Hi neighbors. How many of you have already given up on your New Year's resolutions? It's very difficult to think of resolutions to make that you know you'll stick with.

I've found I'm always more able to determine what I should and will do tomorrow than I am at actually carrying through with that when tomorrow arrives.

Getting in shape for instance. Although we were all in one shape or another December 31, we probably didn't like the shape we were in and wanted to get in better shape.

I bet 90 percent of Americans determined to lose weight and exercise more on the first day of January. It would probably be a sound bet to say that at least 80 percent of that 90 determined on January one that January two would be a better day to start a"getting in shape" program.

After procrastinating through the middle of January, starting on February one sounds like a better option. Well, we all know how that goes.

The other 20 percent of the 90 percent that were going to get into shape may have started full throttle on January first just to have faded out by Jan. 15.

There are those brave few who started a definite exercise and diet program on January first who are sticking with it and seeing results. Show-offs.

I was going to start walking more but I couldn't find any shoes I liked. More to the point, I couldn't figure out what shoes I should get. Shoes are very activity specialized these days in case you haven't been shopping for shoes lately. There are running shoes and walking shoes and hiking shoes to chose from.

I quickly decided that I personally would do little running or jogging. There are few mountain trails through downtown Nevada so hiking boots didn't seem appropriate.

Choosing shoes is rather like picking out a vehicle. Do you drive more highway miles, city miles or go for the off-road terrain? I decided I would more likely qualify my walking as city driving. Lots of stops and starts and leaving the motor in idle for several minutes every other block. So I needed a walking shoe that could double as a "standing around catching my breath and looking busy" shoe.

With the weather like it has been, the shoes I should get would have to keep traction during torrential rainstorms or blizzards. They would have to be high enough on my ankle to keep my feet dry in several inches of snow, slush or mud.

I finally decided on those hip-high wading boots with the nifty suspenders fishermen use.

These seemed just the right kind for the type of exercise I would be doing in the environment Nevada streets (and "Old Muddy" -- my backyard) have been lately.

The only problem with these boots is they are so wide at the top that water, snow, or several hibernating squirrels could fall inside while I meandered down the city streets.

So I needed an overcoat to protect the top of my legs. Trying to be safety minded, I chose a bright orange hunting jacket with reflective racing stripes. Drivers could see me walking on the side of the street even during dusk or dawn.

It would also serve as a locating device should I slip and land headfirst in a snowdrift.

Now, I thought, I should be ready for a daily walk. No wait. I needed a hat -- a hat that would repel wind, snow, rain and blowing trash.

For city walking, a hat that could protect my head from falling objects sounded good too. So I chose a construction helmet and covered it with a beekeeper's veil. Since I have some allergy problems (and in case I get caught outside without my plastic sheeting and duct tape during a chemical warfare attack) I decided I needed a gas mask. Surely now I was ready to face the challenge of walking for my health.

My first morning exercise included 30 minutes of getting on my walking attire, trying to get out the door fully suited up, and explaining myself to my neighbors.

Walking out my back door presented several problems. My dogs attacked me. I had no sooner walked off the back porch than I sank into six inches of mud. I was stuck. Always safety minded I carry a small air horn to scare off attackers. It didn't deter the dogs, but it woke up my son who came to my rescue.

Until the next time friends remember, we all have excuses to not exercise or to not eat as we should. Some excuses may be more colorful than others -- but they are still just excuses.