Truly, I ought to be ashamed of myself. My wife (Lil’ Red) is going to exercise classes religiously to prepare for a summer vacation to the beach while I lay about on the couch, or comfortable chair, with full knowledge that the few extra pounds around my waist are not going to magically disappear..

We started making plans for a beach vacation several weeks ago, long enough ahead of time for me to whip myself into better physical shape. But, it is easier to make excuses and plan on wearing a shirt most of the time.

You see, my knees have been acting up whenever it threatens to rain. And, my sciatic nerve has been giving me fits since about the end of May. Sometimes we eat supper too late in the evening, and by the time supper digests it is too late to do any serious exercises before bedtime. Oh, yeah, evening meetings get in the way of a workout schedule.

What it really amounts to is that I seem to have gotten too lazy to exercise, although it is good for a body. But, I have lost a few pounds as evidenced by the fact that my belts can be cinched up another notch without causing pain. That doesn’t mean my physical shape has improved noticeably, although losing a few pounds without trying could entice me to continue doing nothing. Unfortunately, the slight weight loss is purely due to summer—-I am not as hungry when temperatures rise.

Lil’ Red’s determination should serve to embarrass me for my lack of motivation, and it may over time, probably not in time for the beach.

Earlier this year I started exercising regularly with our son. We lifted weights on a schedule for almost six weeks, until I experienced some back pains. It seems that any injury I have sustained over my life has come back to haunt me the past few years. The back pains are from a snow skiing injury some 30 years ago that returned five years ago. Those back pains are unrelated to my sciatic nerve, which is a new ailment.

I didn’t used to be this physically inactive. When Lil’ Red and I met more than 20 years ago, I probably was in the best physical shape of my life, working out in the garage several days a week. It has crossed my mind that is isn’t fair to her that I have not attempted to maintain my fitness, while she is working hard to tone up.

Yes, I know that exercising makes a person feel better and sleep better and have more energy throughout the day. It also helps combat the aging process and is good for your heart. Knowing all that still has not gotten me off high center.

Enough whining. I am going to get started . . . with my yo-yo. It’s a deluxe model with a mechanical contraption inside that makes it easier to sleep, stay spinning at the end of the string. Because of its enhanced ability to sleep, it is easier to “Walk the Dog” and “Rock the Baby,” or perform various other tricks. After I remaster yo-yo tricks, I can brush up my juggling skills. I can start a strenuous exercise program on the first day, it may take six months to work up my stamina.