HalfwayThere

Hmm, with a name like "party guy" it sounds like you may have discovered activities you like, but the wrong kind for your waistline! Sorry, I'm feeling corny today and couldn't resist! <g>

Anyway, what you find exhilarating and enjoyable may not be the same for someone else, so there's no way to know unless you try. But my two favorite things to do in the world are biking and rollerblading, and swimming in the ocean if one is available. There is nothing in the world that compares to the freedom I feel when I'm sailing on my bike and the wind is in my face. It not only does wonders for my excess body fat, but it also helps my psyche, as I'm much happier after a long bike ride.

I did a search on "bike trails hannibal missouri" and "hiking trails hannibal missouri" and it sounds like you're lucky to have good choices in both areas with historic, riverfront (and scenic) trails accessible to you. If you don't own a bike, you may want to rent one or borrow one from a friend the first few times to see if you like it. If you opt to hike instead, be sure to wear double (cotton) socks, add a little vaseline to your feet to prevent blisters, and comfortable (preferably hiking) shoes.

In either case, don't overdo it. It's nearly impossible to exercise for too long, but if you go too fast you will exhaust yourself and in spite of being exhausted, will burn very little fat. Take it slow and easy. There are specific formulas you can use to find your target fat burning rate, but a quick and easy test is that you should be just slightly out of breath and be able to talk at the same time as you're doing the exercise without losing all your breath. Keep yourself hydrated as well - plenty of water before, during, and after. And don't forget to stretch afterwards as well.

Rollerblading is another great leisure activity. If you get bored tooling around the neighborhood, look for a skating park or rink in your area. If you don't have one, check out some of the larger parking lots that are empty after regular working hours but before it gets too dark and dangerous - such as the local library, health clinics, or other places that close early. Years ago I used to live in a place where there was a 9-floor outdoor parking lot that was always empty on Sunday mornings till noon, and I would meet a half-dozen or so friends there and we would go zooming around the parking lot - and though it used to scare me at first, I loved sailing downhill!

If there is a nice park near you with those boats that you can pedal with your feet, this is a great time of year to do that - and don't forget to bring some bread to feed the ducks, which adds to the fun.

Canoeing is another great fat burner and it sounds like you live near a waterway where that would be accessible as well.

Then there's just plain walking, which in these modern times many of us just don't do enough of because we've been raised in a culture that believes in modern transportation to get any and everywhere. If you live say five miles from work, try catching public transportation to your job and walking home a few nights a week. It would probably take about 90 minutes, and if you bring a walkman with your favorite music, you won't even notice the time passing. In addition to that, I would always take the stairs instead of the elevator, and walk as much as I could throughout the day - every little bit helps.

In that same vein, one trick I used to use years ago when I lived close enough to some of my favorite eateries to make it doable was to "earn" my way there. If I wanted to go to Ground Pati to have a thick, juicy steak or the cheddar burger from hell, I would walk there and back - about an hour each way. It really helped avoid the guilt - and the fatty consequences - of those occasional pleasurable indulgences!

Some other suggestions: trampoline, horseback riding, swimming, dancing, to name a few. Try to incorporate at least a few of them into your schedule, along with some healthy eating habits, and soon the fat should start melting away and you'll have fun in the process. Also, don't forget plenty of sunscreen on all exposed body parts if you choose the outdoor activities. You won't be very happy if your new, thin body looks old before it's time.

Good luck.

[This message has been edited by HalfwayThere (edited 04-01-2003).]

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Karen