Motivated Monday - Family Style

 

Well ... coming off a not great week, and a not great weekend, it's time to get MOTIVATED this Monday. I was a little worried it might be hard to get up this morning. It was Daylight Savings this weekend too. Yesterday, we "lost" an hour. A 6:30 wake up would feel like 5:30....

But, this morning was great! Hubs got up and off around 5:30, and I got up then too! I usually stay in bed, although I rarely fall back asleep. Much better to get up and at it, right? What really nudged me out of bed, was prepping breakfast and lunch for the 17-year old. He has early morning seminary at 6:00, and he's generally pretty self-sufficient. But this past week, he told me he was trying to work on HIS food/fitness. He joined a gym (which is a little pricey, but I have to admit it was a little hard having him and his friends in MY gym last summer "Boys in my Gym") and said he was going to start bringing lunch from home to school (translated "please Mommy can you make me lunches"). He also mentioned I should hold off on buying him treats. I had just bought him a package of mini red-velvet cupcakes. We actually ended up throwing several away.

Anyway - I hadn't committed to to waking up early, so I made his lunch last night. But then this morning I packaged it all up, and made him a protein smoothie (Daddy and Brother recommended) and he was off. I stopped at the store on the way home from Zumba this morning and bought additional fixings for lunches. I'll need to jump back on Pinterest for some healthy ideas (he's not trying to lose weight or anything, just cut back on sugar and processed stuff, eating healthier). 

Speaking of Pinterest ... Hubs has joined! I've mentioned it a bit in my day to day doings ... he's also jumped back on the exercise/eating wagon. It's been a few weeks now. He IS trying to lose weight, and also be healthier (cholesterol and blood pressure and such). He's tried several smoothie recipes he's found, and shared some with the munchkins (I don't do smoothies myself). He's done his shopping and meal prep for all his lunches. It's pretty impressive!

I try to have some healthy dinner ideas/options (although evenings are still often crazy around here, and family dinner doesn't always happen).  It's also hard, being SUCH a picky eater myself! This past weekend, when I was a lazy slug, Hubs exercised every day. This morning, he popped up by me on my Fitbit friend list~

 That's usually NOT the case.

Having been on Fitbit for several years, I have a ton of "friends" ... most of whom I don't really know at all. It's always fun when I see someone I actually have a relationship list in the seven featured friends (those three above, three below). I've often been at the topish of my list (3,4,5), and generally no lower than 7,8,9. This weekend's non activity dropped me down to the twenties!

Here's a little later in the morning ... back on top, of Hubs anyway.

Working my way back up into the top10.

My family pretty much ONLY has family on their Fitbit friend list. I love to see how everyone stacks up week to week. I even have my missionary in Mexico send me his steps! He can't connect/sync, so I sent him with just an inexpensive pedometer, and I manually enter his steps into Fitbit every Monday (because that's the day he gets to email me). He's been gone for over a year now, and I've been impressed with him recording and sending me his steps each week. He does it for his Mommy!

The Family Top 10 this week ...

That's my 12-year old at the top of the list. He must have slowed down a little, because for several weeks in a row his average was over 30k! Mr. Missionary is in the #2 position, and my 10-year old is there in third. Fourth position is my 17-year old , then me and Hubs, and #3. Even with his broken wrist, #3 has been participating in gym, and even jogging on the treadmill downstairs. Extended family have Fitbits too. There in the family Top10 are my two brothers and my sister. My dad is very often competitive with everyone. My oldest brother has a Fitbit too (a Surge) ... but he won't be "friends" with any of us ;)

 

Back to this morning ... all the kids got up and at 'em easily. They are SUCH great kids!

I'm a little over on my eating today, 

and I have 10minutes left to get my hour of elliptical.

I did weights though! 

Hubs is down on the treadmill right now ... is he trying to get back on top?

 

Back At It ...

It's Monday morning.  

I'm ready to get back at it, are you?

I do have to say "back at it" because I slide during the weekend. I don't STOP, but I don't do nearly as well as I do Monday-Thursday. The graph above (from my Fitbit dashboard) illustrates that pretty well. I'm always the most motivated on Mondays, in both eating and exercise. Over the weekend ... not so much. I can't tell you how excited I was to sleep in Saturday and Sunday. But those extra hours awake do add to my activity, even if I'm not spending it in active exercise. Still worth it to me though. I managed to weigh in under 150 still this morning! That's the goal!

 

I have my Pact set to six days a week, so I can take a day off if I want to. I still easily got in my 10,000 steps on Saturday but on Sunday (yesterday) ... I took a rest day. I didn't hit 10K, but I'd already fulfilled my Pact for the week, so I was fine. I do always track my food, there was some commotion over at MFP last week as a glitch in the app allowed people to add food on previous days and still count towards the pack. That was updated, and all food entries for the day had to be entered by midnight to count. A lot of people were upset, but I always try to add my food immediately  upon eating (or even before) ... it's just so easy to forget otherwise. The MFP app on my phone makes it easy to log, wherever I am. That it and Fitbit sync with Pact just makes earning a little $$ a no brainer. It's only about $3 a week, but it adds up. 

... my Achievemint points are also adding up. I should hit my reward soon. I've earned it a couple times already. So has my son and my dad. It generally is pretty slow to actually GET the award (I've heard many people complain about it) but I have gotten mine in the past. Fingers crossed that I will again, even if I have to wait a few months. 

Mondays I stop at Kmart on the way home from Zumba. It's my weekly spending of my earned Fitstudio points. I've simply linked up my Fitbit, and then everything happens automatically. I get $5-$8 in credit each week. I now stop at the store weekly, as the rewards have a quick expiration (just seven days). My son has a Fitstudio account too ... today I checked out with mine, and picked up some stuff for him, and didn't pay a penny for either purchase. If you want quick, tangible rewards, this is a great program.

It's a short week here, with the kids out of school for Fall Break on Thurs/Friday. That might impact me a little, screwing up my schedule a bit. I best take advantage of my routine for these days I have! I've got my Zumba and weight workout in so far today ... a little elliptical, and I'd like to hit the treadmill and/or bike. I'll probably NEED to, as #3 son has basketball practice until 10:00. If I stop, or even slow down, I'll want to go to sleep. I'll probably keep moving, simply as an attempt to stay awake. The 10:00 pickups do help me get good numbers most Mondays!

If you're looking for the Motivation Monday link-up ... I'm not sure it's happening any more. Our host said that there have been so few participants that she wasn't going to bother keeping it up. I am linking up with Marvelous In My Monday though ... Mondays ARE Marvelous! I love getting back at it!

Sleeping In

Ah, the weekend. For me, it means sleeping in!

I grabbed my little "sleep tile" from my Fitbit dashboard. This was yesterday (Sunday). I went to bed at 11:31 and got out of bed at 8:30. I was in bed for 8.59 hours, but only asleep (according to my Fitbit) for 6.20 hours. Sunday sleep-in. It felt so nice. I slept in Saturday too. 

I read an article that said your body is better off if you wake at a consistent time every day, even over the weekends. I don't care ... I'm sleeping in! It's so nice to turn off the alarm clock and just wake when I want. 

It was a really relaxing weekend. I banked calories in case the hubs suggested dinner or a movie on Friday night. We didn't end up going out (which I'm fine with too) and then I didn't eat much more anyway. I had a nice little scale drop for Saturday.

Saturday and Sunday were really slow, relaxing days. Not much on the docket. #5 had his final soccer game (they tied! The first game they didn't lose!) I actually got a little nap both Saturday and Sunday. I got in a bit of exercise (elliptical and bike), and just barely managed to keep calories under by burn. Still under 150 this Monday morning!

Normally I'm not a big fan of weekends. They just throw off the routine too much. I'm usually more than ready to get back to my schedule Monday morning. This weekend ... I really enjoyed, even though we didn't really do much. But ... still looking forward to today and the week ahead. Will this be the week I stay under 150 the entire time? I'm looking forward to Zumba today (and every weekday). I actually feel the urge to lift weights today, I want to feel the strength that comes when I finish. I've been enjoying my "hikes" on the treadmill, and I'm watching "Hostages" which is quite good and keeping my interest. I've also liked getting back to my reading and riding on the stationary bike. I finished up a book over the weekend (Gated) and started a new one (Anna and the French Kiss) which I'm enjoying a lot. I do have a 10:00 pickup tonight, so I'll probably keep exercising through the evening, just an attempt to stay awake. I know I was up until 11:30 over the weekend (the image at top) but that is unusual for me!

I got some blogging done over the weekend. My Saturday Stats and a September Recap. As I was inputting my journal entries, I noticed a statement I made early in September ... "The new carpool schedule gets me up a little earlier, but allows me to get in a full 40 minutes on the elliptical in the mornings (20 min before the first carpool and another session after, before 2nd carpool)." Ha Ha ... that hasn't exactly been happening of late! I've been struggling to get up and get in 10 minutes before first carpool. I usually (but not always) get in a second 10 minutes before elementary carpool, but it doesn't always happen. I really should get back to that motivation I had when school first started.

Why does sleeping in feel so good?

Linking up with MIMM and the Motivation Monday team. 

Feel free to link up YOUR Motivational Monday post too!

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Rainy Days and Mondays

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down ... are you familiar with that song by The Carpenters? Now personally, I LOVE Mondays. I'm always ready to get back to the routine, back to better eating and exercise after the weekend. But my #4 son, he really struggles. He is a homebody (like his mommy) and after a couple days in the comfort of home, it's really hard for him to go back to school. Once we get past Monday, he's usually ok again ... until next Monday.

In addition to his generalized anxiety, he has a weather phobia. We're not sure where it came from, but we've been struggling with it for a few years now. Wind, rain, thunder and lightening ... he has a hard time handling it. This past weekend was a challenge!

He'd been invited to a birthday party on Saturday ... storms were forecast. He really wanted to go, but I wasn't sure if he'd be able to overcome his anxieties to do so. The party got changed to Friday evening, which I originally thought was a good thing (weather wise) but Friday night turned out to be crazy with rain, thunder and lightening. 

The hubs and I were actually going out to a movie. I didn't want to discuss the possible incoming storm with #4 (as the anticipatory anxiety is often even worse than the actual event, he hadn't checked the weather report to notice the possibility) but I did bring it up with his brothers, who I was leaving in charge. I told them not to force him to go if he was anxious, but try to encourage him. I told them to be prepared to go get him if it got bad (the party was just a couple of houses away) and refreshed where what to do (he has a couple "safe spots" in the house, rooms away from windows, with tv/video game distractions). My older boys rolled their eyes ... but I like to cover things just in case.

As we exited the movie ... what a storm! I was anxious to get home and check on #4. He had gone to the party. He had needed to come home from the party. The storm passed pretty quick, and he actually went back to the party (thank heavens for accommodating hosts aware of his issues!) That night, the storm returned with a fury! For over an hour around 4:00 in the morning it was constant flashes and thunder that rocked the house. #4 managed to sleep through it amazingly enough!

Saturday was rainy too ... #5's soccer game was cancelled (although there were still some teams playing on the soggy fields). More rain Sunday ... no thunder and lightening until the evening. Poor #4 had to retreat to his bedroom because there are just too many windows out in the family room and kitchen. 

He was actually ok this morning. Last week was a miserable Monday morning, and there were no weather worries that day. He doesn't check the forecast as much as he used to, so I don't know if he is aware that thunderstorms are forecast for later in the day. Fingers crossed they don't hit while he's at school.

The cooler, rainy weather did impact me over the weekend. In addition to feeling anxiety over my son's anxiety, it just made me want to jump back in bed and snuggle under the covers.  There was a neighborhood 5k race Saturday morning, but I just couldn't pull myself out of bed. I did take a nap Saturday afternoon ... unheard of for me! It was a soup and warm breadsticks kind of day. We even pulled out the hot chocolate maker! Sometimes the cooler weather can motivate me to move ... just to warm up. But not this weekend! Linking up with MIMM.

Very happy to have a Monday Morning where #4 didn't have a melt down. It's hard not to let those emotions affect me. It can be hard to get into my Zumba class when I'm feeling emotionally off. Sometimes Zumba is enough to snap me out of it too, though. I still go!

...and it's time for me to head out! Zumba, here I come!

Link up with the Motivational Monday team.

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Movie Motivation

I haven't been into movies much lately. Going to them on the big screen ... it's so expensive. I have a hard time sitting for two hours, and I always over-indulge. I just can't seem to say no to the popcorn and treats. I'm a little more comfortable at home, snuggling with the hubs ... popcorn is still a probable part of a DVD experience.

The majority of my TV/Movie watching is done while I workout. I'm on the elliptical or treadmill, or I even have something on in the background while I work with weights. I tend to favor television series over movies for my workouts, although I have watched many a movie while exercising through the years.

I am a "Pride and Prejudice" fan. I'd read the book "Austenland" and was looking forward to the movie. Not enough to go see it in the theaters ... and hubs wasn't particularly keen to see it either. I was more than happy to wait until it hit DVD. I still wasn't in a rush, I so put it on hold at the local library, even though I had to wait several weeks for a copy to come in. 

My hold was available last Monday. I picked it up and wondered when to watch it. While I don't mind the start/stop as I watch shows (as I'm usually doing 10-20 minute exercise spurts throughout the day) I do like to finish a movie in a day. Last Tuesday was too busy, with double doctor appointments (a check-up for me, and wisdom teeth out for #1 son). I just didn't get around to it Wed or Thurs, and Friday is always a bit crazy. I ended up getting in plenty of exercise on Saturday, so Sunday was my day left to watch it (as it is due back at the library today). 

It was only 90 minutes, and although I have been taking Sunday's as a rest day, I figured I could get that much in. Easy elliptical ... a simple walk on the treadmill. I got in a couple 15min sessions early in the day and then ... I was dragging. I felt like I wanted my rest day.  I listened to my body and decided to take it easy. I took a nice nap. I made dinner for the kids. Chicken soup and breadsticks. I had decided I was fine with just the 30 minutes, but my tummy felt full and I actually wanted/needed to move again. So I went down and did another 30 minutes. 

Not quite enough to finish my show. I didn't quite have the energy to add ANOTHER 30 minutes, so I saved that and finished it up this morning. It was a cute story (as mentioned, I had read the book so I knew how it ended). Just in time to get it back to the library today. I was determined not to return it unwatched! Movie motivation :)

As I was having my Sunday, 

the hubs was in Seattle, at the SeaHawks game ...

I have anxiety issues just looking at the photograph!

I know I've been late with my Motivation Monday posts for the past several weeks. I was really trying to prep the posts the day before, so they were ready to go first thing in the morning... but then I've started focusing so much on my weekend, that often I needed it to be officially "over" before I did my recap. I also felt I needed to see my Monday morning weigh-in to see what the scale shift reflected. Monday mornings are a bit crazy with kids, Zumba and my weekly stop to shop. Then I take a breath and get my post done :)

Happy to say ... this morning, I was still under 150! Just barely ... 149.8.  That's my goal though, to stay under that number. It is a "magic" number for me, mentally, but also physically. For some reason that is the tipping point for my body.

It was a pretty good weekend. Yesterday, my hour of exercise didn't quite combat my calories. My intake was slightly higher than my burn. Saturday turned out to be a 30K day! It was a sports Saturday. #5 had a soccer game ... parking is such a nightmare that we ended up walking quite a ways before/after the game. Then #2 had a couple basketball games ... at the high school with a track above the court. I walked while I watched the games, and jogged the track while we waited the hour between games. Friday, I got in my Zumba and elliptical and banked my calories, as the hubs and I went out to dinner. I managed to keep my intake 500+ below my burn for the day. I call the whole weekend a success.

Linking up with the Motivation Monday team, 

and with MIMM (because I LOVE Mondays). 

Link-up your motivational blog post below!

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Good Weekend, Bad Weekend, Boring Weekend, Better?

It's Monday. Last week, I had child home from school sick. The week before it was the Labor Day holiday. The week before, school had started at the high school, but the middle/elementary didn't start until Tuesday. So I feel like today is my first real "Monday" on the back-to-school schedule.

When I write up my "Day to Day Doings" (daily stats and journal entry) I note the type of day it was: Good, Ok, Bad ... this is in reference to my eating/exercise, not if I personally had a good day emotionally (although they are often related). My weekends are almost always "BAD" as far as food and fitness, although often filled with family fun. 

This past weekend was pretty blah ... nothing much going on at all. Ironically, that made it a "good" (or at least better) weekend on the eating/exercise scale. I ate a little too much on Friday, but also got in a lot of activity, so I still had a deficit (and dropped just a bit for Saturday weigh-in). On Saturday, I didn't get in as much exercise as I do during the week (no Zumba) but I did get in an hour of elliptical and a 40minute walk. Good for a Saturday. I also totally kept calories in check! Sunday, I got in an hour on the elliptical. Calories were ok ... and an "ok" day in my rating book (but better than "bad").

My lower weigh-in on Friday ... I think that motivated me to be extra good, to see if I could get it to drop just a bit more. I was there on the 150 threshold, and I DID drop into the 149s Sat/Sun. It's been a while since I've seen those numbers. I was a bit disappointed this morning when weight was back up to 153.3 ... but I am always higher Monday mornings. I was just hoping it wouldn't have that big a jump (I'd been 149.6 Sunday morning) as I really wasn't bad on Sunday. But it's better than the last several weeks, which were always even higher (155/156).

Funny how both a low weigh-in, and a high weigh-in can be motivating. I saw the lows, and felt encouraged and excited to keep up the good work. When I see the bump up, I'm motivated to get it back down.  It can be the reverse though ... you see a low number and feel like you can let up some. You see a high number and just give up, because it's not working. A lot of it just depends on your perspective.

I'm feeling pretty positive right now ... hoping to have my usual loss as I get back into the Mon-Thurs routine. Hoping that my high, being lower than in past week, will result in a low at the end of the week. Hoping to drop under 150 and stay there! I was great to get a peek at the scale shift, now just to make it permanent! 

How was your weekend?

Linking up with MIMM and the Motivation Monday team.

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Weekend Wrap-up

I know many people dread Mondays and live for the weekends. I am the opposite. I like the routine of Mon-Thurs and the shifting schedule for Sat/Sun can stress me out so much! But this past weekend was good. Not great as far as food and fitness, but for fun with family there will be a lot of good memories.

Eating was NOT good ... after my low Friday morning, I was up a pound for Saturday, up another Sunday morning, and up again this morning. While I did over-indulge, I know I didn't eat 10,500 extra calories. So here's hoping I can get the numbers back down pretty quick.

Unfortunately, this Monday morning isn't starting off stellar. This blog post is late (sorry!) I slept in and didn't get my morning workout. #4 is feeling sick and staying home from school, which keeps me home (no Zumba). I'll get in what I can. Crazy schedule this week with sports and such. But at least with #1's nineteenth birthday yesterday, "birthday week" is behind us, so I shouldn't be tempted by treats at every turn!

Wanna peek at our weekend?

Saturday started with the first soccer game of the season for #5. He does not look happy in this picture does he? They lost, didn't get a goal (although there were several close ones!) After an undefeated season in the Spring, he is used to winning. It's good to have to learn to deal with a loss. He's now the younger of the crowd (3rd/4th grade), it's a bigger field, so a lot more running. I could tell he was tired. He did get about 7000 steps in. Fun to have a Fitbit to track it all.

In the evening, #1 chose The Cheesecake Factory for his birthday dinner. I'm not a big cheesecake fan myself, but the older boys and Hubs really enjoy it. That was a pricey meal!

On of the gifts #1 requested was this 

Lightning Action Reloaded

This is a SHOCKING game ... literally!

When the music stops and the light goes from red to green, hurry and press the button. If you are the last one, you get a shock. Levels from 1-4 in intensity. There was a  LOT of laughter over the past weekend in regards to this game!

Normally we spend Sunday at church, but it was such a nice day, and probably the last chance to take the waverunners out this season (and #1's last chance for a couple years!) to we headed up to the lake. Maga, Aunt Ana and her boys joined us. Other than a bit of wind, it was a beautiful and relaxing day. I'd planned to make #1 a nice birthday dinner but we got home too late. I did make his favorite treat (homemade Oreos) as I hadn't been able to find our usual Oreo Ice Cream cake. 

So I didn't get a lot of steps on Sunday ... didn't hit 10K even, but that was ok, as I'd already completed my Pact for the week. Calories in exceeded calories out Fri/Sat & Sun. That's pretty usual for my weekend. Then I have to try and make up for it Mon-Thursday.  So I'd better wrap up this post and get going!

How was your weekend?

Are you Motivated this Monday morning?

Linking up with MIMM and the Motivation Monday team.

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... and the "Weekend" isn't over

... ah, the WICKED weekend! Weight is up this Monday morning, which isn't surprising at all. I was actually quite good on Friday, but Saturday and Sunday... NOT good for eating or exercise. And with today being a holiday (hubs and #1 are working,  but the kids are out of school) it doesn't feel like my usual "Motivated Monday" ... although Zumba IS still on, and I'll be heading out to it shortly.

Three of my five boys had due dates of September 5th. As we got close, we always wondered if I'd be "laboring" on Labor Day. None of them happened to hit on a Monday, but it does make for a birthday week here in our home. Thursday #4 turned eleven. Yesterday, #3 turned fourteen. Next Sunday, #1 turns nineteen. That's a lot of birthday cake temptation! 

So no "taking the day off" as far as eating & exercise for me today! I'm not sure if I'll get in my usual big Monday numbers, but I'll do my best. We went out to Texas Roadhouse on Saturday night, and had the big family barbeque last night, so I think today should be fairly normal. I hope I can reverse the scale shift (it took a while last week after my Monday high), get one more birthday behind us, get back on the school schedule (what's with this "holiday" after the kids haven't even been for one week?) and see if I can't drop into those elusive 140s ...

Dang weekends! Linking up with MIMM and the Motivation Monday team.

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Back to School, Back to Schedules

I had to set my alarm for this morning. 

After a summer of sleeping in, it's time for school to start back up. #2 has his first day of high school today. It starts at 7:40, and he wanted to be a bit early today, so we left the house at 7:00 (normally, I think we'll try for 7:15 or so). I did manage to get up early enough to get in 20 minutes on the elliptical in before making his lunch and driving him to school.

The middle school and elementary start tomorrow. The carpool will be a bit crazier this year. #1 was in high school last year, but he was driving himself. Now I have to get my new high schooler and the middle schooler to their respective drop offs (rather than just dropping them off together) and arrange for multiple pickups after school. The elementary is starting  a bit later this year. Last year, although I drove both ways every day (due to #4's anxieties) I did have another family for backup when needed. Not this year though. That is the struggle with having my kids at out-of-boundary schools ... no carpools. Just me.

I didn't have my alarm set for 5:30 (like in the picture), mine was set for 6:30. But ... I was up earlier. Well, not UP, but awake. Do you do that? Just lay in bed for a bit, awake? My oldest, now a working man, it up at 5:00 (if not earlier) each morning, and although he isn't noisy, as I'm a light sleeper, I often am awakened by his morning prep. Hubs is up sometime between 5:00-6:00 and I can't sleep through his morning routine. I SHOULD always just get up and get started on the day. During the summer, I'd sometimes slip back to sleep, but with school in session, I need the extra time in the morning.

I really NEED to start my day with a small session on the elliptical. It's my thing. I don't quite feel complete without it. I need to see that green spike on my Fitbit activity graph (the ratio is thrown off without it!) This past weekend, I wasn't great at getting my elliptical in first thing, but I did get in at least ONE 20min session each day ...

Friday ... #2 has his sophomore orientation, so I needed to drop him at the school in the morning. I squeaked in 10 minutes on the elliptical (not enough to earn me a green spike) and then went straight to Zumba. After Zumba ... I went to Zumba. Then I wasn't terribly productive the rest of the day, but I HAD to get in my "elliptical green spike" ... and I did, a bit later in the day.

Saturday ... I was dragging a bit. I'd been up in the night. Thunderstorms, my poor little boy with his weather phobia (Anxiety Issues).  I didn't get in my elliptical session until mid-day (mowing the lawn and some cleaning got me some orange "moderately active minutes").

Sunday ... I slept in, but then got up and hit the elliptical first thing. That's how I like it! You can see the walk to/from church, then some more cleaning ... and a little badminton there around 8:00 (gotta wait until the sun isn't shining in the eyes!)

We had my folks over last night for "Grandparents and Games" night. 

 Hubs handled dinner, a wonderful barbeque; bacon wrapped filet mignon, marinated chicken, mashed potatoes, steamed green beans. So yummy. It's #4's birthday this Thursday (with #3's next Sunday and #1's a week after that. It's birthday week at our house!) so there was cake too. Yes, weight is up this Monday morning.

Grandpa challenged the boys to ping pong, offering them $1 if they could beat him. #2 and #3 earned $1.  #4 couldn't quite beat Grandpa, but he's getting better (he and I have been playing almost every day). We played a little badminton too ... funny how much we are enjoying that!  Grandpa also told the kids that he would pay them $100 if they could beat him in tennis! I don't know how skilled my kids are at tennis (I did enroll them in lessons once several summers ago, but they never seemed very interested). I played my dad a few weeks ago ... I ALMOST beat him but he did prevail there at the end (I wouldn't get the $100 though, just the kidlets *Ü*). 

So ... weekend recap (MIMM) and a little excitement to get back on a school schedule, even with the challenges it brings. I must admit, I don't mind a little "alone" time during the day too! Well, time to wrap up this blog post and add to my one elliptical session I have done already ... up next ... Zumba!

Share your weekend and/or motivational post and link up with the Motivation Monday team!

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Weight Up After The Weekend

Actually ... I say that every week! It's the truth! Weekends are difficult for me. Less exercise, more eating. I crave the return to the routine, although summer routine is different than school routine. This is our last week of "summer" as school starts up again next week. This past weekend ... NOT so good weight wise. Scale is UP this Monday morning. I've never understood why anyone would choose Monday as an "official" weigh-in day, as it's almost always my worst weight day of the week. I can usually get back into my routine and ready for weigh-in Friday morning ... right before I screw it all up again!

Fridays are a mix between the regular routine and the weekend. This past Friday, I was able to get in my hour of Zumba and 60 minutes on the elliptical.  I took the kids out for some fun (mini-golf was the choice that day and I was able to get some steps) and the evening was spent at a wedding reception.

Saturday, I got up and was about to head out to a Zumba class when my 10-year old begged me to play badminton with him. Sometimes you just gotta stop and play badminton. I then went and got in 20minutes on the elliptical ... and that was my only elliptical for the day. I did a little Zumba (just a couple songs, showing my 10-year old the steps. I've wondered if he might like to join me. Other moms bring young daughters ... but I could tell he was getting very flustered and would stress out too much). I mowed the lawn and got in a little ping-pong (#4 was purposely trying to be active and get some steps in). In the evening, the hubs and I went to a show at a local theater.

I love how the Fitbit activity graph displays my day! You can SEE the car ride to the theater (no steps) then the walk into the building, then no steps for a couple hours during the show, the walk back to the car, then the car ride home. You can see if something doesn't force me to stop and sit, I seldom do!. 

This graph doesn't show the eating, just the activity.  I record my food in MFP and it does transfer to Fitbit and is shown in other graphs there. The show we went to on Saturday is a dinner theater, and hubs and I ordered some of their cheesy bread. Mmmmm... cheesy bread.

Not low calorie  stuff. 

It was also a cookie weekend. I made cookie press cookies on Saturday (pictured here, although I didn't use my snowflake disk ... I should have! Snow in summer. Maybe I'll have to make some more, as they are all gone, much to the chagrin of the kids and even hubs. I "helped" them get gone more than I should have").  Yesterday, #1 son made gingersnaps ... well, he made the dough, packed up half of it and went to his friend's house. I turned the remaining dough into cookies for the family. They are another family classic (recipe here). They always get rave reviews.

Sunday I only got in 20minutes on the elliptical. I walked to/from church and played a little badminton with #4. I managed to squeak in my 10k (although I'd already fulfilled my Pact for the week, so I would have been ok even if I didn't).  I actually didn't get around to logging my dinner until Monday morning, so I got a notice that my food log for Sunday didn't count (as I didn't log three meals). Just another reason I do give myself the one day of leeway.

 My Pact money is slowly adding up!

I haven't had to pay out anything, I've only earned.

That was MY weekend (linking up with MIMM).

I guess it's no wonder weight is up this Monday morning. Time to get back at it. Squeeze in what fun we can this last week of summer. I also have my annual physical, and an appointment at the DMV to get #2's learner's permit. Then next week, schools and schedules start back up ... and I like that! I'll look forward to Mondays more than ever! Yea Monday! Hopefully I can shake things up and lose these last few pounds!

How does the summer schedule affect your exercise/eating?

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Mojo A Gogo

 NOPE.

My motivation has fallen and it can't get up. For the past couple weeks, I've felt a bit like I've just been going through the motions. Luckily, my elliptical sessions are such a habit with me, that they get done pretty much regardless of how I'm feeling. I get up, and hit the elliptical for 20 minutes. I'll get back to it at least twice ... 60 minutes of elliptical per day.

Ok ... I only did 30 minutes on Saturday, but I mowed the lawn and did some grocery shopping too. I still got almost 15,000 steps that day, but that is low for me. I've been dropping down, down on my Fitbit friends list. I have a commitment with Pact for 10,000 steps per day (six out of seven days, I do give myself leeway for one day off, although I rarely need it). 

My Zumba is almost second nature at this point too, but it had some glitches this past weekend. My Thursday group had taken July off, but was now back. While they were on hiatus, I had tried soccer a few times and really enjoyed that. Thursday I was faced with the decision of which to attend. Soccer does take more "oomph" and I'd missed this group of instructors, so I went to Zumba. The key didn't work to get into the building, so we Zumba-ed outside (we'd had to do this once before!)

It was lacking a little oomph. It was cut short (as it started late trying to get up and running). On a more motivated day, I might have bailed on the Zumba and gone out to soccer. But Thursday, I just didn't care enough or have the energy for that. I didn't get in my full hour, didn't get my big burn and steps, but again, just didn't really care. It was still fun.

Friday there was another Zumba glitch! My usual class was cancelled, so I was going to attend a different one. I went there, only to find an empty parking lot. I should have got on my phone and checked the Facebooks (where I would have found out they had moved to a different church the gym here had been redone) but I just gave up instead. No Zumba for me on Friday. No Zumba all weekend. I could have Zumba-ed on Saturday, but the 7:00 class was just too early for my tired morning self. I didn't even have energy for an 8:30 one. I certainly didn't gave the motivation to do it myself in the basement to a YouTube playlist like I would have just a few weeks ago.

Not sure if I'm burned out, or if it's some of this emotional stuff going on, or just that it's summer, sleeping in and other activities impacting the days. My 10-year old beat me in steps yesterday and he was pretty proud of that fact (and I did manage to get 17100 with an hour of elliptical and walk to/from church).

We did introduce a few family activity over the weekend.  I'd bought this "instant up" net set for badminton. Saturday night the conditions were perfect. The sun wasn't in the eyes, it was pleasant and cool ... and the internet was out (so no streaming!). It was fun to see the kids play badminton and volleyball. I even joined in. There was more family fun Sunday night too (with Daddy and #2 joining in as well).

I didn't get my blog post ready on Sunday (so it's late this morning!) ... my motivation has been a little lacking in the blog arena too. Maybe if you all link up YOUR motivational posts, I'll get my mojo back!  Linking up with MIMM and the Motivation Monday Team. 

Share YOUR motivational post!

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If Time Was Not An Issue ...

What if your schedule was completely open for a week?  I know many of you might skip out and go on vacation, but I'm not a vacation gal. In fact, a vacation is what made my "absolutely open" week possible. The hubs took the kids on a road trip & camping.  I stayed home. I just wasn't up for the travel and everything (Anxiety Issues, Can I Take a Vacation From the Vacation) and the prospect of some alone time is  appealing. It's not something I'd want all the time, but for one week in the middle of summer chaos, I'll take it.

This was my second time home alone. Last year the hubs and the kids took off, I did have a really productive week on my own. This year, I started off strong. I got in weekend workouts. I improved me eating ... I broiled me a salmon dinner with green beans (something I don't make with the family home as hubs is allergic to fish and the kids just don't like it). I tackled some jobs in the kitchen that I just can't do when the kids are around (cleaning out the pantry and drawers. I sure made a bigger mess before I got everything cleaned back up). I cleaned up ... and without five boys and their friends around it actually STAYED clean. I did tend to stay up a bit later, and then sleep in. Because I could.

I got in a few things that I wouldn't with the kids around. My boys are older, and very responsible, so I'm fine leaving them for an hour here and there while I hit my morning Zumba class or grocery shopping. But I don't like to leave them for too long, and they do need me around (chauffeur, chef & police officer "mommy" duties). Without any carpool or kid commitments, I went to the salon and got my hair done. I went out to my parents to visit and spend the afternoon. Played some tennis with my dad, went out to lunch with my mom. I was even going to try a hike with my brother, but then it rained.

It rained a LOT ...

 

One of our rain gutters is clogged, and I watched as the water dripped directly into one of the window wells. I kept an eye on it, and the water got higher and higher and I knew I needed to bail if I didn't want water damage downstairs.

 So ... impromptu arm workout that day! 

I got tired, and drenched!

I do feel a little bad missing out on the family memories being made on vacation, but it's often good to have someone home to keep an eye on things too. Man the mail, pick up the paper, mow the lawn, screen the phone calls, water the plants ... bail the window wells.

About mid-way into my stay-cation ... my motivation took it's own vacation! I was actually spending less time working out than normal. I had a bit of a binge ... with no one to see or judge, I ate ice cream straight out of the container. I made cookies, not a good idea with no one around to help me each them ( I rationed them for a day or two, limiting myself to one or two a day, then ... well, they are gone). I'd find myself thinking "I'll just rest and read, because I can always workout later" rather than my usual  thoughts of "I need to get this in now because who knows when I'll get it in otherwise".

It was an interesting experience, this "alone week" of mine. I've always known I like schedules and routine, but I can see that I can be much more productive, even when I have less free time on my hands. I manage to squeeze in my exercise sessions between the boy's basketball, walking while they play, getting up earlier and making the most of the day. I can make the time if I have the motivation.

So, as I'm writing this ... prepping my post on Sunday, my boys will be back any minute. I have a pot of chicken veggie soup and homemade bread sticks waiting for them. The house is clean (for the moment).  I know it will be chaotic as we unpack, there will be loads of laundry to do. We have a few more weeks to squeeze in any summer fun, as school is right around the corner.

I'd hoped to have SUCH a good food/fitness week while I had no excuses. I secretly thought maybe I could sneak my weight under 150 ... Unfortunately, that didn't happen. My weight is up ... I wonder how this gain would compare to what would have happened had I gone with the family. Oh well. I've had my vacation.  Time to get back at it. Back to kids and cleaning and carpools and fitting in workouts where I can ... which actually works pretty good for me.

Linking up with MIMM and Motivation Monday.

YOU can link up below!

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Motivated Monday!

I'm not normal. It seems like whenever people talk about something "the average person" likes, dislikes, needs, etc ... it just doesn't seem to apply to me. Take Mondays. I LOVE Mondays. I dread the weekends! While I know many fitness fanatics don't care for rest days ... they often seem to say they come back refreshed anyway. Not me. I took a rest day last Sunday and proceeded to have a pretty crappy week. Admittedly, there was some other stuff going on too (see last Thurs and/or Friday's posts) but I feel like the rest day just stopped my momentum. I did NOT rest this Sunday and I'm feeling totally ready to attack the week!

Looking back on the weekend ... on Friday, at Zumba, I FINALLY felt like I was "back". I felt the Zumba joy, finally! The hubs and I hit a movie in the evening (The Edge of Tomorrow) and I really enjoyed it. Ate too much popcorn and treats though, not sure if it was that, or if I just picked up the germs for the kidlets (who had been sick Monday and Thursday last week) ... in the wee hours of Saturday morning ... I was sick. Luckily I was a "one and done" but my Saturday was pretty much shot.

I've mentioned my various reward programs (Reaping the Rewards, Reward Updates) before and said that I wasn't sure if they motivate me, as I'm generally working out regardless ... but this weekend was an exception. I am signed up with PACT, where I have committed to "workout"  six out of seven days in the week (10,000 Fitbit steps count as a workout).  I like that little bit of leeway, but I like to have my Pact completed by Saturday, so I can take it easy on Sunday if I want.  I did try some elliptical on Saturday, but I was feeling pretty wiped out. I only got in 15 minutes, and a couple little five minute sessions. Near the end of the day I was at 8,500 steps, so I decided to just go ahead and hit the elliptical again to get to 10k for the day.

Often I try to get 10,000 steps by 10 a.m. 

... on Saturday, it was all I could do to get them by 10 p.m.

But I got them!

 Unfortunately my sickness didn't affect my appetite.
#1 picked up donuts on Saturday ... and they tasted good.
I still had plenty to add to my food log.

I spent a little time Saturday playing around on the Fitstudio site too ... generally I've just been pretty happy to check in once or twice during the week to check on my points. I mainly just want to get the 14 miles to earn my 5,000 points ($5 store credit). I'll usually take a minute to sign up for a goal or a challenge while I'm there, approve any friend requests. These little things get you a few extra points. I was proactively going after some additional points though ... linking up my Facebook, posting a status, sharing my status on Facebook. I think I might try to do that more often to get a few more points ...  and of course exercising too! 

I spent a little time on the Fitbit site over the weekend as well! I'd been talking to Fitbit customer service about my little device. For the past several weeks, my "floors" counter has gone a bit crazy (I mentioned it mid-June, Stacked Stats). I just wasn't sure if the Fitbit crediting me with 200+ flights of stairs was perhaps inflating my calorie count. Even though my Fitbit was over a year old, and otherwise working properly, Fitbit customer service said they would send me out a new one. I received it on Saturday and got myself set up. As my old one did count steps and active minutes properly, I went ahead and assigned it to kid #3 (the only one in the family without a Fitbit). We'll just disregard the floors and the calorie burn, but he can compete with us all on steps.

 As I was on the Fitbit site, I rearranged my tiles, and discovered one (This Week's Activity ... see it in the middle there) which hadn't been there last time I checked. Admittedly ... I don't remember when I had actually looked last. I can switch that tab to to calories too (in and out!)

I think I'll keep it there on my chart.  Fitbit is always changing and evolving. I still remember the old dashboard ... and I still really miss the pie chart (Fitbit Fluctuations). There are some additional changes I'd REALLY LIKE (future blog post rant?)

So ... back to the weekend! Sunday, I woke up feeling completely better and ready to get at it again. NOT taking a rest day, not taking it easy as I sometimes do on "Slow Sundays". The hubs went off for a bike ride, and I hit the elliptical and then did some YouTube Zumba. It was raining off and on ... it would stop and start so suddenly. I've been walking to and from church every week, but I just wasn't sure if I should risk it. I did. And I got rained on! I was completely speckled walking into church even with my mad dash there at the end! Pretty funny! The little boys had been shooting some bb guns over the weekend, and after church they were out shooting cans when the rain came again. It didn't stop them either (which is actually kind of a big deal, if you know my #4 who has a weather phobia! Anxiety Issues).

I also finished up my latest TV series over the weekend (Big Love ... all five seasons). I was ready for it to be done. Ready to move onto something else. I guess I'll try Warehouse 13. I've heard good things about it and was a fan of The X-Files back in the day (also watched season 1 of Fringe, which seems similar). You know TV is a big motivator for me (Me and the TV). I finished up my book too. Sometimes it's hard to decide what to commit to next in both TV and books. I do want something I'm excited about, that urges me to hit the elliptical or stationary bike to get in a show or some reading.

Linking up with MIMM and of course, co-hosting the Motivation Monday linkup.

How was YOUR weekend?

What have you found has been motivating you lately?

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