WLW: The First 30
by Scott Hardie on March 13, 2008

Since we're still putting off NutriSystem until our bank accounts recover from the move, Kelly and I have been focusing on exercise instead. So far it's mostly a lap around the apartment complex a few nights a week, saying hi to underdressed strangers walking their dogs. Last weekend we tried the mall. If you haven't been to Sarasota, let's just say it makes Naperville look like Cicero. Rich people paying hundreds of dollars for a pair of shoes they'll wear once; artwork priced at what you paid for your last new car. At least it keeps us from impulse buying while we stroll past.
Tonight we used the fitness center at the apartment complex for the first time, now that we've finally gotten the passcode, just to try it and see if we like it. It's mostly weight machines, which I'd gladly give up to make room for a single bike. I spent ten minutes on the treadmill at a low pace and burned a mere 30 calories, probably only one drink of soda's worth, but it felt good to make that first step. I feel like a business owner who frames his first dollar.
Three Replies to WLW: The First 30
Anna Gregoline | March 13, 2008
Good for you!
Jackie Mason | March 14, 2008
[hidden by author request]
Logical Operator
The creator of Funeratic, Scott Hardie, blogs about running this site, losing weight, and other passions including his wife Kelly, his friends, movies, gaming, and Florida. Read more »

Operation Git-R-Done
This past weekend, I explored my inner redneck in a NASCAR-centered visit to Charlotte with Steve Dunn and my family. Here are the highlights, good and bad. Thursday: Very little sleep before the trip: The Jeep parked outside my window sounded off its car alarm every five minutes (I timed it) from 10pm to 10am. Go »
Pico de Greedo
On Friday, my company threw a part Mexican, part Star Wars party in celebration of Cinco de Mayo and Star Wars Day ("May the 4th be with you"). It was a weird combination but it worked, with games like a lightsaber piñata bash. Kelly made "lightsabers" (pretzel rods frosted with blue and red frosting), but she really got interested when I mentioned that the salsa contest offered three prizes and only had three teams on the signup sheet. Go »
Rambling Phone Post
Does it make sense for me to keep my phone? Work has provided me with a cell phone. I broke my home phone last weekend, and I could buy another one at Target for ten bucks, but I wonder if I should finally kick the $45 monthly bill and stick to either the cell phone or something like Skype (for which I'd have to buy a mic). Go »
Gingerbread Office
I don't often join in Kelly's craft projects, and it's even rarer for her to join in one of mine. But that's what happened last week when my company held a gingerbread house contest, and Kelly pitched in to help the team that I signed up for. We decided to make a "north pole branch" of our Sarasota office. Go »
Only in the Web Era
Victim's cell phone is stolen on subway. Thief takes photos of his own wife, family, dog, and home. Cell phone automatically uploads them to victim's Flickr account. Go »










Matthew Preston | March 13, 2008
Nice job, keep it up! The hardest part I've found with exercising is finding the motivation to start. The accomplishment of a completed workout is such a great feeling however.
You likely burned more than 30 calories though. Because calories are a measurement of heat, those machines aren't exactly the best calculators. Did it give you the option to enter your weight? Did you break a sweat? According to the online calculator I listed below, I would burn 121 calories walking briskly. Check it out (probably not the foremost in reputable counters, but a good place to start).
http://www.caloriecontrol.org/exercalc.html