I have an elliptical trainer and like it for days I donÂt feel like walking outdoors or doing a cardio DVD. The one thing you have to watch for though is your form when exercising. For example if your normal posture tends to show signs of rounded shoulders or signs of a forward bending neck you really must pay attention to how you are standing and where you are grabbing the handles and pulling back. If you take a sloppy posture you can encourage your shoulders to come forward even more. Pull your shoulders back and down (in a comfortable position, donÂt push it) & then grab handles without taking your shoulders and concentrate on keeping your navel to spine. When used right the elliptical can help correct these posture problems especially for those that sit at computers a lot. I wrap wide exercise bands around the handles of mine to keep proper form. Because you are using upper and lower muscle groups your heart rate may increase in a shorter amount of time, some people do not like this because it is a fast reminder that they are out of shape but if you start with a few minutes and add one minute a day you will progress fast. Also, if you are thinking of purchasing a home elliptical machine, do your research as there is a weight variance that they except. Another thing, make sure you do a full stretch, upper & lower when done or you will be mighty sore the next day.

When I was 16 my present from my mother was a visit with a medium that she had heard about that only did people by referral. She worked out of her home on Mulholland Dr. in CA. She told me lots of interesting things, some of which I still remember, some I'm sure I've forgotten. But it was this "story" that got me. She told me that there was a spirt/aura/guide that was around me. She said he looked just like me and asked if I had a brother or twin that had died. I did not. She was unfazed and insisted that he looked so much like me he could be my twin and that my mother had either miscarried or had an abortion. My mother had a very hard time becoming pregnant with me so I thought that highly unlikely. Plus abortions were illegal and knowing my mother I knew that was not something she would ever do. She said he would stay with me most of my life watching out for me like a guardian angel, and when I no longer needed him he would go home to my mother. She said he had never been given a name and wanted one. When the session was done I went outside got in the car with my mom, who had been waiting for me, and we started home. I left that session sure this woman was nuts. Anyway, my mom and I were driving home and I'm telling her what the medium said and when I got to the part about this spirt twin my mom swerved over to the side of the road and hit the brakes. My mom sat there with her mouth hanging open. Turned out it was true. Shortly after I was born my mom became pregnant. My dad worked for an ambulance company and with his contacts found a doctor that would do the abortion on the sly. According to my mom, NO ONE knew except her, my father and the doctor. I named my brother David Thomas. It means Beloved Twin.

Thank you all for taking a look and giving me your input. I am still stumped. I had checked pictures of cicada damage, but like fruitnut says, the damage they cause when laying eggs generally shows up as lines of scars clustered together, and they have a very rough appearance. The shape and size of the scars are so uniform, I don't think it can be hail damage either. Konrad; The branches were not rubbing against each other or anything else. Embothrium; I don't know about the Cytospora canker... What I see does not fit the symptoms described in your linked article. The trees are young and healthy as well. Fireball; We have had a lot of freezes. We get below 32 off and on all winter. Typically our last freeze occurs by April 15.

I originally started this post 6 years ago. I am sorry this is still an issue for so many. I believe it has gotten even worse. Unfortunately, the design world does not make shoes for everyone. In my opinion, if a company decided to make stylish shoes in different widths and sizes that were midlevel priced, they would have a profitable business. I am sure it wouldn't be as profitable as others but there is money to be made. In six years I have bought several pairs of running sneakers, a pair of blue oxfords, and a lovely penny loafer from Trotters. Only the penny loafers are narrow. If I had access to stylish not frumpy choices I would have bought more. My 10-year-old black trouser flats with a rubber sole have split across the bottom of the ball of the foot. The leather still looks brand new. My amazing shoemaker said it was $60 to replace the soles and I should just buy new shoes. Well, I am replacing the soles as I can't find anything that fits and I like. Everyone has struggles and in the scheme of things, this is annoying but not life-threatening.