Weigh-In #22

This has been a rough week. I've been sick. When I posted Wednesday morning (Working Out While Under The Weather) I thought it was just a cold. But I proceeded to feel worse on Wednesday, and absolutely awful yesterday.  My activity has dropped (yesterday I didn't even make it to 3000 steps; I had a negative Fitbit adjustment on MFP), but my food consumption has as well.  Nothing sounds good, and as I try to eat, I end up feeling nauseated. I only took in 700 calories yesterday (a little oatmeal, applesauce and chicken broth). My throat has been sore and swollen, I grimace with every swallow. My nose is stuffy and I have been running a fever.  At times it's hard to get a deep breath. Body aches all over (some of that may be from the inactivity, my body isn't used to laying around all day). I can't speak, my voice is gone.

I was sick back in February ... this seems very similar, except admittedly that time the sore throat was even worse. Then, I was laid out for four days, and then it took almost two weeks before I could actually exercise again. I hope this recovery isn't that slow. 

One bright spot this week has been the scale!
That's 3.4 down from last week. 

So I know a "sick" loss often rebounds with recovery, but I'll be doing my best to prevent that. I've dropped under 150! This is what I've been waiting for for so long! It's not even "goal" ... I'll continue to try losing until I hit my 135 - but honestly, I think I'm in a pretty good place at anything under 150.

So I've still had some "mommy" duties to do, getting the kids to and from school. I went to #3's basketball game on Wednesday night, but that was pushing it. I felt (and looked) awful. #2 had a game last night ... and I didn't go. I hate missing the boy's games. We have FIVE games on Saturday, so I hope I'm feeling better by then.

I watched "The Sound of Music" (I used to perform in high school and college and that was the last production I was in, I was Sister Margareta). I caught up on "The Biggest Loser" and "Survivor" and I'll watch "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal" today. It's weird to just watch, not watch while working out. I've tried to  get in some reading, but honestly my arms are just too tired to hold a book :)   Sleep has NOT been good (just 3-4 hours the last few nights according to my Fitbit).

Linking up with Fitness Friday ... I've noticed so many of the link-ups NOT happening lately. I guess people are just super busy with all the holiday happenings. Looks like the one at Talk Less Say More went up, so linking there too ...

How was YOUR week?

Working Out While Under the Weather

In the wee hours of the morning yesterday (about 3 am), I woke up with a tickle in my throat. It was annoying enough that I got up and ate something, just trying to "scratch the itch" but that didn't work. I tried to get back to sleep. That didn't happen. 

It wasn't a great day. I could feel my throat was swollen, not really sore (yet) but irritated. A dry cough. Just feeling off. #1 texted he wasn't feeling well and he came home from school and crashed. We were hacking it up.

Breathing in cold air always irritates my throat to a painful degree, even when I'm not feeling sick. When I'm outside during the winter, I have to have a scarf around my nose and mouth to warm the air a little before I inhale.  When I am feeling sick, I incorporate this (can I call this a Tip&Trick?) into my workouts as well. It is quite cool down in my basement gym... about 60°.  That's not a medical mask, it's actually a ear-warmer headband. I pull it down over my nose/mouth and breath through it and it helps. I really don't know if I'd be able to workout without it when my throat is irritated. Another benefit of a home gym *Ü* ... no one sees me (unless I post a picture on my blog!)

I still managed to get in five (20min) sessions on my elliptical yesterday. It takes more than a cold to keep me down. I did dial it down and kept it pretty easy, but it was better to be moving than just sitting around thinking about my throat. I've been chewing gum and sucking on hard candies to help soothe it as well. My eating has been affected ... and that's not a bad thing. Kept calories at 1300 yesterday. I did make some chicken soup, but nothing really tastes good. A hot shower at the end of the day helped a ton. I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to sleep last night, but I did ok.

Still definitely feeling it today, so I'll probably be taking it easy again. Moving if I feel up to it, resting if I don't. Maybe some elliptical, bike or walking ... no Jillian or jogging.

Even with little exercise, my calorie cutback did seem to show up on the scale.

My lowest weight in years.

So close to breaking into the 140s ...

Linking up with Weigh-In Wednesday.

How does sickness affect your exercise/eating?

Insurance Issues

Healthcare has been a hot-button topic lately. A few years ago, hubby went to a small company that didn't have health insurance as a benefit. Trying to find insurance on our own was such a stressful ordeal! Filling out tons of paperwork, and then the hubs was denied, as he had gone to the doctor to have his blood pressure and cholesterol checked. It had been high, and through diet and exercise he had gotten it under control. We appealed the decision, including his current reports and they finally did accept him on the plan with the rest of us. Our "wonderful" insurance had us paying almost $400 a month, although the $10,000 deductible meant it was basically just for basically catastrophic care, almost everything else was out of pocket.  Luckily, we are pretty healthy, despite a few broken bones, we got through the years without too many issues. We set up a pre-tax health savings account in which we tried to build a buffer of some savings for medical bills.

With the current health care changes, we received this letter (pictured above) ... under the new ACA, our premiums more than double from $381 a month to $835! I have to admit, I've been intimidated by our previous insurance application experience, and all the negative reviews on the "healthcare marketplace" so I have not checked  to see what our options would be there.

Hubby has recently changed jobs ... one of the things we took under consideration in making this move was medical insurance. We went ahead and signed up with the new company. It's still expensive (about $600 per month), and I am a little worried about the impact to corporations with government regulations this coming year. I am very afraid we'll be impacted again. But for now, I just need to figure out a new insurance company, new plan, new doctors ... it is a little better coverage (copays instead of just a deductible, which will hopefully help out. There were times in the past that I should have gone to the doctor but didn't because I didn't want to pay $150 out of pocket for a simple visit). 

So much of my journey for weight loss is to look better and feel better ... but I also do want to be healthy. While there are no guarantees, the steps I'm taking in fitness and food should help with health. I'm very glad hubby is back on board too (here). Wouldn't it be nice if there WAS a guarantee? If people ate right and exercised they would be assured of good health? I do wonder still, how many people could adapt to a healthy lifestyle even then ... 

Have you been impacted by the recent healthcare over haul?

Linking up with  two new ones this week ... 

Motivate Me Monday
Motivation Monday

... and also my usual Motivational Monday link-up as well.

Wendy @ Daily Dose of Del Signore

Tiff @ The Fit Train Katie @ The Carb Monster Alisha @ Coily Locks

How can you NOT be motivated on Monday with all these Motivational Monday blog posts going around? Monday is actually usually not a day I'm lacking in motivation ... I'm always ready to get back at it after my "wicked weekend".  This past weekend was ok. I went over calories Fri-Sun, but did manage to keep the activity up, so I didn't really go over too badly. Weight was up a bit this morning, but not as bad as I expected. Well, off to hit the elliptical!

Saturday Spotlight (#8)

I haven't been reading as much lately. Just busy I guess. During the week I do try to give a quick glance to all the updates in the blogs I follow, but I don't think I've picked up a magazine in the last week or two. Even with my huge stack of backlogged magazines, and my new subscriptions kicking in - I did pick up a few issues from my local library that I need to read and return. Does your local library carry magazines? It's a great resource! My library offers many digital options as well. If you haven't looked at your library, you should check it out.

Just a couple online articles to share this week ...

• So You're Feeling Too Fat To Be Photographed (Huffington Post). This was an article I could definitely relate with. I really don't have many "before" photos. I was generally the photographer, behind the camera, not in front. On the rare times when I was required to be in the shot I'd position myself in the back, and I'd try to delete any pictures of me I didn't like (which was most of them). Even having lost weight and getting out of the "overweight" status, I still struggle with this (Picture Imperfect). 
• How To Make Your Workout Routine More Effective (FitSugar) I thought these were some good tips (although nothing I haven't really heard before). I have been trying to incorporate these ideas into my workout routines lately.  I know I'm in a bit of a rut.
• A Polar Review: You KNOW I'm a Fitbit fan and I'm not planning on switching to anything else anytime soon, but this review of the Polar Loop did impress me. I most ways it's really the same thing as the Fitbit, but I really liked the presentation of the daily activity (of lack thereof). This past summer, Fitbit changed up there dashboard. I did a post about it (Fitbit Fluctuations) and I still really miss the "pie" chart which showed the various activity (sedentary, lightly active, moderately active, very active). Reading this review has made me switch back to the old dashboard so I could see this chart again.

Yesterday I posted a music video for my song of the week ... I think maybe I'll move my song of the week to the Saturday Spotlight. It seems to fit in more here than on my weekly weigh-in (even if it is part of a Friday link up *Ü*)

Have you been keeping up on YOUR reading this week?

Any interesting articles worth sharing?

Weigh-In #21

It was a pretty good week. My daily weigh-ins have been steady (no big ups). While the "weight-loss" for the week appears to be 1.4 pounds down from last Friday, I've weighed in at 152.7 twice in November, so it isn't a huge change.

 ... although it was enough to officially drop my MFP ticker another number.  Down 28 ...

My weekly average was 153.0, which is the lowest the average has been thus far. My total deficit for the week was 4824. I did finally up my activity average above 3000 (TDEE for the week came in at 3248).  I got in a lot of elliptical, bike and treadmill and did three "Ripped in 30" workouts (you can get more detail in my Day to Day Doings if you desire).

I also kept my average intake under 2000 (just barely, at 1937). It seemed a bit easier this week to keep calories in check. I was doing ok yesterday until we had neighbor's drop by a Christmas treat delivery ... I did partake. Still "under" for the day, but weight was up this morning after a low yesterday. I'm sure there will be more treat temptations coming up this month. 

Check out how others are doing. Get a little fitness inspiration. 

Share your own with these Friday Fitness Link-ups.

JillConyers at Fitness, Health and Happiness

Katie at Talk Less Say More

Michelle at Mind, Body and Goal

For my song of the week ... I'm betting you've already heard about this great version of Little Drummer Boy by Pentatonix (if you haven't, it really has been getting rave reviews). We've been fans of this accapella group for a while now. They've done some great re-mixes!

Are you listening to Christmas music?
What are your favorites?

... it's that time of year

I don't how the weather is where you are, but here? It's turned COLD. We had our first big snow on Monday. It took me twice as long to get the middle kids to school. I wasn't sure I was going to make it home in time to get the little ones off. With the cold ... comes hot chocolate.  I love this little dispenser, keeping a fresh batch of cocoa ready at all times.  As the snow fell, I wasn't surprised  at all when the kids asked me when we were going to get the hot chocolate maker out. It's a tradition in our home.  

Other traditions ...

The stockings hung by the fireplace ...

A variety of holiday nesting dolls

our little elf slide toy

The Winter Wonderland Skating Pond ... this was given to us LONG ago and we've really enjoyed getting it out each year! It's on it's last legs, having been beaten up through the years. A fond memory with this was my little boy taking his dinosaurs and placing them in the scene, with one poor skater in the mouth of a T-rex, with the other skaters looking up in terror ... *Ü*

The kinetic pyramid ...

A funny memory not with THIS pyramid, but Maga's.

... it caught fire and went up in flame!

A Christmas memory those there will never forget!

... and then there is the Santa head filled with M&M candies. Christmas just is not complete until he is out and filled up (and then of course emptied out) ... the "clank" of the candy jar being opened and closed is a common sound throughout the holidays at our house.

I'll have to be careful of my consumption of hot chocolate and m&ms ... :)

We are lucky to have both families so close (hubby and I grew up within a 1/2 mile of each other, going to the same Jr. High and High School but not meeting until afterward). We always spend Christmas Eve with my side of the family. The annual slideshow and calendar capture the memories from the year. The "candy bar game" is tradition too. For hubby's side, we have a family party about a week before Christmas, then we go up again on Christmas Day.

What are YOUR Christmas traditions?

Check out  Holly and Amy's  Christmas Traditions Link-Up!

More Exercise Estimates

How do you calculate you calorie burns from your workouts (or do you not worry about the numbers?) If you've been following my blog at all, you know, I'm a numbers gal. But getting a correct calorie count is tricky. Who do you trust?  I addressed the issue once a couple months ago (Exercise Estimates) and I've continued to try tracking the different variations from workout to workout, and from the different gadgets and machines. 

The picture above is from a 30 minute/2.25 mile treadmill workout. 

The treadmill said 303 calories. 

My Fitbit said 242. 

My HRM said 225. 

I love my elliptical, and I usually get in five 20 minute sessions a day. I do always mark down the numbers from my machine itself. I do NOT always put on my HRM, or start/stop my Fitbit to get a specific reading.  But last week I did try to do just that, so I would have three different estimates for the same workout. It was interesting to see the results.

Machine readouts ... 209, 201, 211

HRM estimates ... 149, 147, 155

Fitbit calculations ... 191, 186, 182

Oh course I had to get the counts for a bike workout again too ...

30 minutes/8 miles

Machine ... 211

HRM ... 192

Fitbit ... 319/158

the Fitbit overestimates when worn on my sock

the second number is my  manual entry using Fitbit's online calculations.

Not really "exercise" ... but I thought I'd compare a 40min Lawn Mow.

The numbers came in pretty darn close!

I do always wear my HRM for my Jillian workouts (30DS, Ripped in 30) and it always comes in significantly higher than the Fitbit - which makes sense, as Fitbit can't calculate for many of the movements during those routines. It is interesting to watch how it can still vary from workout to workout (even when I am doing the exact same video), and how quickly my heart rate can change, going up and down, and which exercises make it go up ...

It was a good exercise for me. While the numbers may "only" be off by 50 calories or so, when you add that up over multiple workouts ... it's a LOT.  Generally for my elliptical workouts, I've just been going by the Fitbit estimate (knowing that the machine was probably overestimating, but not bothering to put on the HRM every single time).  I'm going to continue to try and track and watch for trends and make adjustments in my calorie calculations so that as I look at my numbers, they are as correct as I can get them.

Linking Up with

Workout Wednesday & Weigh In Wednesday 

My Biggest Fan

I wanted to dedicate this post to my biggest fan ... pictured above. No, I'm not my own biggest fan, I'm referring to my actual FAN. He blows me away.  Seriously, it makes such a huge difference in how I feel during my workout. I usually don't start with the fan on, but after about 10 minutes in ... I need it. Just that little bit of air movement can cool down my heated up face and give me the energy to keep on going.

My BIG fan is positioned to where I turn it toward me while I'm on the bike. I can turn it toward me while I'm on the treadmill (but I also have a fan on the treadmill which hits my face a little better). When I'm doing a weight workout or one of Jillian's programs, I'll turn the fan so it blows in that direction.

I have a smaller clip fan attached to my elliptical as well.

Again ... I'm totally spoiled with my home gym. I guess if you GO to a gym, you don't have as many FANtastic options (although I'm sure some of the equipment has a built-in fan, like my treadmill). When I'm jogging the track at the rec center (Two Tracks) ... they have a couple fans positioned strategically along the track and I love that small breeze as I jog by.  

So just my little Tip and Trick for the day ... if you can, invest in a fan!

Check out Tips and Tricks Tuesday for more ideas, and share something of your own!

November ... A Look Back

Well ... November was my least successful month since I started tracking.  

Starting weight was 153.4.  Ending weight ... 153.1.  

The highest weight during the month was 157.1.  The low was 152.0.  

It was my lowest average burn in months, although I did keep food intake under October's numbers. I've posted all my Intake vs Burn graphs together for quick comparisons. I wonder if I can ever get an entire month without my lines touching?

Not as many successful days on my "streaks" calendar either. Only 13 out of 30 days. While I allow myself some slack on the weekends, I'm disappointed in myself over all. At a glance (without going back and examining the Day by Day) ... the 8th, 9th, 10th was my BIRTHDAY weekend, so I guess that is somewhat understandable.  I do remember feeling uber stiff/sore for the 20th, 21st ... enough that workouts were impacted... and then just having some down days.  Thanksgiving weekend was in there too.  My "Goal" ... (22,000 steps, Fitbit Burn of 3000+) IS pretty hard to hit without some dedicated time and effort. 

Now for a more exact breakdown...

I got in some treadmill (mile jog) and bike (30+ minutes) ... 

You can see I'm more motivated Mon-Thurs.

Originally I wasn't going to keep an "elliptical" streaks calendar, because I figured any day I got my 100 minutes in, I was going to get to goal. You can see (comparing the elliptical x's to the goal x's) that I CAN spend 100 minutes on the elliptical and NOT get to goal. Even the days I didn't get in 100 minutes (and no x) I did still spend some time on the elliptical. I pretty much always hit my elliptical for a bit each day.

My goal for this month was to do a full body weight workout once a week, and try to do Jillian's Ripped in 30 two times a week. I got in all my dull body weight workouts, but didn't get to "Ripped" as much as I wanted (so I have not finished it up yet, I still have week four to go). After my stiff/sore week (Feeling It) I switched things up for the last week of November. I moved my full body weight workout to Friday, and did Jillian Mon&Tues. I figured if I got stiff and sore again, it wouldn't affect me as much Sat/Sun when I'm not really getting in my usual full workouts anyway.  I'm going to try and continue this swap for December ... I do know my motivation wanes on the weekend, so my only concern is that I won't get in my full body weight workout ... but I guess that is up to me!

... I know so many gals out there keep calories at 1200-1800 every day. Me? Not so much. I'm TRYING to stay around 2000, and have set up a "streaks" calendar to mark the days I achieve that.  12 out of 30 days. Some days I made it, I barely made it; but I did have a few LOW days too. Some days I was only over by a bit, other days ... I was OVER.  My exercise is fairly routine, but I think as far as eating goes, I do a pretty good job of keeping my body guessing about what is going on :)

I had a pretty good fruity streak going there mid-November. While I do like fruit, I have to consciously make it a part of my day, or it doesn't make it in.

Walker Tracker Stats

Under goal ... lower than the last three months

... about the same as July

But better than Jan-May before I recommitted to this journey.

So ... what will December bring? I know one thing, BASKETBALL is back in full swing!  I just got most of the schedules (still waiting on one) and it looks like my Saturday afternoons are going to be booked. Games Wed and Thurs nights, often multiple practices every day. I guess that is par for the course when you are a mom to five active boys! One good thing is that the majority of the games are quite close (unlike last year when we often had to travel up to an hour each way). Some of the little boy's games are going to be at the gym with a track above (Two Tracks) so I might get some jogging in (but then again, they like me to make videos of their game highlights too, so we'll see). 

There are also Christmas activities and projects and treats ... I do think I'll just be doing my best to get through December, and looking forward to a return to the routine for January. Wish me luck ... and YOU too!

Day by Day (December 2013)

1201 (Sunday) Pretty Good Day. Weight 153.3. Fitbit Steps 20106. Total Burn 2719. Calories in 2100. Calories out 1008. Exercise: 100minElliptical. Basic Sunday ... I haven't been making homemade oreos lately.

1202 (Monday) Good Day. Weight 153.6. Fitbit Steps 28155. Total Burn 3293. Calories in 1500. Calories out 1582. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 1mile Treadmill, 45min/12miles Bike, Ripped Level 3. Back to the routine, but baby boy wasn't feeling well and stayed home from school, although he didn't seem very sick (was playing by afternoon). Took #2 to a basketball scrimmage which lasted a lot longer than I expected (over 2 hours), then #3 had basketball practice in the evening, with a 10:00 (past my bedtime) pickup.

1203 (Tuesday) Good Day. Weight 152.9. Fitbit Steps 31594. Total Burn 3494. Calories in 2000. Calories out 1791. Exercise: 120minElliptical, 30min/8miles Bike, 30min/2.5miles Treadmill, Ripped in 30 Level 4. I got in all this, plus volunteering an hour at the elementary and doing some grocery shopping. 30K day! Hubby was gone all evening with a derby workshop.

1204 (Wednesday) Good Day. Weight 152.4. Fitbit Steps 27611. Total Burn 3187. Calories in 1400. Calories out 1484. Exercise: 100minElliptical. 30min/1.75 Treadmill (Incline), 30min/8miles Bike, Ripped in 30 Level 4. A negative net day ... I just got busy in the evening taking #3 to his basketball game, I forgot to eat dinner.

1205 (Thursday) Good Day. Weight 151.6. Fitbit Steps 28453. Total Burn 3127. Calories in 2400. Calories out 1427. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 30min/2.3miles Treadmill + 40min (about 2 miles) pacing during basketball practice. Had a meeting at the school for #5, getting him in some speech therapy as he has trouble with "s" sounds. I will actually miss it, it's cute, but probably won't be considered cute as he gets older. Basketball practice for #4, then a game for #3. Neighbors dropped by a goody plate ... I caved to temptation and took a sugar cookie and some fudge.

1206 (Friday) Pretty Good Day. Weight 152.4. Fitbit Steps 20063. Total Burn 2946. Calories in 2400. Calories out 1237. Exercise: 100minElliptical. 60minWeights. Late start for the boys, and thus for me. Got in weights and cardio. Early out then #5 had a playdate at a friend's house. The boys went to watch the high school basketball game in the evening. #1 cheering for his school, #2 and #3 cheering for theirs.

1207 (Saturday) Pretty Good Day. Weight 153.4. Fitbit Steps 23604. Total Burn 2832. Calories in 2700. Calories out 1123. Exercise: 60minElliptical, 45min/3.5miles Track. Three of the boys had basketball games today, but not until later in the day. I got in a morning workout, then jogged the track during #5's game. He made one basket, but it was his team's only basket. #4 had his game at 5:00, they won. #3 had his game at 7:00, they won. Tons of snow falling today ... I do NOT like the snow.

1208 (Sunday) OK Day. Weight 153.6.  Fitbit Steps 12602. Total Burn 2308. Calories in 2500. Calories out 599. Exercise: 60minElliptical. I was thinking I'd take today as a "rest" day, but I did still do an hour on the elliptical. I almost did more, but ended up spending quite a bit of time on basketball videos and journal updates. Sunday circles in the morning, Toasted Cheese in the evening and hubby restocked our Otis (cookies) and we had that for a Sunday treat. I did keep myself to one cookie.

1209 (Monday) Good Day. Weight 153.9. Fitbit Steps 28538. Total Burn 3283. Calories in 1574. Calories out 1900. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 30min/8miles Bike, 30min/2.5miles Treadmill, Ripped in 30 Level 4. Back to the routine. Stopped at the store after dropping off the munchkins then got to my exercise ...

1210 (Tuesday) Ok Day. Weight 152.6. Fitbit Steps 20186. Total Burn 2796. Calories in 1300. Calories out 1087. Exercise: 100minElliptical. Woke up around 3:00 with a tickle in my throat and couldn't get back to sleep. Feeling sick all day, #1 too ... he came home from school. I still tried to get in some exercise, but throat is definitely a problem. Made some chicken soup for dinner. The boys had scouts and basketball practices. A hot shower at the end of the day was wonderful!

1211 (Wednesday) Ok Day. Weight 151.2. Fitbit Steps 15788. Total Burn 2531. Calories in 1000. Calories out 835. Exercise: 60minElliptical. I slept a little better last night, but still awake some of the night, although I couldn't say it was because of my throat. I started the day with a session on the elliptical, but it felt hard. Got the kids to school and did a little more elliptical. Had to cut a session short at 10 minutes to go take some medication. Ended up calling it at 60 minutes, that is good enough for today.  Feeling worse as the day progressed. My voice is pretty much gone. #3 had a basketball game in the evening, I didn't really feel that great but I took him out. Easy win for them.

1212 (Thursday) SICK day. Weight 150.8. Fitbit Steps 2806. Total Burn 1674. Calories in 700. Calories out -10. No Exercise. Not a good night for sleep. Got up and was so lightheaded. Had to grab a bucket and did dry heave ... I really had nothing in my tummy. Still had to take the kids to school, and then #5 was getting an award, so I pulled myself back for that. Then home, shower, bed ... until it was time to pick up kids after school. #2 had a game tonight and I hated to miss it, but did not feel up to going out. Tried to eat a little, but food made me feel like I was going to throw up, and nothing sounds appealing.

1213 (Friday) SICK day. Weight 148.9. Fitbit Steps 2330. Total Burn 1643. Calories in 700. Calories out -20. No Exercise. Staying in bed except for the necessary trips to the schools. Not trying not to eat, just nothing sounds good and I don't feel hungry at all.  Fever/Chills, body aches, coughing, congestion.

1214 (Saturday) Sick Day.  Weight 148.1. Fitbit Steps 3370. Total Burn 1695. Calories in 700. Calories out 14. Well, I managed to move just enough to get a tiny Fitbit adjustment (and not a negative one). I made arrangements for the first two games of the day, but decided to try and hit #4's game. He really likes the videos. Unfortunately the other team was bigger and better and I really didn't get enough footage to make one anyway. It actually felt better to try and get out then to just stay in bed, so I also went to #2's games in the evening. They won both.

1215 (Sunday) Sick Day. Weight 148.4. Fitbit Steps 1103. Total Burn 1553. Calories in 600. Calories out -20. I'd planned on staying home from church today, but actually thought I was doing better. Not sure if I overdid it yesterday, but fever was back today. I can go a while without coughing, then have an attack where I can't stop. Had a fitful nap in the morning, but couldn't get to sleep in the evening.

1216 (Monday) Sick Day. Weight 146.3. Fitbit Steps 6365. Total Burn 1860. Calories in 650. Calories out 193. Did my school carpools, but still didn't feel up to too much. By evening, I did try a small walk on the treadmill, but that was pushing it.

1217 (Tuesday) SICK Day. Weight 146.0. Fitbit Steps 1562. Total Burn 1564. Calories in 120. Calories out -20. Got up for carpool and was immediately hit with a dizzy spell and nausea. It passed enough that I was able to get the middle school kids delivered. Back at home while making lunches for the elementary kids I was hit again, stronger this time. I did throw up. I recovered enough to get the kids to school then came home and collapsed in bed. I had a few more "sessions" and I was absolutely miserable. I couldn't eat/drink anything. Hubby came home to check on me and brought some pebbled ice and picked up some anti-nausea medication, then took the kids out for some dinner (I haven't cooked in a week). Thank heavens the nausea passed before night fell ... so I was able to sleep.

1218 (Wednesday) Ok Day. Weight 143.9. Fitbit Steps 6885. Total Burn 1846. Calories in 1750. Calories out 190. Feeling better this morning, but still taking it easy. Got the kids to school, tried to do a little laundry and cleaning, as it's piled up a bit while I've been out of commission. Felt a twinge of hunger ... was able to eat almost normally. Tried a little WiiFit in the evening, but it did feel hard.

1219 (Thursday) Good Day. Weight 146.5. Fitbit Steps 15569. Total Burn 2501. Calories in 1200. Calories out 831. Exercise: 60minElliptical, 60minWeights. I meant to take a slow return to exercise, but I was feeling a bit stir crazy today. I did some elliptical and felt the desire to try some weights. It  felt good. We got hit with a huge winter storm. Basketball practices were cancelled, but the game was still a go. Hubby drove so I wouldn't have to in the snow and ice. Our boys won.

1220 (Friday) Pretty Good Day. Weight 146.8. Fitbit Steps 15272. Total Burn 2340. Calories in 1600. Calories out 670. Exercise: 60minElliptical.  Last day of school for the munchkins before Christmas break. It's baby boy's birthday today too (8 years old!). I did go grab a cake and did a little shopping. #2 and #3 went to the high school to watch basketball games there.

1221 (Saturday) Ok Day. Weight 147.4. Fitbit Steps 9898. Total Burn 2044. Calories in 1600. Calories out 369. Feeling a bit off today, head feels fuzzy. Did 20min on the elliptical but it felt really hard. A bunch of basketball today. #5's game at 12:00, #3's game at 2:00, then games at 4:00, 5:00, 5:15 and 6:00. Hubby and I alternated and had #1 son drop #3 off. I think I actually had my fill of basketball today.

1222 (Sunday) Sick Day. Weight 149.7. Fitbit Steps 3454. Total Burn 1812. Calories in 2200. Calories out -20. Same as yesterday day, just feeling fuzzy headed. Did make breakfast for the kidlets, but didn't try to exercise. Had to lay down repeatedly. Skipped most of church, just going in for my piano duty the third hour. We had a family party in the evening.

1223 (Monday) Ok Day. Weight 49.1. Fitbit Steps 15420. Total Burn 2372. Calories in 2000. Calories out 690. Exercise: 60minElliptical.  Slept in and lots to do (prepping neighbor gifts, a video slideshow for my family party and some wrapping of presents). Also a bit of last minute shopping (both for gifts and groceries). Managed to get in a little elliptical, but I was pooped by end of day! Daddy and the boys delivered the neighbor gifts (non-edible! We gave wrapping paper).

1224 (Tuesday) CHRISTMAS EVE. Weight 148.7.  Fitbit Steps 6302. Total Burn 1975. Calories in 2350. Calories out 290. Didn't get in any exercise today, it's Christmas Eve and I was busy from the get go! Made roll dough, and shaped it into orange rolls and breadsticks. Made a double batch of soup (chicken noodle and chicken and wild rice) and some rice krispie treats. Finished up the video and packed everything up and headed out to my folks for the family party. Lots of people. Eating, watching the slideshow, playing the candy bar game and exchanging gifts. Got the boys to bed and santa came. I was very ready for bed myself. A bit of a slim Christmas this year, my being sick for an entire week before Christmas didn't help.

1225 (Wednesday) CHRISTMAS. Weight 149.2. Fitbit Steps 5760. Total Burn 1927. Calories in 2650. Calories out 242. The kids seemed pretty happy with their Christmas. Hubby had a ton of little presents for me, I felt bad I hadn't gotten much for him (he said his purchase of the wave runners during the summer was his Christmas, this year/next year/ the year after ...) We headed up to Maga's and spent several hours there. Overate today and yesterday. Took an afternoon nap, then I was feeling antsy and needed to move, so I got in 20 minutes on the elliptical. Grabbed a DVD (Elysiym) and ate popcorn.

1226 (Thursday) Ok Day. Weight 150.1. Fitbit Steps 17620. Total Burn 2424. Calories in 2400. Calories out 724. Exercise: 60minElliptical + walking. #2 had a basketball tournament today. Games at 10:00 and 12:00 at a new location about 30 minutes away. I had to drive on the freeway (I don't like driving on the freeway) but the roads were clear and sunny and it was fine. Unfortunately they lost both games. The gym was SO cold. During the hour wait between games I walked back and forth and did get in quite a few steps. Better than just sitting and I needed to move so I wouldn't freeze! In the evening we had a family party.

1227 (Friday) Ok Day. Weight 150.5. Fitbit Steps 14851. Total Burn 2424. Calories in 2300. Calories out 751. Exercise: 60minElliptical, 60minWeights, 20min(1mile)Treadmill. #2 had a basketball game in the morning, I was able to get up early and get in a workout before heading out. Alas, another loss (just by three, we were always just a few points behind). We stopped for donuts on the way home ... so that is not good for calories in. Still many holiday treats too. Spent some time running kids around, but managed to get in some cardio and weights. My treadmill time was NOT a run, still not up for that yet.

1228 (Saturday) OK Day. Weight 149.7. Fitbit Steps 14521. Total Burn 2364. Calories in 2300. Calories out 671. Exercise: 60minElliptical. No basketball today! Unheard of :)  If #2's team had won their games, they would have played today, but ... there was also a shooting competition my boys have participated in in the past, but #3 (the only one eligible this year) wasn't interested. With the day off, Daddy took the boys to join Maga and cousins at the museum downtown. I elected to stay home and enjoy the quiet house. I was far too lazy, I should have gotten in more exercise than I did, but I've been more "relaxed" since I've recovered from my flu.

1229 (Sunday) Ok Day. Weight 151.0. Fitbit Steps 7705. Total Burn 1999. Calories in 1999. Calories out 304. Exercise: 30minElliptical. #5 wasn't feeling well and stayed home from church. Daddy and I traded off watching him (so I just went for the third hour). Took a bit of a "rest" day today ... although contrasting current activity with past activity, all recent days have been fairly restful ... I thought the synchronicity of my in/out was interesting!

1230 (Monday) Pretty Good Day. Weight 152.6. Fitbit Steps 20207. Total Burn 2987. Calories in 2700. Calories out 1282. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 30min/8milesBike, 50minWeights. ALMOST got to goal today ... I should have pushed it a little more. Glad to get in the activity I did, but ate quite a bit too.

1231 (Tuesday) NEW YEARS EVE. Ok Day. Weight 151.2. Fitbit Steps 13075. Total Burn 2427. Calories in 2300. Calories out 730. Exercise: 30minElliptical. Interesting to see, while my dedicated activity was the same as Sunday (just 30minutes on the elliptical) my Fitbit Calorie Adjustment was almost double today, as I stayed pretty active prepping for our party (shopping, cleaning, etc.). We had the grandparents over for games and everyone but #4 made it until midnight. #2 had a 30K day today, with a couple of basketball sessions with friends.