Y'all remember this. I can still see Vince laughing when I told him about the weight loss group "Vinny's Skinny's" on his website. If he say me know, he'd probably ask, "What Happened?" . Naw, we all know that's not Vince's way.

Anyways, I'm BACK on Weight Watchers, have shed 10 lbs. and have 1000 more to go, but 1 lb. at a time. Vince seems to have done real well with keeping his weight off.

I do need some encouragement. I'm not cheating on anything, but it gets hard some days. If anybody would like to join in the "Race for Less" and be a Vinny's Skinny, just post here. Did this sound as corny as it sounds while I'm reading this back to myself? LOL

Hey Debbie,

I'm in. I don't recall that I participated in 'Vinny's Skinny's' last time, but I remember it well !!!

Bruce & I started dieting (South Beach) back in January. I've dropped about 35lbs since then, Bruce about 25lbs. We're feeling better than we have all of our married life...which is now 19 years!!! We've found something we can live with for the rest of our lives, which I feel is vital in being able to keep the weight off.

So glad you posted this...it's so easy to focus on what you can't have from day to day. We all need a little encouragement.

So good luck with it, Debbie. I may never be skinny, but I'm striving for overall better health. And so far, I feel like I'm achieving it. My blood pressure is great, my cholesterol levels are in the normal range and my dr is thrilled with my progress. You can do this, Debbie. I know what a strong person you are!!!

Hi Debbie good luck with Weight Watchers, I have been counting calories since Sept 1st I have lost some weight . I would like to give some tips on weight loss and get some from the group! Count me in , Jane gillgirl IN PA.

Way to call us out debbie.....I have been saying that I am going to start dieting again every monday for the past 4 months...lol
I lost 20 pounds before going to Nashville and I think I gained it back over the summer.....what else is new.
I have been thinking about going back to Weight Watchers also....although it sounds like South Beach might be worth looking into. It is such a life long struggle isn't it?
Well count me in.....again!!!

'FAT AMAW' here!!!!!!!!!! Oh girls, it's such a struggle!!!! I lose 42 - gain 20, lose 5, gain 15!!!!!!!!! Such a struggle!!!!!!!

I'm in with you, but I've been trying to lose the 5 I put on in Nashville, and it just ain't happening!!!!!!!! I lose 2, gain 4. I CAN, AND I WILL DO THIS THIS!!!!!!!!! We all will!!!!! I 'cheerleadered' in the old forum, so I'll try to do it again and will try to keep positive again. With my last birthday, it was like my body said, "Okay tubs ----- this is you from now on"!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ho-Hum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OKAY GIRLS,
WE ARE OUT THE GATE
LET'S HEAD FOR THE FINISH LINE
ONLY WITHOUT OUR WEIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Same here! I lost some weight before I went to Nashville and I have been eating all summer and gained it back. I also went back to Weight Watchers and I have been doing good for about 1 1/2 weeks now. I want to be a Vinny Skinny!
GO For IT!

I'm in! I was just reading up on South Beach, probably will try that this time as my doctor says it's the healthiest way to go.

Becky, is there an online place you go for SB? Not sure I want to pay to join, but need info on the diet plan. Congratulations to you and Bruce on your weight loss.

Hey Pam,

I'll send you a pm with a link to the board I've been visiting lately. It's free and has tons of info and recipes. I did buy the SB book. It's a pretty easy read and reference guide. But I have to say that with the book alone, I probably wouldn't have lasted 2 weeks. This diet board is the best if you have questions and need advice.

PM is on it's way!!!

Man, I really need to try to change my avitar picture!!! That picture looks positively awful...at least my half of it does!!!

Oh man, thanks so much for all your confidence. Beka, that's fantastic, way to go to you and Bruce. I probably wouldn't even recognize you at Vince's concert again. You stop that about your picture. It's a great picture of Vince AND you.

Leah, I know exactly how you feel; losa a few, gain a lot. Seems to be the story of my life. Hey, if Vince can keep it off, so can we.

BJ and Jane, keep up the good work.

Cathy, hope you're able to lose that little bit, it's a little harder for people to lose a small amount than for those of us to lose a lot.

Pam, good luck on your South Beach Diet. You can do it.

I lost another 3 lbs. this week, so it's a total of 13 lbs.

Vince, if Amy's helping you keep the weight off, send her to us - we need her too.

OK girls...we did it before and the support sure helped us all keep motivated....so let's do it again. I am going to look into the South Beach diet more seriously...it sounds like it may be something I can live with.

Debbie That's great 13lbs. you go girl!! I know all you girls can loose the weight. If you walk for 22 minutes you can burn 100 calories!! Try it I know it works. Good Luck to all! Jane gillgirl IN PA.

I have been trying to walk everyday. I am doing a mile a day right now. I want to work up to more. The walking is already helping. I feel so much better.
Let's go! Keep it up girls!. 13 lbs , that is great!

Jane, I have started walking on my treadmill, but am trying to start out slow. I walk 2 mph for about 15 minutes, then I'll go up every other week. I have a bad habit of starting out fast then burning myself out, so... Wow, I I I. Isn't there something about having too many I's in a paragraph? Mary Anne, aren't you a teacher?

BJ, you keep up the good work. Sounds like you have a good thing going.

Leah, don't know much about the SB diet, but some of the girls are work are on it, so I'll see if they have a good website they use.

Regarding good websites for South Beach, I use the iVillage South Beach website. Can't beat the price...it's free!!! And I've been told it's better than the pay South Beach website. It's got great support from the community leaders and wonderful recipes and info about the diet. They still recommend that you read the SB book to fully understand the diet, but in reality, you can get started without ever cracking the book. If anyone would like the website link, email or pm me and I'll be glad to give it to you.

As for exercise, here's my weekly routine. Monday/Wednesday/Friday I do 5 miles on the stationary bike. 1.1 mile sprints and I'm trying to get that done in under 21 minutes. Just a personal goal I set for myself. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I do strength training with a dvd. I'm trying to get some kind of exercise in 5 days a week. Sometimes that happens, sometimes it doesn't. But I can really tell a huge difference in how I feel since starting to exercise.

OK you guys - good to hear all your success stories - my oldest daughter who had breast cancer went on Weight Watchers over a year ago now and she inspired me - she sent me the info for counting points and also the book that gives the points for most foods you would ever want to eat. I worked hard at it and lost around 20 pounds and have kept it off for a year now but at my age exercising is a real pain but if I don't do it the lbs come right back. I ride a stationery bike 30 min. a day and before my speedometer broke it was about 10 miles and then use one of those machines to do some stretching and upper body work for 10-15 minutes - if I get lazy a lb will show up right away! So I never joined anything - just worked from info my daughter sent me - she has kept her weight off too. While she was on chemo and was so sick she would just eat ice cream or whatever she wanted to feel better so she had to really work hard then when radiation and chemo were over but she's lost more than I have and kept it off - think hers was 30 lbs. So, we can encourage each other to stay healthy losing weight!

Becky, thanks for the SB info. That website is really good, and yes, it is better than the one you pay for. I was able to get into the pay for site last year, and the IVilliage is just as good for free

I haven't started SB yet, mainly because we have no food in the house and I haven't gone shopping, but tomorrow I will start since I now am in trouble with the kids for having nothing to eat

Not sure what exercise I'll do, my treadmill is being weird!

No problem, Pam. That SB board has been a lifesaver for me. I never could have done this with just the book. I've been able to change alot of my regular recipes so that we could still eat them. And that makes eating this way so much easier. I spend alot more time in the kitchen now, but it's really worth it. I asked Maegan the other day if she liked it better before we started SB or after and she said that she loves the food so much now that she would have to pick after. Made me feel good that she is happy with the way we are eating now. And I know Bruce couldn't be happier. He's always been good to eat whatever I fix, but he admits he likes trying new dishes as well...and I do alot of that now!!!

Another good thing about SB is that you can buy the SB frozen dinners made by Kraft, if you want something quick. Ideally, you should add a salad or extra veggie to it for a complete meal, but Bruce uses these alot to take to the office. The Lean Cuisine Spa Cuisine frozen dinners with whole wheat pasta or brown rice are also SB legal. And they have lots of varieties in that. The fact that there were frozen dinners that were SB legal was one one of the main reasons we decided to give South Beach a try...and we're glad we did!!!

Exercise is always a plus to dieting to lose weight. But I know of people that don't exercise and still lose weight on SB. But you have to be careful not to lose muscle while losing weight. Even a 20 minute walk outside everyday is beneficial. Anything to keep moving!!!

Becky thanks for the south beach web site I don't know to much about that diet. I will go on the site and see if it's something I can do. Freda good luck with your diet and exercise, I hope your daughter is doing good now! Debbie and all the "VINNY'S Skinny's thanks for all you support, I really think Vince has one of the most nice and careing fan bases!! Jane gillgirl IN PA.)

Jane, you know nice people attract nice people, so Vince is super nice and his fans are the same; not trying to sound conceited or anything.

Good luck to everybody on SB, WW, and any other diet mentioned. We're all striving to lose the excess.

I was thinking - that could be dangerous - when we lose a certain amount of weight, we ought to take our pictures, send them to Alison and get her to take them to Vince and tell him that Vinny's Skinny's is at it again. LOL

I lost 1.4 lbs when I weighed in at WW this week. I was hoping for more but I am happy it is going DOWN! Weekends are tough, but we can do it!

How is everyone doing this weekend? Weekends are hard for me. We eat out too much. Ate a little more last night than I should of, but did so much better than I would of a few weeks ago. Going to eat good today and walk! I did not walk yesterday. Choices we make today are what we are tomorrow!

Brenda That's great keep up the good work. It is better to loose the weight slow like you are doing, remember we didn't put it on over night ! I can see a diffrence in my body already. Weekends are harder but try not to be to hard on youself. I hope everyone has a great work week. Take Care!!!! Jane gillgirl IN PA.

Brenda, good going! Any loss is a good loss, even staying the same is better than gaining.

I weight on Monday's, so I've lost another 4 lbs. since I checked in, making a total of 17 lbs.

Good luck to everybody this week, keep up the good work and we'll be at our goal before you know it.

Lost 2lbs more at weigh in last Thursday night! Good luck Debbie on your WI tomorrow!

This past week has been hard...Maegan had her 12th birthday on Friday and we have celebrated all weekend with cake, eating out, etc. I'm ready to be back on track today. All but 1 piece of cake is gone...and that is Maegan's!!!

I'm about to go hop on my exercise bike for my 5 mile ride today. Maybe I can decide what to fix for supper while I'm riding!!!

Everyone is doing great with their weight loss!!! I'm getting really close to that 40lb mark. I'm hoping to actually hit that in the next few weeks. My reward for this mini goal will probably be a new area rug for my living room and curtains for our bedroom. This last 20lbs has come off a lot slower than the first 20lbs. But as long as I keep a downward trend, I'll be happy.

Good luck to everyone on their way to a smaller, healthier body!!!

Your doing great! I will be glad when my 40lbs are off! 40 more and I will be at goal. Keep it up! I slacked off and ate a little too much the past three days. Back OP today.

Brenda, good job! Keep up the great work.

Beka, good for you exercising and getting right back on track. Wow, 40 lbs. - can't wait till we all make that goal. Keep up the good work. Tell Maegan Ms. Debbie said Happy Belated Birthday!

I lost another lb on Monday, so 18 so far. Let's hear from some of the others. We're here for support.

Hi Girls It sounds like everyone is doing good with losing there weight, everyone sounds like they are trying to stay on track. Keep up the good work! I have been losing slowly and counting all my calories. Take Care Jane gillgirl IN PA.

Good for you Jane! We sure don't gain it overnight, so it takes a lot of hard work, exercise (I've been bad about that) and willpower. I've been praying that the Lord will continue to help me with the desire and the willpower to lose all I have to lose.

I lost 1.8 lbs at Weigh In! I am happy. I have been losing about 2lbs a week lately. I am feeling so much better. How is all the Vinny Skinnys doing. We got to keep each other going!

WooHoo, keep it up Brenda! I'm a little worried about next Monday as Bill and I are headed to Myrtle Beach on Friday and won't be back till sometime on Monday. I'm taking some Restaurant WW point pages with me to at least not "pig out". I've come too far to turn back now.

You all are doing wonderful. Keep up the good work . Becky, we won't be able to see you at all if you keep going.

I got through the weekend staying On Program. I did it by pretty much knowing what I was going to eat before we got to the resturants.
Let's do this!

Good luck, Debbie. I joined WW last October and lost just over 35 pounds in 9 months. I'm lifetime now and determined to keep it off. Just don't give up even when it goes really slowly!
evy

Oh my! I'm so glad I took time to check on my old Vince pals! And I'm thrilled to see my VINNY'S SKINNY'S are back!!!! Some oldies AND some newbys!
My goodness...it seems like forever we started that up! Debbie, it's a great idea to get it going again! Everyone always needs a little help and encouragement with the "tough times!" I know I do!
You all are doing so great! Woo Hoo! (clap! clap!)
I re-joined my WeightWatchers class with my daughter about a year ago. I am ashamed to say I have only lost 17lbs. since then. But I'm sure I would have put double that on if I wasn't attending the meetings! My daughter has lost around 60lbs! I am so proud of her! We go every Monday evening. Tonight I had a .8 gain, but I was happy...I thought it would be more!
I will have to check in on you guys a little more often now to keep you on your toes and so I can get some great ideas from your successful weeks!

Keep up the great job, all of you! You're doing wonderful!

Our WW leader always has a "tip" for us to take with us at the end of the meeting and this is one of my favorite ones...
* ALWAYS EAT WHAT'S RIGHT AND NOT WHAT'S LEFT! *

Come on Skinny's...you can do it!
Oma/Lois

Woo Hoo!!!! This Vinny Skinny has to get skinny before Jan 5th! Vince is coming to Paducah, Ky "The Carson Center" and I got tickets this morning!!!! Benefit concert for Tera's Angels. I am so excited.

Thanks for everybody for their encouragement and great stories about their losses. I know that Vince is so excited when he loses weight and it sounds like we are too. Why wouldn't we be? Duh!!! Sorry guys, blonde roots coming out again.

You lucky dog Brenda. I'm hoping Vince comes closer to me this year. I could have gone to Atlanta, but couldn't fit it in with all that was going on in my life this year.

Chris & Amanda are moving right out of Columbia in December; Melissa's at USC now, trying to finish her teaching degree and Mama is getting a little slower every day, so things have been moving fast and furious here.

Keep up the good work everybody. Going to try and stick to my WW points while I'm out of town. Wish me luck! Lois, tell your daughter I'm proud of her too. You keep going, you're doing great.

Evy, great job - keep it up. Just hope I do as good as you have. Thanks for your support Anna! For real about Beka, she'll be invisible soon.

Made it through another day staying On Program. I am taking this one day at a time. I feel so much better since I started eating better and walking. I walk three 15 min at work on my breaks. At lunch, I eat a sandwich and then out the door. Walk! I have more energy in the evening now.
Everyone have a great day!

Just checking in ladies. Looks like everyone is doing great!!! Debbie, you'll do fine on your trip. Bruce & I have made several trips since we started dieting in January. We know pretty much what we can eat at different restaurants/fast food places, so we just do the best we can and I always try to take plenty of legal snacks along so I'm not tempted to grab something when we stop for gas. We're headed to Charleston next week for a 5 day cruise. I'm hoping that the ship will have some pretty good food options. And I'll try to keep the 'treats' to a minimum and hit the gym on the ship everyday for a little while.

I'm almost at another mini-reward point...just lack a few ounces getting to 40 pounds lost. Hopefully, I'll actually hit that mark before we leave on our trip next week!!!

Good luck to all !!!

Way to go Becky! 40lbs is about how much more I want to lose. Planning ahead is a big thing. It helps.

Hi Everyone It sounds like we are on track with better food choices and exercise. I feel so much better my clothes are fitting looser. I found so many 100 calorie snacks that taste good . I enjoy reading everyones up dates keep up the good work girls. What can be better than Vince Gill Music and feeling good about yourself!!!! gillgirl In Pa.

Way to go, Becky!!! 40 lbs.!! I'm soooo proud of you! Keep up the good job! Good luck and have a great trip on the cruise! They always have a great variety of fresh fruits on those ships! You shouldn't have much trouble.

Brenda, walking can make all the difference! Good for you getting the walks in at work! I need to put my mind to it and just walk! I do feel better when I do but it's just so hard to get out there once I get home from work! But it's the only time I really have to walk is right after I get home! Wish I was as dedicated as you are! You go girl!!
AND you get to see VINCE in Jan. Good for you!

Anyone got any suggestions how I can motivate myself to walk after working all day? I'm on my feet all day and just want to take it easy when I get home! Help!

Jane, you are so right! There are sooo many 100 cal. snacks out there! Seems like they add another one everytime I go to the store!

Come on, Skinny's...another great week ahead for us!

Oma/Lois

Lost one more lb! I am glad it went down, but was hoping for more. Sometimes I think their scales weigh heavy.
I just take off walking on my breaks at work even when I am tired. I have been eating my sandwich and taking off and getting in 15 min at lunch. I work at a Doctors office building connected to thehospital. When it is too hot or rainning, I can get in a good walk inside the buildings. I am also too tired when I get off. Sometimes I am stressed and I will stop by our church building and walk the parking lot on the way home. Four times around it is a mile. If I ever get home and stop, I can't do it. Wearing a pedometer helps. It makes me want to get in more steps.
Go for it!!!

Hmmm...I only lost .8 this week! I know...I know...a loss is a loss, but I thought sure I would lose more. Hopefully it will show on the scale next week!

How did you all do this week?

Oma/Lois

Everybody is doing fantastic. Keep up the good work. Lois, a loss is a loss girlfriend.

Beka, hope you and Bruce are doing good on your cruise. Dern, wish we could have gotten together for lunch or something when you and Bruce blew into town. Bill and I didn't get back till Monday afternoon and we were very, very tired. I'm sorta back in the groove, but working a few 8 hour days this week as one of the girls had to leave town on a family emergency trip.

I did gain 1 lb. while I was gone, but have already lost that and hope to lose some more by next Monday;19 lbs. so far.