Find out what it's like to train for a marathon with Team For Kids:
***CLICK HERE for article about my Avis Rent-A-Car "We Try Harder" award***
In the week leading up to the New York City Marathon (Nov. 2007) I was invited to attend a press conference at Tavern On The Green in Central Park, to discuss my success story. I was presented with the Avis Rent-A-Car "We Try Harder" award. From left to right Daniel Trush (Fellow award winner), Marilson Gomes dos Santos (Two-time NYC Marathon Winner: 2006 & 2008), Vincent Corso (Skinny Vinny) and Mary Wittenberg (President and CEO of New York Road Runners)
Music
Check out Part 1 of this motivational YouTube video of my speech "Spirit of the Marathon".
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See these links below for parts 2, 3 and 4 of the speech:
***CLICK HERE for Part 2*** ***CLICK HERE for Part 3*** ***CLICK HERE for Part 4***
Running has done so much for me. I needed to give back to the sport that has changed my life for the better. This is why I become a RRCA (Road Runners Club of America)-Certified Coach. One of my main goals as a coach is to show my clients that running can be a fun and empowering experience. The skills you learn when preparing for a race or personal goal, will teach you many of the lessons necessary to be successful in life. I believe most successful runners are successful people!
"Transform the Way You Run" article
For more information about coaching please contact me @ skinny-vinny@comcast.net
***CLICK HERE to see a video of what running a marathon is like!***
Movies
This page designed and edited with help from my very talented wife, Danielle! Please support her by checking out her online shop where she sells unique handmade and vintage items and gifts. Here's a small preview of some things she makes. Click on "CreationsByDanielle" at the bottom to see her whole shop:
This video by Blind Melon "No Rain" pretty much sums up how I felt as a kid, and overweight person. I like how it has a happy ending though. That's how I felt when I finally met up with my fellow Weight Watchers 'bees'.
Books
This inspiring poem is for anyone who feels down and out...
Don't Quit - Weight Watcher Version
When you've eaten too much and you can't write it down
and you feel like the biggest failure in town;
When you want to give up just because you gave in
and forget all about being healthy and thin;
So what, you went over your points a bit;
It's your next move that counts...So don't you quit!
It's a moment of truth, It's an attitude change;
It's learning the skills to get back in your range;
It's telling yourself "You've done great up till now;
You can take on this challenge and beat it somehow."
It's part of your journey toward reaching your goal;
You're still going to make it, just stay in control.
To stumble and fall is not a disgrace,
If you summon the will to get back in the race;
But often the strugglers, when losing their grip,
just throw in the towel and continue to slip
And learn too late when the damage is done
That the race wasn't over and they still could have won.
Lifestyle change can be awkward and slow
But facing each challenge will help you to grow;
Success is failure turned inside out…
The silver tint in the cloud of doubt.
When you're pushed to the brink, just refuse to submit; If you bite it you write it... But don’t you quit!
~~~Author Unknown - Adapted by R.W. Brown
Heroes
Anyone who puts others first and inspires others to be their best!
COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK FOR A TRANSLATED WEB SITE SHOWING SKINNY VINNY'S NORWAY ADVENTURE!
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://www.kjendis.no/2008/09/28/548416.
html&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=no&tl=en
MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE
Over the last 3 1/2 years I have done just that! From losing over 150 pounds on the Weight Watchers program to running my 1st New York City Marathon, I have most importantly become a better husband, son, brother, friend, Weight Watchers leader and person.
I pinch myself sometimes because I never thought I would be able to wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and like the person I saw. I was an angry young man for much of my life — mainly because I was ashamed of what I had become. The REAL ME was hidden underneath all of those extra pounds. So how did I make the IMPOSSIBLE possible?
My Weight Watchers leader, Sharon, did something for me that I will be forever grateful. She empowered me to BELIEVE IN MYSELF. I will never forget when I was asked the question, "What is your winning outcome? What do you want?" I wanted to be comfortable in my own skin. I never felt that feeling until I reached my goal weight.
My job is to empower my members and others to believe in themselves. They have all the tools necessary to achieve their goals, they just have to be shown how to use them. Just like my leader did for me.
Give a person a fish, and they will eat for a day. TEACH a person to fish, and they will eat for a lifetime(on program!)
SKINNY VINNY:
In June of 2005 I joined Weight Watchers and it changed my life. I was 305 lbs., and more importantly, just very unhappy with the way I looked and felt about myself. I was a heavy person most of my childhood and adult life, so I started to accept that I was just a big guy and there was nothing I could do to change it.
As of August 2006, I reached my goal weight of 155lbs. A year and two months later I lost an incredible 150lbs! That's HALF of my total body weight!! I work for Weight Watchers as a leader now and I love every minute of it. It truly makes me feel good inside to empower my members to achieve their weight loss goals.
Everyone asks me what was the secret to my weight loss and all I can say is that I believe in this healthier lifestyle with all my heart and there's no going back to the old Vinny. It is not a diet, it's my new way of life. Sure, sometimes I fall of the wagon, but the next day I pick myself up again and go back to the program. I identified what my bad habits were and changed them one at a time .
I could have never reached this goal without the love and support of my wife Danielle. Honey, I love you with all my heart and soul, I did it for you.
Who I'd like to meet: I'd like to meet:
Long-lost friends and those I haven't met yet... Inspirational people, those who've overcome obstacles, those who have weight to lose, those who have lost weight, fellow Weight Watchers leaders, staff and members, fellow runners....
That's awesome that you're going to be running in Oslo! Who would've thought you'd be doing that only a few years ago?! :) Thanks for the always insightful comment on the WW page.
Yea it's such a fine line - I agree with you that ultimately you've got to be happy with yourself.. because if it's not a fat joke it'll be something else, but as a kid it's hard to have that perspective. Thanks for all your insight! -faintstarlite
It's true that it's all about being comfy with yourself.. and that's the hardest thing for me about being overweight - I just felt ashamed of my body & wanted to hide it. Hope you're having a great week! =) -faintstarlite
omg ur my inspiration, tell me evrything u did. how much it took you? i been for 5 weeks in weight watchers and the first week i lost 4 pounds, the sencond i gained 3, the 3rd i lost 3, and the 4 week i think i gained so i gave my no weight in pass. my energy goes up and down. tell me ur story,.
