What a difference a year makes!

On January 9, 2006, I wrote:

Well, here's another de-lurker emerging. I just turned 40, am at 385
pounds, 6'1'", and have finally committed to losing weight. I've been
watching my calories and visiting a gym for the past week. I am
sticking to a 2000 calorie diet. My exercise routine currently consists
of recumbant (sic) bike for the cardio part daily and weights to build
up
muscle three times a week. Unfortunately, I have knee pain so taking
long walks is not practical. I'm trying to add in little things as well
such as parking further away from the entrance to work, taking stairs,
etc. I am managing 10-12 minutes on the bike for now - I probably could
do more but I find siting on the bike very uncomfortable. I know I need
to do more, so I keep trying to stay in the saddle longer.

My goal weight is 200 pounds, which I haven't weighed since high
school. I know I can do it. This group seems to inspire a lot of loss,
and I plan on adding to it. So many of the posts here are inspiring,
especially Matty, the fellow publishing his monthly updates. If he can
lose 200 pounds, what's my 185?

A photo of me is displayed with one of my articles:
http://correspondencechess.com/campb...es/a040422.htm
We can consider this the "before" photo.

Neil
385/???/200

When I wrote the above, I had no idea what 2006 would hold in store for
me. I had started my weight loss with a visit to Gold's Gym in
Royersford on January 3rd. That was the exercise portion; the diet part
began on the 8th when I finally started adding up calories and I
realized that the "light" eating I had been engaging in was far from
light. Thanks to ASD and Fitday I quickly educated myself and forced
myself out of denial.

There's no need to recap the entire year; besides, I want to get to the
gym this morning, so I'll keep this short. I didn't know how I would
wind up - how much weight I could lose, what I would do when I lost
weight, et cetera. I still thought of myself as a fat person. In other
words, as a victim. If you had told me that by year's end I would have:

- lost 111 pounds;

- rowed boats for hours at a time;

- hiked four miles up a small mountain;

- purchased a bike, and one that cost ten times what I could have paid
at K-mart;

- rode the bike (!)

- leg-pressed my body weight;

- wore size 44 jeans;

- replaced my entire wardrobe, except for socks and shoes;

- developed a fondness for veggies, other than fried potatoes;

- chosen oatmeal and yogurt over sausage and eggs as breakfast food,
and apples over candy as a treat;

- wear t-shirts, shorts, and exercise gear in public;

- and run,

I would have thought you were nuts. Now fat people look at me and think
I'm nuts for doing all these things. And this is what I can do at the
end of 2006. Imagine what I will be able to do in 2007! No one can stop
me, except me. And that's not going to happen.

Neil
385/274/220

The Historian wrote:
> On January 9, 2006, I wrote:

(snipped a lot of good stuff)
>
> There's no need to recap the entire year; besides, I want to get to the
> gym this morning, so I'll keep this short. I didn't know how I would
> wind up - how much weight I could lose, what I would do when I lost
> weight, et cetera. I still thought of myself as a fat person. In other
> words, as a victim. If you had told me that by year's end I would have:
>
> - lost 111 pounds;
>
> - rowed boats for hours at a time;
>
> - hiked four miles up a small mountain;
>
> - purchased a bike, and one that cost ten times what I could have paid
> at K-mart;
>
> - rode the bike (!)
>
> - leg-pressed my body weight;
>
> - wore size 44 jeans;
>
> - replaced my entire wardrobe, except for socks and shoes;
>
> - developed a fondness for veggies, other than fried potatoes;
>
> - chosen oatmeal and yogurt over sausage and eggs as breakfast food,
> and apples over candy as a treat;
>
> - wear t-shirts, shorts, and exercise gear in public;
>
> - and run,
>
> I would have thought you were nuts. Now fat people look at me and think
> I'm nuts for doing all these things. And this is what I can do at the
> end of 2006. Imagine what I will be able to do in 2007! No one can stop
> me, except me. And that's not going to happen.
>
> Neil
> 385/274/220

Happy New Year to the NEW Neil. It's been a pleasure to see your progress
over the past year and I look forward to seeing more of it in 2007.

Wait until you're really into cycling and want to buy that 'all carbon road
bike' .....real sticker shock

Beverly

On 1 Jan 2007 05:36:13 -0800, "The Historian" <Spamscone@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>On January 9, 2006, I wrote:
>
>Well, here's another de-lurker emerging. I just turned 40, am at 385
>pounds, 6'1'", and have finally committed to losing weight. I've been
>watching my calories and visiting a gym for the past week. I am
>sticking to a 2000 calorie diet. My exercise routine currently consists
>of recumbant (sic) bike for the cardio part daily and weights to build
>up
>muscle three times a week. Unfortunately, I have knee pain so taking
>long walks is not practical. I'm trying to add in little things as well
>such as parking further away from the entrance to work, taking stairs,
>etc. I am managing 10-12 minutes on the bike for now - I probably could
>do more but I find siting on the bike very uncomfortable. I know I need
>to do more, so I keep trying to stay in the saddle longer.
>
>My goal weight is 200 pounds, which I haven't weighed since high
>school. I know I can do it. This group seems to inspire a lot of loss,
>and I plan on adding to it. So many of the posts here are inspiring,
>especially Matty, the fellow publishing his monthly updates. If he can
>lose 200 pounds, what's my 185?
>
>A photo of me is displayed with one of my articles:
>http://correspondencechess.com/campb...es/a040422.htm
>We can consider this the "before" photo.
>
>Neil
>385/???/200
>
>When I wrote the above, I had no idea what 2006 would hold in store for
>me. I had started my weight loss with a visit to Gold's Gym in
>Royersford on January 3rd. That was the exercise portion; the diet part
>began on the 8th when I finally started adding up calories and I
>realized that the "light" eating I had been engaging in was far from
>light. Thanks to ASD and Fitday I quickly educated myself and forced
>myself out of denial.
>
>There's no need to recap the entire year; besides, I want to get to the
>gym this morning, so I'll keep this short. I didn't know how I would
>wind up - how much weight I could lose, what I would do when I lost
>weight, et cetera. I still thought of myself as a fat person. In other
>words, as a victim. If you had told me that by year's end I would have:
>
>- lost 111 pounds;
>
>- rowed boats for hours at a time;
>
>- hiked four miles up a small mountain;
>
>- purchased a bike, and one that cost ten times what I could have paid
>at K-mart;
>
>- rode the bike (!)
>
>- leg-pressed my body weight;
>
>- wore size 44 jeans;
>
>- replaced my entire wardrobe, except for socks and shoes;
>
>- developed a fondness for veggies, other than fried potatoes;
>
>- chosen oatmeal and yogurt over sausage and eggs as breakfast food,
>and apples over candy as a treat;
>
>- wear t-shirts, shorts, and exercise gear in public;
>
>- and run,
>
>I would have thought you were nuts. Now fat people look at me and think
>I'm nuts for doing all these things. And this is what I can do at the
>end of 2006. Imagine what I will be able to do in 2007! No one can stop
>me, except me. And that's not going to happen.
>
>Neil
>385/274/220

Neil, you really are an inspiration to all on this list! You've truly
changed into another person -- awesome!

Chris
262/130s/130s
started dieting July 2002, maintaining since June 2004

The Historian wrote:
> I didn't know how I would
> wind up - how much weight I could lose, what I would do when I lost
> weight, et cetera. I still thought of myself as a fat person. In other
> words, as a victim. If you had told me that by year's end I would have:

I forgot an item:

- shaved off my facial hair.

Way to go, Neil. You are an inspiration!

"The Historian" <Spamscone@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1167658573.150669.32510@h40g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> On January 9, 2006, I wrote:
>
> Well, here's another de-lurker emerging. I just turned 40, am at 385
> pounds, 6'1'", and have finally committed to losing weight. I've been
> watching my calories and visiting a gym for the past week. I am
> sticking to a 2000 calorie diet. My exercise routine currently consists
> of recumbant (sic) bike for the cardio part daily and weights to build
> up
> muscle three times a week. Unfortunately, I have knee pain so taking
> long walks is not practical. I'm trying to add in little things as well
> such as parking further away from the entrance to work, taking stairs,
> etc. I am managing 10-12 minutes on the bike for now - I probably could
> do more but I find siting on the bike very uncomfortable. I know I need
> to do more, so I keep trying to stay in the saddle longer.
>
> My goal weight is 200 pounds, which I haven't weighed since high
> school. I know I can do it. This group seems to inspire a lot of loss,
> and I plan on adding to it. So many of the posts here are inspiring,
> especially Matty, the fellow publishing his monthly updates. If he can
> lose 200 pounds, what's my 185?
>
> A photo of me is displayed with one of my articles:
> http://correspondencechess.com/campb...es/a040422.htm
> We can consider this the "before" photo.
>
> Neil
> 385/???/200
>
> When I wrote the above, I had no idea what 2006 would hold in store for
> me. I had started my weight loss with a visit to Gold's Gym in
> Royersford on January 3rd. That was the exercise portion; the diet part
> began on the 8th when I finally started adding up calories and I
> realized that the "light" eating I had been engaging in was far from
> light. Thanks to ASD and Fitday I quickly educated myself and forced
> myself out of denial.
>
> There's no need to recap the entire year; besides, I want to get to the
> gym this morning, so I'll keep this short. I didn't know how I would
> wind up - how much weight I could lose, what I would do when I lost
> weight, et cetera. I still thought of myself as a fat person. In other
> words, as a victim. If you had told me that by year's end I would have:
>
> - lost 111 pounds;
>
> - rowed boats for hours at a time;
>
> - hiked four miles up a small mountain;
>
> - purchased a bike, and one that cost ten times what I could have paid
> at K-mart;
>
> - rode the bike (!)
>
> - leg-pressed my body weight;
>
> - wore size 44 jeans;
>
> - replaced my entire wardrobe, except for socks and shoes;
>
> - developed a fondness for veggies, other than fried potatoes;
>
> - chosen oatmeal and yogurt over sausage and eggs as breakfast food,
> and apples over candy as a treat;
>
> - wear t-shirts, shorts, and exercise gear in public;
>
> - and run,
>
> I would have thought you were nuts. Now fat people look at me and think
> I'm nuts for doing all these things. And this is what I can do at the
> end of 2006. Imagine what I will be able to do in 2007! No one can stop
> me, except me. And that's not going to happen.
>
> Neil
> 385/274/220
>

On 1 Jan 2007 05:36:13 -0800, "The Historian" <Spamscone@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>On January 9, 2006, I wrote:
>
>My goal weight is 200 pounds, which I haven't weighed since high
>school. I know I can do it. This group seems to inspire a lot of loss,
>and I plan on adding to it. So many of the posts here are inspiring,
>especially Matty, the fellow publishing his monthly updates. If he can
>lose 200 pounds, what's my 185?

>
>There's no need to recap the entire year; besides, I want to get to the
>gym this morning, so I'll keep this short. I didn't know how I would
>wind up - how much weight I could lose, what I would do when I lost
>weight, et cetera. I still thought of myself as a fat person. In other
>words, as a victim. If you had told me that by year's end I would have:
>
>- lost 111 pounds;
>
>- rowed boats for hours at a time;
>
>- hiked four miles up a small mountain;
>
>- purchased a bike, and one that cost ten times what I could have paid
>at K-mart;
>
>- rode the bike (!)
>
>- leg-pressed my body weight;
>
>- wore size 44 jeans;
>
>- replaced my entire wardrobe, except for socks and shoes;
>
>- developed a fondness for veggies, other than fried potatoes;
>
>- chosen oatmeal and yogurt over sausage and eggs as breakfast food,
>and apples over candy as a treat;
>
>- wear t-shirts, shorts, and exercise gear in public;
>
>- and run,
>
>I would have thought you were nuts. Now fat people look at me and think
>I'm nuts for doing all these things. And this is what I can do at the
>end of 2006. Imagine what I will be able to do in 2007! No one can stop
>me, except me. And that's not going to happen.

What a powerful message Neil. Just think what 2007 can bring you!
Happy new year.

janice

"The Historian" <Spamscone@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1167658573.150669.32510@h40g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> On January 9, 2006, I wrote:
>
> Well, here's another de-lurker emerging. I just turned
> 40, am at 385
> pounds, 6'1'", and have finally committed to losing
> weight. >
>
When I wrote the above, I had no idea what 2006 would hold
in store for
> me. I had started my weight loss with a visit to Gold's
> Gym in
> Royersford on January 3rd. That was the exercise
> portion; the diet part
> began on the 8th when I finally started adding up
> calories and I
> realized that the "light" eating I had been engaging in
> was far from
> light. Thanks to ASD and Fitday I quickly educated
> myself and forced
> myself out of denial.

I remember reading your post last January, Neil. I've
looked forward to and read each one of your updates. I
love reading about the success of others - it always helps
me to motivate myself. You've done so much hard work and
your progress has been absolutely amazing. Thanks for
sharing it with us. The best to you in 2007.

Take care,
eddiegirl
136/135/130

"The Historian" <Spamscone@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1167658573.150669.32510@h40g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> On January 9, 2006, I wrote:
>
> Well, here's another de-lurker emerging. I just turned 40, am at 385
> pounds, 6'1'", and have finally committed to losing weight. I've been
> watching my calories and visiting a gym for the past week. I am
> sticking to a 2000 calorie diet. My exercise routine currently consists
> of recumbant (sic) bike for the cardio part daily and weights to build
> up
> muscle three times a week. Unfortunately, I have knee pain so taking
> long walks is not practical. I'm trying to add in little things as well
> such as parking further away from the entrance to work, taking stairs,
> etc. I am managing 10-12 minutes on the bike for now - I probably could
> do more but I find siting on the bike very uncomfortable. I know I need
> to do more, so I keep trying to stay in the saddle longer.
>
> My goal weight is 200 pounds, which I haven't weighed since high
> school. I know I can do it. This group seems to inspire a lot of loss,
> and I plan on adding to it. So many of the posts here are inspiring,
> especially Matty, the fellow publishing his monthly updates. If he can
> lose 200 pounds, what's my 185?
>
> A photo of me is displayed with one of my articles:
> http://correspondencechess.com/campb...es/a040422.htm
> We can consider this the "before" photo.
>
> Neil
> 385/???/200
>
> When I wrote the above, I had no idea what 2006 would hold in store for
> me. I had started my weight loss with a visit to Gold's Gym in
> Royersford on January 3rd. That was the exercise portion; the diet part
> began on the 8th when I finally started adding up calories and I
> realized that the "light" eating I had been engaging in was far from
> light. Thanks to ASD and Fitday I quickly educated myself and forced
> myself out of denial.
>
> There's no need to recap the entire year; besides, I want to get to the
> gym this morning, so I'll keep this short. I didn't know how I would
> wind up - how much weight I could lose, what I would do when I lost
> weight, et cetera. I still thought of myself as a fat person. In other
> words, as a victim. If you had told me that by year's end I would have:
>
> - lost 111 pounds;
>
> - rowed boats for hours at a time;
>
> - hiked four miles up a small mountain;
>
> - purchased a bike, and one that cost ten times what I could have paid
> at K-mart;
>
> - rode the bike (!)
>
> - leg-pressed my body weight;
>
> - wore size 44 jeans;
>
> - replaced my entire wardrobe, except for socks and shoes;
>
> - developed a fondness for veggies, other than fried potatoes;
>
> - chosen oatmeal and yogurt over sausage and eggs as breakfast food,
> and apples over candy as a treat;
>
> - wear t-shirts, shorts, and exercise gear in public;
>
> - and run,
>
> I would have thought you were nuts. Now fat people look at me and think
> I'm nuts for doing all these things. And this is what I can do at the
> end of 2006. Imagine what I will be able to do in 2007! No one can stop
> me, except me. And that's not going to happen.
>
> Neil
> 385/274/220
>
You have been very dedicated but also seem to have enjoyed it! Good for
you! Good luck this year!


--
Rachael

176/116/<119

www.justgiving.com/rachaelslondonmarathon

Rachael Reynolds wrote:
> "The Historian" <Spamscone@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1167658573.150669.32510@h40g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> > On January 9, 2006, I wrote:
> >
> > Well, here's another de-lurker emerging. I just turned 40, am at 385
> > pounds, 6'1'", and have finally committed to losing weight. I've been
> > watching my calories and visiting a gym for the past week. I am
> > sticking to a 2000 calorie diet. My exercise routine currently consists
> > of recumbant (sic) bike for the cardio part daily and weights to build
> > up
> > muscle three times a week. Unfortunately, I have knee pain so taking
> > long walks is not practical. I'm trying to add in little things as well
> > such as parking further away from the entrance to work, taking stairs,
> > etc. I am managing 10-12 minutes on the bike for now - I probably could
> > do more but I find siting on the bike very uncomfortable. I know I need
> > to do more, so I keep trying to stay in the saddle longer.
> >
> > My goal weight is 200 pounds, which I haven't weighed since high
> > school. I know I can do it. This group seems to inspire a lot of loss,
> > and I plan on adding to it. So many of the posts here are inspiring,
> > especially Matty, the fellow publishing his monthly updates. If he can
> > lose 200 pounds, what's my 185?
> >
> > A photo of me is displayed with one of my articles:
> > http://correspondencechess.com/campb...es/a040422.htm
> > We can consider this the "before" photo.
> >
> > Neil
> > 385/???/200
> >
> > When I wrote the above, I had no idea what 2006 would hold in store for
> > me. I had started my weight loss with a visit to Gold's Gym in
> > Royersford on January 3rd. That was the exercise portion; the diet part
> > began on the 8th when I finally started adding up calories and I
> > realized that the "light" eating I had been engaging in was far from
> > light. Thanks to ASD and Fitday I quickly educated myself and forced
> > myself out of denial.
> >
> > There's no need to recap the entire year; besides, I want to get to the
> > gym this morning, so I'll keep this short. I didn't know how I would
> > wind up - how much weight I could lose, what I would do when I lost
> > weight, et cetera. I still thought of myself as a fat person. In other
> > words, as a victim. If you had told me that by year's end I would have:
> >
> > - lost 111 pounds;
> >
> > - rowed boats for hours at a time;
> >
> > - hiked four miles up a small mountain;
> >
> > - purchased a bike, and one that cost ten times what I could have paid
> > at K-mart;
> >
> > - rode the bike (!)
> >
> > - leg-pressed my body weight;
> >
> > - wore size 44 jeans;
> >
> > - replaced my entire wardrobe, except for socks and shoes;
> >
> > - developed a fondness for veggies, other than fried potatoes;
> >
> > - chosen oatmeal and yogurt over sausage and eggs as breakfast food,
> > and apples over candy as a treat;
> >
> > - wear t-shirts, shorts, and exercise gear in public;
> >
> > - and run,
> >
> > I would have thought you were nuts. Now fat people look at me and think
> > I'm nuts for doing all these things. And this is what I can do at the
> > end of 2006. Imagine what I will be able to do in 2007! No one can stop
> > me, except me. And that's not going to happen.
> >
> > Neil
> > 385/274/220
> >
> You have been very dedicated but also seem to have enjoyed it!

This isn't directed at you, but I'm amazed at the number of people who
assume I haven't been enjoying the new lifestyle. Yes, there are
moments I'd rather not exercise. Yes, at times I'd rather enjoy packing
it away as I used to. But on the whole, I'd rather be active and
feeling great, rather than sluggish and bloated.

My original post to this thread didn't address all the physical
problems that have cleared up or lessened during my weight loss. My
knees and back thank me for what I've done. My skin is clearer, I'm
told, I resist illness to a much greater degree than I have in the
past, and my stamina is much greater. I can lift things more easily,
thanks to the weight training. And thanks to the improved, healthier,
more fiber-rich diet, other daily activities.... well, I'll leave it at
that.

Good for
> you! Good luck this year!

Thank you, and the same to you.

Neil
385/274/220

Beverly wrote:
> The Historian wrote:
> > On January 9, 2006, I wrote:
>
> (snipped a lot of good stuff)
> >
> > There's no need to recap the entire year; besides, I want to get to the
> > gym this morning, so I'll keep this short. I didn't know how I would
> > wind up - how much weight I could lose, what I would do when I lost
> > weight, et cetera. I still thought of myself as a fat person. In other
> > words, as a victim. If you had told me that by year's end I would have:
> >
> > - lost 111 pounds;
> >
> > - rowed boats for hours at a time;
> >
> > - hiked four miles up a small mountain;
> >
> > - purchased a bike, and one that cost ten times what I could have paid
> > at K-mart;
> >
> > - rode the bike (!)
> >
> > - leg-pressed my body weight;
> >
> > - wore size 44 jeans;
> >
> > - replaced my entire wardrobe, except for socks and shoes;
> >
> > - developed a fondness for veggies, other than fried potatoes;
> >
> > - chosen oatmeal and yogurt over sausage and eggs as breakfast food,
> > and apples over candy as a treat;
> >
> > - wear t-shirts, shorts, and exercise gear in public;
> >
> > - and run,
> >
> > I would have thought you were nuts. Now fat people look at me and think
> > I'm nuts for doing all these things. And this is what I can do at the
> > end of 2006. Imagine what I will be able to do in 2007! No one can stop
> > me, except me. And that's not going to happen.
> >
> > Neil
> > 385/274/220
>
> Happy New Year to the NEW Neil. It's been a pleasure to see your progress
> over the past year and I look forward to seeing more of it in 2007.
>
> Wait until you're really into cycling and want to buy that 'all carbon road
> bike' .....real sticker shock

I'm still getting used to 100 bucks for 'athletic shoes' - for that
money I can't call them "sneakers."

The Historian wrote:

<snip>

> - lost 111 pounds;
Incredible!

>
> - rowed boats for hours at a time;
>
> - hiked four miles up a small mountain;
>
> - purchased a bike, and one that cost ten times what I could have paid
> at K-mart;
>
> - rode the bike (!)
>
> - leg-pressed my body weight;
>
> - wore size 44 jeans;
These are the little things that I notice - big changes in clothes
sizes
>
> - replaced my entire wardrobe, except for socks and shoes;

I've just done the same, only I'm reluctant to buy anything else yet,
so I've got a minimal wardrobe right now. Down from six or more suits
to one pair of cheap work trousers + a jacket that's WAY too big + a
few casual clothes.

>
> - developed a fondness for veggies, other than fried potatoes;
My main diet this winter and spring is to be sprouts, cabbage,
brocolli, etc to fill me up, with every things else like dairy, meat
and fruit to add variation (as well as the obvious nutritional
requirements)

>
> - chosen oatmeal and yogurt over sausage and eggs as breakfast food,
> and apples over candy as a treat;
>
> - wear t-shirts, shorts, and exercise gear in public;
>
> - and run,

How's that going? You posted a while ago about your first (accidental?)
run for years. Have you worked it into you routines?


> No one can stop
> me, except me.

Spot on. At risk of repeating myself, losing weight is 50% mental and
50% psychological.

Great post, Neil.

Ade wrote:
> The Historian wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
> > - lost 111 pounds;
> Incredible!

No, not at all.

> > - rowed boats for hours at a time;
> >
> > - hiked four miles up a small mountain;
> >
> > - purchased a bike, and one that cost ten times what I could have paid
> > at K-mart;
> >
> > - rode the bike (!)
> >
> > - leg-pressed my body weight;
> >
> > - wore size 44 jeans;
> These are the little things that I notice - big changes in clothes
> sizes
> >
> > - replaced my entire wardrobe, except for socks and shoes;
>
> I've just done the same, only I'm reluctant to buy anything else yet,
> so I've got a minimal wardrobe right now. Down from six or more suits
> to one pair of cheap work trousers + a jacket that's WAY too big + a
> few casual clothes.

I hate doing laundry, so that's not an option. :-) Also, I sweat a lot,
so I often bring a complete change of clothes with me to the gym.

> > - developed a fondness for veggies, other than fried potatoes;
> My main diet this winter and spring is to be sprouts, cabbage,
> brocolli, etc to fill me up, with every things else like dairy, meat
> and fruit to add variation (as well as the obvious nutritional
> requirements)

Good for you!

> > - chosen oatmeal and yogurt over sausage and eggs as breakfast food,
> > and apples over candy as a treat;
> >
> > - wear t-shirts, shorts, and exercise gear in public;
> >
> > - and run,
>
> How's that going? You posted a while ago about your first (accidental?)
> run for years. Have you worked it into you routines?

Not really. I can run, but I don't enjoy running. I much prefer hiking
and, if I can ever learn it, bicycling.

> > No one can stop
> > me, except me.
>
> Spot on. At risk of repeating myself, losing weight is 50% mental and
> 50% psychological.
>
> Great post, Neil.

Thank you.

Chris Braun wrote:
>
> Neil, you really are an inspiration to all on this list!

All? I gather the volleyball chick might disagree. :-)

You've truly
> changed into another person -- awesome!
>
> Chris
> 262/130s/130s
> started dieting July 2002, maintaining since June 2004

>I'm still getting used to 100 bucks for 'athletic shoes' - for that
>money I can't call them "sneakers."

I refuse to listen to the experts when they say how often you're
supposed to replace athletic shoes. My pinky toes are literally
poking through mine.

Mitch wrote:
> >I'm still getting used to 100 bucks for 'athletic shoes' - for that
> >money I can't call them "sneakers."
>
> I refuse to listen to the experts when they say how often you're
> supposed to replace athletic shoes. My pinky toes are literally
> poking through mine.


I hope you don't run or do any strenuous exercise in them then. That's
an excellent way to get an injury!!

Runners need to replace their shoes every 300 to 400 miles.

I WILL listen to the experts as the health of my body is vital to me.

Mitch wrote:
> >I'm still getting used to 100 bucks for 'athletic shoes' - for that
> >money I can't call them "sneakers."
>
> I refuse to listen to the experts when they say how often you're
> supposed to replace athletic shoes. My pinky toes are literally
> poking through mine.

I may have little choice. Both pairs I have, the Asics and the New
Balance, are too large for me now. I know it's not an exact comparison,
but when I bought athletic shoes in February and March, I was over 350
pounds and took a size 14. I bought hiking boots a couple of months
ago, and they were size 13. My cycling shoes, which I bought Sunday,
are 46, which is slightly smaller than a US 13. So my feet have
definitely shrunk.

Neil
385/273/200

The Historian wrote:
> Mitch wrote:
> > >I'm still getting used to 100 bucks for 'athletic shoes' - for that
> > >money I can't call them "sneakers."
> >
> > I refuse to listen to the experts when they say how often you're
> > supposed to replace athletic shoes. My pinky toes are literally
> > poking through mine.
>
> I may have little choice. Both pairs I have, the Asics and the New
> Balance, are too large for me now. I know it's not an exact comparison,
> but when I bought athletic shoes in February and March, I was over 350
> pounds and took a size 14. I bought hiking boots a couple of months
> ago, and they were size 13. My cycling shoes, which I bought Sunday,
> are 46, which is slightly smaller than a US 13. So my feet have
> definitely shrunk.
>
>
That's awesome!!! And, you really want to regularly replace your
athletic shoes anyway. Take good care of your feet.