Lost and Found

I've been a Fitbit Fan(atic) for over four years now. I'll admit, I have been rather proud of myself that during that time I've never worn it in the water, accidentally washed it, or lost it. My streak came to an end this past week.

I was at my son's soccer game, when I felt for my Fitbit. It wasn't there. I had changed from my workout wear into actual clothes, so I assumed I had simply forgotten to transfer the device ... I'm pretty good at remembering, but that does happen from time to time. Do steps really count if you're not wearing your Fitbit? *Ü*

We went home, and I looked around. No little Fitbit One to be found. I could then distinctly remember I HAD reattached it after I had changed earlier ... which meant one thing. It was LOST! It had fallen off somewhere. Oh no!

Some time ago, I had heard of a helpful app called BTL Explorer. It SHOULD be called the "Find My Fitbit" app! It can detect the Blue Tooth signal coming from a Fitbit. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but if you are close enough (you need to be within about 20feet or so) it will pick up the signal. It will show you if it is a One, Zip or Flex. There is a number displayed next to the device name, and the lower the number, the closer you are to the device. 

I opened up the app ... my husband's Flex appeared, three of the boys were home, and their three Zips showed up. No One. I knew it was a long shot, but I decided to go back to the soccer field and walk around. 

I parked in the same spot and retraced my steps. It had been a bit of a walk in. I went to the spot where I had sat down watching the warmup. I walked around the entire field ... as I had walked around the field during the game. I was about to give up when... "One" appeared on the app! My Fitbit was out there. It was close by! Unfortunately, by this time it was completely dark! I hadn't thought to bring a flashlight, so I was on my hands and knees, running my fingers through the grass, trying to use the light from my phone, while watching the app, playing hot/cold with the changing numbers.

I found it!

I was SO happy to be reunited with my Fitbit! I am addicted to the feedback. I just thought I'd share my little story, and give a shout out to the BTL Explorer app (it's free!). I mentioned it to my boys, so they would know there is an option if the Fitbit falls off. You DO need to know the general area for this to work ... but it worked for me. I then used the app to narrow down WHERE exactly Hub's Flex was (he hadn't been able to locate it in a couple days) ... the numbers grew smaller as I approached the closet, then one side of the closet. I found it in the pocket of a pair of shorts.

It's a handy little app to have!

And speaking of soccer ... it's been a tough season for my munchkin. He's coming off an undefeated season last Spring.  He scored a goal (usually more than one) in every game. This year? They hadn't been able to score yet. But Thursday night ... the first (and still only) goal for the team!

My little guy had HIS Fitbit on ... he gets quite a few steps during these soccer games. I haven't made it back to MY soccer in a while. I need to. It is such a workout, I really need to get my motivation up to attempt it. It's at the same time as my Zumba, and it's hard to have to choose between the two. But seeing my munchkin out there running and kicking does put in me a soccer mood.

Second Time At Soccer

Three weeks ago, I posted about going to SOCCER for the first time in years.  Overcoming my extreme anxiety for trying something new (Sweating Soccer Style). It was a lot of fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I had been looking forward to going again ... and then my munchkin got sick I had to skip it the next week. The week after that was a state holiday so no soccer that day. As I anticipated going back this week ... I can't believe how nervous I was about it! So anxious I considered not going.

I was actually afraid that would happen. I know myself!  Several years ago we did a family 5K. It was my first 5k race. It's been my ONLY 5k race. Seriously, I was on a pretty good high after finishing that first 5k. I came home and looked up others, anxious to try it again. Then I didn't. And I haven't.  And I'm not sure if I'll be able to overcome my anxiety issues enough to try again at this point. 

When my little guy got sick that Thursday morning two weeks ago and I skipped soccer ... I wondered if that would impact me going back. If I'd talk myself out of it. 

One of the things that helped me this morning was that I did NOT have my usual Zumba class to go to instead. My Thursday class took a summer break for July, but had been scheduled to start again today. But then they posted they were postponing the return until next week. So my schedule was absolutely open for soccer. I felt anxious and nervous instead of excited ... but I went.  And it was fun *Ü*  Now I'll have to make some decisions about Zumba/Soccer in the coming weeks, as they do happen at the same time.

My second soccer experience was similar to the first. This is a very casual, easy going, fun game. But it's so interesting to see how quickly my heart rate jumps, and how easily it stays elevated (whereas with all other exercise I really struggle to get my heart rate up and keep it up). I didn't quite get as high a calorie burn as I did the first time (635 vs 783 per my HRM). Although I was still super sweaty today, I didn't feel like I pushed it quite as much. After my first time, I had trouble driving home! My right leg was SO wiped out I actually had to use my hand to help lift my leg from gas to brake. I was SO sore for a couple days afterward. We'll see how I do this time!

I'm going to make it a goal to go to soccer at LEAST once a month. It will be interesting to see if my body acclimates to the sudden sprinting soccer requires. To watch if my heart rate continues to easily elevate, or if it adjusts. I'd like to improve my skills, run a bit more and up my step count and Fitbit calorie estimate. 

Back in the day when I actually played soccer (as a teen, Soccer Past & Present) I was always more comfortable in the defensive positions. I find myself naturally falling back into the defensive positions these times I've played as an adult. The forwards do have tend to run a lot more, and I fear the responsibility of taking a shot. But it would be fun to score ... I'll have to keep working at it.

I'm glad I went again today. Another NSV ... I hope at some point going to soccer will be ordinary and regular, NOT an NSV, but it still is today! *Ü* I wonder if I should just go and play, and not watch my heart rate, but it is so interesting to me to see how the different activities affect my heart rate and calorie burn estimates. I love numbers and the feedback and comparisons workout to workout.  Did you notice anything different about my HRM too?

Sweating Soccer Style

Oh my heavens, I am wiped out! I thought I was somewhat in shape ... with my Zumba, elliptical and other workouts. But a few minutes out there on the soccer field and I knew, this was different! I've played soccer before, when I was a teen, and then again very casually about eight years ago. I also got a little in while coaching the kids (Soccer, Past&Present). A couple weeks ago (Soccer Stuff) I mentioned driving by a building called "Soccer City" on the way to one of my Zumba classes. There were signs out by the road advertising adult leagues, and I was intrigued enough to check them out online. I was pretty sure I wasn't ready to commit to an actual team or league, but when I read about the drop-in open play ... hmmmm.

It almost seemed like fate. My Thursday morning  Zumba class was taking July off. This was offered on Thursday mornings. I continued my Zumba class through June, and the first week of July I went to a different Thursday Zumba (I'd looked around for an alternate class, so I'd at least have that option).

But today ... I tried the soccer.  I am always SO nervous when I try something new like this. I had my heart rate monitor, and I find it funny to watch my heart rate speed up on the WAY to a new exercise option, before any actual exercise even starts! I'm always uber anxious about driving to a new location as well. At least today, I knew exactly where I was going. That was good!

I brought some running shoes (no cleats on the indoor fields) ... I brought soccer socks and shin guards, but didn't end up putting them on (they aren't very comfortable). I wasn't sure if I'd be allowed to wear my HRM (watch on wrist). Even in kids soccer/sports, they usually require all jewelry, watches and other items off just to avoid any possible injury. But no one said anything, so I left it on and was very happy for it's feedback throughout the game. I started my Fitbit timer too ...

Very interesting to compare the stats to my Zumba workouts.   I'd glanced at my Fitbit during the game and wasn't too impressed with my numbers. I did notice my heart rate was UP ... and it stayed up, even when the game slowed (or I just slowed, unable to keep up anymore). Usually my heart rate drops quite quickly if I stop moving. Today, I waited a couple of minutes to take my stats picture (we were chatting a bit) and it was STILL in the 140s when I pressed the button to stop the count.  I took my HRM off when I got in the car, but I probably should have left it on, and watched to see how long it remained elevated (I'll do that next time).  For a moment, I was a bit confused that I was only "in the zone" for 20 minutes ... then I realized that much of my time out of the zone, I was above it! 159 was my average heart rate. Personally I knew I was more sweaty and felt absolutely exhausted and hurting in a few places (not injury hurt, just "you used this muscle" type hurt). Seriously, driving home and having to lift my foot from the gas to the brake was a challenge!

So I'm glad I went, and I plan on going again. It will be interesting to see if I can get these HRM again and if I can improve the Fitbit numbers. Today, I played the entire time (although admittedly, some of the time I was really wimpy and just watching as I tried not to collapse). If more people show, they form three teams and rotate (one or two games on, then a rest). While normally I don't like stopping and just watching ... I probably could have benefited from it today!

Thought I'd share my experience as a definite NSV for me! Just the courage to try something new, adding a new exercise, hitting a new HRM high. I've been thinking about trying this for so long now (several weeks, since I drove by the building). It's great to have put the thought into action. Still, I know I'll be thinking about this, and Thinking Out Loud about soccer today, and I'm sure I'll be posting about it again in the future!

Soccer Stuff

A lot of people are talking about and watching soccer right now, as the World Cup takes center stage. I consider myself a soccer lover. I played when I was a teen. I coached my kidlet for a few years. I even joined an adult league for some pick-up games a few years ago (Soccer: Past and Present). I don't really get into watching professional soccer ... I watch on the lower levels though. Rec ball!

All my boys played soccer for a year or so ... then my older boys moved onto basketball. #4 broke his arm during a game and said he would never play soccer again :(   But my baby boy ... he's still kicking the ball around.

He just finished up his Spring season. This past Saturday he came up to me and asked "Mom, what time is my soccer game?" and I had to remind him that the season was over. I went through the video clips and made a highlight video of his soccer season. Between my son and another little boy, our team dominated and had an undefeated season. The coach (my BIL) would "rest" our star players, or separate them (one on defense, one on offense ... that really would make a huge difference when the boys didn't have each other to work with) to try and give the other teams a sporting chance. 

 

 My kid is #13

While I do love watching, it's a little painful ... especially when the kids are so young. They are getting better at spreading out around the field , passing and playing as a team. This was the first year they played with goalies (and there were some good little goalies out there! Our boys would have made quite a few more goals if their shots hadn't been stopped). As I enjoy playing soccer myself, sometimes I just want to jump out on the field and join in (I NEVER have that feeling with basketball ... that's just a spectator sport for me). 

As I've been driving to a new Zumba these past few weeks ... there is a big building called "Soccer City" along the way. Signs on the road indicated adult leagues, and just out of curiosity,  I looked it up when I got home. I don't know that I could (or would dare) commit to an actual team or league, but there was "open play" offered, and this has intrigued me. 

Hmmmmm ... do I dare? It's indoor. I've never played indoor, but the meet-up group I played with a few years ago did hold one session on some revamped tennis courts. Still outdoors, but similar to indoor play (I imagine). I remember really enjoying it. 

So while the world is watching soccer ... I've been thinking about it on a smaller scale. Thinking out Loud this Thursday (when I'm hitting my Zumba as usual today, but my Thursday group is taking July off. Is this soccer situation meant to be?) Will she? Won't she? I guess you'll have to come back and see ... I've pushed my anxiety issues trying all these new Zumba classes (an NSV for me). Is it time to overcome my anxieties and try something new again?

Soccer... Past and Present

Throwback Thursday! During my middle school years, I played soccer. Center Fullback was my favorite position. I liked being on defense. I didn't score many (any?) goals, but I prevented the other team from scoring a lot. We had a pretty competitive team. At one point, I remember a few of us were tapped for an "All Star" team. Most of us were on the school track team too (I'm NOT a Runner) and I think the two sports complimented each other. As we all moved to high school, the team dissolved. There wasn't a girls soccer team at my high school (then) ... but that didn't stop ONE of the girls from continuing to play! I myself turned to music and theater. You really could only participate in one after school activity as they all seemed to practice at the same time.

When I first lost the weight back in 2006, I got back into soccer for a time. There was a MeetUp group that would get together and play pick up games. It was so much fun. Then the kids sports kicked into full gear  again and took up most of my time. 

All my boys have played soccer at one time or another. #2 played on a competitive team for a year, and I'd join in on some of the workouts with the team. I could see the preference for basketball kicking in with the older boys (Basketball Mom). #4 broke his arm during a game, and it was so traumatic, he said he wasn't ever going to play soccer again. But my munchkin, #5 ... he's a little soccer star. I was even the coach for a few seasons (it's not very hard to do at the pre-school age). I do wonder if I would have been as willing when I was heavier though.

Spring 2011 

(I can't remember the team name)

The Blue Sharks - Fall 2011

Red Rockets - Spring 2012

You can see my Omron pedometer in my pictures. I had pockets! Ah, the Irony of my Omron "Pocket" pedometer! I was always surprised at how many steps I got as coach during games and practices. At this age, the coach is on the field and quite involved chasing/directing kids.

While I enjoyed coaching ... I also really like to be on the sidelines with the video camera so I can capture the action. My little guy played soccer this fall, but between scheduling conflicts and then his broken wrist, I only got three games on video. That WAS enough to really show him in action though! He's #10. His final game was last Saturday ... and he played, even in his cast (he had a long sleeve shirt on, you could hardly see it!)

I LOVE watching him play!

Have you ever played soccer?