June has been pretty much of a holding pattern for me, though I lost a couple of pounds, very slowly. Managed to survive three layoffs since April, and have been busy at work. Took a few trainings to for my counselor certification renewal and will send that in on 7/1.

July and August, I like to go to a few performances at the Hollywood Bowl. Next week is Pink Martini, if I can get tickets! If not, I may just have to go out and buy one! lol! I always try to see at least one performance with Fireworks. They put on a wonderful display at the Bowl.

Will try to get at least a couple of good hikes or long walks in this month, as August is fast approaching and the Annual nana-Ashur adventure will require some stamina to hike in Yosemite national park. I'm very excited that this time, I get to purchase the Golden Pass, for seniors. It's good forever, at any National Park in the country! May be time for a Road trip in the next couple of years!

I started my journey early in June and it is July now. I did change my eating ways with he help of a nutritionist.
I don't like to exercise because I am so out of shape that I get winded and out of breath very easily.

I pulled out my WII Fit and saw that I was down from the last time I used it and found my BMI was down a bit. I even walked on the treadmill a few times. Yesterday I did 1/2 hour. I realize that I need to do something every day because diet alone will not do it.

One good thing.....I am fitting into capris that I couldn't wear to Hawaii in April!!

This is a great site and I am glad that my nutritionist recommended it!

Kathy

Nice to be back after a bit of absence. Eating has continued to be 'up and down'. I'd really like to make July a consistently good month, as far as that goes. This will be a busy week, as finish up things in the office and pack for our week at a timeshare in Maine on Mt. Desert Island -- can't wait! Our daughter and her 16-month old baby girl, will be joining us, as well as our youngest son. Should be fun. I'm hoping for good weather so we can spend plenty of time outdoors. Acadia National Park is amazing.

Sounds like you'll have fun with the kids, gramanana. I'm sure all the preparation will be worth it! As far as exercise "during the chaos" -- how about trying for a real early walk? This combines movement with a little quiet time.

Wooken3 - congratulations on making your goal and maintaining the weight -- way to go -- definite victories!

Sorry to hear about your layoffs, phylsyl. Glad you survived. Times are really tough to be out of work. The Bowl sounds great. My DH and I used to go occasionally when we lived in Hollywood, years ago. I remember a wonderful concert with Itzak Perlman. I love walks and hikes -- Mt. Desert Island, on the east coast -- is terrific for this. Never went to Yosemite, but did enjoy other National Parks, back when I lived in CA.

Kathy - Great progress! Bet it feels wonderful to wear those capris. :-) I totally agree that we need a combination of good eating AND exercise. That's the only way to move forward consistently. Sounds like you're doing fine.

Best of luck to everyone else and enjoy the summer!

Happy to see everyone sticking with it, if you never give up you never fail, you only have set backs.
"this is the lesson:Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in.." - Winston Churchill

Seems a good time for taking stock. I started my journey back in October, daily 10 minute walks walks with our new dog. In November these increased to 15-20 minutes and I started thinking about eating better (cutting back on fried foods, processed, bleached bread and pasta and sugar). I made it through Thanksgiving and Christmas without gaining a bunch of weight and on the New year made a resolution to up the distance of my walks and really start eating cleaner (less processed food). After getting into trouble (lost energy and may have damaged some muscles in my back from muscle wasting) with a low carb diet in April, I joined MFP in order really learn how to eat a balanced diet that provided enough energy for exercise, yet still allowed me to lose weight. It has been a great learning experience and I've found this forum to be really supportive.

Mindful - My wife and I were on Mt. Desert Island for several days back at the end of May (my profile pic was taken there). Beautiful, Acadia is a gem!

That's going to be my new Motto.....NEVER NEVER NEVER ....... :bigsmile:

Jean

Ok...June was weird for me. dont know what I'm doing wrong. I know I have about 20-22 pounds to lose and so I did a reduced calorie diet for 3 weeks...no change. so I went on a higher protein/lower card diet with the same calorie count (1200) and still could not lose. so I just "gave up" and didn't watch ....and I I still didn't lose OR gain. I just don't know what else to do .

:ohwell:

Sometimes it takes awhile for the body to give up the weight. I would suggest that you up your exercise and not eat back the exercise calories--just continue eating 1200 calories/day. The important thing is to NEVER give up!

The DMV sapped all my energy yesterday trying to get in and out for my vision test and new license. It took 3 hours!!!! Glad I don't have to go back for another 4 years.

I did sit down and play the piano last night for about 20 minutes. I really do need to get some time in on the instruments before the grandkids get here on Sunday. The oldest (11) is so good on the violin. They all take/took violin lessons; the middle one (9) switched to flute this summer. Not sure if he'll stick with it though. They all love it when I play. They sit and listen and then clap. It's going to be great fun! Today, the Hammered Dulcimer.

russlynne: I'm assuming the strummed dulcimer is a mountain or lap dulcimer. I have 2 of those, too. Took lessons on both the hammered dulcimer and mountain dulcimer. Beautiful music, but I don't play enough. Enjoy!

The trail follows the route of the railroad that saved many lives in the historic Hinckley and Cloquet MN fires in the nineteenth century.

Biked the first leg of the Willard Munger State Trail today. It was a sunny 66F with a gentle wind to keep us cool and blow the mosquitos away -- this is Minnesota after all! Left Duluth and biked up to Carlton --lunch-- and then back to Duluth. In the next week or so my biking buddy and I will be doing Hinckley to Moose Lake and then Moose Lake down to Carlton. I will then purchase the T-Shirt proclaiming I biked the 70-mile Munger Trail!

russlynne: I'm assuming the strummed dulcimer is a mountain or lap dulcimer.

Yes it is a Mountain dulcimer. I had been wanting to get one for quite some time. I've been seeing them at several Civil War reenactments in the Sutler's Row. The couple selling them are from Ohio and they make them. I got a beautiful Black Walnut one with 2 halves of a black walnut on either side, I chose this wood because we had 5 black walnut trees in our back yard when we moved into our home 23+ years ago. I need to try to play it at least a few times each week....