The Road To The Ride- Checkpoint Uno

It's a special kind of feeling you get about yourself when , dog- tired and silly hungry after a long 12 hour shift, you schlepp it through a couple of blocks of icy rain and what we call "snow" in Vancouver (also known as "icy rain") to get to where you parked the car.But when you get there the car is gone. A huge panic flashfloods up your gut alongside visions of grand theft auto, followed by second-guessings about what trivial unknown parking violation precipitated an uncalled-for tow, when you remember oh yeahhhh- a little late- that you parked underground at work. Because of the weather you didn't want to walk through if you parked outside, but just have anyway. And still paid $6.25 parking fees to do so.

That scenario sums up the biggest stumbling block I met this month in my "Every Move A Healthy Move" program: being tired after a long day of work. My plans were to go to the gym after work, but that happened only once out of 16 shifts. That's 15 more workouts not worked out.

So the 12 workouts achieved in 4 weeks are less than impressive for the goal ahead .

PLAN: WALK OR BIKE TO WORK AND HOME AGAIN, capitalize on the high energy at the beginning of the day, versus conceding to the gasping fatigue at the end of a shift. Or, alternatively, GET THYSELF TO THINE GYM AFTER THAT SHIFT.

The good news: 7.4 lbs down this month, which exceeds my 1.5 lb weekly loss goal . (Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight knows how important that .4 is to share with you all now. It certainly involved some kind of denial of something really good to eat, demonstrating my inner strength in the face of the Not Going To The Gym After Work Reveal.)

The even better news: 15 lbs down since mid- August.

So the report card for this month is " B -". Now anything under an "A" just does NOT sit well with me, so be prepared for a more inspiring effort and new approach herewith (I just wanted to use that word.)

Another new approach that recently made me smile? I was walking by the liquor store and there was the usual dishevelled street fellow standing outside . But he placed a new spin I didn't expect on the usual plea for a donation . "Bonjour, Mesdames et Messieurs!!!", he said in his best circus announcer voice.."Welcome to your liquor store! My name is Josef and I will be your beggar for the evening!" Kinda sad, but it made me see him as much more than what he appeared, he was a creative person trying a new way. Trying is always good, and deserves recognition.

But, moving forward to Checkpoint Dos-as the great Jedi Master Yoda says:

"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."

Hmm, who knew there was something to learn from Josef and the little green wiseguy with the funny ears..