I haven't written about this before, but in early January, I started a pretty serious exercise program. And, honest to Zarquon, it wasn't even a freakin' New Year's resolution. That just happened to be when I got fired up to do it. Rick and I had been talking about how amazing it was that I lost weight on our trip to Italy, even though we indulged in plenty of great food. It's just that we walked a lot, climbed hills and steep trails, and often ate very little at lunch, preferring to pack down the calories at the end of the day when being energetic after eating wasn't a requirement.

By the way, I'm talking about serious exercise, not just a few genteel laps around the mall on Saturday afternoons. I mean, really hard exercise, 30 to 60 minutes at a pop, four or five times a week. Treadmills, elliptical trainers, weight machines, and -- on nice days -- my trusty bicycle have been doing the trick. I can't say that I've lost a huge amount of weight, but that wasn't the point. For one thing, I haven't been dieting, except to try to to plan my snacks to consist of caloric treats that I actually enjoy (high-cacao milk chocolate, Dubliner cheese) while avoiding the junk that I can really take or leave (French fries, doughnuts.) I have lost a noticeable amount of girth, though; for an investment of approximately $60, I had five pairs of jeans and crops taken in by a neighborhood tailor, and this was just like getting a new wardrobe that would have cost four times that much. And when I catch my reflection in the lab microwave, it looks better than it has in fifteen or sixteen years. (My reflection, I mean. I doubt the microwave is a day older than five.)

The iPod has been helpful. I often set it to shuffle, hop on the treadmill, and let the music direct my speed and elevation, but today I actually made an exercise playlist. Of course, I forgot to turn off the shuffle, so although I controlled the content, I didn't have much say over the order. It still worked out pretty well, though, so for fitness-oriented readers: I give you Today's Exercise.

I Predict, Sparks
(Lassie will prove that Elvis and her had a fleeting affair ....)

Goin' Southbound, Stan Ridgway

Der Kommissar, After the Fall

Go Forth and Die, Dethklok
(Hmmm, come to think of it, this probably isn't a great title for inspiring a workout. But it does have a good beat for the purpose.)

American Idiot, Green Day
(Thanks to my nephew, who gave me the album for my birthday last year.)

Loretta, Nervous Eaters
(Probably not one you've ever heard unless you spent the 1980s in Boston, but still....)

Flying North, Thomas Dolby

Satisfaction, Devo
(A way cool live version. Thanks, Greg!)

More later .....