Man-Beast Diet-Rage War 2

I'm back! This time, with renewed vigor and enthusiasm- this time, with the whole family on board. 2011 is going to be the year the Salmons family gets into shape, and you're going to get to read all about right here.

If I haven't driven you away yet... thanks for sticking with me. Community is important. I've read the lists of things you have to do get in shape and lose the bulge, and community is always listed. My reaction is, usually, "oh well, I can work on everything else and be strong and powerful in my infinite male solitude." No. It really doesn't work that way. You get fired up about it, but the fire can be sustained only by the continual feedback loop of community support. Being a solitary, ruminative sort by nature, I was very wrong in assuming (a) I really don't have a community as such and (b) I can do this all by myself. So who is in my healthy lifestyle community?

-Abbey, my wife. She seems just as resolved as me to get the family back on course. You just don't know how encouraging it can feel to hear fiery words of determination from your spouse. Thanks, honey. It really means a lot. We will both be the envy of our coworkers by next Winter, just you wait and see.

-My loving mother, who is also a member of my gym. Our New Year's resolution: to work out one day a week together. I know that will start any day now- as soon as neither one of us have a bad head cold...

-My kids. All three are athletic and spontaneous. How they play has been a real inspiration for me. It seems to me now that the real secret to embracing exercise is to start nurturing your natural desire to play again. I feel like it might have died at one point, but we've been having a good inner dialogue as of late. Life can be circuit training if you just let yourself have more fun- something we adults need more than we realize.

-Jenny, my lifestyle coach, provided by my health insurance. I don't know who you are or where you live, but that's ok. Your friendly voice really does help me keep goals on track. Even though our conversations are not very spontaneous, please, Jenny and all other health insurance-appointed preventative maintenance counselors out there,  know that your efforts really do mean something to us.

So, I'm bringing the fire this time. And the broccoli rabe. Talk to you soon.