So, I have this friend... (Don't we all?)

Anyway, this friend is always asking me for nutrition and workout information. Always. And, about once a year, the frequency of her questions ramps up to an almost feverish pitch.

I always answer her questions and share as much knowledge as I can. Sometimes I send her links to articles, or web sites, or discussion forums. She never follows through.

She's gotten close to following up a couple of times, but it's never actually happened. Last summer, she got a bike. True, it was a kind of crappy, heavy 3-speed...but it was functional and free. She rode it twice.

The questions have been ramping up again lately, and they reached a fever pitch late last week. Sure enough, she asked me for a beginner workout plan. I, of course, am always happy to share these things with people, but I long ago stopped thinking they will actually follow through. (That doesn't really mean I don't still occasionally feel disappointment and frustration about it, though.)

This time, her request came with a litany of health problems that pretty much excluded all forms of exercise except swimming, and the additional restriction of no budget for joining a gym. Here's the thing: I don't think you need a gym membership to build fitness, but if you can't run or bike (and you think walking is boring), and you don't have the money to pay for access to weights, cardio equipment, or a pool; or to buy an elliptical (or some other low-impact piece of cardio equipment) to use at home, I really don't know what to tell you. The lakes around here aren't quite warm enough yet for open water swims without a wetsuit.

I actually don't think she can't bike. I think she won't bike. I think it's easier for her to make up excuses for her inactivity than to get off of her butt and go do something.

Unfortunately, I also think that she is reaching that all too familiar and sad place that many sedentary people get to without realizing it: Won't has turned into Can't.

I hope she can turn it around, and I'll support her in any way that I can, but I'm not holding my breath.