Annie’s Mailbox: Blinds will block his buff workouts

Dear Annie: My husband, “Joe,” turned 40 last summer. His cholesterol, blood pressure and weight are higher than they should be, and his doctor suggested he lose 20 pounds. I try to feed him well, but I know he stops for the occasional doughnut.

Joe has never been much into exercise, but I gave him a rather expensive multifunction machine for Christmas and installed it in the family room so he could watch the big-screen TV while working out.

When he complained that his jeans were too tight, I made a note to buy him some loose workout clothes. When he continued to mutter about having “nothing to wear,” I frustratingly retorted that he could exercise naked for all I cared. Before I realized it, he did just that – on the machine in his birthday suit and gym shoes.

He’s now using the machine, stark naked, each day for 45 minutes without any prodding. I think part of it is that our 12-year-old daughter has begun to “coach” his sessions, counting his reps and urging him on.

Annie, we’re not prudes. Our daughter has seen both her parents naked and insists it doesn’t bother her to watch Dad exercise in the buff.

I’m torn. If I make him wear clothes, I worry he’ll stop exercising. Is naked exercise common? Is it dangerous? Is he some sort of closet pervert? Would some busybody consider this child abuse and have him arrested? – Confused in Illinois

Dear Confused: Exercising in the nude is not that uncommon and shouldn’t be dangerous unless sensitive body parts are in close proximity to dropped weights or snapped pulleys. We can’t tell you whether Joe is overly enjoying his daughter’s assistance with his workout. We are not in favor of it and would insist he wear shorts. But nudity within one’s own home is not considered child abuse or indecent exposure. If you are worried about the neighbors, keep the blinds closed.