Summer Updates!

I hope you are all enjoying a good summer! Summer is very short here in the upper Midwest, so I try to enjoy it to the max! I rode 318 miles in June and already have 91 on the books for July. I have also done some hikes/walks, played tennis a few times (more like volleying the ball back and forth) and have shot a few hoops. Tennis and basketball are part of my rehab for my shoulder.  I am very cognizant of what I am eating, too. My reward is that I am down by three pounds (!!) since summer began. That leaves me 17 for my focus goal.

One of my go to foods is a cup of Fage yogurt mixed with a little fresh or frozen fruit. I also now finely chop up kale and add that to the yogurt. It is really good. I am trying to increase my dark green leafy vegetable intake. I eat plenty of salads and nearly every day, but the dark green leafy veggies like kale and Swiss chard, are foods that have not been part of my diet. Finely chopped Swiss chard is really good with scrambled eggs.

Summer is also time for gardening. My hubby and I scaled back our pollinator garden so that it is more manageable and not so overgrown. Enjoy a few pictures!

Finally, Finding Dory (http://movies.disney.com/finding-dory) is a movie that is on many “must see” movie list for the summer of 2016. And for good reason. With Ellen DeGeneres as Dory, what is there not to love? But, what many might not know is that Finding Dory is an example of a film that lifts up inclusion and disability (short term memory loss) that focuses not on what Dory lacks, but on the strengths that she possesses. I invite all of you to take some time out this summer to see it. Better yet, see it with a kid. It offer many opportunities to explore what it means to overcome one’s challenges with courage, humor and determination.

Stay strong!

Michele

Summer

Happy Summer!

I maybe an occasional blogger, but that does not mean that I am not still working on my health. As a matter of fact, I am closing in on 1000 miles cycled this year. About 10 days ago, a group of family and friends rode in the our de Cure, a fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association. It was a great 43 ride on a beautiful day!

I continue to work at eating less and moving more. I have lost a total of 50 pounds and am out of the obese category. I am focused on my next 20 pounds now. I am a very slow loser as most of you know, so this will take me most of the rest of the year to accomplish. But, that is okay. I'm worth it.

I basically eat the same things every day. I have also learned the benefits of preparing my meals and snacks in advance. It really helps me to have my food ready so when I am hungry I can just grab something that I know is going to be within my calorie limits. 

Stay strong! You can do this, too. 

Michele