werwolf

That would HAVE to give you a level up. Maybe even grant you access to a wormhole for a double level up. Oh I hope you bring a camera.

So far 8b seems like the only step I'd be able to complete without snapping my spine in twain.

Automatic Father Translation My dad's a 'unique' guy. (Think William Shatner spliced with Christopher Walken.) He tends to speak in his own language and I'm the only person who knows what he's talking about. Sample conversation- Dad: You know the movie with that guy? Me: What guy? Dad: The guy, the one where he does stuff. Me: George Clooney? Dad: Yeah. Does he eat the tsunami? Me: You mean tzatziki? I don't know. Dad: Because he lives there. Me: He lives in Italy. Tzatziki is Greek. But he could eat it if he wanted to. Dad: I like that stuff. I don't know if this is a superpower I should be proud of, but it does given me a headache sometimes. Dad, however, thinks it's great. The Joy of Planning Man do I love to plan things. Weddings, parties, holidays, gatherings... all of it. I used to do it professionally as well. In times of personal stress I derive great comfort from the distraction of planning imaginary events just to get my mind off whatever's stressing me out. My friends love travelling with me because all they have to do is show up and they know everything will already be taken care of. Some people use the phrase 'control freak' like it's a bad thing. I do not. Reaching A.K.A. Seeing over people's heads. I'm really tall (6'). So old ladies always ask me to get things off shelves at the grocery store. I was also the only person able to decorate my old office for Christmas because I was the only one who could reach the ceiling. I am always the one responsible for spotting people in crowds, so it's a good thing my vision hasn't gone yet. I really enjoy being so tall. The only downside is that when I wear heels I look like Godzilla attacking Tokyo.

I think you could reasonably expect to combine living in Munich for 6 mos. with attending Oktoberfest, getting in a fight, and getting a woman's number. You may or may not also end up sleeping outside under the stars. ... If you could manage this, you would be my hero.

I have milk on my cereal in the morning, string cheese with my lunch, and often yogurt or cottage cheese for an afternoon snack. I also eat dark greens (including broccoli), almonds, and raddishes. (And fresh figs whenever I can get my grubby little hands on them. Yum!) Sesame seeds are apparently super high in calcium too, but I tend to only eat those in tahini form and only rarely.

How's the protein powder going? Do you mix it with water or milk?

Name: werwolf Goals: Continue to lose weight Increase from 12 to 15 reps a set Attempt proper push-ups Get more sleep Class: I suppose I'm a big beefy Warrior (although wouldn't I love to be a lithe Druid someday) Eating: Omnivore Other Info: Yoga, multiple types of cardio classes, and strength training with hand weights, BOSU, and ball. Team or Alone: I'm a lone little werwolf. (This time anyway.)

I reward myself in the most fitness nerdy way possible... I'll try a new protein shake/bar, or superfruit I've never tasted before, or get those fancy dry roasted edamame, something along those lines. My next treat is going to be coconut water. It just seems to be the 'in' thing to try.

I've been searching around for a good calorie/protein ratio powder myself. So far I've uncovered this one: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3650191&cp=3593187.2108294 I can't vouch for the taste (since I have yet to pony up the cash to buy it), but I'm satisfied with 130 calories and 30g of protein in one go.

I'm sorry I can't offer up solution to the problem. I can, however, commiserate. My skin elasticity is completely shot and I know I won't be rid of this deflated fat-girl suit until I can have it surgically removed. *sigh* Hey ho though, right? Extra skin isn't going to hurt us physically and we're emotionally tough enough to cope with it, though it is supremely annoying.

Hey rcarper, My gym just recently offered a promotion where I could get one free training session with the trainer of my choice. Until then I was also a little worried about my ability to do any weight training without hurting myself (I've got a spinal injury). Now that I've had that hour of learning I feel totally confident and able to mix it up enough to satisfy my need for amusement. I went into the session saying I didn't want to do machines, and now I never have to! I think you'll enjoy being set free.

I have a friend doing the Warrior Dash in Georgia this year. It looks crazy. In both the good and the just plain 'ol crazy sense. I hope you have a fantastic time!

I'm glad that I now have a place to say this without feeling like a total dick: *clears throat* I love my gym. Now, I'm SO not one of 'those' gym people. You know the kind. The ones that spend a lot of time yelling and, for some unknown reason, clapping. They jump out of bed at 4am because they just LOVE *clap* THE GYM *clap.* I don't claim to have more energy when I'm done. (When I'm done at the gym I'm mentally/emotionally glad I went, but I am physically tired because I left it all on the floor.) I don't offer other people unsolicited advice on their form. (Actually, it's like pulling teeth to get me to speak to anyone at all when I'm there. I get the tunnel visioin. lol) And I don't have a prefered brand of equipment. (I got a heart rate monitor for Christmas and luckily my more technically-minded brother did all the research to find which one worked for my purposes.) BUT... I do love my gym. I love feeling like I've accomplished something for the day. I love being able to get away from my family and have some alone time. I love the mental break it gives me because I'm focused on what my body is doing and not worrying about whatever else is going on. I love that it makes me feel tired and sore, but in a happy way. And I love that it's part of my search to find the me under the layers. Right now I do cardio six days a week and I've just started strength training three days a week. (Like many of the female persuasion my upper body has a lot of catching up to do strength-wise compared to my legs.) I like to take the classes offered at my gym because they're more entertaining for me than just using a treadmill, (or walking many viscious circles around the neighborhood, as I did before I got my membership) which I find soul-sucking. My gym has a pretty nice mix of cardio options, most of which also include some element of strength training as well, so I do step, kickboxing, yoga (my favourite), and some dancy-type cardio. I'm pretty excited about my new weight training too. I am all about the dumbells and not the machines. The machines scare me a little. They look like torture devices. So that's me. Unabashedly loving my gym... but only in private.

Hello Lowenna! A friend of mine dearly loves his cricket and would love me more if I understood it better. As it is, I only listen to the commentary for the soothing background noise it provides. lol I'm much more of a rugger sort of girl, but I feel I could benefit culturally if I mastered an appreciation (if not a love) of cricket. I'm also a grown-up (physically anyway) tomboy, so I'm glad to meet you.

Living in the UK for several years gave me a sincere apprecation for the long walk. So make that a three-count for walk lovers. Oh, and a two-count for shes who organize outings.

Hello all. I'm the werwolf. My journey on this path of fitness began about a year and a half ago when I was (finally!) diagnosed with hypothyroidism after suffering with symptoms ignored by medical professionals for about 16 years. After all that time of being told by doctors that I was just fat and lazy, I gave up trying to improve my fitness and became what they said I was. My philosophy was that if you're going to die of an obesity-related disease, you may as well hasten the journey. I didn't pay any attention to my eating habits and moved my body only out of necessity. After my diagnosis however, all that changed. I consider my thyroid medication my 'magic' pill. I know it isn't magic. I know that eating healthfully and exercising regularly will improve anyone's physical fitness. But you have to understand that for me, doing both of those things NEVER made any difference before, it was just an exercise in futility, frustration, and increased self-flagellation. The medication is what has finally enabled my body to function normally and for that I am still in awe. All that being said, I've lost 150lbs so far. I'm trying to find out who I would have been all along if it weren't for the busted thyroid gland in my neck. At this point I just feel weird most of the time. For example, I had no idea that most people can feel their hip bones through their skin when they lie on their backs. Or that my body is shaped much like Geoffrey Rush's in Quills. (Which is even more disturbing when you consider that I'm female.) So I'm deep in the process of establishing a new 'normal' for me. I've still got about 40-50lbs to go if I want to be safely within a healthy BMI, but I'm in no hurry. It's not about losing weight or being a more socially-acceptable size for me (I was competely at ease with my appearance before); I'm in it for my health and well-being long term. Hence I've joined in with all you lovely people! I hope I haven't rambled too much my first time out. I shall endeavour for brevity next time.