Exercise is always at the top of people's resolution lists, isn't it? For some, that's as far as it gets. Others, like my friend, are truly motivated. Brenda Elsagher has a novel idea to get herself moving in the New Year. She sent an e-mail to everyone she knows, asking each person to sign up to work out with her for one of this year's 366 days. It's a win-win situation. You sign up. You feel obligated to show up and you get yourself moving because Brenda is counting on you. You wouldn't want to be the person responsible for her going astray, would you?
     Brenda has a bicycle, a treadmill and a stationary bike, but she is open to different options. As she says, "One of us can be on the treadmill while the other bikes just as easily as one of us can vacuum while the other washes floors." She draws the line at rollerblading, skating and skiing. Sky diving and bungee jumping are off-limits, too. Mornings are preferable, but she can be flexible. She says swimming would be an option but warns, "I don't look like the girls from Baywatch in a bathing suit. No paparazzi allowed."
     As you can tell, Brenda's a funny person. She's even done stand up comedy. When I told my husband about her plan, he enlisted for a Sunday morning walk around Lake Nokomis in the spring. And, I'm sure, if Brenda finds herself without a sidekick on a summer Sunday, my spouse could force himself to accompany her for a round of golf. Or two.
     The buddy system. Whether it's a diet or smoking cessation program, it is always more fun with a pal. When I was young, I spent summers at Camp Wabigoniss. Before we could run into the lake for swim period, we had to line up in twos next to our buddy. My best friend, Gretchen, fulfilled that obligation every day. When the counselor blew the whistle, we all had to scramble to find our buddy. I never had to look far. My mother always said Gretchen and I were joined at the hip. That's not the kind of ally Brenda is searching for, though. She needs a different daily partner to hold her accountable throughout the year.
     If only I'd thought of this when I tried to quit smoking in the 1980s. I decided to start an exercise program to make sure the pounds didn't pile on-my usual excuse to start smoking again-and vowed to walk two miles a day. A comrade waiting for me at the street corner might have been the motivation I needed to get me out the door. Instead, there was always a reason to skip, "for just this one day only." It's like writing: Phone calls, laundry, the crossword puzzle…you name it, some days there are just more important things to do than stringing words together into sentences.
     But I couldn't wait to write about Brenda's brain storm. After all, even someone as fun as she is, might not have 366 people in her e-mail address book. She told me to spread the word about her project. If you'd like to get on board, contact Brenda through her web site: www.livingandlaughing.com. All she asks for is an hour of your time. Trust me-you'll wish you could volunteer for more. She's a real good buddy.