It's the "exercise a lot" bit that kind of conflicts with the "without really trying" heading.

The "spread" is starting to hit me, so I've caught it early before it sets in for good. I've started running twice a week in the mornings, and the flab that was starting to build up has mostly gone after 6 weeks of that.   I can't say it's exactly painless though - the twofold problem of (a) hauling yourself out of bed on a frosty morning, and (b) forcing yourself round the last quarter of your circuit when you're out there, are not what I'd call enjoyable. Like most painful things, exercise only feels good when it stops.

On this subject, a quote from a friend who's planning on doing the London Marathon:-

Up to 3 miles:
Elated with the occasion.
Glad to be alive
Waving at the crowd

Around 10 miles:
Enjoying the occasion
Alive
Ignoring the crowd

Around 18 miles:
No longer enjoying the occasion
Lucky to be alive
Swearing at the crowd

Around 22 miles:
Crying like a baby
Wishing to be dead
Pleading with the crowd

26.2 miles:
Gibbering incomprehensibly
Believing one is dead
Boring the crowd rigid with split times...