Like many other people at the start of the year, I have begun a
weight loss program at my local YMCA gym. After putting up with a very unattractive spare tyre around my middle, I was determined to do something. So I've rejoined the gym for an intense 12-week weight loss program. I was told the first two weeks are the hardest, especially with the diet which is mainly protein, fruit and vegetables - no carbohydrates. The diet is difficult but I'm getting used to it. The best thing is that one day a week I can eat whatever I like. I've begun dreaming about food. Part of the program is walking at least 10,000 steps a day and I've now gotten into a routine of getting up and doing about 6,000 steps before breakfast (protein shake and fruit). I also drink lots of water which is okay and something I've always done anyway. Our group of about 10 has two sessions per week at the gym with our personal trainer and I'm enjoying that. So I really feel I'm getting somewhere and may even get to my target weight of 60 kgs by the end of the 12 weeks. The gym took a "before" photo side-on in all my pot belly glory. I feel like one those sad people on those "lifestyle" shows(which I emphasise I don't usually watch!) who are cajoled into pushing themselves. Fortunately our personal trainer is very sweet and doesn't bully us into submission. I've already lost about 2 kgs so that's some progress. But gee I look forward to my "free" day when I can indulge without a guilty conscience.
P.S. no the photo is not me - it's a promotional photo from the gym (but it could be me in 12 weeks - fingers crossed!)
Last year I joined a camera club, Queensland Camera Group, to meet like-minded people and learn to improve my photos. The club is full of enthusiastic friendly people inspired by a love for photography. There are monthly club competitions and seminars by guest speakers teaching us about different aspects of photography. I have entered some of my photos over the last few months achieving an "Acceptance" and receiving some helpful tips from judges on improvement. This month, I am very excited to have achieved two "Honours" from judge Anne Russell. In January I did a weekend course on Digital Photography at the Queensland College of Art, at Southbank which I very much enjoyed and learned a great deal. I took several photos during that weekend and two of them were the ones which got "Honours" at this 
month's competition - "Yeller Propeller" and "Fountain or Ashtray?" So now I am "honoured" to be part of the group to have won "Merits" or "Honours" and therefore featured in "Club Competitions" gallery. There you will find my photos among a number of outstanding photographs by other club members. I am very proud to be among them and am sure you will enjoy them all too.