A recent U.S. study found that people who want to lose weight should be exercising for at least 55 minutes a day, five days a week.

Easier said than done? We asked you for your suggestions on getting a 55 minute work-out into your day.

Here are your ten best tips:

"Try to work in a few minutes (try 20) during your lunch break. Just get up and walk around outside. Then after dinner at night take a walk outside for 35 minutes, take the dog, take the kids, grab a walking buddy if you must, but get out there!" — Sarah Young, Dartmouth

"An expensive gym membership, athletic outfits and equipment is not required. 30 minutes of brisk walking, cycling, raking, vacuuming, shoveling etc. 10 minutes of strength training - eg. push ups, sit ups etc. 10 minutes stretching." — Judy, Winnipeg

"It's easy to do 55 minutes on the treadmill when you have a TV and DVD player in front of you. Catch up on some interesting programs you had previously recorded." — Stanica Boxx

"Ditch your car. It would be a rare day that I *didn't* walk at least 55 minutes just getting around. A trip to the supermarket is 20 minutes each way, my workplace is 30 minutes each way and the mall is 60 minutes each way. In the winter, adjust clothing as necessary and keep walking." — Sarah, NB

"Try as many new sports as you can, eventually you will find one. It can get expensive, but if you find something you like, you could set yourself up for a great lifetime of workouts without dreading." — Greg, Barrie

"Try the "5 minutes out, 5 back" approach -- get your coffee 5 minutes away twice a day, then hike back (even in the same building, taking a couple of flights of stairs both ways might do it) to really take a bite out of the daily total ... walking 2-3 blocks to a store, then back, builds up more minutes ... and even on the dire days when you have to do the whole thing all at once, hey, it breaks down to only a bit more than 25 minutes outbound, so think of 2-3 places you have to go anyway, then you head for home again." — Elsie, Vancouver

"Rather than trying to make time for exercise, incorporate it with getting to work. Cycling is an excellent cardiovascular workout and the environment (and your wallet) will thank you." — Patrick, Saskatoon

"First thing in the morning. Get up and get it out of the way (walk, run, bike, go to the gym, whatever) and pretty soon it will feel like something is missing if you don't." — Lindsay

"Try to do something with a little competition (with people at the same ability level). At least then you get a little comradery out of the deal." — Rob Gordy, Calgary

"Just make it part of your daily life! Run around and play with your kids, bike someplace you would regularly drive, take the stairs. If you add little bursts of activity through the day, you can spend less time soley devoted to working out." — Jodi, Ottawa

How do you make time for exercise? Share your tips.

Pet owners in Ottawa are petitioning OC Transpo to allow pets on public transit.

While some cities in Canada do allow small animals on buses during off hours, it's not a nation-wide rule.

Read the full story.

We asked you whether you thought dogs and cats on public transit was a good idea.

Here's what you had to say:

"I take the same approach that I would take to renting an apartment to people regarding pets. Theoretically, it should not be an issue as people should be able to control, etc their animals but the reality is that many do not." — Joe

"I have no problem with pets on transit, as long as they are in portable kennel/transport case. I wouldn't' want to see someones dog free to pee on a seat or heaven forbid, someone's leg!" — Jackie

"NO! Except for guide dogs for people that need them.It's easy to sit around and discuss exceptions.Maybe in a cage.Or maybe a small pet.Or if they are under control. But making this work out in the real world would be impossible.Who would have the final say about,how big is to big,or whether or not the animal is under proper control?" — Doug

"Like Jackie in Vacnouver, I say if you need to transport your pet there is no harm in carrying them in a portable kennel - it is not much different than any other luggage. As to the allergy issue, lots of people are allergic to perfume but that doesn't stop other riders from wearing it; dealing with allergies is the responsibility of the person with the allergy, not the transit authority." — Lon

"NO!" — Stewart Hunter

"I've never had a problem taking my cats onto public transit (only one at a time and always in a carrier) and my only means of transportation is by public transit. In fact, folks seem very interested in them, even the allergic ones." — Teri

"I am a dog owner and I love my dog to pieces. I try to bring him with me wherever I go as much as possible. HOWEVER, the one thing I would never be able to forgive myself, is if something were to happen to my pet on the bus if there was an accident." — Shannon

"Yes they should be allowed. If an owner feels their pet may pose a problem enclosed on public transit, then most likely they wouldn't bring their pet on-board. Kids and other patrons are not always better commuting companions." — Dog Owner

What do you think? Should man's best friend be allowed to ride along? Let us know.

Nearly 5,000 bikes were reported stolen in Toronto last year, a number police estimate is only half of what real figures may be.

In several recent raids on a bicycle theft ring in Toronto, police discovered almost 2,000 cycles and counting.

Read the full story.

We asked if you'd had a bicycle stolen and what measures you've taken to prevent another theft.

Here are your top five tips on keeping your bike safe.

"The better locks start their rating at scale at 5 rating and show all the way to 12, they don't bother showing 1-4. The crappy locks only show a 1-6 rating. So you think you are getting a good lock, but you are actually buying junk. I don't know much about bikes, locks or the bike culture, I just needed a way to get to work. So for people without a clue, like me, when you check the security rating of the lock you are buying, look at the best available, then see how it stacks up compared to the one you want to buy." — Ben

"Know where you are going and put it in a visable place with good locks which are costlier." — Bob

"I lock my panniers to my carrier, and if I leave a light or my odometer attached in haste or forgetfulness, I am always pleasantly surprised if it is still there when I get back. … basically if it's not locked down, you know it might not be there when you get back." —Bee

"Go to the police station and purchase a bike license." — Claire Heffernan

"There isn't much you can do to keep it safe if it's out of your sight for any length of time. Lock it and hope for the best I guess." —David

"Don't leave it for longer than five minutes in any location (church, store, police station...ANYWHERE). — D

Do you have tips on keeping your bike safe? Let us know.

A recent cellphone spectrum auction netted the government $4.2 billion and cellular customers stand to gain five new service providers. Read the full story.

Is this good news for Canadians?

While some of you don't expect to see much change in the near future, many of you are eagerly awaiting the competition.

We asked you what your expectations of the new companies are.

Here are your top ten wishes for the new providers:

"Better rates,no hidden charges and fees,and better coverage!" — Andy

"Something better than disgusting customer service (I have no 'hope' of anything even approaching good customer service from any one of the established carriers);" — Philip

"Cell phones we can purchase at a much lower cost, no contracts or at worst 1 year contracts, portability from one carrier to another, no or very little roaming charges, and good customer service." — Andre

"Improved service in the backcountry of BC. Our truck broke down just about 10 kms. outside Fernie yesterday and there was no coverage." — Karra

"GSM networks. Lets catch up to the rest of the world and have some more compatibility. I am really hoping someone will jump on board with Google and the open source phone concept." — Ryan

"Please, please, please break the trend of tacking on "system access fees" to our already inflated wireless plan costs." — Sean

"Actually getting phones when they are released as opposed to waiting for months after they are available in other countries." — Craig

"I want the service, features, choice of provider and multiple options such as those found in Europe." — Bonnie

"How about plans starting at $39.99 for 500 minutes anywhere to anyone on any network across Canada without long distance charges and roaming charges? or Unlimitied calls to anyone on any network in Canada without long diatance charges or roaming charges for just $99.99?" — Person with no cell-phone!

"I wish finally that the CRTC stands up for the consumer and not for the providers and rolls back all the disgusting gouging that has taken place in Canada in mobile communications." — Roland

What do you hope to see from the new telecos?

Last week The Supreme Court of Canada ruled against a New Brunswick miner who had challenged his company's right to compel him to retire at age 65. Read the full story.

We asked if you intended to keep working after 65, and many of you said you'd happily punch the clock long after that age.

Of course, not all of you intend to shuffle to the office in your golden years — in fact some of you would be happy to retire today!

Read all the comments.

But here are the top ten reasons you will keep working:

"I intend to keep working after 65, as I enjoy what I do, and to be restricted by such an inconsequential thing as age, I find, to be illogical." — Malcolm MincherI

"I believe that if one stops challenging the mind altogether it will atrophy. My retirement will therfore be part time." — Earl Hain

"I like the career I chose.I have to concede there were many days when it's frustrating,or I'd do anything to have the day off.But in general,I work at something I usually get some satisfaction from.And there are many opportunities to learn about new technologies,or challenge myself in other ways." — Doug

"I feel that money is irrelevant as to happiness. I enjoy my field, and I know that If at 65 I retired, and went to Florida or Arizona and became a snowbird I'd be bored after week 2." &3151; Ian

"Work is not some evil thing that detracts from your life. It can be a wonderful part of it. Besides, I don't think my wife would want me puttering around the house for a quarter of century!" — Frank

"The way our social funding is set up makes it nearly impossible for the average person to live comfortably through retirement. I feel that our government doesn't do enough to help the elder population, and also believe that many stereotypes associated with aging have impacted the governments ability to make logical decisions in this area of politics." — Outspoken

"I am an artist and I want to continue my work to the end." —Jamie Hume

"I will HAVE to." —Jackie

"I'm fairly sure my wife won't want to babysit me full time!" —Gerald

"I'm very much like my father, he's been bored off his nut since he retired (had to because of heart problems). Retiring at 65 may be more trouble than it's worth." —Teri

Will you keep working? Let us know.

What makes your first concert so memorable? Is it finally getting to see your favourite band live? Waiting all-night for an autograph?

Whatever the reason, for some recalling your first time is a welcome trip down memory lane.

We asked you what your first concert was. Here are your fondest recollections:

"Alice Cooper, circa 1987, Memorial Stadium, St. John's. Still one of the best concerts I've ever seen!" — Lisa

"First concert by myself: April Wine "Electric Jewels Tour", 1973, Centre of the Arts, Regina. First concert with family: The Poppy Family, some time before that. :)" — Jackie, Vancouver

"Led Zeppelin in the Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, in July of 1973. Wotta show--over 2.5 hours of Robert, Jimmy, John Paul and "Bonzo". Had to choose between Zep and Jethro Tull, and the choice was NOT easy, but I sure got my money's worth. It was a Concerts West presentation and my ticket cost me $7.50." — Allniter

"It was back in the 1970's at the Ontario Place Forun (before it was renamed the Molson Amplitheater sp?) and the star was Glen Cambell. It shows just what kind of a showman that star was. He started off with "Rhinestone Cowboy" and the crowd went wild ... Well that's just what we got his most famous hits only for over two hours. It was fantastic." — JCM, Toronto

"The first concert I attended was Julian Lennon with Glass Tiger as the opening act. I believe it was during the summer of 1986 at the Montreal Forum. I didn't care much for Julian Lennon's set but was wowed by Glass Tiger (actually, it was the only reason I was there). Ah yes, I was definitely a child of the '80s. Big hair, big double tape deck boomboxes and big, loud tunes!... I can't help but laugh now, but back then it was quite the thing." — Phil, Ottawa

"The Cult for their Electric tour in 1988 at the Verdun Auditorium. Funny side note, GNR opened for them and got booed off the stage when Axl Rose spit into the crowd. We all thought we'd never hear from them again..." — Colin Wood

"led zeppelin. i was 14 years old and my boyfriend couldn't get tickets because the show was sold out, so we snuck in free through an open, unguarded door in the colisseum. it was 1971. to this day, i am a legend with my music lover friends just because that concert was my first!" — Cat, Vancouver

What was the first concert you attended? Let us know.

Even if you're stuck inside for most of the summer, just thinking about your favourite beach can be enough to lift your spirits.

We asked you to share your favourite sandy shores with us and over a hundred of you were happy to nominate your top picks for best beach.

Check out the photo gallery of your favourite beaches.

Coast to coast, here are your ideal summer destinations:

Prince Edward Island:

"Boughton Island Beach, PEI. Secluded, cold clear waters, perfect when you need to cool down, full of different kinds of shells for the kids." — Tony De Furia

"Pammure Island and Basin Head on Prince Edward Island. Beautiful beaches and they are free to visit." — exitislander

Nova Scotia:

"Absolutely has to be Martinique beach just outside of Halifax Nova Scotia. It is 4KM long, beautiful white sand, excellent surf, and a small parking lot so it never gets too crowded." — Ken May

"Heather Beach Nova Scotia. Long sand bars, very warm, very clean waters." — Tony De Furia

Newfoundland:

"Windmill Bight beach in Newfoubndland is beaufitul. Clear, clean water, lots of soft sand and the freshest cleanest air in the world! Naturally, the kindest people I've met go there. There are so many beautiful sandy and rocky beaches in Newfoundland, but a sandy one in particular I won't mention, because often when I go there.....you have the entire beach to yourself, and I don't want to share!!!" — Loves the Rock

"Northside Beach in Eastport NL. It's a sandy beach with rocky patches, so the sea changes the distribution of sand and rock at every tide. There are beach "peas", pink and purple, beautiful little irises and sage green rushes. Eagles and ospreys soar overhead, loons are fishing close to shore early in the morning, and shorebirds hide their eggs in the rushes. Ravens, kingfishers and songbirds nest in the surrounding hills. Foxes, bears and otters visit when the people go home." — Vicky Hammond

New Brunswick:

"to me the #l beach in canada is the Shediac New Brunswick Beach...wonderful sandy well-maintained beach with warm, warm water...beautiful." — Sandy

"My wife and I have visited beaches across Canada. Shediac, NB is good as is Cavendish P.E.I." — Roger

Quebec:

"The most beautiful beach in Canada is located in Northern quebec, in the community of Great whale River. Miles a nd miles of beautiful sand ,sometimes with ice bergs floating just off shore. For the very brave you can swim out to the ice and climb aboard and dive into Hudson's Bay." — Peter Vernham

Ontario:

"Sauble Beach, Ontario. Best beach, best sand, best sunset! Nothing beats a hot summer day at Sauble Beach." — Anna

"Sauble Beach, the north end dunes, Heaven on Earth." — Jeff

Manitoba:

"Grand Beach at the south end of Lake Winnipeg of course." — Jacques

"i'd nominate grand beach in manitoba, the best beach in canada." — Shaun Sturby

British Columbia:

"Long Beach.West coast of Vacouver Island in the Pacific Rim National Park. Miles and miles of soft,fine sand.Breakers and surf you can paly in,and dozens of rain forest trails nearby.Including the start of the world renowned "West Coast Trail" for the really adventurous. Heaven on earth." — Doug

"Wreck Beach, Vancouver. Summer isn't complete without going to (the best!) clothing optional beach." — Aaron

What's your favourite beach?Let us know.

Air Canada recently announced it's closing flight attendant bases in Halifax and Winnipeg, as well as making big job cuts in Vancouver.

Up to 600 jobs will be lost and the airline may have plans to eliminate a total of 2,000 positions as a result of higher fuel costs. Read the full story.

We asked flight attendants to share their on-the-job stories.

Several of you weighed in with tales of work joy, stress and concern for the future. Here's what a few of you had to say:

"I've been a flight attendant for 7 years. It's a fascinating career and one where few people know much about (despite the many vocal complainers out there). I've worked in customer service (hotels, restaurants, retail) for years and the experience in the personal encounters with flying are exceptionally more difficult compared to the other customer service jobs. ... No offence to the many people that jump on any opportunity to publicly complain about airline service - but no matter how "frequent" you fly, I don't think you can say any two flights (or flight attendants) are the same. I wonder if you would have the same negative comments if you spent a flight in our 3-inch heels." — YYZ FA

"There are many joys. The people are fantastic. I've seen more people gripe about Air Canada on this board than I have ever met in 19 years of flying. I, too, find it strange that no one has ever left my aircraft grumpy. I've had a few who were difficult to deal with and a few who were unappreciative. Mostly, they are all wonderful people leading average lives. Some have the most fascinating stories to tell. I find a never-ending source of education and entertainment in the people I meet every day. ... Before anyone else decides to complain about crappy inflight service or Air Canada in general, think for one minute how it might feel if you had to walk from Toronto to Vancouver. That's what we do so pardon us for sitting in the galley for a few minutes to rest our aching, swollen feet." — NSFA, YHZ

"My job is, on the whole, loathsome. I like to travel to different cities and the pay is okay, I guess, but what really bugs me are the rude, inconsiderate passengers who think I am nothing more than a piece of meat for them to rub up against, grope and fondle." — Sally Bremmer, YVR

"I was a Flight Attendant with one of the Artists now known as Jazz. Little planes. Great people. There is no doubt that the cuts in manpower of behind the scenes staff and CSAs is having an enormous negative impact already on the passenger experience and crew frustration. We feel your pain but we cannot tell you that. So often when I met passengers boarding they would greet me in a rage, rough start. When that happens continually one is forced to create a far thicker skin to avoid interalizing all of it. We see it all. The space limitations on the newer planes does not make it any easier." — YYZ Stew, YYZ

Are you a flight attendant? Share your stories.

A 22-year-old woman from Saltspring Island, B.C. working as a model overseas was found dead in her apartment building this week. Diana O'Brien, 22, had been in China since mid-June after landing a contract with a modelling agency in Shanghai. Read the full story

We asked you if you've ever had a frightening experience while working abroad. Several of you relayed stories of surviving muggings and beatings. But despite your harrowing tales, most of you stayed put and offered others some useful tips on living and working abroad.

Here are some of your tips and stories:

"While in Rotterdam the Netherlands, a friend and I were followed by four men down a quiet street just outside of the university we were studying at. As we started to back track toward the major road, and my friend sped off in front of me, we were both violently mugged, she was pistol whipped, pushed to the ground and had her purse stolen, while I had a gun pointed at me from point blank range, and willingly gave up my bag and ran for help.
While these individuals had a nasty habit of turning back up, a real part of staying safe while you're abroad or even at home is being aware of your surroundings and trusting your instincts. I know that if I had trusted mine things would have worked out a lot differently." — Kirsten, Ottawa

"I moved to Istanbul, Turkey to teach and the first month I was here I was returning home from a party at about midnight. I wasn't drunk and I was returning to a nice neighbourhood. I was surrounded by 5 youths who beat me for about 30 minutes. Fortunately they weren't very effective and I didn't feel their punches too much. They then demanded my money, which I refused to give them. I was stabbed twice and they left. I have stayed in Istanbul for 4 years and nothing similar has happened. The police said it was just bad timing. Most people here are extremely law abiding (with the exception of jay walking, which seems to be a national pastime)." — John, Istanbul

"Well, about two years ago here in China another expat living in my complex got drunk and set off fireworks at 3am. An old lady went into shock and was hospitalized. In the weeks that followed it was decided by some residents that all expats were one and the same. I had nothing to do with this act of idiocy, but that didn't stop someone from putting crazy glue in my door lock to prevent me from leaving...then thowing bricks and bottles through all my windows. I was pretty upset by the whole affair, and at both parties involved. This just goes to show that win you live abroad you must act with respect if you want to be treated in kind." — Steven, China

"Over the last 3 years my house has been broken into twice (and emptied out), my car window has been smashed in (just for fun it seems, nothing stolen) and two people have been murdered within 500 meters from my house.
Did I mention that 4 off my bikes were stolen? Now all this happened in Edmonton, Canada, but for me that is abroad, I am a dutch national. And strangely enough I still like living here, and feel safe ... Unfortunately, and very sadly, these things happen anywhere, also in Canada." — Chantal Belleveer, Edmonton

"I have travelled to Southeast Asia, Europe Africa and even Mexico and although I have been scared many times it is my own intuition that I have relied on to keep me out of situations. Don’t put yourself in a situation that may put yourself at risk. For example, don’t walk down a dark alley in the middle of the night by yourself in a strange area. Sometimes a shortcut just leads to a cut. Try not to be aggressive, remain open minded and clear minded (no drugs or alcohol, do your homework as what we consider rude here in Canada may be easily acceptable in other cultures." — George, Ontario

"I've worked in cities all over the world—ranging from one week to a year in length—and the key is doing a little homework/talking to the locals to know where you should and should not go. Just last week, my clothes, credit cards, phone, and keys were stolen in Copenhagen. Copenhagen on all accounts is probably one of the safest cities I've ever seen. That said, it is a different story for women in any country who are alone. Gender issues aside, drunk, obsessive, and aggressive men don't stop and the best place to be is nowhere near them. Shanghai is big and it's busy, but in no way is it any different than New York, LA, Toronto, Vancouver, London...etc." — Todd Smith

"I watch the locals, and follow their lead. For example, if I am shopping in unfamiliar territory, I will watch and note how much the locals pay for a particular item. Then I will try and buy. Always, since I am a foreigner, they will double or even tripple the price, and I will point out how much the local paid. I will get that price or not buy." — Flintt, China

Do you have tips for people working overseas? Do you have your own story to share? Let us know.

From the B.C. man who turned a red paper clip into a home in Saskatchewan to the Australian man putting his entire life up for sale on Ebay, online purchases can run the gamut from unique to bizarre.

We asked you what your strangest purchase or sale was.

From Star Wars memorabilia to an entire lake, here are the top ten wacky things you've bought or sold online:

"T-shirt I got of a geek website that has a thin digital like "screen" glued on the front that has audio balancing meters..my t-shirt can detect sounds nearby and it shows up on my shirt :)" — Matt, Ontario

Audio t-shirt. Submitted by Matt

"I have not sold it yet, but I will be selling a thank-you letter signed by the late Pope." — Lincoln, Ontario

"A full-size cardboard cut-out of Darth Vader, for my boyfriend who was a big Star Wars fan. I bought it from a company that sells cardboard cutouts (hadn't known there was such a company), sight-unseen, based on the description the seller over the phone. He described Darth's stance and said "yeah, he'll REALLY like this one". And he did." — Shannon, Ottawa

Darth Vader. Submitted by Shannon Klatt

"I purchased a piece of Elvis's bed sheet. I was expecting it to smell like bacon, bananas and barbiturates but it was kinda scentless." — Shane, Burlington

The Elvis bedsheet. Submitted by Shane

"I sold a dishwasher on ebay to someone living in Arizona. Thankfully they picked up the shipping costs!" — Jeremy, Toronto

"I purchased a wheelchair and crutches for my grandaughter's doll. She was only four years old, but totally facinated with medicine.!!!!" — Bobbie

A wheelchair fit for a doll. Submitted by Bobbie

"I collect Canadian political items and one time I purchased a pair of ladies panties (unused) with Pierre Trudeau's face on the front on ebay. They were from the Trudeau mania era and the lady who sold them wrote me a lovely letter explaining how her dad hated Trudeau but she was a young girl caught up in the times. It's great Canadiana!" — Keith, Guelph

Trudeau underwear. Submitted by Keith

"Last October I purchased an unopened box of Wheetabix from 1967! I still haven't opened it. "Weetabix is unbeatabix!" — Joe King

"I bought patterns to knit a dissected frog and a dissected rat. Too fun!" — JB

"I bought a lake on eBay while living in Northern Alberta. The lake is in NS and I bought it sight unseen. Best purchase I've ever made!" — Iain

View from the new lake. Submitted by Iain LaPointe

What's the strangest thing you'ver ever purchased or sold online? Let us know.