I've lost track of how many pieces of exercise equipment that I've donated to the Salvation Army over the years. Let's see, there was a stationary bicycle in the 70's, rowing machine in the 80's, a mini-trampoline in the 90's, and at least three "Step-ups" and several unopened work-out videos during this same time period. A couple of years ago I purchased this thing by Tony Little called the Gazelle, which soon became another clothes rack in my bedroom.

Recently, I developed plantar fasciitis in one foot and find walking to be a royal pain in the heel. Then last week I was looking for something that had rolled under the Gazelle up in the bedroom. Once I got the clothes off the thing and retrieved the elusive object of my quest, I decided to give the Gazelle a quick swing to help assuage some of my guilt for spending so much on a clothes rack. Miracle of miracles - I stayed on it for several minutes and realized that it did not make my heel hurt. I now had a dilemma. I just nuked my best excuse for not getting enough exercise.

The Gazelle has now (over the weekend) been relocated to the living room where it stands prominently between the couch and the TV, unencumbered. I don't watch much TV but I have two favorite shows that I seldom miss. My goal for the next couple of weeks is to get off my a** during commercials and use the Gazelle. After that initial "break-in" period I will work the Gazelle during the show and rest during the commercials. Then I'll work up to using the Gazelle for the whole hour. My long term goal is to watch the Super Bowl from the Gazelle (OK, maybe not the WHOLE game . . .).