The SDMB I'm-Getting-In-Shape Support Group

[pldennison]

Recently, I took stock of my physical condition, and realized that, at 30, I am lazy, overweight and severely out-of-shape. So, I decided to do something about it. I decided, for the following reasons, that it was time to bite the bullet and get off my ass:

1. Last year, as many of you know, I decided to try rollerblading. I broke my leg the first time out, requiring two ortho surgeries. I never got proper rehab on my leg, leaving it way out-of-shape and less flexible, and I put on weight while recuperating.

2. My company sales meeting this January is in Maui, and I don't want to go looking all flabby and unfit.

3. My company provides an allotment to all employees to use for physical fitness. It's a benefit that I wasn't taking advantage of, worth several hundred dollars a year to me.

So, last weekend, I got a membership at the local Gold's Gym (fully covered by the aforementioned allotment). I'm meeting with a personal trainer on Saturday to develop a program which will meet my goals, which are mainly basic fitness training/cardio, some toning and weight loss, and regaining more flexibility in my bum leg.

I just completed my first full week of early-morning workouts. Every morning this week, I've arisen at 5:00 a.m., gone to the gym, worked out, and showered before getting ready for work. A little treadmill on most days, some work on the Nautilus/Life Tech machines on others.

Anybody else jumping into the fray? Let's get a little support for each other going here. Getting up that early and committing to something like this is tough work, so come on, Dopers--let's give each other some encouragement!

[Coldfire]

Yup, you've heard it (and some of you will see it): Coldy could lose some kilos, especially in the stomach area. I've been putting off starting a decently scheduled workout (my office just opened a gym as well), but this moment sounds about right.

*looks around suspiciously*

_{Plus, the girlfriend has been complaining about it. In no uncertain terms. She also mentioned that my physical appearance is starting to, well, turn her off somewhat. Time to change that, dammit.}

I'm with you Phil. But I'm not getting up at 5 am.

Name: Coldfire
Age: 27
Weight: 93 kilos
Target Weight: 80 kilos

[Peta Tzunami]

I, likewise, have been getting up at 5:00 am and working out. Mine involves a 45 minute step aerobic routine (currently Susan Powder's tape). Last year working out to several different videotapes and getting my eating habits in check (upping veggie intake, reducing carbs, my weakest weakness--or is that strongest weakness?), I dropped some pounds and several inches. PLD and I jumped on the wagon together this time, which should help things for both of us.

So, I'm in too! (I thought of starting a thread like this, but hesitated...good job, Phil!)

Peta

[vanilla]

Good going guys!
I would like to go to a club also and work out.
I don't need to lose, I need to gain.
But working out is always good for you.
Do you believe in that powder stuff in the health food stores?

[Ogre]

I'm with you. I'm a big guy, and I finally decided to start focusing on developing my physique. I've been working out 6 times a week for the past two months. I do it in 3 day stretches. First day is chest, triceps, and abs. Second is biceps and shoulders. Third day is back, legs, and abs again. This is followed by a one-day break, and then right back into it. All weight-lifting days are followed by 30 minutes of cardio.

It hurt really badly for a while, but I'm getting used to it, and it has been pretty effective. I've lost most of my fat, I can see my abs developing into a 6-pack, and I've increased over 50 pounds in bench press.

I decided to take the no-nonsense approach, and it's working out pretty well.

Good luck Coldfire and pldennison.

[Odieman]

I started my regieme about two weeks ago, but I'm willing to join the team. I'm going for half hour walks 4 days a week, resting one day and then walking 4 miles on the other two dasy. I have noticed a definite improvement to the muscle tone in my legs and I have a slightly smaller gut, too. I am hoping to combat my usual tendency to put on weight for hibernation.
Yours in Solidarity :Keith

[pluto]

Although my idea of getting in shape is probably different than yours (my current shape is "round"), I'll jump on the bandwagon too. I should be exercising every day and I'd like to lose a little weight. I've already modified my eating habits considerably and if I throw some exercise into the mix I think it will be beneficial.

So where do I sign up for co-ed aerobics?

[monster]

Yippee! This thread is just what I need. As we speak, I am eagerly awaiting delivery of my new exercise bike. I don't need to lose much (no more than 10 pounds), but I need the motivation.

You can do it! You can do it! GO!! GO!!

[Ogre]

vanilla: I also use powdered, effervescent creatine. It helps you gain muscle mass very efficiently. I'm certainly not looking to be a musclebound freakazoid, but a little mass and definition are nice.

Also, make sure that you get lots of protein and water.

[Bottle of Smoke]

Count me in. Hey Coldfire, sounds like I'm in the same weight boat as you.

Name: Bottle of Smoke
Age: 33
Weight: 205 lbs (93 Kilos)
Target Weight: 180 lbs (82 Kilos)

I used to be in great shape until I moved too far away from work to commute by bike anymore. Now I seem to add extra baggage with each passing season. Unfortunately, the only time I can make for working out will be by getting up at 5:00am like Phil. Looks like I'll have to get to sleep earlier (no more Playstation at midnight).

[tatertot]

Count me in, too. I'm not sure what my goal is - getting back into single digit jeans would be nice, as would not having to buy size large shirts not for my boobs but for my arms.

My kid starts school in a week and a half, and I can use the base gym for free. [/b]Peta[/b], did you have any problems with being able to follow the step routines? I find that by the time I figure out what they are doing, they've moved on to something else. I wind up just sitting on the floor, wondering why my legs never move where my body tells them to.

Hey, Coldie, since we're meeting in a month, how bout we make this into a wager? Just to make it interesting-like. Here are my stats:

tatertot
Age: 26
Weight: 160(73 kilos)
Target Weight: 140 (63 kilos)

[Demo]

I'm down with this. Psycat and I just started looking for a gym wednesday. We've both been bums for a while and decided to get rid of those extra lbs. I'd like to get up in the morning and do it. I used to ride my bike in the morning, but I could never do it for long, because I like to stay up late too much. Phil, what time do you guys usually go to bed?

[Sn-man]

I’m in! I even volunteer to be the SDMB IGISSG poster boy. I started the get in shape gig last year when I stopped smoking. This year (August) I started the dieting. Less food, less booze and now that turning into less pounds. My wife and I just got a couple of mountain bikes and the exercise portion is beginning.

I’m with you all the way pldennison. My goal was to loose 50 pounds by Christmas. I’ve got 35 to go.

[KimKatt]

Ooh. I want to get in on this, but darnit do I ever lack motivation.

Name: KimKatt
Age: 30
Weight: 145 lbs, 66 Kg
Target Weight: 130 lbs, 59 Kg
Target Date: Christmas

I have a treadmill at home, but I need to actually USE it for it to work, right? I need to lose a bit of weight, but mostly to get back into shape. I used to walk anywhere and everywhere.

Maybe this will help... having to report it somewhere.

[Mr. Cynical]

Allright, Coldy, Bottle o' Smoke, and Tatertot. We're all in the same boat, it just looks like I'm in an Aircraft Carrier, and y'all are in rowboats.

Name : Mr. Cynical
Age: 28
Height: 6'4" - 1.93 M
Weight: 260Lbs - 117.93 Kg
Target Weight: 210Lbs - 95.25 Kg

[Mr. Cynical]

And no wisecracks. I will kill and eat you with no shame, and hardly even a burp.

[Odieman]

I should add Age:37
Height 5'4
Weight before starting :162 74KG
Current Weight:159 72KG
Target Weight:140 64KG

[Coldfire]

Poor guy. With the Imperial measures, you seem:

a) shorter, and:
b) heavier!

That sort of thing needed to be avoided, right?

Just thought I'd check that

[tatertot]

Mr. Cynical, you do realize that you're 6 inches taller than me, don't you? Speaking of, how tall are you BoS and Coldie? 205 doesn't seem too bad for a man...probably all y'all need is a little toning. And Coldie, I'll bet ya Miss Fiery is just saying that because she loves you & doesn't want you to have a heart attack at 37, and she knows that sex is the best way to motivate a man to do anything.

Sigh...I need the whole shebang. I'm 5 pounds heavier than I was the day before my son was born, ferchristsake!

Does anybody have any suggestions on weight training? I really need to tone up my upper arms & thighs. I'd settle for weighing 160 and not jiggling when I walk. I'm going to look into getting a personal trainer at the gym, at least for a few sessions, so I learn how to properly lift and not hurt myself. I just hope it's not prohibitivly expensive.

[Coldfire]

Tater,

I'm 1.86 meters, which is... 6 foot 4 inches?

[pldennison]

Demo: During the week, I usually get to bed between 10:30-11:00 p.m. Sometimes I'm up a little later. The first few days I really had to tell myself to get myself up and get moving, but this morning I really wasn't tired at all once I was in the car and on the way. I didn't even nod off on the Metro on the way to work.

KimKatt: I'm there with you--motivation is the hardest part. I just got sick of having to buy new pants (I've gone from a 34" waist to a 38" in just a couple years) all the time, and seeing my flabby figure in the mirror.

Since everyone else is posting their vital stats, I'll do so as well:

Age: 30
Height: 5'9" (1.75m)
Current weight: 205 lbs. (92.25 kilos)
Target weight: 180 lbs. (81 kilos)
Target date: Jan. 1, 2001

[Tymp]

Right on! I’m in.

Name: Tymp
Age: 23
Height: 1.91 m
Weight: 75 kg
Target: 85 kg

I’ve been spending way too much time sitting here in the office. My body is softening and I don’t eat enough. Time to take action. Not sure what, exactly, I’ll do yet, but I will post my actions here.

[sub]Psst! Coldfire, 1.86 m = 6 ft, 1 in.[sub]

[Spider Woman]

Since I was laid off from my long time job in March, I put on thirty pounds. Some of it I needed to gain because I had lost weight previously due to other stressors, but I would like to lose some of it again.

Starting stats:

Age: 46

Height: 5' 7.25"

Weight: 140

Target Weight: 125

I have been walking to and from my office tech class as often as possible, and that is about three miles one way. So far I haven't come up with any other strategies.

[SaxFace]

I'm in, too, but waaaaay ahead of you all. Just kidding, I feel I need some support as well - it's an uphill battle.

I started going to the gym (I walk there - it's one mile away) at 6 am every morning about a month ago - 20 minutes on the Precor machine and 20 minutes of fast lap swimming.

I've lost only about 10 pounds, but 2 whole inches of flab. I don't look skinny, but I look "toned".

So, my current stats:

Height: 5'8 1/2"
Weight: 173

Goal Height: 6'0 (kidding)
Goal Weight: 150

Will we be able to post before and after pictures, too?

[Tymp]

Will we be able to post before and after pictures, too?

Wow. That would serve as serious motivation. Imagine having pictures of our out-of-shape, undisciplined butts all over the net until we can post pictures of ourselves that we like. Not a bad idea at all.

[psycat90]

Hell yes I am in. Demo already announced, but I just had to chime in. I've been going through my closet the past few days to check out my work-suits, there is not a single one in there that fits! I refuse to buy a whole new wardrobe, I will fit into those clothes again. I'm not gonna post my weight, but I will say that I am at least 40 lbs overweight, that is unbelievable. So, let's do this thing!!
Hon, we're going for a walk this evening, be prepared!

[Mr. Cynical]

Originally posted by Coldfire
Poor guy. With the Imperial measures, you seem:

a) shorter, and:
b) heavier!

That sort of thing needed to be avoided, right?

Just thought I'd check that

Well, it must be all the rippling muscles I barely hide beneath this protective layer of blubber

Now shut up, or dinner tonight shall be "Dutchman Roasted On Spit Over Hickory Charcoal". Tasteless, to be sure, but filling.

And, for the record:
1.86 meter = 73.23 inch = 6'1.23"

Nyaah.

[Sauron]

I've been working on my weight, as well. Last year, I finally reached my target of 185 after dropping 40 pounds in 14 months. Got divorced, and reverted back to all my slobbish ways. So now I'm at 205. I'm 6'1", 34 years old, and I can carry this weight, but I don't like the little bicycle tire that has formed around my waist. I'm gonna get back down to 190 again, regardless. My main exercise is jogging. I hate it, but it's cheap. Two miles every morning that I can make myself get up in time.

[robinh]

tatertot wrote: Does anybody have any suggestions on weight training?

Buy or borrow the book Strong Women Stay Slim by Miriam Nelson. Her first book, Strong Women Stay Young deals with the research she did on reversing the effects of osteoperosis in elderly patients. She found that the regular use of light weights could actually increase bone mass. A side effect was that the increased muscle mass and decreased fat percentage caused these women to lose, in many cases, several dress sizes. The second book focuses more on getting back in shape.

By the way, tatertot, I have almost exactly the same stats as you, except that I am 38 and I have 4 kids. Don't be discouraged. It can be done. I was in better shape (and in a smaller dress size) in between my first 2 kids. I intend to get back there.

I'll be joining you shortly if this thread stays current. Right now, though, I'm nursing tendonitis in my foot. A word of advice: if your treadmill stalls, causing you to stop abruptly, do not continue for another mile and a half, even though nothing actually hurts at the time. Following a doctor visit yesterday, I am treating my injury "more agressively"-600mg ibuprofen 4 times daily, regular icing, and more rest.

[KimKatt]

Name: KimKatt
Age: 30
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 145 lbs, 66 Kg
Target Weight: 130 lbs, 59 Kg
Target Date: Christmas

Just to add in the height.

I'm not coherent enough in the morning to find my feet, let alone work out. I'm shooting for evenings and weekends.

[techchick68]

Well, I have started a similar thread over on the FFF, 'sposed I should revive it.

Anyhow, for me, I am changing my eating habits and have yet to get off my ass and walk. I think I have a good route that should be about 4 miles but I am going to look into some places where my dog can be off the leash.

My goal is to fit back into my size 4 jeans again.

Age: 32
Hieght: 5'3"
Wieght: over 130 lbs
Target: Under 115 lbs

I am not looking for weight so much as I am looking for inches as if I start any form of exercise (which I wont to weight training) I bulk out with a lot of muscle which in turn increases your weight.

(you can do the metric conversions)

[divemaster]

I'll join the support group. My agency has a fitness center in which I've been working out for about a year. I had made very good gains for the first 5 months, but then a lot of travel for business, and the death of my father, put me off my routine. So I'm pretty much back to where I started. My stats right now are exactly the same as phil's, except that I'm an inch taller.

YOU MUST READ THE FOLLOWING TO KEEP MOTIVATED. For most people, your metabolic set point is very stubborn and difficult to overcome. Many, many people see a trend like this (this actually happened to me during basic training, another time where I needed to lose a good amount of weight):

First month--aerobic exercise every day; running, calisthenics, muscle work, etc... Net weight loss = 5 pounds.

Next month--same exercises. Net weight loss of 35 pounds.

Of course the actual amount will depend on starting size and other factors, but the point is, your body will fight you for longer than most people are motivated to continue. They give up when the make-or-break point is just around the corner.

DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!

For me, I remember five years ago when I was running 4 miles every day (under 28 minutes). I weighed 160; 33" waist; and could eat anything and everything I wanted. Now, at 205, I realize how much work I have ahead of me to get down to 34" pants.

[Girl Next Door]

The Girl Next Door is looking more like the Blob Next Door, and that just isn't okay. My plan is self-designed, and is called the WXYZ plan:

W: Water (64 oz. or more a day)
X: eXercise (20 minutes or more of aerobic activity 4x week, and two weight lifting sessions per week)
Y: Yoga (keeps me toned and is great for alleviating depression)
Z: the Zone 'Cause I am all about processed sugar and white flour and that has simply got to stop.


So, we'll see how it goes. I can usually do two of the four things at a time, I'm having trouble doing all four at once.

-Leslie
Top weight: 169 lbs.
Currently: 166 lbs.
Goal: 145 lbs.

Reward: A Golden Retreiver Puppy when husband AND I hit our goal weights. (Yep, we both have to hit our goal before either of us gets our reward.)

[Peta Tzunami]

Originally posted by tatertot
Count me in, too. [/b]Peta[/b], did you have any problems with being able to follow the step routines? I find that by the time I figure out what they are doing, they've moved on to something else. I wind up just sitting on the floor, wondering why my legs never move where my body tells them to.

Well, I'm kind of particular about the tapes I choose to use. If you asked PLD, he'd probably say I use the most annoying. "Sure, she's got a perfectly good, unused Daisy Fuentes video, but does she use it? No. Now. And do you know why?" (Because its too frickin' hard!)

I use some Richard Simmons tapes and a Susan Powder tape. Now, some of Richard's stuff is still difficult (to follow) and I tend to avoid those. I figure that its hard enough being motivated, why add the handicap of a tape you dread doing.

Getting back to your question, Susan's tape is extremely repetitive and she really stresses working at YOUR fitness level and modifying the exercise so you can to do it until you've built up the strength and cardio endurance (and coordination) to follow it exactly. I also don't currently use the step part of it right now (I did some last year, but I'm just not to that level yet), which makes following it a little easier--no fear or falling off or misstepping.

I also really like Richard's video Tone-n-Sweat with the toning cord. It really does work well to build stronger, leaner muscles (or it did once). The other video of his that I have and use is my excuse buster kinda deal--its only 20 minutes long, and I try to tell myself "What's 20 minutes? No biggy--I can blink 20 minutes away!"

As far as getting up in the morning, one nice thing I've already noticed is it gets easier (for me) every morning and I'm less drowsy at work today than I was on Tuesday when we started. (I am usually up until 11:00 or midnight.)

Guess I'll 'fess up though I hate admitting it (these are the last figures -- haven't weighed myself in a couple months).

Age: 30
Height: 5'3"
Current Weight: 221 lbs (size 20)
Goal: +/-5 lbs a month
Long-term Goal: 135 lbs (size 10) / January 19, 2002
Short-term Goal: 195 lbs / January 19, 2001

[Peta Tzunami]

And that dreaded winter (cold weather) weight gain...

PLD and I were discussing this morning, and I find my copy of a Vegetarian Times article that discusses causes behind this phenomena and since its sort of relevant to the thread (especially given the time of year we're all taking up this challenged), I thought I'd share it.

VEGETARIAN TIMES - DECEMBER 1999
Nutrition Know-How
by Jane Shiyen Chou

Q1: I eat the same foods and exercise the same amount in the winter as I do the rest of the year, but somehow I always put on 5 pounds. What' going on? Does my metabolism naturally show down in winter?

A1: Bears hibernate in winter, but people do not. "There's no data to support the idea that one's metabolic rate automatically decreases in cold weather, says Kathy McManus, M.S., R.D., manager of clinical nutrition at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. What's more likely is that you're eating a little more and exercising a little less without realizing it. Most people spend more time indoors when the weather turns cold. So although you may be sticking to your regular workout schedule, you may also be spending your Sunday afternoons curled up on the sofa reading a book rather than puttering in the yard. And even if you're diligent about eating healthful meals at home, it's easy to overlook a few indulgences at holiday parties, including alcohol, and they do add up.

"You should also ask yourself if you're eating those same foods in the same form," says Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., president of Bastyr University in Bothell, Washington. People tend to eat more raw foods in the summer and cooked foods in the winter. "While cooking doesn't change the calorie count, it does make food easier to digest," says Pizzorno. "And the faster food is digested, the more insulin your body produces, which in turn increases the likelihood that calories will be stored as fat instead of burned off for energy."

Finally, while the season itself doesn't affect your metabolism, even minor changes in eating and exercise habits do. Think about it. A slightly more sedentary winter lifestyle may cause you to lose a pound of muscle and a few holiday indulgences plus more cooked foods could result in an extra pound of fat. At this point your weight has not changed--you've lost a pound of muscle and gained a pound of fat--but your metabolism has. "One pound of muscle burns 50 calories per day compared with just 5 calories a day per pound of fat," explains Pizzorno. This means you're burning 45 fewer calories each day, which adds up to an extra 315 unburned calories a week, or 1,350 excess calories a month--even though your diet and exercise routine haven't changed.

So if you tend to put on winter pounds, be extra vigilant about holiday treats and activity levels and consider making fresh salads a part of your menu all year-round.

Hope that helps someone (anyone? anyone?)!

[SaxFace]

I just wanted to let those of you starting out what I did to start the cycle of fitness. I actually enjoy going to the gym every morning now!

For breakfast I eat:

2 bananas or a fruit shake (aka smoothie sans yogurt) or a low fat muffin

For lunch I eat:

A salad - without bacon bits or cheese or creamy dressing

For dinner I eat:

A baked potato with butter or a couple Garden Burgers (no bun) or tofu lasagna (really delicious and only 200 calories) or salmon and soup

Now that I have gotten my lazy ass out of bed at 5:45 every morning, my internal alarm clock is set up so I wake up at that time every day. It took about two weeks and I no longer need to force myself to go - I look forward to it.

The biggest help I've had so far is my walkman. I bought a few dance music CD's and they have very motivational songs - one even made me cry (yes, I'm thoroughly embarassed). My favorite songs are the ones that talk about "energy", "you can do it", "your dreams will come true", "keep moving", "don't stop", "deeper love", etc.

Hey, I just thought of something! If anyone of you is interested, I have a CD burner and would be more than happy to make a "Teeming Millions Workout CD". It'll feature funky James Brown selections, grooving disco bass line songs, Top 40 dance hits, and inspirational fitness lyric tunes.

Who has a webpage where we can put up monthly status photos? Motivational, indeed!

[porcupine]

Count me in. I am already on my way, though, having dropped 60 lbs so far. I am about the size I want to be now, but I still want to lose some fat and gain some muscle. To that end, I started lifting weights about two months ago. I really like weight lifting, and I really hate cardio. I am currently on a break since my herniated disk in my lower back is acting up and I am stuck at home (I am going to get a fun epidural steriod injection in about a half hour) - I can't sit for longer than about 15 minutes w/out being in intense pain.

Here's a link to my "before" and "during" pics that I put together for another group I participate in. My ultimate goal - look good naked

And now you dopers will <gasp> know my real name and it should be clear from the cleavage that I am not a guy.

[Bottle of Smoke]

Originally posted by tatertot
Speaking of, how tall are you BoS and Coldie? 205 doesn't seem too bad for a man...probably all y'all need is a little toning

I'm a hair under 6'1" (1.85 meters) or to use Coldie's math, I'm a hair under 6'4" (must be my lack of wooden shoes)

I need toning for sure, but the extra inches around my waist need more than just a tone up.

[jessicala]

I just started hitting the gym again this month, but my past pattern has been to follow it up for 2 or three weeks and then find other distractions. Motivation to keep to it would be very much welcome. I need to improve my muscle tone more than I need to lose pounds, but if I could drop 15-20 pounds as well, I would be very happy.

Current plan: 60-minute step class Monday and Wednesday evenings (includes some arms and abs work), Fitness and circuit machines Friday evenings, and trying to eat in a more healthy manner.
Target dates: 1. Company Holiday Party; 2. High School reunion next summer.

One general question, though: I see that most of you are planning to exercise every day. Am I setting myself up for failure by only working out three days a week?

[Mr. Cynical]

And for lunch today, I had:

A Beef Tenderloin sandwich, with mushrooms, lettuce, and tomatoes.
An Orange.
A bunch of grapes.
A Caesar salad.
A slice of cake.
A glass of Iced Tea.
An Andes Mint.

[Mr. Cynical]

And, I have it on good authority that Coldfire ate a whole large double thick deep dish New York Style pizza, with sour cream and Salmon Chunks. For his beverage, a nice glass of melted pig fat.

[bump]

I'll say this:

Losing weight & getting in shape is not impossible. Tough, but not impossible. Based on my experience, there are a few important points:

1. WATCH what you eat. Watch it like a hawk. Eat if you're actually hungry, not when you are bored.

2. Get regular exercise. Weightlifting, cardio, etc... doesn't so much matter so long as you do it regularly & as intensely as you feel you can.

3. Take the long-term approach. This is probably the biggest one. Don't aim for something ridiculous like "I want to lose 30 lbs in 2 months". That's about six lbs a week, which is unrealistic. Instead, set a goal like "I want to lose 30 lbs in five months", which is a pound and a half per week, and is absolutely realistic.

4. Find someone to work out with, talk to about it, etc... who is supportive, but won't let you slack off either.

5. Take some before/during/after pictures. If you keep it up, you'll be amazed. Also, keep around maybe one old pair of pants so you can see just how they don't fit anymore!

And now for my vital stats:

Age: one week shy of 28
Height: 6'1"
Original Weight: 273 (1/16/2000) (size 42 waist)
Target Weight: 200
Current Weight: 222(yay!) (size 36 waist)

I just eat about 1500-2000 calories per day, & lift weights 3 times a week. Nothing amazing, but I couldn't be happier with the results.

[pldennison]

If you asked PLD, he'd probably say I use the most annoying. "Sure, she's got a perfectly good, unused Daisy Fuentes video, but does she use it? No. Now. And do you know why?"

Hey, if you were using the Daisy Fuentes tape, I'd do her. Er, it. :P

[Coldfire]

It's true. All beginnings are hard. Kids, what we are trying to avoid are conversations like this (God bless ICQ):

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:38 Hey fatso

Mr. 8-9-00 19:38 What's up, Chubby?

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:39 Nothing much... just vegging behind the PC, waiting for the.... uhm... pizza LOL

Mr. 8-9-00 19:39 Ha! I'm doing all I can to avoid having lunch. I hate having to give up the burger that's NAMED for me. lol

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:40 SWell, ya know I DID work late. And it IS friday night. And I DO have to go to a birthday later on, so I have little time. Yes, I DESERVE that pizza

Mr. 8-9-00 19:41 Ha! Make sure to get extra anchovies, eh?

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:41 Better! This is a sour cream & salmon chunks Deep Pan New York fuckin' Giant BigAss YumYum gimme gimme pizza

Mr. 8-9-00 19:42 Salmon Chunks? Wow! I would have never thought of that! Or sour cream, for that matter!

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:42 Believe me, it is DELICIOUS.

Mr. 8-9-00 19:43 I'm a huge fan of the White Pizza, myself. Rub the dough with olive oil, sprinkle crushed garlic and sliced onions all over it, and then hit it with cheese. No tomato sauce at all. It is fantastic. And, would you believe I've never tasted salmon at all!

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:45 No salmon? Get thee to a store and buy some smoked Canadian! You'll love it, if you like fish.

Mr. 8-9-00 19:46 Oh man, last week in Texas, the folks I was visiting took me to a cajun place. Had me some
blackened catfish, with a pontchartain sauce over it. I almost licked the plate. I gotta tell you, salmon steaks do look REALLY good.

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:47 And they are... catfish kicks ass, too, like you said. And don't get me started on swordfish. That's pure heaven on your plate.

Mr. 8-9-00 19:48 Is it flaky? It looks as if you can almost peel off individual layers of meat! Now, I've got this other dish in my head. Seared Ahi tuna, crusted with crushed pepper, served with a raspberry sauce on the side. Oh My God.

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:49 Salmon, well prepared, is really tender and peals off layers easily. Swordfish is more heavy, almost like a beef steak. But MAN is it good.

Mr. 8-9-00 19:50 Hmmmmmmmm.....how are they on the grill?

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:50 ESPECIALLY good on the grill. An Aussie mate of mine BBQ's them all the time. Heavenly.

Mr. 8-9-00 19:51 Cause I was thinking about firing up the grill this weekend, and I happen to know an excellent butcher/seafood shop.

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:51 Try it!! You won't be disappointed.

Mr. 8-9-00 19:52 I will do that. Maybe both. A filet of each.

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:52 Knock yourself out

Mr. 8-9-00 19:53 Heh! And, what do you have on tap for the weekend?

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:55 Tonight, a birthday party. But I'm driving there, so I'm gonna have to restrain myself Tomorrow, I'm going to my old college town to visit my best friend, who yesterday became the father of twins. I'm bringing two handmade Cuban cigars Hmmm... pizza has arrived

Mr. 8-9-00 19:56 Cubano! Damnit! I wish I could get them here.

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:57 Bought them in Mex, they were about USD 15 each

Mr. 8-9-00 19:57 Oh man!

Coldfire 8-9-00 19:58 but they're probably worth it. one hand now, eating

Mr. 8-9-00 19:59 lol! I just had lunch dropped off for me as well. Beef Tenderloin sandwich, with a caesar salad, Oranges, and some kind of cake.

Coldfire 8-9-00 20:00 Hot damn. We're sure working out, huh LOL

Mr. 8-9-00 20:00 lol! Lots of curls.

Mr. 8-9-00 20:03 For the record, I ate the cake first.

Coldfire 8-9-00 20:04 thank you. ftr, i am currently eating slice 3 of 6

Mr. 8-9-00 20:05 lol! PIG!

Coldfire 8-9-00 20:05 hey, it's merely a medium

Mr. 8-9-00 20:06 I've seen mediums that would constipate an elephant! Especially if they're Double thick deep dish new york style creamy goodness smothered with cold cream and pickles.

Coldfire 8-9-00 20:07 It would have to be a big elephant, but yeah: it's one of those motherfuckers

Mr. 8-9-00 20:07 LOL

Coldfire 8-9-00 20:08 commencing 4 of 6... will he make it???

Mr. 8-9-00 20:08 Course you will, you're no quitter.

Coldfire 8-9-00 20:09 Hell no. And I worked for it, dammit

Mr. 8-9-00 20:09 lol! You realize, of course, that this must be posted in that thread.

Coldfire 8-9-00 20:10 That's what I just thought!! Great minds. Who will do it?

Mr. 8-9-00 20:11 Hold on, rooster, I'm on it.

Coldfire 8-9-00 20:11 Superb... we're gonna get toasted LOL

Mr. 8-9-00 20:11 lol! I hope so!!!

Coldfire 8-9-00 20:12 5 out of *belch*... 6.... UGH

Mr. 8-9-00 20:17 It's up!

Coldfire 8-9-00 20:17 I'm in there now, lemme refresh

Mr. 8-9-00 20:18 lol

Coldfire 8-9-00 20:19 Shall I just post the ICQ Convo?

Mr. 8-9-00 20:19 Yeah!!! That would be a hoot!!!

Coldfire 8-9-00 20:19 Hang on


All together now: BAD COLDFIRE! BAD CYNICAL!!

Let this be a lesson to you kids

[iampunha]

I'm not trying to lose weight, as such would be nearly impossible for me, I'm (like Tymp) trying to gain muscle. Stats (far as I know):

age: 18
height: 5'10" (1.778 m)
weight: 155 lbs (70.455 k)
target weight: 170 lbs (77.3 k)

[Bottle of Smoke]

Coldie and Mr. C -- Nice start on the workout regimen, guys. What's your cool-down gonna be? A case of Grolsch?

[Ceejaytee]

Cool. I want to play.

I had been working out fairly regularly (4-5 times a week) until I got the cold from hell, which I have been battling for 2 weeks.

Stats:
Name (sort of): Ceejaytee
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 185 lbs
[I am metrically impaired; calculate at your own risk]
My goal: 150 lbs by January, 2001, when I will try to conceive for the first time, and gain it all back

My plan is to exercise 5 days a week, weights 2x week, and aerobics the rest of the time. I walk to work (25 min. each way) but that apparently isn't enough. I have weird endocrine problems (thyroid and adrenal), so I am about to try a low carb diet, which is supposed to be good for that. First I have to read the book and explain it chapter by chapter to my (thin and wiry) husband, who worries I am going to be killed by a fad diet (recommended by my dr. no less).

At the end of September, the hubby and I are going hiking for 2 weeks in Utah (Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches) and hopefully I won't keel over. We have backpacked before, but we have been extremely sedentary this year.

This should be fun.

[RTFirefly]

For me, it isn't so much the weight (altho I'd like to lose 8-10 lbs., but I can accomplish most of that by eating rabbit food for lunch); it's the out-of-shape bit. Got hit by a hell of a case of the flu in early April, and wasn't really back to normal until mid-May. A busy year, both at work and at home, means I haven't gotten any exercise to speak of all year.

Plus, during the past year, I got hooked on one of them damned online message boards......it's hard to get exercise while typing away on the keyboard. I need to find a way of posting to the SD while riding a bicycle!

[Mr. Cynical]

Does Grolsch come in Light? I'd hate to take on any extra calories.

[Jodi]

Coincidentally, I just started one of my semi-annual quests to get in shape on September 1st. I'm not eating refined sugar or dairy (mmm . . . cheese . . .) and trying to step up the length and frequency of my walk/runs.

If anyone needs an e-mail buddy for this adventure, drop me a line. Oh, and way to go Porcupine! You should be very, very proud of yourself.