The McDonald's exercise program

I'm getting fat. Clothes that used to hang on me are now tighter than a sausage casing. I've always lived with a rough understanding that change in waist size is proportional to daily caloric intake minus calories burned by resting rate of metabolism minus calories burned through exercise. As I age, my rate of metabolism is slowing. So if I want to continue to fit in my clothes, I need to watch what I eat (diet), put on muscle mass to maintain my metabolism (weight training), and/or get my fat ass off the couch for a few hours each day (cardiovascular exercise).

I've never been a big fan of dieting. I like food, and food likes me. But lately I've noticed that I've been eating as an avoidance behavior. If there is something I don't want to do, I'll use meal/snack preparation and consumption as a way to put it off. Working from home amplifies this tendency.

In my twenties, I would regularly lift weights at the gym at work as a way of breaking up the day. When we moved to San Francisco, I joined a gym in the city, but only used it once a year on average. Now, my only weight bearing exercise is lifting BR when transferring him between his bed and chair.

I've never been an enthusiastic player of team sports, preferring cycling instead for heart pumping, fresh air gulping exploration of roads less traveled. I used to ride in multi-day charity events, and loved many aspects of the way I felt after a day in the saddle. These days, my worsening allergies have taken the excuse lead for why the bicycle sits in the garage collecting dust.

It's a perfect storm. A slippery slope of bad behaviors reinforced by a litany of excuses. Well I'm putting the excuses away for the holidays, and am putting some personal focus on my ample yet adorable waistline. If there is one thing I hate more than diet and exercise, it is clothes shopping.

One of my initial motivators will be the Lights of Love 5k charity run taking place in our neighborhood this coming Friday. I have no intention of running the distance, and instead will speed walk alongside BR as he opens up the throttle on his wheelchair. The event benefits the local Ronald McDonald House, which provides housing next to the children's hospital for families of the critically ill who are far from home. I just love the irony of kicking off my body shaping efforts at a McDonald's sponsored event.

If you would like to sponsor BR and me, the Public Service Announcement above has a link to the donation page. You'll be supporting a great organization.

Life is THE Event

"I donate to the AIDS Walk."

"I bid at the HRC Black Tie Dinner silent auction."

"I buy cookie dough from my neighbor to support music education."

These are all admirable actions. But you are more than money. You have talents. GIVE!

BP MS 150 rolls into Austin

This past Sunday, BR and I set up an unofficial community pit stop at the edge of the Mueller Southwest Greenway. Several neighbors, as well as Cathy and Todd from Dallas, joined us in cheering in the 11,000 riders, who raised over $12 million for the Lone Star Chapter of the National MS Society.

The Pity Titty Incident

BR and I ventured out to 6th Street Tuesday night to see how Austin celebrates Mardi Gras. The street was crowded with mostly twentysomethings, but they were still passable for BR and his chair. The bars themselves were pretty empty -- lots of elbow room.

As we were heading back to the van, the cutest young lady made a beeline for BR, stopping right in front of him. With a slurred "Awwww," she lifted her shirt, exposing herself in what will forever be known as "The Pity Titty Incident."

A city that takes care of its own

S.F.'s once-missing Millie back in North Beach

(02-19) 19:21 PST -- Millie's finally back in town, so all is well again in North Beach.

The 85-year-old street icon with the beaming, toothless smile and ever-ready Polaroid camera was fetched from Reno Wednesday night by friends, and by today she was back at her rounds.

You can read the rest on sfgate.com. Some say San Francisco has a "street people" problem. While living there, I preferred to call them San Franciscans.

Congratulations, Karen!

My sister, Karen, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.  After surgery, chemo, and radiation, she is well on the road to recovery, thank God.

So what does she do to celebrate?  Throw a charity event, of course.  Last Saturday was the 2008 Belvidere Historic Home Fun Run/Walk.  Initial reports are that the event raised upwards of $9000 with 150 participants.  Way to go, Karen!  Will you get some rest, now?