Posts by bigtum

I just discovered the Twighlight series when I was actually net surfing about the True Blood series (love the Sookie Stackhouse books). I got Twighlight out from library, major waiting list, loved the book and saw the movie which only just came out in New Zealand on boxing day. Absolutely loved it, but I think I enjoyed it more cause I had read the book first and so understood the movie better. I am now on the library waiting list for the next book in the series but I would love to own the set myself so I can reread them. Will also have to get the movie in DVD when it comes out.I have always had a sick facination for vamipiric movies and books - kind of like that sexy bad boy thing! Can also recommend the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton.

I use the Cetaphyl face wash and find it great, not too drying.

My fav beauty tip is body lotion moisturiser with a built in fake tan. Not sure what brands you have in the States but we in New Zealand have Dove (my pick), Johnson and Johnson, Garnier plus a few more which you can buy cheaply at the supermarket. These are great because you need to put moisturiser on anyway right and then the fake tan slowly builds up each day and is less streaky.

Also big advocate of sunblock - we have really harsh UV rays in my country so if you dont wont to get skin cancer or melanoma you have to wear it, plus it keeps skin looking younger (less wrinkles).

My 2 "children" pups (10months) - Maggie and Seamus (pronounced shay-mus)

Husband chose Seamus & I chose Maggie - we like Irish sounding names. They are bro & sis litter mates.

Also cat called Minx - and she is one!

Previous pets:

Cats - Zena and Hercules, Tibby, Will, Joe, Snooks and Cotchie.

Rabbits - Peta, Petal

Cool forum, very interesting albiet in a slightly scary way.

Has anyone tried those shaping underwear - the one that look hideous but are meant to help "hold it in". I haven't tried them and wondered if they were comfortable?

How about growing some of your own fruit or veges! I know this isn't always practical but even growing tomotoes in pots?

It works out very cheap especially is you grow from seed but if you aren't patient like me then even buying the baby seedlings is a good start. We grow pumpkins in the winter - very very easy to grow - literally threw the seeds from a pumpkin we ate in the garden and they started sprouting - warning they can take over!! But once picked they do last for ages and great for winter soups.

We also grow in summer, corn on the cob - cooked on the barbeque in its husk. Lettuces - straight from the garden makes the freshest yummiest salad. Tomatoes - these can be tricky as sensitive to frost but you can grow them in pots which are portable. Plus potatoes - these are pretty easy to gow too.

1. Calorie Count Name (user id):bigtum
2. Name you prefer to be called in discussions:
3. Age & Sex: 29, F
4. General Location: New Zealand (otherside of the world)
5. Married? Single? M
6. Kids? Furbabies? 2 pups, 1 cat
7. Favorite color? red
8. Favorite movie? Pretty Woman, Grease
9. Hobbies? Reading, exercise, movies
10. Favorite Snack? lollies - but now I have carrots
11. Favorite Beverage? wine
12. Biggest Obstacle to Getting Healthy? sweet tooth, cravings
13. Weight/Fitness Goal? 11 pounds (5 kg) by Xmas
14. Least Favorite Household Chore? Vaccuming
15. How did you find Calorie Count? Map My Run, About.com
16. Anything Else You'd Like To Share? Its great not to have to do this on my own!

Hi I know this thread is kinda old, but if you aer a newbie like me and patrolling the forums for tips and advice this hopefully this might help.

I too am struggling with feelings or hunger and this also seems connected to cravings - if I am hungry I lust not for a healthy carrot but a big fat slice of pizza!

Anyway one thing I have discovered for myself is that I dont really pay attention when I eat i.e I am usually multi-tasking while I eat eg reading, watching tv, working on the computer, talking to someone. For me what happens is that I am hardley mentally conscious of eating the food - just one minute it is on the plate - the next it is gone! So what I am trying to do is eat slower, chew more, eat smaller portions eg eating cerial with a teaspoon, cutting sandwiches into quarters, that sort of thing. Then I sit down, with NO DISTRACTION and just eat, taking time to enjoy the taste, smell and sensation. For me this results in me not feeling hungry staright after I have eaten - I think for me it is making sure my brain knows that I have eaten properly so it doesn't need to send me hunger signals. Make sense?? Feel free to feedback what you think.

How exciting! Getting a dog is sooo cool and they are great motivators for exercising. They make it fun because they love going for walks/runs.

There are heaps of fast ones out there - hunting dogs like German Short hair pointer or spaniel, sheep dogs like collies are all pretty fit dogs that like a lot of exercise. If you get a young dog it will probably have heaps of energy anyway. Dont get anything with too short legs unless it has terrier in it. My mum has a pekinese and it is fat and lazy (although kinda cute).

I recently discovered a cool accesory called a dog walking belt that allows you to attach your leash to a belt around your waist. This leaves your arms free to pump and get your speed going. It also has a zip pocket for pooh bags, water my keys etc. Most major pet stores sell them.

Thanks I think I'll be conservative at 3.5 mph. I do walk pretty fast and dont let the dogs stop unless they need to go toilet or sniff something absolutely undeniable. I have 2 spoodles (cocker spaniel/min poodle cross). They can out walk/ out run me any day of the week if they wanted to! The only time they really push themselves is when I take them down to the park to play fetch with the tennis ball - they they go like hell racing each other to get to it first.