What a fun workout!

50 lbs. in 8 yrs.  Really bad for my physical health.  Now have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, blood sugar in diabetic range.  Doc is lowering dosage of offending drug & adding Topamax. Also take a bunch of other meds for bipolar.  I see you are taking Topamax.  May I ask what dosage & is it working at suppressing the appetite & causing weight loss?  Doc also wrote a script along with my meds for 30 min. of exercise a day (at least) & says it is as important as my meds, to consider it a medication--that it is that important for elevating mood, improving my physical health & increasing self-esteem (which is pretty much in the gutter now due to weight gain & husband's negative reaction to it).

Lots of walking.  Very enjoyable.

Last June I heard a lecture that talked about complaining.  The message was essentially, "I dare you to do something about it (whatever you were complaining about)."   I am among the bipolars who have fortunately found a mix of meds that work for me.  I have been pretty much stable going on four years.  The down side was the persistent fat I'd gathered over the "experimenting years."  I complained I didn't think I could lose the weight.  Well, I quit complaining and joined Curves.  I have yet to drop an enormous amount of weight, but I can definitely tell a difference in my physical strength.  I admit the exercise (I go four times a week for 30-45 min each day)  has made me feel better.  When I get discouraged about my weight (which I still do) I know I am on a course that will eventually work.  I am a woman who hates to sweat so for me to find a solution that doesn't require more than I can handle is a miracle.  The added bonus is meeting other women who exercise at roughly the same times/ days (and not all skinny mini's either.)  The program only calls for three days a week, but I like four and meet others on the 'off' day.  It gets me out of the house on days I may be slightly depressed and I feel a sense of accommplishment when I've exercised.  Never thought I'd be saying this!!!

  You got a big laugh out of me when you quoted your girlfriend's benefit from tennis lessons!