Thanks for the advice, Ophie. I may try running later on today, but I'm pretty sure that my body's not ready for it yet.

That being said, not running =/= not being committed. It also isn't the only way to lose weight or get fit. Yes, it's one, very effective way, but it isn't the only way.

I'm the same size as you and I go running in public. It may frighten old people and small children ( good ) but I've lost 15 lbs so far . As for your body not being ready? Mine isn't either. I don't go running 20 miles full pelt. I jog for the length between 2 streetlights and then walk for the next two, then jog for the next two and walk again ect ect. I keep changing my route so I get a mix of uphills and downhills too.

honeythorn: That sounds more reasonable, and more like something I could accomplish.

Also, walk everywhere you go, in addition to any other exercise you might be doing. I'm not naturally stocky but this is the only reason my beer-gut is reasonably modest, so it couldn't hurt.

I lead a horribly unhealthy lifestyle in most ways but I eat fairly well (Kambili's really into the 7 pieces of fruit and vegetables a day and she does most of the cooking, so I'm not gonna bitch about the lack of steaks) and am pretty into walks. I never take the bus unless the journey's over an hour on foot, and most days I'll take a head-clearing walk for a half hour or so. Despite being a fairly heavy smoker I don't wheeze like most of my buddies. And when you feel like the walls are closing in on you, wandering into the woods iin time for sunset with your MP3 player is pretty blissful.

Not that hard, anyways, starting this Saturday I'm walking 2 miles a day, before 20 minutes on the bike. Why? I haven't shown and commitment to losing weight, and I want to make up for that. Almost half of the 2 miles is uphill, the other is pretty flat, then it changes to downhill. I'm thinking after a month or so, I add another mile to the walk. By the end of summer, I want to be jogging 4 miles a day.

That's true, there are other ways.
YOU AREN'T DOING THOSE EITHER.

Ophie: Yes, I am. Granted, I've slipped a bit this past week, but I'm determined to get back on track.

Apathy's_Child: Amen to that! :) I miss SoCal because we -could- walk to anything we needed. Unfortunately, it's just not practical here in the South.

I might start going out to the local Shakespear Festival to walk/jog, though; it's absolutely beautiful and very peaceful. :D

I don't run much as my knees are shit, I have found that yoga has really strengthened my joints and toned my muscles. Its a good workout for anyone and is super comprehensive, though if you are a total beginner then I would suggest classes so that you have someone who can help you learn the positions until you know what does and does not feel right.

Ugh, I absolutely detest running. Which is a shame, considering I'd like to have nice slim legs. Would running make my thighs or calves bulk up?

I don't run often, but I walk ridiculously fast (most people have to jog to keep up with me). My legs are awesome, and although that's partly genetic the walking certainly seems to keep them well toned.

Holy crap Cicero, your Etsy is delicious.

How much do you weigh Pineapple_Juice?

I weigh 145 right now.

That's not that bad, if you want to tone up your legs and running isn't your thing just try to use stairs instead of elevators and if you really want to see a difference get some ankle weights and just wear them around your house.

Nah, it's not that bad considering I'm 6 feet tall, but as I mentioned earlier I'd quite like to be a bit underweight. I should really get some ankle weights as you said.

Thanks =]

And yes, stairs are always good. Fun when you've got an elevator to beat.

If you replace all drinks with water and eat about 250+ less calories a day you should see a difference, when put with some cardio.

I've lost nearly 21 lbs now ( stone and a half ) Most of that was a chin though. You can't see any difference anywhere below the neck.

Holy crap! I wish I had that kind of dedication. Congrats and all that.

Thanks. I think You get to a point where you just snap and think " that's it " . I've been overweight my entire life, even at my lowest. But at my lowest ( which was still 2 stone too heavy ) men were at least vaugely interested and I didn't have anywhere near so much of a problem with being touched.

I must try to get an old picture from a friend, of me when I was 18 ( just before being introduced to goth in fact ) and on holiday. Her fiancee refused to believe it was me until I came in and said it definitely was, and told him what drink I had in my hand :p

I've lost 10 pounds! Now that isn't as impressive as what Honeythorn accomplished, but it's still pretty Rocktastic.

A. Don't ever say "Rocktastic" again.
B. Good for you, ten pounds is a good beginning.

Saying cool and excellent all of the time is boring, so I want to create a new saying, but ok.

Oh, and thanks. It really is a great start, by summer I want to be down to 210 lbs.

Say whatever you want.