No, I didn't suddenly start losing the last 10 pounds. And I am not noticeable stronger or larger muscles. That is still a slow and painful process I guess. Maybe at 48 it just takes longer.

But, I got good news from the doc. Last year in July, I was a 220 pound 2 pack a day (Winston) junk food eating (hmm Burger King) lazy slob. I went for a physical and at the end, the doc wanted me to go on drugs to control cholesterol. I thought my numbers were borderline and did not warrant taking drugs, and that a lifestyle change was the better solution.,

Since then, I am off smokes for over a year now, have lost 20 pounds to 200, workout every day in some manner (even if only walking hard for 45 minutes) and eat a healthy diet. the results:

Total cholesterol - last year 211............this year 147
Triglycerides - last year 198...............this year 72
LDL..................last year 135................this year 85
HDL (good)..........last year 43......now 47

Across the board sweep. Maybe a healthy lifestyle is better than just taking drugs for every symptom we get. Not that I rule out modern medicine. Just not taking drugs if I can fix the underlying problem with behavioral changes.

Cheers.