Camping and weight loss

You know, if we can figure this out and isolate it, we can become millionaires.   :)

I'm not much for camping in the redwoods because I live in Big Basin State Park practically, but I do love the ability to turn off the world when we go camping. My family goes to the lake to camp many time in the summer. 

"I am not really working out that much"

Yes, you are. Trust me on this. I wear a BodyMedia FIT and have worn it for about five different camping trips. You burn a tremendous amount of calories camping. Even if someone else is doing a lot of the work.

My advice to you, as someone who never really camped as a kid and isn't that into dirt, is to treat it all like a grand adventure like visiting a foreign country. I really get into now. I have all this special equipment -- shopping! -- and I plot out how to make camping as little like camping as possible.

Like this last time I had twinkle lights and other decorations on my tent, a rug outside it, an enormous camping grill where I fixed the kind of dinners you would fix at home (I don't cook normally so the cooking made it exotic). I had fun planning it all out too -- I like to plan things. Oh and I brought my own portable fireplace. Heh heh.

Outhouses are evil.

Have fun with your family.

Do you take binoculars to bird and animal watch?  That can be fun.  Seeing God's creation up close and personal.  I always come back from camping VERY grateful for my home, washer, dryer, bathroom, etc...

I grew up camping with a camping trailer, but I roughed it a few times, didn't love it, but it sure made me appreciate the life I live on an every day basis more. 

No advice, just pray and ask God to let you enjoy it and have a great time!  Sounds like you actually do have a good time and can see the blessings, it is just not your favorite place to enjoy those blessings.

I think you got it exactly.  I love the nature, and I really love the family time, but I don't love the lack of convenience and most especially I miss a warm shower.  :)

Maybe it is more about what we experienced as children. The only way my large family could afford to vacation was by camping. So we crisscrossed the country having the most amazing adventures. My dad had me and my 6 brothers well trained....we could make or break camp in 15 minutes. Everyone had a job and mine was to haul water. The outhouses didn't bother me much (I'd just breathe through my mouth), but I always appreciated a campground that provided showers. We always enjoyed searching out the campground. We climbed dunes, and swam in cold rivers. We observed national monuments, canyons and other natural structures. We found unusual flowers, birds, frogs and toads, and collected rock specimens; like gold ore or mica. We would find cool trees and vines we could swing from. We watched the weather, clouds, listened to the wind, and smelled the fresh air. We found edible fruit, and enjoyed any wildlife that was brave enough to show itself. We met interesting people and would invite them to our campsite for a meal...like native Indians. The campfires at night were the best, as well as watching shooting stars and searching out star formations, like the big and little dipper. We'd tell stories and sing campfire songs. Sometimes we made them up on the spot. It was so much fun. Except for poison ivy and mosquitos, I'm good with camping. Today there are two things I need to be comfortable. One is a decent air mattress, and two, is a pack of personal wipes for refreshing and cleansing. 

Here's a song we always enjoyed and made up new endings for it. You can make up your own tune, or maybe Alan could).

Yo mama don't wear no socks!

I saw when she took em off...

She threw them in the ROAD...(Make up a new word, like, SKY)

They KILLED A BIG FAT TOAD...(Make up new ending, like, THE BIRDS REFUSED TO FLY)

Everyone sings refrain: A ding dong, dong, dong, dong, a ding dong, dong, dong, dong, a ding dong

(A new person starts a new verse with a new ending) some of the endings were so funny, unexpected and creative, we just couldn't help laughing.

This probably doesn't help you,  Elina. You just gave me an opportunity to travel down memory lane.Thanks for that.

I loved reading your account of camping with your family.  No, you are right, it will not help me, but it will help me see it from my children's perspective and to be aware of how much this will mean to them later.  Thank you for that.  :)

My idea of camping is in an Airstream that is air conditioned with my duvet and down pillow. I hate camp site toilets/showers and bugs, bugs, bugs. But I do love a roaring fire, music, singing and laughing, hiking, canoeing, etc. So I guess look forward to aspects you love and downplay what you don't like.