DIET & FITNESS  I’m not an idiot. Can we stipulate to that? I’m not stupid. I originally set out to play around with various home exercise trends — the Perfect Pull-up, TRX — all those things you learn about in 30-minute intervals when you’re up far too late at night. Read More>>

DIET & FITNESS  “I think people underrate walking if you’re out of shape.” That’s Jon Knight — men’s cross-country coach at North Central High School, winners of four consecutive state championships and, in 2008, the national crown. Among the nuggets of wisdom I expected from Knight, “walking is good” wasn’t one of them. It was a comforting affirmation given my continuing back problems (much better than they were, thank you, but still not allowing me to run), but … strange. Read More>>

DIET & FITNESS  As I sit writing this, there’s a dull pain in my butt and a tightness in my lower back. I’ll probably have to stop writing half way through and lie down with my legs elevated. Then I’ll do some stretches. Hopefully after that, I’ll be good to sit again for a half hour. Then I’ll have to lie down again. Read More>>

HEALTH LINK  I spent the holiday season doing a really terrible job of holding myself accountable for working out. The plan was to work in exercise around all the various and sundry engagements and responsibilities. The idea was to try out a bunch of home gym solutions whenever I had a free second. Read More>>

COVER STORY  It’s 10:50 on the first morning of my year of perfect health and my lungs are burning. I can feel the first pump of sweat forcing its way out of the pores at the edge of my scalp and underneath my arms. I’m running, and my legs feel weak. They aren’t Jello-y exactly, but they definitely don’t have the power I’d like them to have. I come to the base of the Lincoln Street hill and slow to a walk, breathing hard. Read More>>