Thanks, Adam, I'll check it out.

Wow! Those sound like intense workouts! I like the idea of the Armstrong Workout where each day is a bit different. Don't know if I'm quite ready for it yet, however...

Hi all, I see mostly very young folks here, and it's great that you guys are interested in being active, healthy and fit. There is a horrifying increase in obesity levels not only among adults in North America and Austrailia, chiefly, as well as other wealthier countries, so this sort of thing is heartening. 

I wonder, however, if there are any other member here who are older and seeking to once again be active, healthy and fit. I just recently turned 38--yes, sounds a bit old when I put it in writing, but I feel very young--and afer working as a manager in an office for a number of years and gaining a fair bit of weight, I now own and operate a sustainable urban delivery business using cargo bikes and trailers to haul up to 300lbs of goods for and between local businesses. This has helped me get to pretty much normal weight (there are a persistent 5 lbs or so that don't want to leave my midsection) and my legs are lean and nicely defined. But as mentioned, the midsection remained soft and flabby.

About 8 weeks ago I began doing a series of basic ab exercises in the morning. Around week 3 I added more stretches, a back exercise, and some 2 weeks ago bar pull-ups. Having come across youtube videos on the ghetto workout, or street workout, I was immeditely fascinated and then (healthily) obsessed. My upper abs are beginning to show now, and I'm very happy about that, but the flab covering the lower abdominals won't go away... With the pull-ups, I was at first barely able to do one. Now I can do about 4 of each in a row and do at least a dozen a day.

So I have 2 questions: 1) are there any older people on here just getting back to serious bodyweight exercises, and 2) do you have any tricks to get rid of the last 5 lbs of belly fat (aargh!)? 

Ginger and beets are both very strong flavours, so they are probably best on their own or, in the case of ginger, with a little lemon juice and natural sweetener. Ever had ginger beer though? Delicious, but definitely not the kind of juice you are talking about here. As for beets, don't be surprised if your urine comes out looking like you're bleeding (esp. if beets were raw). Carrots are great, as are any combination of apples, pears, citrus, bananas, kiwi, peaches, berries, etc. It's also great to add dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach for calcium, iron, etc.

How about making wrists the first topic. For too long did I let wrist issues and knee issues keep me from working out. Just recently, after getting my legs in pretty good shape and nicely defined from cycling for a living, I decided to get working on my core and upper body again. I started with a seriess of abdominal exercises and the last few weeks added some one back exercise (superman), push ups (normal, wide, hands together) and both palm forward & backward pull-ups. I'm progressing with all, but I constantly struggle with wrist pain from push ups and pull-ups. Advice on wrist strengthening and stretching would be appreciated. I certainly don't dare do a handstand at this point...