I could hardly stand the thought of walking for even ten minutes, but now I almost crave the long walks I take with my dog and my iPhone, where I’ve downloaded “Skinny Songs”. I LOVE Skinny Songs! The music is catchy and the lyrics are funny and just what I need to hear. I was desperately seeking some new music for my walks, but the thought of going to a web site and choosing songs, downloading them, etc., made me want to take a nap. “Skinny Songs” is perfect! My favorite songs are “Who the hell is that?” and “Skinny Jeans”, but I also love the message of “You da Boss”. Truer words were never sung! “Skinny Songs” is helping me keep the weight off, and also helping me lose the last few. I wish I had thought of the idea, and I’m looking forward to “Skinny Songs 2”!



Daphna Rubin’s Story  

I'm 52 years old and have been overweight since the birth of my first child over twenty years ago. I'm 5'4" and I had been 195 pounds for the longest time, never able to lose an ounce, even though I've always eaten healthy food.

I work for a large Semiconductor company in Silicon Valley. Lucky for me, two years ago the company started a health and wellness program I was able to participate in, which gave me a good education about health and a lot of information I needed to make some changes. Then, with a push from my co-workers I joined the gym, in February 2006. I signed for the 3 year plan, $900 which I knew would force me to go so as not to waste my money! I started 3 days a week during our lunch break for about 1 hour. My friends were not as consistent as I was, but I didn't let that create an excuse for me to slack off. If I didn't go at lunch, I went after work. If I didn't have a car or a ride, I would walk to the gym! Then I increased my schedule to five days a week. I was getting stronger but still not losing weight, which was very frustrating.

Then, about a year ago, I came to terms with a bad marriage, and told my husband of almost 27 years that I wanted a divorce. To make a long story short, once relieved of the emotional load of years of an unhappy marriage, my healthy habits suddenly started showing real results. I exercise almost every day, My greatest motivator doing cardio exercise is my iPod, the fast music motivates me to push myself. If my iPod loses it charge I am in trouble!!! As I was reading the San Jose Mercury News one day I came across Heidi's SkinnySongs featured in the business section -- I was so intrigued I read the article and than explored her website, I wanted to know more!

I found the page with the lyrics to the songs, and every line I read meant so much to me - this is what I have been going through and experiencing now. I bought a couple of t-shirts which I wear often, and of course, the CD, which I still listen to even though I’m at my goal weight, because the inspiration in the music keeps me on track and as we all know, getting there is only part of the battle -- staying there is something you have to work on every day.

I also watch my calorie intake, though I eat what I want. I don't eat sweets or snacks. I did this all by myself, without any medication or appetite suppression, and I'm just the happiest person now. I've lost over sixty pounds as of today, and weigh in at a fit and healthy 134 pounds.



Susan Morgan’s Story  

I used to be thin and athletic. But after getting married, having two kids, and working at a full-time, stressful career, I slowly drifted away from exercise and healthy eating. You know the drill – fast foods, snacks, comfort eating, and working late nights – a recipe for steady weight gain! For years, I ignored the weight gains, and when the scale finally reached 222 pounds, I just stopped stepping on the scale! I kept saying I would deal with it “Later”!

I found out the hard way, that “Later” doesn’t come around, until you make a commitment to make it come around! By the time of my 60th birthday, I was obese, fighting back pains, plantar fasciitis, general fatigue and major health issue. That’s when I decided to take back my life, and take control of my body.

I purchased a kickboxing DVD called “Turbo Jam” and began working out every day with it. I loved doing the Turbo Jam kickboxing, and every day I got a little stronger at it. In time, I added jogging to my exercise routine and watched my weight go down and my strength increase.

It took me about 1-1/2 years, but I finally lost 75 pounds and reached my goal weight!! Now my challenge was to KEEP it off! How would I stay motivated, now that I finally reached my goal weight? I’ve lost weight before, and didn’t want to yo-yo again!

That’s when I discovered SkinnySongs. What a great idea!!! Music to remind you WHY you want to stay on top of clean eating and exercising. Music to motivate you to exercise every day, and eat healthy every meal. I love the lyrics, the pop sound and beat of SkinnySongs – I downloaded them to my iPod so I can listen to them while I’m jogging (and my jogging speed’s improving)!! I can really relate to “Who the Hell is that” (yeah – I’ve said that when looking in the mirror), and “Thin!” Love “Hottie” and “Blowing you off at 8” too!!

Since losing the weight, I have run my first ever half-marathon race (13.1 miles), and came in 11th out of the 95 women in my age group! I have also started ice skating again – a sport I gave up on earlier, because I thought I was too heavy to do it safely. Having a fit body has made a huge difference in my life, and I am committed to keeping it that way – with a little help from my Turbo Jam, jogging and SkinnySongs!

I am now a Coach for Team BeachBody – the company that produces Turbo Jam. I want to help other people reach their weight goals and become fit and healthy again. You can visit my Coaching Page at: www.TeamBeachBody.com/GrandDame, to learn more about that.

I know how hard it is to lose weight. I tried everything on the planet before I discovered Team BeachBody and Turbo Jam, and now, SkinnySongs. These are the tools I use – to lose weight, and to KEEP it off! Thanks, SkinnySongs, for providing that extra motivation I need to keep me on track!!