(Big surprise) echoing the DO IT. Don't hold out on yourself, don't try to make it part of any reward/punishment loop, don't feel like you have to get in shape first (it's exercise! it'll get you in shape!)

Just go try it out, and if it's your thing, awesome, and if it's not your thing, it's not still hanging around on the list of stuff you should've tried sometime. And also, feel free to ask if you want any kind of club advice.

I'm also thinking of going ahead and starting fencing lessons this fall instead of leaving fencing on my list of "Things to do after I've lost fifty pounds."

You need to throw that list away. What if (god forbid) you get hit by a truck tomorrow? Other than the fact that you wouldn't have been able to take up fencing between today and tomorrow -- so maybe my example is imperfect -- I'm serious. Don't put off your life because you weigh more than you think you should.

I'm also thinking of going ahead and starting fencing lessons this fall instead of leaving fencing on my list of "Things to do after I've lost fifty pounds." Because I've been yearning after swords ever since I first set sight on my brother's West Point saber, nearly 30 years ago, and it's about damn time I picked one up.

That sounds very cool. I hope you go for it and tell us all about it.

Amy, one of the questions at trivia last night was about the first medal we won at the games, and I was like "I know this because of Amych!!"

The office I moved to has a gym on campus, just one building over. I went through orientation yesterday and can start using the gym tomorrow. I want to make that a habit, even if it is just spending some time on the cardio machines. My goal isn't as much to lose weight, but get into better fitness. I hate getting winded easily and I can't blame it purely on being a mile high.

"I know this because of Amych!!"

Woo-hoo! It is an honor to serve babble incoherently in Natter all night.

Honestly, I HATE it when I am fat. I find I spend more time picking clothes which cover the roll of fat at my waist or my pudgy arms than I do watching what I eat. It stresses me out--although I know it shouldn't.

I am just barely 5'4". I am happy as a size 8 or 10. That is me weighing about 145--which is considered overweight by my doctor but suits me perfectly. When I get up to a 14-16, I am just plain unhappy with my body. My blood pressure goes up to an unhealthy range, I don't have as much energy and I don't like how I look--in or out of clothes. I also have a family history of heart disease, so I want to be as fit as possible.

It's a struggle, since I don't LIKE most healthy food. Given my druthers, I'd never eat another salad or vegetable in my life. I like cookies and chocolate and fast food and cheese and whipped cream. I really admire those like Steph who actually can listen to their body. I feel like I have to parent my body, and give it what it should have rather than what it wants. I know it's worth it in the long run, but it's damn hard.

This place has beginner lessons starting 9/2: [link] And the classes are Tu-Th, which fits my schedule.

That sounds very cool. I hope you go for it and tell us all about it.

I plan to! One of my CPs has been pushing me to take fencing lessons for months, because she thinks I'll love it for itself and as a way to access the mentality and physicality of the two main characters in my WIP. (One of whom is a good swordsman while the other is an avid student of the art.) She's an ex-fencer herself and is now taking sailing lessons for similar fun/research purposes, since she's writing about smugglers.

Someone tell me not to read Salon letters.

These people are MORONS. Half the time they clearly haven't read the article they're commenting on. Or even the description. There was one today that was a book excerpt. No fewer than three people commented along the lines of "I bet she's just shilling for an upcoming book".

Susan, Auriol has a rep as an awesome club, and the price and schedule are totally reasonable. Go for it!