I have been thinking a lot about getting in shape.

Why are you laughing?  I only said that I was thinking about it. 

For the past few weeks, my motto has been: “If Rob Ford can do it, why can’t I?”  If you haven’t heard the news, the Toronto mayor and his brother have challenged themselves to lose weight in the most embarrassing way possible: weekly public weigh-ins. 

I would be mortified, so much so that even though I hate admitting it, I have a little more respect for the much-maligned mayor. Ford is essentially putting his personal battle of the bulge into the spotlight, hoping to encourage others to live a healthier lifestyle.  It also happens to be a genius public relations move, and I’ve completely fallen for it.

My health isn’t anywhere as dangerous as Rob Ford’s, but after years of waiting in traffic and drinking too many beers at the Kensington Pub and the Ship and Anchor, being a Calgarian has begun to have a toll on my body. So against my better judgment, I’m now trying to be like Rob Ford, at least when it comes to getting in shape.

Luckily, certain things in Calgary can make getting in shape a lot easier. Running for the C-train, getting lost in the Plus-15 system and continuing to walk around the Peace Bridge, are all excellent ways of getting some cardio exercise into your day.

I’ve also found that dodging the reckless cyclists along the river pathways is helping with my reflexes. Climbing the stairs to get to the “nose bleeds” at Saddledome is working my quads and of course, I’m getting lots of stretching done by looking for radars when driving through this city’s countless school and playground zones. 

However, there’s also a certain distraction that is making trying to stay thin a little difficult.  Ever since the food truck campaign started last summer, the meals on wheels are now everywhere, literally.

Around every corner, there’s a truck selling some sort of succulent sausage, beefy burger or tasty taco.

I could work out every day, but put me in front of a truck that has gelato and I’m rendered helpless, but usually satisfied.

There aren’t very many things that Rob Ford does right, but if an elected official in Toronto can make me pay attention to my health, I wonder what our own politicians can do for us here in Calgary? It’s for the right reasons.

Mike Morrison is the perfectly bald head behind Mike’s Bloggity Blog. He also tweets regularly from @mikesbloggity.