Revisiting "five ways of becoming more active"

Before the diet fairies sprinkled A and me with their pixie dust, I was considering what steps to take to become more active. Darn it, this used to be a no-brainer. I lived within biking distance of work and grocery stores, and quite by accident found myself with no car. Within a month I was probably in the best shape of my life. That was my mid thirties. I'm now in my mid-forties, and whatever steps I took ten years ago to get back where I wanted to be seem positively herculean nowadays. My main obstacle to greater levels of activity is foot pain, something I've mentioned here before. Limited mobility + increase in fat + decrease in muscle = a very unpleasant future.

I did have some marvelous things done to my trusty Birkenstock Milanos. Gene Hartman of Hartland Shoe Repair gave them an all-terrain makeover: genuine Vibram outsoles and a softer-than-stock crepe insole. I've never had a more comfortable pair of shoes in my life. Thanks, Gene, for your wonderful work. If only I can find a pair of athletic shoes that feel this good.

I resolved a while back to come up with five ways of becoming more active. Santa delivered way number one in the form of Electronic Arts' Active for the Wii, which leads you through a variety of workout activities that you can do right in the comfort of your living room. It's been making me sore in places I didn't know I had. Way number two will most certainly involve lifting weights: it doesn't have to be hard on feet.  My only excuse for not going to the gym is I don't have any shoes other than Birks and a pair of Keen hiking boots that I can stand to wear for more than a couple of minutes. I might just have to break down and work out in Birks and black socks, just to give my look the extra tweak of dork it needs.

Step three will be walking- to work, the dog, around the neighborhood, once I get a pair of athletic shoes I can wear. Steps four and five, I'm sure, will become evident over time. Maybe tennis in the spring. Although, again, depending on footwear. Apparently this is the lynchpin in my plan. I'd better start looking!