It can't be said too often that exercise is every bit as important to living right for your type as what you eat. It's more interesting to blog about food: what I cooked, how people reacted to new food, choices available (or not available) on menus. Exercise becomes a routine that is built into every day - like washing dishes or making beds. Writing another blog about a swim or the exercise machine feels about as exciting as writing about the laundry. But this morning something happened that made me smile.

It is much too hot to run any time except early in the morning. To be completely honest it's too hot to truly enjoy running even then. Of all the different ways I exercise, running is the one that leaves me feeling the best when I'm finished. So even though it's hot, I run once a week.

I have a friend in the neighborhood who I've known for 12 or 13 years. We worked in PTA together when our college sons were in elementary school. Last year she noticed that I was trimmer than I had previously been, and commented. I gave her a brief version of the health problems that led me to the BTD and what had happened since. She listened, smiled, and changed the subject. That is the initial response I get from most people. Often they will call back a few days or months later and say, "What was that diet again?"

She and her husband walk their dog for exercise. This morning I passed them on my run and shouted hello. The blocks in our neighborhood are almost exactly 1 mile in perimeter, and I planned to run two miles. On my second mile I passed them again, and again called out a greeting. This time there was a look of astonishment on her face. It said, "You and I are the same age. How do you have the energy to lap me and smile about it?"

I can't force the BTD on anyone, but if she calls, I'll be happy to explain it to her again.