Free Skinny Songs CD's

Just a few days ago I reviewed a new CD called Skinny Songs. I've seen mixed reviews from other bloggers, but for the most part I liked it.

Here's the fun part - I have two brand spankin' new CD's to give away. Just leave a comment and I'll do the eenie-meenie-minie-moe method. Just kidding... sort of. Actually I'll use the old tried and true method of drawing your name from a hat. Just make sure you check the blog again on Friday so the winners can contact me with their address'. I'll include all comments made by Thursday, 11:59 pm central time.

I'll be gone most, if not all, of tomorrow on a photo shoot, but will approve all comments when I get home. So don't worry if your comment doesn't show up for a few hours since I'll be away from the computer most of the day.

Good Luck!

Review: Skinny Songs CD

I was contacted a couple of weeks ago by a marketing company who asked me if I'd be willing to review a new CD titled Skinny Songs. Here's what they told me:

SkinnySongs isn't about dieting, and it's not workout music. Rather, SkinnySongs is the first radio-hit-quality music specifically written for empowering and inspiring people to reach their weight and fitness goals. Some people listen while exercising or walking, while others find it helpful when driving or cooking - getting through rough days and strengthening resolve for reaching goals.

Sounds pretty good. But what qualifications would these people have in regards to knowing about weight loss battles? Have they been in our shoes? It sounds like Heidi Roizen has. Here's the story behind the CD:

Penned by Roizen herself, SkinnySongs reflects her own personal journey:

"About seven months ago I hit an all-time high, I had gone from a size 8 to a size 14. Facing my 50th birthday, I did not want to enter the 'back half' not feeling good about myself, and at an unhealthy weight. Since music has always been a motivator to me, it occurred to me that maybe there would be great songs I could listen to while walking, or even in my car, that would motivate me to succeed, much in the way 'I will survive' by Gloria Gaynor got many of us through a breakup. I couldn't find any, so I wrote SkinnySongs."

I thought it sounded interesting and told them I'd be glad to review it. I received it over the weekend and can only think of one word to describe it - unusual. I can honestly say I have never heard anything like it.

I enjoy doing housework or exercising to upbeat, energizing music. I have my list of usual favorites on my mp3 player. None of them sing about weight loss or shopping for skinny clothes, but they motive me just the same. This CD has a foot thumping mix of country, rock and hip-hop beats and will definitely get you moving. (I walked around all day Saturday with the Skinny Jeans song stuck in my head.) It's the words that throw me off a bit. I guess I'm just not used to lyrics such as:

skinny jeans, skinny jeans, you’re still hanging ‘round
In the back of my closet and that’s bringin’ me down
this morning, I woke up, and made me a vow
skinny jeans, gonna get back, into you somehow

OR...

I spent years in misery
‘Cause everyone who looked at me
Was thinking evil thoughts about my thighs

Made up my mind, I’d had enough
I was determined to get slim and buff
I hit the gym, and no more fries!

Not your average kind of songs. And not 100% politically correct, so if you are sensitive about certain aspects of weight loss and obesity, this might not be for you. (It's not rude.. they just don't tip-toe around the subject.)It does certainly keep me thinking about my weight loss goals, so that's a plus!

If you'd like to learn more about the story behind the lyrics of each song, you can check it out here.

The song list is as follows:
1. Skinny Jeans
2. Thin!
3. I'm a Hottie Now
4. Use It To Lose It
5. Incredible Shrinking Woman
6. Think I'll Go To Saks
7. You Da Boss
8. Objects In The Mirror
9. Who The H*** Is That?
10. Blowin' You Off at 8

If you'd like to hear samples of the songs, you can do so here.

Do I like it? Actually, the more I listen to it the more it grows on me. They really are pretty good songs, although there are a couple I can admit I'll probably not listen to often. Song # 5 is a bit cheesy (just my opinion) and song # 9 uses a word we don't allow in our house (at least not when used in the above context). But everyone has their personal likes and dislikes when it comes to music, so I have no doubt this CD will appeal to a large audience. They already have several glowing reviews from customers.

I have to admit the lyrics are witty and several of them made me laugh. Hearing some of these thoughts expressed in song was pretty entertaining. And the preforming artists are fantastic. Superb voices with professional production. I could have done without the jean-clad rear end that greets you when you remove the CD. (Guess I'm not into looking at other female behinds... lol)

They are also selling motivational shirts. This one is my favorite:


Modeled by creator Heidi Roizen

I believe this CD definitely has a market. Whether you are a part of that market, only you can decide. This is one of those things that everyone will have to choose according to their personal tastes.

Who is the "Guidance Counselor" in your life?

After reading this great post from Jimmy Moore about his English teacher, I started thinking about how all of us have someone who has tried to discourage us from reaching out goals. Mine was my high school guidance counselor. Here's the story...

I was not always an A student. I struggled through Middle School (or Jr. High to some of you). When I reached high school I was just plugging along, hoping to get good enough grades to get by. While choosing our extra curricular subjects, we were advised to discuss them with the schools guidance counselor.

That's exactly what I did. He talked to me about college and explained to me that my grades were not good enough to make it in. I knew that already.. no big whoop there. I did want to do better.. but some subjects just didn't come easily to me. He said I should focus on other things since I probably wouldn't make it to college. (Looking back, I should have smacked him for doubting my abilities and intelligence.)

So he looks at my choices for the "extras", which were band and choir, and asks me why I want to take music? What will it do for me? How will that benefit my future? At the time I wasn't sure how to answer. I just knew that music was in my blood and when I was singing I was happiest. He then started discussing Home Economics and all the other options I had and how they would be a better choice. He really didn't think I'd do well in my classes of choice and that I should choose other interests.

Did I take his advice? No. I LOVE music and at the time it was my whole life. I couldn't imagine struggling through the day and then going to an extra class I didn't love or have any real interest in.

My freshman year I was in the Freshman Girls Choir and Concert/Marching Band. I loved choir but lost interest in band. My Sophomore year I chose choir and Home Economics. My Junior and Senior year I chose to spend half my day at the local technical school and graduate with a certificate in Early Childhood Education. I still had the option of an extra class, so I chose Choir once again.

How did it all work out? Well, for starters let me say that when I graduated I had a 3.8 GPA. How's that for someone who started out in the wrong foot! :0) I also earned my certificate for Early Childhood Education, which was useful in several areas of my life, especially when I was hired as an Assistant Manager/Preschool Teacher of a local daycare. My Junior year at the tech school I was FHA/HERO Secretary of our class. My Senior year I was voted FHA/HERO Vice President. I was a member of our high school Letterman's Club. I still have the leather jacket with my bars on it. What did I letter in? Music.

Not only did I enjoy Choir, I excelled in it! Just take a look:





(I took these pictures today with a borrowed point and shoot.. I miss my camera!)

I graduated with 15 Superior medals in my possession. (For those who don't know what that means.. it means that I sang solos, duets or ensembles in contests and received the highest marks they give out.) I also have several certificates and a ribbon from ensembles and duets. Towards the end of my Senior year I was added into the Senior All-American Hall of Fame for Choral Honors.

I'm so very glad I didn't listen to his advice! My music has allowed me to minister in several churches, which I feel is a valuable gift to ME. It's been more fulfilling than anything else I've ever done.

I also feel that being in a subject I enjoyed, such as music, helped me in many other aspects of my schooling. I learned discipline, the reward of hard work, and it gave me an outlet for my feelings. As a teen, it was just what I needed.

So who is the "guidance counselor" in your life? Who says you can't and then tells you what you should be doing?

Remember that we all have those negative influences in our lives, so you are not alone. Keep your eye on your goals and you head held high! I firmly believe the saying "What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger".

Whether it's weight loss, or some other dream you aspire to, try to look at your "counselor" as a challenge and not a discouragement. You are the only one who can keep you from seeing success!

Maybe I actually owe that counselor a thank you. Without his lack of confidence in me, I may have never pushed myself and found my true potential.

Interesting New Blogs...

I just thought I'd list some new blogs I've recently come across. They may not all be new to you.. but they are to me. :0)

Diet King: Adam Wilk is a fellow-lowcarber and writer who's just trying to make sense of it all. He has a great sense of humor and tells it like he's sees it.

Diet Pulpit: I believe you'll find a little bit of everything here. Yeah... I think that sums it up.

The Low Carb Band-It: (I love this name!) This blogger suffers from PCOS and Fibromyalgia. In 2005 she had a lapband procedure and is now low-carbing for her health as well as weight loss.

Shrinking Away: Another blogger who is honest about life and weight loss.

One non-low-carb blog to mention:

Ms. Tina: She's an old friend of mine and has just started blogging. Her blog is about technology education, music, life, and futuristic ideas. She's a Technology Director and piano teacher (used to be mine when I lived near her) who lives in Oklahoma. If any of these topics interest you, please go check her out and say hello!

Today's plans...

I was so busy yesterday I didn't have a chance to post. I'm glad every day isn't like that! But I've eaten well the last two days and am down 1.5 lbs of the two I gained over the weekend. Today I plan to spend about 45 min to an hour on the treadmill. I have errands to run today but they can wait until after lunch, which means I have all the rest of the morning for my workout and whatever else I want to do. I bought some new music for my mp3 player on Monday. For me, having several different playlists to workout to makes it more enjoyable, even if the workout itself is the same.

I did get my first unit in my photography course a couple of days ago, so I'm going to start on that today. I believe I'm really going to enjoy it.

Have a great day!