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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The downside to exercise is that sometimes people get hurt. And unfortunately, readers, it's almost the time in our pick-a-new-MisFit contest to break some hearts.

Fittingly, the last of our four finalists knows his stuff when it comes to injuries: His doctors had to piece him back together after a horrendous bike accident. While hopefully the rest of us will never have to face surgeries, screws and rehab to resume our exercise routines, his experience is a reminder that a sore shoulder or even a broken bone doesn't need to put the kibosh on our activity forever.

His coach-like approach to dealing with his bodily woes (and yours) earned him praise back in Week One of this shebang. "A true fitness buff overcomes obstacles in his/her life," one fan commented. "It just becomes a way of life."

It's a good thing he has practice, because there's one more obstacle in this contest: an online chat at noon today with you readers, the four finalists and me.

Join the fun by going to the discussion to ask questions about any of the four columns and what you want out of the winner in the future.

The bosses will be watching, weighing and, finally, picking. So next week in this space I'll be introducing you to my new fellow MisFit. And remember, you can always write them at health@washpost.com.

In the meantime, try not to hurt yourself, okay?

-- Vicky Hallett