Three weeks ago, I started biking to work.

It’s a 20-mile round trip and I am a New Woman. Liberated from My Car (on most days, anyway).

I’ve never been very steady on a bike. My husband, who both bikes and skates, is the guy with the wheels. I prefer to have my feet to the ground, running and walking.

It took a few things - some directly related, some not - for me to get my bike out of the garage and brush off the cobwebs.

1) The Biking Doc

Last winter, I did a story about Tom Kottke, a St. Paul cardiologist who faithfully bikes to and from work, even in the winter. When it snows, he rides a bike with studded tires.

He also has a foldable bike that he sticks in a suitcase and takes around the world, allowing him to see new countries from a perspective different from that of a car window. Closer to the people, and all that. What a fabulous idea, I thought. Just not for me.

2) The Car Crash

Last spring, I totaled my trusty Honda CRV (the one with the MLF plate, which Kay kindly pointed out (almost) stands for something naughty. Gee, thanks, Kay). The other car ran a red light. Everyone was fine, but both cars were pretty bashed up. 

In the slow-motion moments (it really happens like in the movies) after the crash and before the car fully stopped, I looked down and saw my fleece glove burn up on my palm from the effect of the airbag. Funny what your mind registers at these moments.

Anyway, like I said, I was fine. But after the crash, I didn’t want to drive much. The insurance company paid for a rental but when that ran out, I started taking the bus. The weather was warming up and I appreciated the quiet reading time to and from work.

Mentally, it also helped me give up the idea of driving everywhere.  (more…)

I am a recovering Diet Coke addict.

I loved it. I miss it. But I’m done.

I just hit the one year mark since I let that effervescent carbonated nectar pass through my lips.

Yep, one year since I went totally cold turkey.

I was in the dentist chair when it happened.

I guess you could say I had the “Come to gingivitis” talk from her.

She asked “Do you drink a lot of pop?”

“Does Diet Coke count?”

“Yes.”

“Then, yes.”

What I didn’t say was it was at least a can (or three, or six…) a day since it came out in 1983. More or less. (much, much less during my pregnancies but no, I didn’t completely give it up.)

Twen-ty five years.

I am serious.

“Well I’m seeing some acid wear on your gums.”

Then came the wagging rubber gloved finger of shame.

“Besides diet soda has absolutely nothing of nutritional value in it for you….”

and then came the one-two punch

“And on top of that, you’re setting a bad example for your kids.”

Ouch.

* Blink *

A switch went off. And I was done.

I can’t honestly say that the dentist’s shaming was totally the reason I’d quit, but it drove the point home. I guess you could say it was the last straw…
(more…)

On a related note….
I just read that father-to-be can gain an average of 14 lbs during pregnancy.
bbc.com talks about those “blokes” eating “crisps” in this article.
They also have a link to a related article on the “Couvade syndrome” where men experience morning sickness, a “bump”, cramps, and even labor pains.

Any spouses out there gain weight along with their wives or experience any sympathetic symptoms?

For those who’ve been following the odyssey of 13-year-old Daniel Hauser of New Ulm, here’s what those who practice complementary medicine say in Where’s the Line? Essentially, it’s called “complementary” for a reason, to complement conventional treatment, not replace it.

Hauser is refusing chemotherapy for cancer because of religious beliefs in natural treatment.

And here’s a really good column on the Nemenhah Band, the American Indian healers Hauser’s mom found on the internet.

Dee Depass, our fitness columnist, has a good one today about exercises you can do while your kid is playing - 10 Ways to Work Out At The Park.

I like the bench step aerobics idea, but not sure if I could manage even one of the monkey bar chin-ups!