Vanessa - If I Can You Can! [VHS] [2001]

The big positive about the video is it gives hope because it's from someone who's had a less than perfect body in the past. I think for someone who is seriously overweight, there is nothing more depressing than exercising with Cindy Crawford or Cher, who have never had real problems with their weight, only a clear obsession about making their perfect bodies even more perfect. That just makes me think 'what's the point'. However, I find Vanessa inspiring as she's been there, isn't claiming to be perfect now (a 'work in progress'), and offers a realistic exercise programme for those who are in the position she was once in. I noticed that other people who reviewed the tape were bleating on about how unchallenging it was. Well obviously if you're fit and around normal weight, it might not be for you. But I think 'If I can, you can' is clearly appealing to a different kind of audience, those with a lot of weight to lose.

I think the diet recommendations at the start of the video are quite worrying, they are a bit too restrictive for someone to maintain long term and I do wonder about anyone who loses four and a half stone in 12 weeks, I find that rapid weight loss worrying.

I find the work-out, which takes just over an hour, quite invigorating. First gear is quite straightforward traditional aerobics moves/ I found the boxing moves in second gear weird to start with, but have got used to them and now enjoy punching and kicking away. Then third gear consolidates all of it. I enjoy the weights section in fourth gear (have just invested in some dumbells) and my arms are showing signs of improvement already. The stomach exercises are again easy but doable, which again is more likely to encourage those with little muscle tone to have a go.

I do find I sweat a lot and am slightly out of puff, but never uncomfortably so. It goes at quite a slow pace and is definately gentler than other videos I have followed, but it will be challenging enough for those like me with lots to lose. I think it's important to me to have a work out that I can do from start to finish and that will make some improvements to my fitness that I can progress later on. I think a more challenging work out would be beyond my capabilities at the moment, so it is to be congratulated for getting the level right.

The only thing I find incredibly annoying about the video is the rubbish music (it sounds like someone with a synthesiser and a woman repeating 'alright, alright, alright') and the workout is not always timed to go with the music which can be confusing. Also some of the moves are not explained properly, they just launch into a new step, but this is less of a problem as you become familiar with the routine.

I find Vanessa very likeable - I think it's cool to knock her - but I think she's fab. I like the way she goes on strike and looks like she's flagging every now and then as it usually coincides with me losing the will to live also. Good video for the seriously overweight without a doubt!