quote:Originally posted by Enchanting_eyes: I was wondering is it typical to gain weight when you first start going to the gym? Ive gained maybe a pound or two when all I am going for is to tone up and to lose some fat in my stomach.
Since muscle weighs more than fat, sure, it's possible (for some people even probable).
Seaboe
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I've been lurking on these threads a little bit. I'm trying to get motivated to tone myself up and increase my endurance some. I don't need to lose weight, necessarily, but I'd like to "fix" some of the jiggly bits.
In regards to an exercise ball, I've had one for quite some time and love it. I'll sometimes sit on it to watch TV, then at least I'm not being a couch potato. Also, I have a hard time doing sit-ups and crunches on a floor because it hurts my back, but on the ball, there's no problem - it's nice and soft.
Anyway, so here's a fitting chart I found - it goes along with what I have seen in other places: Exercise ball sizes.
posted
WOOO! I lost 4.4 pounds. Grand total of 13 pounds. Sweet!
And since I'm sticking with WW while pinqy is still getting to his goal, I decided to try the Core system instead of Flex. I think it'll be better for me.
-------------------- 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. That is when the world will end. Posts: 7158 | From: D.C. | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
You're definitely doing well there ali - I hope the Flex system works out for you.
I actually broke into a run on the treadmill this morning. Not for very long (couple of minutes before going back to a 6km/h walk) because I've never been a runner and I am a bit self-conscious about doing it, but I thought it was about time I had a try. What I didn't realise was the difference in muscle usage is between walking and running. Even though I didn't do it for long I just got up from my desk to get something and realised my thighs were not happy with me! It wouldn't have occurred to me there would have been much difference.
posted
I went for a 3.5 hour hike on Saturday, to the spectacular Thor's Cave down the Manifold Valley in Staffordshire. If I haven't lost anything at Thursday's weigh in after that I shall demand a refund!!
-------------------- Silence should never under any circumstances be construed as agreement. A lot of the time, it's simply a reflection that someone just said something so stupid that no response could possibly do it justice. - Ramblin' Dave Posts: 8528 | From: Nottingham, England | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Mosherette, that looks like a great place to go hiking!
I didn't do very well at all this weekend, eating wise. One of my best friends turned 30, and a bunch of us got together and threw him a suprise bon fire/cookout. His mother made Ponsit and Lumpia...two of my favorite dishes. In addition, we had all of the traditional cookout food, and 3 different birthday cakes and homemade icecream.
I did do ok with exercising, though. I didn't make it to the gym, but I spent Thursday, Friday, and Sunday packing, cleaning and doing yard work so that my SO can put his house on the market today.
Deep Blue
Posts: 159 | From: Indiana | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
I weighed myself the other day after I went to work out, and the scale says I've lost another pound. I don't know if I believe it, since I hadn't had much to eat at that point (so the lost pound might just have been that there wasn't food in my stomach), but it was nice to see. I'm creeping slowly down towards a weight I'm a little happier with.
Posts: 533 | From: Davis, CA | Registered: Apr 2006
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Although weighloss is still going slowly for me, as I am having a hard time getting back into the groove after my trip, I am, I will announce wearing shorts that are the next size down today.
And they fit. W00T!
I read something this weekend where someone was talking about binging when she was frightened by something in life. That definitely applied on the trip-- I was a little stressed out by finances. Good to know. Perhaps in the future I can try to figure out what is frightening me instead of eating.
-------------------- There are people who drive really nice cars who feel that [those] cars won't be as special if other people drive them too. Where I come from, we call those people "selfish self-satisfied gits." -Chloe Posts: 6995 | From: New Mexico | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Well, despite all the special treats I've had lately, I have lost 2lbs and am now 11st 5lbs.
Really enjoying the Tae-Bo now, and I'm so familiar with it again that I've started using my own music rather than enduring Billy Blanks' DJ who is over-fond of saxophones over jungle beats. Nothing like kick-boxing to The Chemical Brothers to get a bit of anger out.
We've just booked a holiday for 8th July too. Only a holiday camp here in the UK, but with the weather we've been having this will still be swimsuit territory, so that's a good incentive.
Posts: 1157 | From: Westcountry UK "It's Bootiful" | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I bailed on the Core plan. I know I haven't even given it a week, but it's just too much of a pain. I thought it would be easier because you don't have to write everything down. And you can eat whatever you want, as long as it's on the Core list.
What a pain in the ass! So I'm sort of back to the Flex plan. I'm just not that concerned with being strict. I do well when I'm not. I wasn't losing when I was super strict.
That said, I'm feeling well and still fitting into my smaller clothes. I'm wearing slightly smaller shirts as well, and that is a huge relief.
One of the main things I'm trying to do now is focus on eating foods that make me feel good, rather than focus on points and things like that. For example, I love Cheetos. I really do. But they don't make me feel good. So they're ok to eat a single serving every once in a while. But there's no reason to buy a bag of them ever again. It just means I'll eat them every day until the bag is gone and then they stop being fun. They stop being a snack. They just start being a staple. Yuck.
This is definitely a process.
-------------------- 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. That is when the world will end. Posts: 7158 | From: D.C. | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
I folded like a bad poker hand and just gave up and went to the doctor. He told me that although I'm not technically "overweight" (5'7" 145lbs.) (according to whatever bizarre scale he was using) my big problem is that I'm profoundly out of shape.
So he recommended an exercise regimen--half an hour, three days a week to start. He then told me, "the human body is the only machine in the world that actually gets better the more you use it."
I wish I could pay someone else to use it for me.
--Beowulf "puff puff" Girl
-------------------- Please visit my blog and leave a comment! It's all pretty and pink and quite funny. Go here: http://beowulfgirl.blogspot.com/ Posts: 1790 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
BeowulfGirl, do you have an IPod? I ask because I've been going to the gym regularly, with occasional off periods, for about five years now, and I still hate every single minute of it. However, as a result, while I weigh about 12 pounds more than I did 15 years ago, I'm a size smaller. (Which brings me to another topic about my theory that clothes sizes have changed in that time). The only way to get through a workout, though, is to distract myself; I've tried watching tv (political news makes my heart-rate go up, I've noticed), but since I've started using the IPod instead, I've gotten faster and not hated it quite as much.
-------------------- ~~Ai am in mai prrrrrraime!~~ Posts: 10111 | From: Oklahoma | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote:Originally posted by ali_marea: One of the main things I'm trying to do now is focus on eating foods that make me feel good, rather than focus on points and things like that. For example, I love Cheetos. I really do. But they don't make me feel good.
I think this is a great idea, thanks, Ali.
I fell off the wagon (so to speak) at the end of last week and am now climbing back on. Although it probably had less of an impact in June than it would've in February. I've been on this portion kick long enough that even when I overeat something I eat less of it than I used to.
I discovered what I consider a terrific fast food: KFC's new "Famous Bowls". If you look it up, it has something like 700 calories--but let me tell you, that thing is so big (luckily, it comes in its own lidded bowl, making it easy to take leftovers home)!
I had one for lunch on Saturday, ate half (so 350 cal.) and felt as if I'd over-eaten. I didn't even have a snack when my father did that afternoon. Even better, if you make your own, it would have less sodium and fewer calories.
It consists of mashed potatoes, then corn, then popcorn chicken (at home you could use ham or broiled chicken instead), then gravy and a sprinkle of cheese for pretty. Ymmm.
Next time (and there will be a next time) I plan to only eat about a third. Good stuff, Maynard.
As for exercise, well Seattle is in the middle of a heat wave. It's supposed to be cooling down (I sure hope so!) starting tomorrow. I took my regular Sunday walk anyway and I've been gardening--but my newly discovered aerobic exercise is turning on me.
A little over a week ago as I was industriously raking moss, I discovered I'd developed a blister. Of course, I stopped raking. I thought it was strange that the blister didn't develop until the third time out (I only do this for 1/2 hour at a time; really, I'm not over doing). So a week goes by, I'm busy and can't rake. The blister turns into a callous (good, right?). Last night, despite the heat, I'm out back tackling the moss again. Less than 1/2 hour into it, my hand starts burning. I look--lo & behold, another blister, in a completely different place, and it's been scraped wide open. I never even knew it was there before it broke. What is going on?!? I've got it covered with a Band-aid(tm), it's not in a good place (between my thumb and forfinger on my left hand; I'm left-handed and this is right where a pen will press against it when I write) and I still have 100' of yard to rake. Grrr.
Seaboe
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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Rhiandmoi
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
posted
ali, do they have baked cheetos in the small 2 serving bags yet? Every now and then I feel like eating chips and I figure that paying $1 for the small bag and having it last 2 days is better than paying $3 and having it last for 10 days. It costs more per chip, but it is better for me than having all the extra chips.
-------------------- I think that hyperbole is the single greatest factor contributing to the decline of society. - My friend Pat.
posted
grrr, I thought I already responded. I guess that was when my browser took a dive.
Ok...
Rhiandmoi, yep, they have them now. Pinqy and I saw them the other day when we were grocery shopping. I like the baked Cheetos, they're pretty tasty!
My main focus now that I'm not going to stick to the Core plan is to focus on the satiety factor. I think if I'm eating full-fat foods in smaller quantities, I'll be better off. Or naturally non-fat foods. (except milk...I'll always prefer skim because I hate milk) So I'm thinking of trying to cut down on portions and stick to ingredients I love.
Oooh and one thing I have found to eliminate any craving for ice cream or protein, or any creamy sort of mouth-feel is Skyr. Has anyone here had it yet? It's incredible! It's in the yogurt section, but it's really a soft cheese. It's made only in Iceland and has the most incredible flavor and texture I've ever tasted. It's smooth and creamy, with a tiny tartness to it. The only kind I've had so far has been vanilla. But it was so great that it fully satisfied my desire for anything sweet, creamy, full of protein, ice-creamy or anything for a couple of hours.
I've found that Seaboe's mixed lemonade and raspberry drink does the same for me.
So I'm focusing on that stuff. Instead of trying to get all the snacks I can get in a day, I'm going to eat food that I love.
-------------------- 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. That is when the world will end. Posts: 7158 | From: D.C. | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
Sounds reasonable ali. Taste is really important and I do find if I have something really bursting with flavour I don't need as much of it to be satisfied. Of course, sometimes I'm going to eat the whole tub of ice cream anyway, but the principle works!
Can any of the runners out there give me tips on how you started at it? I'm not planning on running marathons or anything, but I would like to increase my speed on the treadmill so I'm actually running on the thing rather than walking. The last couple of times I've been to the gym I broke into a run for a couple of minutes max before dropping back down to a fast walk because I couldn't cope with more than that. Oh, and I also feel really malcoordinated when running, for some reason. Any tips for at least making my brain think I don't look totally ridiculous?
posted
When I started running, I would run a block and then walk a block. Then I started running two blocks and walking one block. Once I got esblished routes I would have designated "stop and walk" places, and gradually, I stopped stopping all together. Very, very gradually.
If you're indoors, on a treadmill or another piece of equiptment, you could run for a song (assuming you wear an ipod or whatever) and then walk for a song. That kind of varied workout is very good, not only to keep you going because you don't get tired out quickly or discouraged, but also because short bursts of exercise keep the heart rate changing and are, from what I've heard, helpful in weight loss.
-------------------- Climb up, over the the top Shake it, take control You've got to find out for yourself whether or not you're truly trying --Jason Mraz Posts: 1686 | From: British Columbia | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Just dropping into this thread because of a problem I've been having with exercising. The SO and I have an elliptical machine, and I've been using it several times a week, but I've been finding that everytime I use it, my feet start to go numb. It seems to happen after I've been on it for about ten minutes, which is a pain because I try to get about 30-50 minutes worth of exercise in on it, and it's difficult when you keep on losing the feeling in your toes. I find that moving my feet around for a while, rocking from heel to toe as I step down, will bring back the sensation, but eventually my toes will go numb again. Does anyone else have this problem on elliptical machines? Or could it possibly be a problem with my sneakers? I'd love to be able to exercise without the numbness occuring.
-------------------- "That would be really dangerous, you know. Indiscriminately extricating someone from the petrified corpse of a supernatural creature." - My Husband Posts: 4308 | From: Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
Hello, all. I'm finally getting around to joining this thread.
I've been working out at Curves steadily for about a month now. (I've had my membership for about two years, but haven't worked out regularly enough to make a difference.)
Curves offers a "nutrition class" which is supposed to be based on their Six Week Solution that is outlined in the Curves Member Guide ($10). After just one class, I'm pretty disappointed.
1. We're greeted by a woman who is passing out, not nutrition pamphlets, skin care and makeup catalogs. She's either a friend of the owner or she works there. I'm not sure which. Anyway, I'm not there to buy overpriced "all natural" makeup.
2. The instructor had no lesson plan. Her talk was very disjointed, wandering from topic to topic, and frequently interrupted with ...
3. Amway-style motivational pseudo-religion from the makeup lady.
4. The instructor is very health-food oriented. Anti-milk, anti-red meat. This conflicts with the Curves 6-week diet, which is designed for people with average American eating habits, allowing for most kinds of foods in reasonable portions, and lower fat/calorie versions. Someone in the class mentioned that she prefers whole milk, and asked if she could switch to 2% instead of dropping all the way down to skim on the first day. The instructor told her she shouldn't be drinking any milk at all. The class member brought up the fact that the book calls for milk, and that there are Milk posters all over the studio, to which the instructor replied "well, that's Curves."
5. We had no weigh-in. How do you start a class where you get measured at the end without a measurement at the beginning?
I'm just annoyed now. I'll stay in the class because we traded phone numbers and are supposed to call and motivate each other and I don't want to let my Buddy down. But dang. I really hoped for something better than this.
And just one more thing: Rice Milk is not "NATURAL"! It is a highly processed, not found in nature, artificial food! If you want to say it's "healthier" than cow's milk, say it. But don't call it "natural"! Sheesh!
posted
Syllavus, yeah, I would take a look at getting bigger shoes. Ones that give your feet a little more room to move around. I was looking around the Birkenstock web site and they had some stuff about foot issues and what causes them. Yours sounds like a fitting issue.
That happens to me too, sometimes, btw. Most of it, in my case, is due to poorly fitting shoes. The rest is due to me being overweight and putting extra pressure on my tiny feet.
-------------------- 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. That is when the world will end. Posts: 7158 | From: D.C. | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
Wow I haven't been here in awhile I jsut got back from a spinning class, and I've been trying to get to the different group classes they have at least 3 times a week.
Looks like there's kickboxing tomorrow! Sweet!!
I'm still having trouble controlling myself with the food though!! We had about 50 choc. chip cookies we bought for a little party over the weekend. We had lots left, even after I sent some home with friends... yeah those cookies were GONE last night. TUESDAY NIGHT. Mr. Paisley sure helped..he's the same way I am: if it's there, and it's on the counter in plain view, it's going to get eaten!!! I lost track of how many of those things I ate Sunday while we were home all day. Baaaaaaaaaaaaad.
I did go pretty good last night, we ordered pizza and I only had 2 slices instead of like, 4. But we also got a dessert pizza
This is just how it is, back and forth..I eat a great lunch, work out, and then come home and eat something not-so great for dinner because we never feel like cooking! *SIGH* It's certainly an uphill battle...
-------------------- "Oh, now we're going to start judging each other on things we've done?? Real fair!" Posts: 1114 | From: Cincinnati, OH | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I'm with Ali that your problem is poorly fitting shoes, Syllavus, but not that they're too small.
I think you may need to have a fitter check where you put pressure when you run and get a good insole. It sounds to me as if your shoes don't give you enough support at the ball of your foot.
I don't run for exercise. Ever. I've hated jogging since they started making us do it in kindergarten (or whenever). However, my dislike has nothing to do with whether I think I look like a dork when I'm doing it.
Cinnamon, I promise you don't look uncoordinated when running. I don't even have to see you to tell you that. If you looked or were mal- or uncoordinated, you'd be tripping over your shoes and you wouldn't last even a couple minutes before falling (this is not, however, to grant you permission to carry scissors on your runs since accidents do happen ).
Spam, if I were you, I'd complain. It may not do any good, but it's worth a try. You joined a class that was supposed to specifically support the diet. If the teacher is not teaching that class, you have grounds for complaint.
Seaboe
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by paisley: This is just how it is, back and forth..I eat a great lunch, work out, and then come home and eat something not-so great for dinner because we never feel like cooking!
My suggestion? Save the bulk (1/2, if you can manage it) of your daily calories for dinner and evening snack. Then you have a lot more leeway in defining what is a good dinner and what is a not-so-great dinner.
Seaboe
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Hmmmm... I've done some googling and apparently numb toes during an elliptical workout is a common problem. Has to do with the feet remaining stationary and having constant pressure on them while the rest of the body is moving. Getting new shoes might not be a bad idea though anyhow, as mine are just a smidge tight.
-------------------- "That would be really dangerous, you know. Indiscriminately extricating someone from the petrified corpse of a supernatural creature." - My Husband Posts: 4308 | From: Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
Syllavus, I also have the problem with numb toes. I have found that good shoes are a help, but I will also try varying my step.
So basically, I do 5 minutes of the warmup time just regular. Then I do 1 minute making sure to roll my foot, heel to toe, as I start to go faster. Since I'm doing interval training (trying to get to being able to go fast the whole time), about every two cycles, I make sure to exagerate the step to keep my toes from becoming numb. Also, stopping and going backwards also helps.
I love the elip, so I just got in the habit because if I don't, I fall over when I get off.
-------------------- We frettered around like farm animals, looking around for formulas and father figures. -Twilight Zone Posts: 425 | From: Lynchburg, VA | Registered: May 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Seaboe Muffinchucker: Spam, if I were you, I'd complain. It may not do any good, but it's worth a try. You joined a class that was supposed to specifically support the diet. If the teacher is not teaching that class, you have grounds for complaint.
Complaining does not fit my non-confrontational lifestyle. I know I need to, but I'm really going to hate it.
Part of the problem is that the instructor is the daughter of the owner, and manages the place. There's no accountability.
quote:Originally posted by Spam & Cookies-mmm: Complaining does not fit my non-confrontational lifestyle. I know I need to, but I'm really going to hate it.
Part of the problem is that the instructor is the daughter of the owner, and manages the place. There's no accountability.
Can you get together with one or two of the other women in the class and all go in together? You wouldn't have to be the spokesperson, and sometimes a group of complainers gets more results than singles (even if the total number of complaints is the same).
Seaboe
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I haven't checked in on the thread in a while. I've gone down another 1.5 pounds and feel pretty good about that. I'm still trying to find a ypga class somewhere in this town that is at a workable time. They all seem to be at 8 am or 4pm and I can't adjust my work schedule to be able to make a class at either of those times. I keep hoping for a midday class because I could shift my lunch around.
Noemi
-------------------- Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult. My blog, no guarantees about witty or intelligent content. My current projects. Coveted Beads <---- our eBay store, new items being added somewhat regularly Posts: 8418 | From: Wyoming | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
So, last night I ate lightly and then walked down to Trader Joe's to pick up more Luna Bars (they have both the best prices and the most flavors). It's a 5 mile round trip, so I feel a little smug about that.
On the way, I stopped in at Half Price Books. Oops. I walked out with 3 books and 20+ CDs. 17 of the CDs were $1 each, so I bought music by people I've barely heard of (including Anthrax and Tori Amos). Thank goodness for wheeled bags!
Seaboe
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Wow, Seaboe! 5 miles, that's a pretty good hoof for a casual walk! Good going!!
Now for my own back patting..I went to the Kickboxing class today...then stayed for the abs class...then figured why not, and stayed for the Yogalates class!! Hope I make it through the weekend
-------------------- "Oh, now we're going to start judging each other on things we've done?? Real fair!" Posts: 1114 | From: Cincinnati, OH | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I don't think 5 miles is as far as you think it is, Paisley.
I live on 89th. I walked on 10th* to 47th, then over to 14th*, then back to 10th and home.
I'll bet you get a lot more exercise during two of your classes than I got last night.
Seaboe
*Not the real names of the streets in question.
ETA: it was mostly downhill getting there, and uphill getting back. Sometimes I wish I didn't live on top of a hill.
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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-------------------- "Oh, now we're going to start judging each other on things we've done?? Real fair!" Posts: 1114 | From: Cincinnati, OH | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I had my first Weight Watchers weigh in today. A week of eating healthily, two bike rideas and a 10 mile walk (5 miles would have been a lot nicer iMO ) have resulted in me losing 3.5 pounds
-------------------- Silence should never under any circumstances be construed as agreement. A lot of the time, it's simply a reflection that someone just said something so stupid that no response could possibly do it justice. - Ramblin' Dave Posts: 8528 | From: Nottingham, England | Registered: Feb 2000
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Does that put you well on your way to your goal, or is it merely a great start?
Seaboe
-------------------- Education is not the filling of a hard drive, but the lighting of a bulb. -- Yeats via Esprise Me Posts: 5562 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2005
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