Hula Hooping for Health?

It's Workout Wednesday.

I always enjoyed hula hooping as a young girl. I was pretty good at it. As a mom to BOYS, we still invested in some hula hoops over the years. They would try the traditional way, and then also throw them and roll them ... and try to jump through them. I'd heard of hula hooping as a workout, with a weighted hoop, and I figured for a $20 investment, I'd give it a try.

My hooping "helper" ... silly kitty!

While you wouldn't think it, the weighted hoop is actually easier to keep going than the smaller, plastic versions for the kids (I'm sure there is a bunch of science about the weight/momentum and the larger area adding to the ease). The constant rubbing/banging against the hip bones and such can cause a bit of discomfort though ... and as I like to be barefoot, it HURTS if it falls on the feet!

I probably CAN hoop for 15-20 minutes at a time if I try. It gets a little boring to simply go in circles. I know if you look up hooping workouts, the women in the videos can get a little crazy with some different moves. I know I've seen people at parks doing amazing tricks ... I've never really tried anything but the simple circles, although I do change directions. It does require a bit of room (and while I'm super spoiled with my home gym, there isn't a ton of open space). 

My Wii Fit has a hula hooping option too. 

Last Friday, in Debbie's Zumba class, one of the songs lyrics spoke of "hula hula hoop" and I jokingly asked the instructor if we should bring our hula hoops on Monday. She said yes! I brought three (my big weighted one, and two kids ones), and several other people brought some, so there was enough for everyone. It was a lot of fun actually ...

The song says "hula hoop" so we brought some to try at Debbie's Zumba class today. Got plenty of dancing in too!

A post shared by JenB (@jenbsjourney) on Jul 17, 2017 at 9:54am PDT

Have YOU hula hooped recently?

Upping the Activity

 Workout Wednesday

Ah ... my home gym. Treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike and full weight set (and a few fans! *Ü*) I'm spoiled. In the past few months, while I never stopped working out, my activity did wane. With the holidays, prepping for #1 son to return home after two years away (we'd given away his room and had to rearrange to find everyone a spot) and just some discouragement ... 

Trying to jump back on the workout wagon (even though I KNOW it's the eating!)

Tuesday, I had my first 30k day since October(2016) when I had two. 

Then today ... Wednesday, I did it again. 

I've been good at getting up and hitting the elliptical first thing. One 20min session then I wake up the boys. Prep lunches and make sure they are ready, then another 20 before driving middle school carpool (#2 drives himself and #3 to school). Back home, one more 20min session then off with #5 to elementary. 

I haven't been great at getting to Zumba on Wednesdays for a while. But I did today. Then I had some treadmill time. 30min/2miles.  I really tried to push myself. I know ... I'm more of a quantity over quality when it comes to workouts. I have such a hard time getting my heart rate up. Admittedly, my elliptical is pretty easy, my bike time is more about reading than riding (I just feel a little guilty spending too much time in a book, but if I'm "exercising" than it's okay, right?)

Zumba can be a little hit and miss. At times, I have great energy, get really good stats/steps and other times ... it's half hearted (and that is absolutely reflected in the heart rate). It can depend on the teachers, and whether or not I know or like the songs ... and other times, it seems like no matter what I do, even giving it my all, it just doesn't show much in the stats. I still absolutely enjoy my Zumba though. Beyond just exercise, it gets me out of the house (which is an issue), has given me confidence and many new friends.

Here's a closer look at my Treadmill Time ...

I do NOT like running. I rarely "run" ... 5mph is a comfortable jog, but I can't keep that up for too long (I did do one WHOLE mile last week). As everyone seems to say HIT workouts are the thing, I try to add intervals, turning up the treadmill (I tried a little 6mph, 7mph and even 8mph for a small stretch ... very small).  But this might motivate me to see if I can improve on these stats, push it into the peak a bit more. I don't know that I'll ever actually enjoy running ... I know MOST people prefer the outdoors to a treadmill, but the weather (hot sun or cold rain), cars, dogs, insects, stranger danger ... and just the possibility of getting stuck far away from home if there is a problem (even just a potty problem). 

See? Here's #1 having to pull rocks from the groves in his shoes.

That doesn't happen on a treadmill!

 ... and a little funny from last week. #1 son took off running in the rain. It turned to snow and he was freezing and miserable and had a cramp and was a few miles away from home, up by the high school. He went into the school, and had his brother called from class ... and absconded with his car, driving home. 

He tracks his miles on his shoes ...

When he first got home from his mission, he spent a little time in the gym (with weights) but hasn't been in there much. The seniors on the other hand ...

They seem a little lost without basketball. It's been LIFE for the past several years, and now it's over (except for Stockton ... he's planning on playing college ball). Many days after school #2 and friends hit our home gym. #3 son has been spending time with weights too, and even #4 has started hitting the gym again (both working with weights, and on the treadmill). Once again, BOYS IN MY GYM! I always try to make sure I get in whatever workouts I want during the day, because I don't know if my gym will be available when school is out. 

Next is Spring Break ... not sure what that will do to my routine!

Trying Something New

I'm quite notorious for staying in my comfort zone. I find something I like and I stick with it. Generally, I don't change things up until change is forced upon me. A few weeks ago, I mentioned I had grabbed some DVDs from my local library (Library Love). This was an attempt to TRY something new ... without making any real commitments (borrowing before buying).

First off, as I'm attending Zumba three times a week already, I didn't find the time to try the HipHopAbs DVD for more cardio (as I'm getting my elliptical and bike in each day as well). That one went back to the library unwatched, but I hope to give it a try at some point in the future. 

I have a weight workout on my schedule Mon/Wed/Fri, and while I am attached to my personal full body weight workout, I have shaken it up at times with a DVD. I've tried Jillian's 30 Day Shred, Ripped in 30 and No More Trouble Zones. I've given a few YouTube videos a go as well. I grabbed the DVDs pictured above and did give the other three a TRY ... I admit up front, I probably didn't give them as much of a try (a second or third attempt) as I should have. I know I don't like many workouts the first time around...but I was under a bit of a time crunch with due dates looming.

• Jillian's Hard Body: If you look at the reviews on Amazon, you'll see two camps. Those who really like it, and others who ... didn't like it. I fell into the latter group. Many people mention the DJ ... I didn't care for the DJ. But for me, I just feel like Jillian is trying too hard to be innovative and different and she creates new routines. So many of the moves were compound moves, and were just moving so fast and difficult for me to follow. Rather than doing a situp, then rolling over and doing a superman ... I would rather do several situps, then do the supermans. I admit ... I just wasn't enjoying this enough to even continue all the way through. I turned it off and figure I'll just stick with 30DS or NMTZ. 
• The Biggest Loser:  As I watched The Biggest Loser for the first time this past season, it was interesting for me to see Bob and Dolvett in action. I liked these fine, a mix of cardio and strength. I liked the regular people in the background, and the variations. The 15minute segments didn't quite work for me, as they would do a little warm-up ... I'm always already warmed up when I start one of these routines, I just want to get to it. The 15 minute program was too short, and I know you can combine the workouts, but it just lacked continuity for me that way. Right now, I think I'm getting in quite a bit of cardio on my own, so when I'm thinking "strength training" I'm looking more for straight strength training, without the cardio bursts. I may revisit this DVD at some point.
• Jackie Xtreme Timesaver Training: I liked this workout. One 30minute strength routine. I wore my heart rate monitor and many of the moves, while not cardio, did keep my heart rate elevated.  I liked that. Here, the moves were done for one minute. Let me tell you, at times ... that was a LONG minute. I did have to stop and catch my breath and shake out my muscles a few times.  There wasn't really any dedicated ab work. I need ab work, but I don't really like ab work ... I didn't mind it being missing that much. I am debating buying this DVD to add to my rotation, but even though the $8 price tag isn't high, compared to Jillians 30DS, where you get three workouts for the same price ... Still thinking about it. I also thought I'd check out her Power Circuit which has good reviews before I buy (my library also has it). One thing I noticed ... while she's wearing skimpy little shorts there on the cover, in the video she has on big, baggy boy shorts. For some reason, this was a bit distracting.

Have YOU tried any of these DVDs?

What did you think?

While I was at the library, I grabbed a few MORE magazines. Why? I still have magazines up the wazoo (Mucho Magazines) and current subscriptions with new issues coming every month. Yet, seeing these past issues and wondering if I should add yet another subscription (again ... why? I have a magazine subscription problem) I thought I should check out this magazine aimed at us .... ahem, "older" women.

More magazine is a little more ... articley. There aren't really any of the big bold shout outs, or little tidbit features (like the BS Meter in Self Magazine which caused such an uproar recently). No real exercise routines, or big food features. Each issue does have a feature spotlighting women in their 30s, 40s, 50s. I'm not big into fashion, so these didn't grab me much. I liked some of the articles, others didn't appeal.  That's what makes a library perfect though ... checking something out without having to pay (unless you return it late).

Do you subscribe to magazines?

Which ones do you like?

I mentioned in my Monday post, I was going to try a new Zumba class. I had found the class locator there on Zumba.com and found a Monday morning class. Unfortunately, when I went to check it out, no one was there. I sent a few emails, checking on that class and some others that might fit into my routine and NONE of the classes I was interested in were still going. So ... that "class locator" on Zumba.com isn't very effective if it isn't kept up to date. I DID try though ...

Linking up with Workout Wednesday and Fit Foodie Runs.

Not Just a Weight Watcher

I've posted about my home gym before, and spotlighted my machines (elliptical, treadmill and bike). But I'm not all cardio. I like to lift too. Now the majority of the "weights" stuff is for hubby. When I first got interested in adding strength training to my routine (this was years ago, when I was originally losing weight back in 2006) I had the hubs come down and show me some simple moves to work on the different muscle groups. I've picked up other ideas from books and magazines through the years too. I've never followed any of the specific programs, but have just done my own full body workout.  

You can see in the picture above that we have a bench and a full system setup with bars, pulleys and plenty of plates. In the back corner is a calf machine, and on the other side of the room is a leg press. We have a rack full of dumbbells and my lone kettlebell (20pounds). I also have a couple medicine balls and some resistance bands. 

I use the dumbbells the most.

The top row is the 10 pound to 30 pound.

The top row is generally all I need.

I like to switch between the different muscle groups, rather than resting in-between sets. I do stick with the standard "3 sets" and rotate between a couple different exercises for each round.

• I start with legs and chest. Mostly lunges and squats, with some pushups in-between. I'll usually add some bicep curls with the lunges/squats.
• I move to the bench and alternate chest flies & skull crushers using using 10-15 pound weights, then sit-ups on the ball in between the bench work.  
• Then back/calves ... alternating dumbell pullovers (20 pound dumbbell) and the calf machine. While on the calf machine I also work shoulders with 8 pound weights (lateral raise and military press). 
• Time for legs/triceps. Butt blaster (20 pound dumbbell at the knee) and Tricep extension (20 pound dumbbell).
• Wrapping it up ... leg curls on the stability ball (hamstring!), superman, plank and a couple additional ab exercises.

I'm not super strict with my routine. I'll change it up and throw in different exercises at times. I try to hit all the different body parts and finish up at an hour.  Sometimes I don't really feel like doing my weight workout, and I just tell myself I only have to do a quick 20 minute one ... and I almost always end up the full hour.

Here's a picture of the leg press machine. I do use it sometimes. You can see my treadmill to the side, and my stack of magazines there in the back.  I don't often use the bars or plates in the weight system, although I pull sometimes do a triceps pull down. I guess I'm just not very comfortable with the bars and anything I would need a spotter for (as I'm always alone when I workout). 

I always get in at least one full body workout a week. At times, I would try for two-three, but that wouldn't always happen. When I did Jillian Michaels 30Day Shred, I set my weight workout aside and I missed it. I do like Jillian's workouts as well. They introduce me to some new moves, but nothing with the heavier weights and feels as much like a "weight" workout to me. So right now I do MY full body weight workout once a week (on Mondays) and then am working through Ripped in 30 on some other days during the week.  Just to switch things up.

Linking Up with

Workout Wednesday & Weigh In Wednesday 

Exercise Estimates - Trying to be Truthful

As I exercise, I get quite a bit of feedback. My machines give me an estimate, my Fitbit has a calculation, my heart rate monitor comes up with another number. At times, I'll even check an internet calculator for an online opinion. Occasionally (but rarely) these numbers are similar, and then I feel fairly confident that the calorie burn is close to correct. But other times ... HUGE variations between the different devices. I've been getting a lot on inconsistent readings from my bike workouts especially.  

First, Fitbit (I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Fitbit, check out my post Wondering about a Fitbit ). Now, the Fitbit should be worn on the torso or waist (wrist only for sleeping, or if you have a Flex). Wearing it on my sock, while biking is NOT how it was intended to be used for an accurate calorie or distance/step count.  I was really only looking at Fitbit's numbers out of curiosity, but it's a good thing I didn't default and assume it was correct ...

So you can see, I have two activities recorded this day. The first was a 1.5 mile jog. The second was a 10 mile stint on the stationary bike. Although the bike ride took almost twice as long (37 minutes opposed to 18 minutes), the step count is similar. So I have no idea why Fitbit estimated the bike ride SO high at 350 (it's often been almost up to 400). It is certainly no where near the same intensity as jogging (I keep my stationary cycling pretty leisurely, reading while I ride).  So I always go in and adjust the calorie count down ... but down to what?

The bike itself estimates a calorie count between 230-250 for my 10 miles.  The bike does ask for my weight, it knows the actual distance and the difficulty level ... so it should be right, right? Well ... not according to my HRM!

My Polar takes into account all my stats (weight, age, sex ... as does the Fitbit). Of course it also uses heart rate to calculate an exercise estimate. Generally, HRM are considered accurate for "steady state cardio" ... but less accurate for other activities. You can see my Polar comes in quite a bit lower (157 calories) than the bike readout. During my ride,  I never  got my heart rate up "in the zone" ...  even at a pretty steady 16mph, it doesn't feel like I'm working that hard.  I'm really using the time for reading, just doing it on the exercise bike so I feel less guilty about spending so much time with my books (Riding and Reading). If I can do both at once, whatever the correct calorie count ... at least it is something!

So as I gather all my estimates ... I most often take the lowest one. That is usually the HRM. The machine readout is generally highest, with the Fitbit somewhere in the middle. For a straight walk/jog on the track, the Fitbit and HRM are usually almost identical. For DVD workouts (cardio or 30DS) the HRM is generally higher than Fitbit. 

When I'm entering an exercise manually into Fitbit, Fitbit also subtracts a little bit to take BMR into consideration (what I would have burned during that time anyway, as Fitbit takes that into it's total estimate for the day). I really TRY to be truthful with my exercise estimates. I know it does me no good to overestimate the numbers ... my body will burn what it burns no matter which estimate I write down.

Do you feel you are getting accurate calorie burn estimates? 

Which devices do you trust most?

How important is an accurate exercise calorie count to you?

It isn't just the calorie count that has me confused ... my "step" count for my bike workouts come in vastly different some days. Generally, my Fitbit and Omron pedometer are fairly close at the end of the day. As I'm averaging 22,000+ a day, variations of a few hundred don't seem bad. But I noticed on some cycling days, I was getting some big differences (2000+). 

Here's a snapshot of a before/after ...

Now I must say upfront here ... pedometers are NOT really meant to track cycling. I know this. For my own personal records though, I like to get step "credit" for the times I'm on the bike. I move my pedometers to my sock (NOT how they are intended to be worn) and get some "step" credit close to what I would have received if I'd spent the same amount of time on the treadmill or elliptical. But you can see (above) ... the two devices can count "steps/revolutions" VERY differently. It's not always the case though, here's another workout ...

... on this day, the counts stayed almost exactly the same!  

I'm not sure if I'm placing them differently or what. 

I guess I'll just have to continue to experiment.

 I found this interesting article.
Fitness Trackers and Calorie Counts

and check out my updated post
More Exercise Estimates

Daily Miles

There are SO many different websites, apps, trackers and devices out there to help motivate, organize and keep track all the workouts we do in this quest for fitness and a smaller body.  Many of them do the same, or at least similar things. But I like redundancy, second opinions and different perspectives.  So even though I track all my workouts with my Fitbit (and have my Omron pedometer as backup), and I record my steps daily at Walker Tracker and in a spreadsheet on my computer, as of mid-August ... I've added  Daily Mile to my mix. 

I had heard of daily mile ... just like I've heard of Runkeeper, Map My Ride and Endomondo. I know others love them, but they just didn't seem to be something I needed. Sometimes I think, it's just whichever thing you start using first that you stay with.  

But then I saw a widget in the sidebar of someone's blog (see the image above. It's also in the sidebar of MY blog now too). Well that was cute and something I didn't have.  I liked seeing the most recent workout featured, and the divisions of weekly miles, annual miles and total miles. 

So I signed up.

I do need to input the data manually (I'm a little spoiled with my Fitbit at times, how it automatically links to so many sites) but that is fine. I'll sometimes update as a finish a workout, but more often I'll just enter it at the end of the day.  I generally don't have it post to my Facebook (as I do a LOT of different workouts) but occasionally is there is something that stands out, I will (it's easy to pick and choose what to share and what to just keep on your account).  I have set it to post a weekly Facebook update ...

Anyone else out there tracking using daily mile? I currently only have two friends, I wouldn't mind having a few more to follow (my profile is HERE if anyone wanted to friend me). I know all these apps and websites really motivate me!

Linking up with Skinny Meg's Workout Wednesday today.

Check it out  ... she has a great post today about all the "extras" (clothes, music, helps) to make exercise just a little bit easier, and as always there are tons of links to other blogs and workout recommendations too. Add your own and come link up as well!

Well enough sitting down at my computer ... off to J&G's Gym!

... It All Adds Up

After the Labor Day weekend, I was determined to have a good day yesterday (the first day back on the "normal" routine). And I was successful! This was my day...

Got in my first workout (20minutes on the elliptical) then got the kids off to school. I'm on chauffeur duty twice each morning,  middle school at 7:30, elementary at 8:30 ... luckily the high schooler drives himself. After dropping off the little ones I stopped at the store for some grocery shopping.  Then back home I did another session on the elliptical then mowed the lawn (just the front yard today). Elliptical again, then I tried out Jillian Michaels "Banish Fat and Boost Metabolism" workout ~ whew!  After finishing it up, I WAS going to try jogging my mile on the treadmill, but I just wasn't feeling up for it after that, (I did try, but stopped after a few minutes). I did another elliptical session again not too long after ... I can always seem to do the elliptical, it just doesn't require the same oopmph as jogging does. I'm watching the second season of Scandal (as it's now on Netflix) ... it's keeping me interested and wanting to come back and watch more. Then it was chauffeur time again, picking up the kids from school and running #2 to/from basketball practice. Made them some muffins as an after school snack to hold them until dinner, which was chicken cordon bleu and rice. I prepped it and then had time to read for 45 minutes (while riding the stationary bike *Ü*). Then got dinner cooked and served and took #3 to basketball tryouts. I went and got him checked in, went back home for one more quick elliptical session, then back to pick him up.

I was a little surprised when I checked my Fitbit ... I was definitely in the green (green is good, got to goal). I was surprised I was so high. And my Fitbit was actually 2000 steps under my Omron (the Omron is actually higher 95% of the time) ... not sure what was up with that, I think the bike ride is reading different.  I even considered hitting the elliptical one more time before bed, but decided I could go ahead and call it a day.

Now my Top Badge there on Fitbit says 35,000 steps ... the "badge" system is fairly new with Fitbit, so I don't know that it's taking in the complete history (I've had my Fitbit for over three years now).  I know I have topped that. I actually blogged (on my family blog, long before I set up THIS blog) about a personal best back on June 3, 2010. I had copied that post here, but I think I broke that PB just a couple weeks later (June 22, 2010) but didn't bother to post again.  I checked a couple other Fitbit stats out of curiosity ...

... so, not a personal best today, but I was up there. And ironically, I didn't really feel like I was working out all day long or even doing anything out of the ordinary. I still got in all my mom duties too.

It's funny, as I browse other blogs and watch the workouts from some of YOU, I feel totally intimidated! Wow, you ran a mile in nine minutes (or several miles at that pace)??? I'm struggling just to stay running for one. You did Zumba for an hour and got an incredible burn! I gave a half-hearted attempt at a DVD and felt like a complete failure. Riding a bike outside? Up hills? No thank you, I'll stay on my stationary with my book and my fan blowing on me in my cool basement ... no helmet required. I do work weights into my days, but I still struggle with pushups ... you can do how many?  (Check out the Work-Out-Wednesday Link up and my Blog Roll to find some of the amazing ladies out there!)

Even though I can't do everything YOU can do, I can do what I can do, and it all adds up. It works well for me. I know MY workouts don't necessarily work for others ... not everyone has a home gym or such a flexible schedule. We all need to find what works. Big workouts, little workouts, different kinds of workouts ... they all add up. Just do it!

Home Alone

A little while ago, I posted about the upcoming family vacation. The image above WAS my response to learning of such plans. I really debated staying or going, and ultimately I decided to stay home.  It wasn't so much that I needed a break and wanted the time to myself. It was the car ride, the eating issues, comforts of home (I'm talking toilets here... and my bed and A/C), and how easily overwhelmed I get out of my usual routine. Hubby was very understanding. A couple of the kids (my mama's boys) were a bit dismayed by my decision, but I figured this would be a good thing for them too. They were off ... and I was home alone.

It was very quiet. I went ahead and cleaned the house and guess what? It STAYED clean! I had oodles of time to exercise, and exercise I did. I had several 30k days. Exercise-wise, I got in a lot more than I usually do with the family around, a TON more than I would have gotten had I gone on the trip (I don't think I would have gotten any in). I did miss my ping pong partners though. Food-wise, the home alone time went both ways. On the one hand, I wasn't constantly being asked/expected to make high calorie items (for example, every Sunday I make Belgian waffles for breakfast and homemade oreos for dessert after dinner).  I wasn't in the kitchen much at all. No Friday night date going out to eat or to the movies, no donuts on Saturday morning. No ordering out for pizza (not that I eat pizza, see my Eating Issues post, but I LOVE cheesy bread). No mac&cheese or peanut butter sandwiches (I'd never make them for me, but I always seem to have just a little nibble as I prep them for the kidlets). I could just eat MY foods and try to make healthy choices. But then ... I was a little lonely, and feeling a bit like a bad mother/wife/sister-in-law/daughter-in-law and emotional eating came into play a bit. Also, I'd never just take a full bag of chips as I caught up on the computer, or eat straight from the ice cream carton ... but with no one around to catch me or judge ... But again, compared to the eating  I WOULD have done on the trip  (snacking in the car, going out to eat) I'm sure I still came in ahead here at home. 

It's interesting to think about how much others impact our exercise and eating. 

Sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad. 

I got in a little sunshine.

I can't really do that with the boys around.

It was interesting to note how my sleep habits shifted. Normally, Hubby (and therefore me too) is an "early to bed and early to rise" type of person. We are usually in bed by 10:00. He's up uber early ... ok, I'll admit I've been sleeping in this summer, but during the school year I'm always up by 6:00 or 6:30.

With everyone gone, I'd often pull a late workout, then work on the blog or read or something. I stayed up past midnight most nights (which is very unlike me!). And then with no one around ... it was some major sleeping in. I've spend some nights without hubby before (as he'd go on trips for work or scouts), but I'd never been completely alone in the house at night before. 

And here is what I missed ...

 The car ride is literally better without me there.

Then #1 can sit in the front, 

and #3 isn't squished in the back with the little ones.

16+ hours (one way)

The Space Needle with cousins. 

 Orcas Island ... camping and lake fun.

The family is still on the road on the way back, but they will be home today. I plan on having some homemade oreos ready and waiting. I hope they missed me a little bit. I'll be happy to have hubby home. Back to the chaos of being mom to these five great boys. It's the final week of summer. There's back to school night, orthodontist appointments, last minute school shopping (I did some while they were gone) and whatever fun we want to squeeze into these last few days. 

Batteries ...

My hubby has a nickname for me ... 

The Energizer Bunny. 

I just keep going and going and going.

It's not always true ... I get worn down, just like everyone else. But I do really LIKE exercise now. I'm not sure if there are "exercise endorphins" that actually make me happy, that ironically give me MORE energy when I workout - or if it's all a placebo effect in my head. I do know, on a day I don't work out, I actually feel more run down than on the days I put in miles on my machines. I rarely take a rest day. It takes a lot for me to stop working (out) ...

Not so with my Omron pedometer ... this morning I went to put it on and saw the little flashing battery light. At least it did happen in the morning. It's so frustrating when it dies mid-day and I lose all my data! It is always a bit of a chore ... 10 minutes or so I hadn't planned on devoting to this task. Finding a small screwdriver (that usually takes at least 5 minutes on its own), finding a replacement battery (luckily I do have several on hand), and then resetting the stats on the device. The good news with THAT at least was I was able to put my weight in 20 pounds lower than it had been set at previously. 

My Fitbit has a rechargeable battery ... I just slip it on the charger while I take a shower. I don't need to do it every night, just every few nights and it stays ready to go. I've never had my Fitbit die on me. The little Fitbit Zip has a replaceable battery like the Omron ... I think I personally prefer the rechargeable one. 

Wouldn't it be great if we could just plug ourselves in for an hour or so and get completely recharged? Or simply replace our battery with a new one when we wore down?  I know many people take a rest day to recharge. Do you?  Personally ... I have a hard time taking a scheduled "rest" day. I always need to do a little something. I'm the Energizer Bunny ... and here I go!

30DayShred ... Did It!

I've never watched "The Biggest Loser" ... but I still knew who Jillian Michaels was. Although when I first saw the term 30DS on the fitness message boards, I was a little confused. (As a mom with young boys, 30DS is very similar to Nintendo's 3DS game system in name, but I was pretty sure people weren't talking about a video game!)  I was actually pretty comfortable with my exercise routine ... my elliptical, the stationary bike,  a little jogging here and there, with a weight workout a couple times a week. But then I got to thinking ... comfortable is probably NOT a good word to describe a great workout. It should push you. It should be a little UNcomfortable.

I'd seen so many rave reviews of 30DS, there was a group on MFP starting it up in just a few days, and it was inexpensive and available for instant download on Amazon ... so I figured I'd give it a try. 

Now the group I was participating in decided that instead of doing the 30 Day Shred in 30 days, the goal would be to do it for five days, then take the weekends off. This worked out well for me. It is nice to have a little flexibility, to be able to miss a workout during the week and have the weekend to make it up (and still stay on schedule). There are several cute calendars out there (our group was using THIS one). It was recommended to take pictures and measurements to compare the before/after results. 

This was where I came to shred ... J&G's Gym (my basement). You don't need a ton of room, which is good as I don't have that much open space here. But it was enough. I liked having the mat. I had three sizes of dumbbells (3, 5, and 8 pound) and my FAN ... believe me, I was SO glad I had that fan!

 Here's a quick "at a glance" summary of what you are in for (click on the picture to enlarge it) or just to keep as reference ... First, a small warm up.  Then three minutes of strength moves. Two minutes of cardio. One minute of abs. Repeat two more times then cool down. The first day on each level is always the hardest, as you get to know the moves. It does get easier as you master them and get a little conditioned. 

So ... MY results. Starting July 1, and finishing August 10. I took pictures before/after ... I'm not posting my pictures here, I'm a little too self-conscious of the shorts/sports bra look on me, and I really could not see enough of a difference to warrant showing them off. I lost 8.9 pounds (from 169.2 to 160.3). I lost an inch or two in my waist (I'm really not good at measuring, I move or breathe differently and it changes an inch right there), and an inch on my hips. I do feel like my arms are stronger and more toned (although I still can't do more then five "real" pushups ... working on that).   I did watch my calories and continued my elliptical workouts during this time, so I can't say 30DS worked wonders, but I would recommend it. It's a good, challenging program.

Generally I like to watch a tv series while I workout (see my What I'm Watching post HERE) ... It's a little more entertaining than watching Jillian or another trainer workout. But this was a good change. Pushing me to try moves I hadn't thought of on my own. My body recognized the change ... my heart rate monitor would bump up higher during these workouts than during my traditional cardio on the elliptical or bike.  I will continue to watch my shows while I workout on my machines, but I will also try to add in some cardio DVDs to challenge me and shake it up a bit. I plan on going back to my weight workouts.  Maybe I'll try something like this again in a couple of months.

I'm not exactly "shredded" ... I still have a way to go. 

But I'm happy to say I started and I FINISHED this program. 

I'm now part of the 30DS

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I finished 30DS a few days ago (Saturday was my last day) but I figured I'd post it today, as part of  Workout Wednesday

Ode to the Elliptical

I love my elliptical. We picked up the Nautilus 3000 sometime in 2007 and put it in our home gym. It has gotten a LOT of use from me over the years. Earlier this year... a bolt broke. It was hard to be without my elliptical while we ordered the part and had it repaired. 

Everyone has "their" exercise, one that works for them for whatever reason. Running, biking, Zumba ...elliptical is my exercise of choice. And here is why ...

• It's easy: I guess I need to push it more if it is "easy",  but it's harder to get a comparable burn on other machines without a lot more effort. It's also easier on the joints than most other cardio exercise.
• It's quiet: I can actually hear the TV (it's hard while on the treadmill).
• It doesn't require any prep: I can hop onto my elliptical at almost any time. I don't have to change into my workout wear. I don't jiggle enough to need a sports bra (although I am usually dressed to workout while on it). Best of all ... I do not need SHOES. I hate shoes! I wear slippers on my elliptical ... just another benefit of a home gym. I'm not sure if that would acceptable elsewhere. *Ü*

Now my elliptical has quite a few bells and whistles. It shows me calories burned, average speed and distance. It  shows speed, revolutions, mets, watts. It can track heart rate. It has several levels of resistance. There are a number of different programs.

I'm pretty boring actually. Admittedly, I do get in a routine rut. I pick the steady, unchanging course. I up the resistance to level 8 and try to keep it at an average of 16mph or over. I'll use the arms for a couple minutes, then grab the middle bars and try for a speed interval for a minute ... and repeat. 

The default time on the elliptical is 20 minutes ... and that is about perfect for me. Beyond that, my feet start falling asleep. The default weight on the machine is 150 pounds. Since I've had the elliptical, I've been under that and above that. Instead of changing the weight with my changing weight, I just keep it on the default.  By keeping the weight constant, I can compare my workouts to each other ... my 20 minutes (around 2 miles) will generate a calorie count somewhere between 160-220 depending on my exertion. I just keep the machine calorie count as a reference, and go with what my Fitbit calculates for calorie burn.

I try to get in five 20min sessions on my elliptical every day ...

What is YOUR elliptical experience?

Work Out Wednesday

I've been on the lookout for link-ups lately. They have lead me to some fun post ideas and to other blogs (you can see my blog list to follow has been growing!) It's always inspiring to see what others are up to. So today, I'll share my workout as part of the Workout Wednesday link up. 

Here's my Fitbit burn so far ... you can see I had a SLOW start this morning (and most mornings of late). Ah summer, I have been sleeping in until around 8:00. That needs to stop. I mean it literally needs to, stop. School starts up soon and I have to drive a couple kids to middle school at 7:30, and then get a couple more off to elementary just after 8:00 (my high schooler is wonderful about getting up and off himself). I always want to get in one workout as soon as I'm up, so I have to start it by 7:00... but for now, it's summer.

I've jumped on the ELLIPTICAL twice (20min/2miles) so far today, and I plan on hitting it again at least three more times. That makes an even 100 minutes. I love the elliptical (see my "ode to the elliptical" post HERE), it's my workout of choice. I am in a bit of a rut with it though, I don't know how much it really pushes me. I have been doing this (100min most days) for several years now.

Also on the docket (as soon as I finish this post) is day 27 of the 30 Day Shred. That was actually on YESTERDAY's plan ... I put on my shoes and HRM and started the warm up when WHAM, shoulder tweak! What??? During the warm up? I'm warming up so I do NOT hurt myself.  It wasn't a super intense pain, but it did actually take my breath away. I could breathe, I just couldn't get in a deep, satisfying breath. I didn't get my 30DS in :(   ... I took some ibuprophen, applied some heat (or should it have been ice?) and rested a bit. I felt completely wiped out. And STARVING. I hadn't eaten too much to that point (a banana) but there was a fun sized Snickers sitting around and I grabbed it and snarfed it before I knew what I was doing. I can still feel a bit of a twinge there today, but I'm going to give it a try. I'm so close to the end.

If I have the time, I might try a 40min ride on the stationary bike too.  You can check in on my Daily Doings tomorrow to see what I actually got in for my Wednesday Workout or maybe I'll try to update this later tonight*Ü*   Enough sitting. Off to exercise ...

... and I updated!  It's 9:30 and I'm done for the day. I exceeded my exercise goal for Workout Wednesday. I got in SIX sessions on the elliptical. I did my 30DS and I did the bike. I kept my eating calories under control too. It was a good day ...

Two Tracks

My boys LOVE basketball, and I love watching them play. But I have to admit, when their games are at the rec center with the track above the court I love it even more. It is the ultimate two-fer. I can support and cheer on my sons, AND get a workout in.

I'm not really comfortable running outside. Weather (too hot, too cold, too windy) and dogs tend to dissuade me. I like the treadmill fine, but I do enjoy the freedom a track provides. Changing speed without pressing buttons, being able to just jog without worrying about hitting the sides and taking a tumble ... and it is just easier. I know I wouldn't get in the same workout at home in the basement. As entertaining as my shows are at home (with my TV/DVD sitting there in front of my treadmill) watching the game makes the time fly by ... and I can listen to my music too.

I put both #2 and #3 on the same team to ease up on the schedule this summer. It was a 7th/8th grade league. #2 is in 8th, and #3 is in 6th.  But #3 wasn't the only 6th grader playing up and wasn't the only small one in the league ... although he was definitely the squirt on THIS team.  The games were played at two different gyms ... and BOTH gyms had a track above. Yea for me!

Gym #1, in the main rec center we go to (close to our home). It's a pretty small track, you have to cycle several times (I think 16, but don't quote me) to make a mile. It circled the entire basketball court and gave me a great view of the game, especially if I could stick to the inside edge. I only almost ran into a pole a couple of times. Generally I had the track to myself  as the games were played mid-day on Saturdays - not a prime workout time for others. *Ü*  The boys also practiced at this gym, I and would have worked out then too, but there was a circuit-training class taking place during that time ... and 30 people on that small track? No thanks!

Gym #2 has a slightly larger track. Instead of circling completely around the basketball court, 3/4 of the track circled it and then ...

... there is a wall, and another, smaller court. So unfortunately, while the boys were playing at this gym, there would be a short span of time during each lap where I could not see the game. This actually FORCED me into intervals *Ü*  I would walk/jog around the large court, watching the game, then when I got to the wall I would sprint the remaining 1/4 track until I came back out on the other side of the wall. I would then slow and hope I hadn't missed anything too important. 

 Well ... the season has now come to an end. I will SO miss my basketball workouts! As many of the games were late on Tuesday evenings, I can tell you I certainly would NOT have worked out at home during the same time. At the end of an already active day,  I was tired, and I really didn't feel like jogging. But I really don't like just sitting and watching, not when I have such an attractive alternative. It always felt so good to get in so many steps (usually five miles) and a nice caloric burn. It's hard not to feed off the adrenaline from the game. To see the kids running and jumping and just match their energy. And not that I'm one of those crazy parents who yells from the sidelines, but jogging the track really does give me a place to put any emotional energy I might have.

The boys WILL play basketball again (they play year-round), but it probably won't be at either of these locations. Oh well, it was great while it lasted!