" I receive a text from W at 11:30 saying "hope D is ok." What is that about?"
Sounds like she just wanted to make contact - missed D.
Poor dog! Those cones are pretty funny.
Re: exercise, I think it takes 20 mins of aerobic before your body is "warmed up" so to speak. It's most efficient at 30 mins and starts utilizing stored energy - i.e. breaking down fat. So the key is consistency and length rather than intensity. You will also be using protein, which is what maintains muscle, but as long as you're balancing aerobic exercise with muscle-building exercise, you'll balance out. So I swim for 40 mins 3x a week for tone & muscle, and run for 40 - 60 mins 3x a week for aerobic. I should be doing some weights, too, but haven't started yet.
And of course you need to be eating correctly - whole grains, veggies, modest protein source - and most importantly, staying hydrated. All bodies are different so you just need to get in touch with how yours works best. You'll know when you find the right balance - you'll just feel totally energized.
