I get loads of press releases for the latest supplement, latest treatment, latest surgery, latest fad, etc.

And I got this one a couple of weeks ago:

Enter Heidi Roizen. A former Silicon Valley software company CEO and venture capitalist with a love for boardroom snacking, Heidi was tired of being overweight. On her quest to regain her slender waistline through diet and exercise, she teamed with a Grammy-winning producer David Malloy to develop fun, pop-chart quality tunes sung by emerging artists and designed to motivate and inspire during the weight loss process. In January 2008, SkinnySongs debuted, and the buzz continues.

Well, I had to give this a listen. (To hear snippets of the songs, go to www.skinnysongs.com.)

I think "Skinny Jeans" is my favorite.

From the moment that I saw you hanging out at the mall,
I had to own you, your rhinestones and all.
You didn't come cheap, but somehow I knew
Whatever the cost, it was worth having you.
For years we were together every Saturday night.
We'd go out dancing. You'd hold me in tight.
But you're unforgiving, and you wouldn't let me grow.
Now I can't put you on, but I can't let you go.
Skinny jeans, skinny jeans, you're still hanging 'round
In the back of my closet, and it's bringing me down.

And who could forget the hip-hop classic, "You Da Boss."

Yo, I need to talk to you before you go and mess it up
Yeah, uh, I got to call it like I see it, so yo now listen up, yeah
This is your conscience talking, this is your conscience talking
And I know just what you're feeling. I know with what you're dealing.
But you don't need that piece of pie
Gotta let it go and pass you by
And I'm here to remind you why
It's cause you wanna be looking and feeling fly.
You da boss. You da boss. Yeah.

If songs like these will help you become healthier, though, then who am I to judge.

The whole concept of songs about weight loss made me think about the music people listen to while working out.

My work-out playlist includes some Beck, Flaming Lips, Go! Team, Spoon, Weezer, Clash. I'm currently in love with VHS or Beta's newest album, "Bring on the Comets." It has a great beat to run to.

What do you jam to while you're breaking a sweat?

— Emily Hagedorn, health reporter
(661) 395-7510
ehagedorn@bakersfield.com