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

Day by Day (October2013)

Printable Calendars

This will be a post in progress ... updated daily. I include (1) Type of Day: Bad, OK, Pretty Good or Good ... this is based on eating/exercise only! Often GREAT days with the family turn into BAD days here. Doesn't mean it was really a bad day, just not good for exercise or eating *Ü* (2) Weight (3) Steps & Total Burn (from Fitbit) ... Omron included if it exceeds Fitbit or shows a big difference (4) Calories in (food) and Calories out (Fitbit credit on MFP, set at sedentary - so it is EVERYTHING above the most basic BMR. Exercise + other everyday activity) (5) Exercise list (6) Summary of the day. In this monthly post, entries will be listed in chronological order, on my Day to Day Doings (in the sidebar) you'll find the most recent days at the top.

1001 (Tuesday) Good Day. Weight 156.5. Fitbit Steps 26390. Total Burn 3240. Calories in 1700. Calories out 1508. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 3.5miles/44minTreadmill, Ripped Level 1. Kept calories fairly in check, had some of my chicken/veggie soup (I kept forgetting I still had that). Trying Ripped in 30, although I don't know that I'll be doing it five days a week. Had to drive to a new school to pick up the boys from basketball ... I don't like driving new places or driving in the dark!

1002 (Wednesday) OK Day. Weight 156.3. Fitbit Steps 18519. Total Burn 2673. Calories in 1150. Calories out 941. Exercise: 60minElliptical and Ripped Level 1 (cut short). Dropped the kidlets at school and stopped to gas up the car as we were almost on empty. Grabbed a few groceries too. Some blogging and computer stuff and a couple of workouts. Almost through RippedIn30 when I get a call from the school that #5 has fallen and hurt his wrist. I went and grabbed him and he did seem to be hurting. He's my only unbroken boy! I got him settled, back to pick up the rest of the carpool when school got out. Then to parent/teacher conferences for #2 and #3. Then dropped #2 at basketball practice. I decided to take #5 in for an x-ray, just to err on the side of caution. It's not broken, so that is good. We did decide to sit out soccer though. I took #3 to basketball, they lost but I thought they did ok against the much bigger/older team.

1003 (Thursday) Good Day. Weight 155.6. Fitbit Steps 23395. Total Burn 2974. Calories in 1650. Calories out 1246. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 25min/2miles Treadmill. Got the kids off to school and got my cardio in. Feeling some muscle soreness, maybe from Ripped, so I decided to take the day off of it. Got a call mid-day from the Instacare, saying that baby boy's wrist WAS broken and he needed to come back asap. I arranged for another mom to grab the other carpool kid and went to the school to check out #5, and just grabbed #4 too as it was almost end of day. I dropped #4 home (big brothers had just arrived) and headed out with #5. He got a cast ... orange, as he'll have it on all of October and it seemed to fit the season. I made it home just in time to head out to #2's basketball game, which was clear across town. Silly really, as we were playing the other school team from our area. A shame this game couldn't have been scheduled at a school close to home. Our boys couldn't quite pull out the win, lost by 4. Back home just in time to run #3 to basketball practice. #5 was also not doing well, his arm hurting and maybe coming down with something, as he seemed to have a fever and bad sore throat. Poor pumpkin. I finally got him settled. I was so tired (#3 had come in last night around 2:00, and although I was able to get him back to bed pretty quick, I hadn't been able to get back to sleep for a long while). I wasn't anticipating a good night with #5 either, and I had to pick up #3 at 10:00 when his practice ended. Luckily ... baby boy slept the entire night, so I did too! I did actually hit goals today (well, a tiny bit under on calories burned but close enough) and also was SO busy I really didn't have time to eat much (had a protein bar for dinner at the basketball game) so still had my deficit.

1004 (Friday) Good Day. Weight 154.5. Fitbit Steps 26920. Total Burn 3131. Calories in 1900. Calories out 1409. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 45min/3.75Track. The middle school boys didn't have school today, I dropped them both at friends. I stopped and filled out paperwork and got fingerprinted ... a requirement to help out at the kid's school. I didn't feel like I could start a workout, as I was expecting kids to call needing rides at any time ... but both boys stayed at friend's until very late (I wish I had know that ahead of time). #4 had basketball practice at the gym with a track above, so I got in 3+ miles there during the 45minutes.

1005 (Saturday) Bad Day. Weight 154.3. Fitbit Steps 15563. Total Burn 2562. Calories in 2900. Calories out 841. Exercise: 60minElliptical. #4 had a basketball game at 10:00 (see highlights here, he's #7 and got 6 points). #5's team had a soccer game at 11:00, but alas, broken wrist. We might try to play next week (the Dr. said that would be ok). As we weren't rushing to soccer, we stopped for donuts on the way home from the basketball game. Ah donuts. Hubby then suggested going to a movie ... ah popcorn and candy. I know I don't HAVE to indulge, but ... I did. We saw "Gravity" Hubby liked it but I didn't really get into it. Got in a little bit of elliptical, worked on blog and videos and did some cleaning and sorting of clothes.

1006 (Sunday) Ok Day. Weight 155.4. Fitbit Steps 16211. Total Burn 2653. Calories in 1900.  Calories out 925. Exercise: 100minElliptical. Conference Sunday, so not going to the church building. It's tradition to go up to Maga's. Hubby and the boys went, I elected to stay in the peace and quiet of home, and was able to get in exercise and some computer work (blog, videos, journal updates). Stuck in a roast for dinner. Homemade oreos per usual. 

1007 (Monday) Good Day. Weight 155.2. Fitbit Steps 24253. Total Burn 3227. Calories in 2200. Calories out 1501. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 1mileTreadmill, 60minWeights.  It's always good to get back to the routine after the weekend. Got in weights and cardio. A little grocery shopping and I had some bananas going bad, so I made banana bread and banana muffins. As we didn't do our usual Sunday Circles yesterday, we did it today, breakfast for dinner. The boys had basketball practice in the evening until 10:00.

1008 (Tuesday) Good Day. Weight 155.1. Fitbit Steps 22257. Total Burn 3053.  Calories in 2200. Calories out 1327. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 38min/10miles Bike. After over three years, #2 was getting his braces off today. He was so excited. Took a big chunk out of my day though. Stuck a turkey breast to roast for dinner. The boys were scheduled to have basketball, but it was cancelled, much to their chagrin. But Daddy had a derby and then #3 was available to go help him.   I ate way too much banana bread today.

1009 (Wednesday) Good Day. Weight 155.2. Fitbit Steps 23885. Total Burn 3076.  Calories in 1900. Calories out 1350. Exercise: 100minElliptical, Ripped in 30 Level 1, 1mile Treadmill + lawn mow (front only). There has been a lot of coughing and sore throats going around ... no fever, it doesn't look like strep. I haven't taken anyone in yet (our insurance sucks, so a doctor visit costs $100+). #5 finally seems to be improving, but #4 wasn't feeling well at all and stayed home from school today. #1 was out too, as it was parent/teacher conferences, which I was planning on attending but couldn't go with a sick kid at home. Got in cardio and Ripped ... was NOT feeling it today though, had to push through. Nice day out, so I mowed the lawn, just beat the rain that hit in the evening. Ran #2 to basketball practice and then took #3 to his basketball game. He did great and they won.

1010 (Thursday) Ok Day. Weight 154.4. Fitbit Steps 20119. Total Burn 2885. Calories in 2800. Calories out 1161. Exercise: 100minElliptical. Feeling bleh today. Not sick, although #4 still stayed home from school sick. It was supposed to be his field trip, one that I was going to go help. I do wonder if they went, as it was an outdoor tour and it was pouring ALL DAY LONG. I don't think the rain ever stopped. Just dark and cold and dreary. I felt a little post-ms. TOM finished up but I just felt on edge emotionally, no energy and craving sugar and carbs. I managed to get my elliptical in, but should have done some bike and/or treadmill. #2 had a basketball game in the evening, and #3 had practice. I changed out of the workout wear to attempt to look nice (and did get some compliments) but because I wasn't dressed for it, I didn't get in an evening workout, even though I had a little bit of time before final carpooling of the kids.

1011 (Friday) Good Day. Weight 154.8 Fitbit Steps 24419. Total Burn 3139. Calories in 2400. Calories out 1415. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 45min/12miles Bike, 1mileTreadmill, Ripped in 30 Level 1. #4 still stayed home sick today. After school we had a playdate with two of #5's buddies. #2 went to the high school football game and needed a late night pickup. I made chocolate chip cookies ...

1012 (Saturday) Ok Day. Weight 155.3. Fitbit Steps 16913. Total Burn 2576. Calories in 2200. Calories out 850. Exercise: 60minElliptical + walk from soccer field. #4 had a 9:00 game ... I slept in so I didn't get in a workout before. They won easily. Then #5 had his last soccer game at 11:00, he went and played in his cast. The doctor had said that would be ok, and we wanted to be there to get some closure for the season, and to get pictures and the trophy. The kid did great with 4 goals! The next game (#3, basketball) wasn't until 4:00. They were ahead up until the end when the other team came back to win it. Hubby was gone with some work buddies, so I really SHOULD have gotten more exercise in, I did have the time ... just not the motivation.

1013 (Sunday) Bad Day. Weight 155.7. Fitbit Steps 3076. Total Burn 1781. Calories in 3000. Calories out 52. No Exercise. Days like today do help put my regular days into perspective. If I don't DO anything, then I don't have my big burn. I am earning that each day. I totally slept in this morning. Made the usual Sunday Circles for the family. Instead of our church, we went to hear my SIL speak. She is leaving on an LDS mission. There was an open house afterward. I had made brownies and lemon jello cake. There was a ton of tempting treats ... and I did partake. I was so sleepy on the way home in the car. Hubby encouraged me to lay down and take a nap and I did! 2 hours out cold! Yet I was still ready for bed just a couple hours later. Maybe I needed the rest day.

1014 (Monday) Good Day. Weight 157.1. Fitbit Steps 28953. Total Burn 3429. Calories in 2600. Calories out 1696. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 45min/12mile Bike, 38min/3mile Treadmill (1 mile jog, 2 miles intervals). 60minWeights. Ooops, weight up after yesterday, not really a surprise there. Motivated me to get moving today, although I ate too much. I was actually going ok until Hubby asked if I was making homemade oreos. I hadn't made them yesterday as I usually do on Sundays. Finished up the peppermint ice cream which had been a temptation for the past several days (it WAS the slightly lower calorie Slow Churn).

1015 (Tuesday) Good Day. Weight 156.4. Fitbit Steps 25081. Total Burn 3169. Calories in 2100. Calories out 1436. Exercise: 100minElliptical. 1mileTreadmill, 50min/13.5mileBike.  Not sure why I didn't get in as much cardio as yesterday. I planned on hitting the treadmill again but didn't get around to it. I'd baked some chicken yesterday and today I turned it into soup. Both chicken and wild rice (the boys had requested it) and chicken/veggie for me. The boys didn't end up having open gym, so that saved me some running around in the evening, but I did have Pack Meeting with #4. Hubby had a derby and #2 went to help.

1016 (Wednesday) Good Day. Weight 155.6. Fitbit Steps 26505. Total Burn 3191. Calories in 1800. Calories out 1463. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 53min/4miles Treadmill, 30minRipped Level 1. Felt like a Friday today, as the elementary had early out, with Fall Break the next couple of days. I was able to get my exercise in, and I played around with a new eating app "Meal Snap" (photo food diary) which I DO think really helped me. I'll have to see if I can keep it up. Hubby had a derby, #2 went to help again.  I took #3 to his basketball game. It didn't start until 9:00, at least it was fairly close. I had a hard time getting to sleep ... I always do after a late game.

1017 (Thursday) Good Day. Weight 153.5. Fitbit Steps 23668. Total Burn 3098. Calories in 1800. Calories out 1382. Exercise: 120minElliptical. 38min/10miles Bike. Happy with my weigh-in this morning, motivated me to be good today to try for a good "official" weigh-in tomorrow. Got back to a book on the bike, and caught up with "The Voice" and "Survivor" during my elliptical sessions. The boys were out today. I dropped #2 off at the school for some flag football with friends ... that kid is so social, he'll stay away for hours, but I never know when he's going to call for a pickup. Makes it a little hard to know if I can start something. He actually wanted to stay out until midnight, but I said no! Hubby wanted him home as they were going to get fitted for wet suits for the trip tomorrow. #3 got intimidated by the idea of wet suits and backed out of the trip (I'd already decided to stay home with the broken boy ... he wouldn't be able to do anything and we wouldn't want to get sand or dirt in the cast. #4 didn't want to go either ... my homebodies, they take after their mother). Took pictures of my food again today ... it really does help reign me in. Although I did make (and eat) banana bread.

1018 (Friday) Good Day. Weight 153.9. Fitbit Steps 23515. Total Burn 2976. Calories in 2400. Calories out 1253. Exercise: 120minElliptical, 1mileTreadmill, Ripped Level 2. Hubby and the older boys left for a mini-vacation. Pretty quiet day at home, even with the boys out of school. Had basketball practice in the evening, or thought we did, but the school wasn't open. #4 and I did a quick stop at the store while we were out. Ate a little much ... banana bread and those darn tootsie rolls! Those are mindless eating for me!

1019 (Saturday) Ok Day. Weight 154.6. Fitbit Steps 19195. Total Burn 2793. Calories in 2500. Calories out 1070. Exercise: 100minElliptical. I think one of the reasons I don't get as much in on Sat/Sun is simply sleeping in. I'm usually up by 6:00 during the week and my first session on the elliptical by 7:00. No so on the weekends. Today, we were going to try and see if we had practice at the rec center ... if so, I'd get some jogging in there. I went prepared, but the coach wasn't there and they said we'd have to pay $4 to get #4 in. So we went back home. I did manage to get my elliptical in throughout the day, but had to push, especially at the end as I was really dragging. I'd mentioned to my mom that we were free, so we made lunch plans. We went to Red Robin, I'd been craving the fish and chips there for a while. I'm always so sleepy after a big meal, I think I was sleepy the rest of the day!  I made cookie press cookies for the boys that evening - pumpkin shaped for the season.

1020 (Sunday) Ok Day. Weight 154.9. Fitbit Steps 18757. Total Burn 2782. Calories in 2500. Calories out 1058. Exercise: 100minElliptical + PingPong. Last day for sleeping in. Made the usual Sunday Circles even though the whole family wasn't around. Got in my cardio for the day + a little housecleaning. Hubs and the boys didn't make it home until around 10:00. I was going to get in one more elliptical session, but ended up playing ping pong with #3 for 20min instead.  Didn't make homemade oreos without the big boys here to enjoy, although they probably wouldn't have minded having them waiting when they returned.

1021 (Monday) Good Day. Weight 156.7. Fitbit Steps 21700. Total Burn 3099. Calories in 2150. Calories out 1365. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 37min/10Miles Bike, 60min Weights. Back into the routine. Kept track of food today with a new app "Meal Snap" ... taking pictures. Still tracked on MFP of course. Did pretty good until a heavy dinner and homemade oreos for dessert!

1022 (Tuesday) Good Day. Weight 156.9. Fitbit Steps 30108. Total Burn 3314. Calories in 2850. Calories out 1578. Exercise: 120minElliptical, 50min/3miles Treadmill. Stopped at the store after dropping the boys at school. Got some cinnamon rolls rising ... that totally blew my calorie count later in the day! The boys had basketball but with carpools, I only ended up having to do the 10:00 pickup.

1023 (Wednesday) Good Day. Weight 156.1. Fitbit Steps 27753. Total Burn 3323. Calories in 2500. Calories out 1592. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 1mileTreadmill, 45min/12mile Bike, Ripped in 30 Level 2. It was one of those frustrating wifi days! Went out in the final third of my Ripped workout. So frustrating! Had to revert to DVD for my elliptical as well.  I had some dough left over from yesterday, so I made more cinnamon rolls (ate more cinnamon rolls) and did scones for dinner. No basketball today, which was a nice break. The days have been beautiful too. I have to admit I spent a little time out in the sun.

1024 (Thursday) Good Day. Weight 155.0. Fitbit Steps 28045. Total Burn 3185. Calories in 2200. Calories out 1465. Exercise: 120minElliptical, 38min/10mile Treadmill, 1.5mile "walk" ... just up and down the hallway during #4's basketball practice. I'd taken my shoes/HRM/music and considered jogging out around the school, but it was too chilly.  Did a bit better on eating,  too many treats today though. #3 had basketball practice 9-10 ... those late night practices are hard, but hubby had actually gone to bed around 6:30.

1025 (Friday) OK Day. Weight 154.2. Fitbit Steps 18912. Total Burn 2735. Calories in 2500. Calories out 1016. Exercise: 100minElliptical, Ripped in 30 Level 2.  Late start for the middle school, so I slept in a bit. Early out for the elementary, then #2 wanted me to run him to a friend's house. It was about 45min round trip. Hubs came home from work a little early and we went to Tepanyaki for dinner. Not too bad calorie wise.

1026 (Saturday) Bad Day. Weight 153.9 Fitbit Steps 17973. Total Burn 2616. Calories in 3000. Calories out 890. Exercise: 60minElliptical. #4 had a basketball game first thing, and I didn't get up early enough for a workout before. My day always feels a bit off without my morning workout. Had a basketball game for #3 in the afternoon, but I did get in a few sessions on the elliptical during the day. Took the munckins to the church for a neighborhood trunk or treat in the evening. Walked to/from the church.

1027 (Sunday) Bad Day. Weight 155.2. Fitbit Steps 19644. Total Burn 2615. Calories in 2900. Calories out 889. Exercise: 100minElliptical. Got up and did my first workout of the day. Made breakfast for the family, then church. It was a nice day, so the little boys and I walked home ... my boots are NOT made for walking! Did get several sessions on the elliptical in. Good for a Sunday. Also managed to get in a Sunday nap ... it was wonderful. #1 made some gingersnap dough, taking most of it to his friend's where he was watching "The Walking Dead" (can't watch it here with the little ones around). I baked up the rest. Yes ... I ate quite a few. Took some next door to meet our new neighbors who had just moved in.

1028 (Monday) Bad Day. Weight 155.9. Fitbit Steps 20681. Calories in 2700. Calories out 1035. Exercise: 60minElliptical, 20min/1.5mile Treadmill, Ripped in 30 Level 2. I knew the evening would be taken up with a family party, so instead of doing my hour long full body weight workout, I did Ripped in 30 Level 2. But still didn't get in all my elliptical. Did a little treadmill but wasn't feeling it either. Dragging, didn't sleep well last night. Ran to the store for groceries, and the usual kid carpools. We did spend several hours up at the inlaws ... and it was just a crappy eating day all around.

1029 (Tuesday) Great Day. Weight 157.1. Fitbit Steps 26191. Total Burn 3454. Calories in 1300. Calories out 1717. Exercise: 120minElliptical, 13mile/48minBike, 60minWeights. Weight was up this morning, not surprising. It motivated me to make today a great day, and I did. I kept calories in low and did uber exercise (and felt fine, even on low food). I hadn't planned on the weight workout, but I had some time so I did.

1030 (Wednesday) Pretty Good Day. 154.1. Fitbit Steps 20862. Total Burn 2892. Calories in 1600. Calories out 1173. Exercise: 100minElliptical. Happy to see the scale cooperated after my hard work yesterday. Didn't quite get to goal today. I just wasn't feeling very motivated during the day. Dragging a bit, which actually isn't unusual after a weights day, or a low calorie day, and yesterday was both. #3 had a basketball game in the evening. Two seconds left, down by one point and my kid was at the free throw line. The crowd went crazy and my kid caved to the pressure, missed the shot and then proceeded to have a complete panic attack. I guess he's just not used to that kind of pressure. Took about 15 minutes to recover (tears, shaking, sweating, almost collapsed). It would have been awesome had he made the shot, but it IS just a game. It doesn't matter!

1031 (Thursday) Good Day. Weight 152.9. Fitbit Steps 23211.  Total Burn 3020. Calories in 2000. Calories out 1308. Exercise: 100minElliptical. Busy day today! Off to the school for the parade and party, then early out for the elementary. Then #5 to the doctor to get his cast off. I ran #3 to a friend's house, and had hubby go out with the little ones. I had #1 man the door while I went down to the gym, as I'd had a hard time getting in exercise today. I did keep calories in check though ... the new low this morning at weigh in was motivating to me!

September ... A Look Back

While my overall averages are similar to the last few months/goal (around 3000 for the burn, 2000 for the intake) I did have several times my lines touched and even crossed. That generally happened on the weekends (Saturday/Sunday ... Fridays were actually pretty good this month). I had a couple just run down days during the weeks at the end of the month though ... that usually doesn't happen. For details on any particular day, check out the Day to Day Doings September 2013. Probably more than you would want to know (but I keep this for my records).

Here's my Streaks Calendar for September.  Any of my mid-week "misses" were REALLY close. If I'd been paying attention I'd probably done a tiny bit more activity to get to goal, but I was really tired those three days. 

I don't have a specific calendar to track my elliptical ... I try to do 100min(five 20min sessions) every day. It would basically be a duplicate of the "Goal" calendar, although I guess there could be times it didn't line up. But close enough.  I do track my other activities ...

I try to do weights twice a week. I was pretty successful in September. On the week I didn't get in a second session, I DID do 30DS two days (Wed/Fri). I'm just never sure whether to call 30DS a weight workout or not.

I've been getting in a mile or more on the treadmill ... jogging, no walking for that one mile. I started strong in September then petered out a bit. 

The bike too. Started strong, then ... not so much. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with my fall (A Bit Bruised). My knee really wasn't impacted enough to keep my off the bike, but I do wonder if I had a bit of a negative connection to it after that. Gotta get back to it ...

Stats from Walker Tracker ... (Omron Pedometer. Mileage based on the assumption 2000 steps = 1 mile). Glad to get a few 30K days in. You can see the weekly cycles. Not quite as many steps as last month though.

So, onto October. I guess I still have the goal of 3000+ burn, 2000 intake (and stick with THAT a little better). I've been debating trying Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30. I know I need to add more "interval sprints" to all my cardio at times. I'm usually staying quite comfortable, I know I need to push it more, at least here and there. 

I had some big temptations food-wise. I made Chocolate Mint Brownies for the first time since counting calories. Big mistake! Also Beaver Tracks ice cream ... hadn't bought that in a while. And now, with Fall officially here and Halloween on the way, there is candy corn (I LOVE candy corn) and all the snack size treats ... so tempting!

Taking a look at weight changes ... or LACK of changes! No, I'm NOT trying to maintain yet! My immediate goal is to get to 150, so close yet seeming so far ...

Weekly Weigh-In #7 (08/30) 157.1

Weekly Weigh-In #8 (09/06) 157.6

Weekly Weigh-In #9 (09/13) 156.1

Weekly Weigh-In #10 (9/18) 157.1

Weekly Weigh-In #11 (9/27) 157.0

I really hope to shift the scale in October!
How did you do in September?

Weekend Review

Friday mornings, I sleep in a little (because the middle school boys have late start) and do my official weigh in for the week. This last one (Weekly Weigh-In #11) wasn't quite what I wanted ... and I'll admit, I did indulge in a Mint Chocolate Brownie a little later that day.  While I usually don't have a bunch of crazy plans over the weekend, it is just usually harder to get in good eating/exercise like I do during the week. But I was actually able to have a really good day on Friday (especially exercise-wise). 

Saturday was busy with back to back games. I had basketball with #4 at 10:00, and soccer for #5 at 11:00. I had #5 dressed and ready before I left, and arranged to have a friend pick him up for his game (Daddy was working). #4 had a great game (two baskets) and we rushed over to the soccer fields and made it there before the game started. #5 got in five goals!  Parking was horrendous though. We had to park pretty far away ... more steps on my pedometer.

It really was a lovely day out. I figured I should mow the lawn. Hubby has turned off the water and it really hasn't grown too much from the last time it was cut, but I love the look of everything even. I really enjoy mowing the law ... the smell of the fresh cut grass. And more steps on my pedometer. I pulled up all my poor petunias, which were fading fast, and cleaned up the flower bed. I brought out my pumpkins and autumnal decor. Much better. 

I did a little grocery shopping on Saturday too. I only got in three 20min sessions on the elliptical though. Only one hour of dedicated exercise ... but my non-aerobic steps topped 10k! I don't do that very often. I usually get in a lot of steps, but the majority of them are from dedicated exercise. I didn't quite hit my goal (22k steps, 3000 TDEE), I was close enough that I should have been motivated to do another workout, but ...

Sunday morning I was happy to see 155.0 on the scale. That's the lowest it's been in a while (January 8, 2012 to be exact, on my way up).  I'm determined to hang onto this. If that is my reading on Friday, I'll be happy (my MFP ticker showed 25 pounds lost).  I pulled out one of my favorite skirts. I haven't been able to fit into it in a while, but it fit fine today.  I'm on piano duty in the primary at church ...  just sitting for three hours is really hard on me! I don't like to just sit.

I got in 90minutes on the elliptical on Sunday ... more than on Saturday, but my total step count was lower. Just not a lot of non-aerobic steps on Sunday. A bit of a rest day, and ready to get back at it on Monday morning!

How was your weekend?

Do you have any non-exercise activities that keep you active?

Weigh-In #11

 Well ... it is what it is. Technically a loss, if you call .1 a loss *Ü*

Last week, taking the average of the week made me feel better.

The average was definitely down.

This week the average is up.

It wasn't a good week, I was aware of that as it was happening. With basketball back in full swing, I knew my evening exercise time would be impacted. Add in some food temptation and the daily calorie count went up. Calories in up, calories out down ... doesn't bode great for the weight. I did buckle back down Wednesday and yesterday (no chocolate mint brownies).

My Trendweight graph gives a sobering visual

I've had a pretty solid downward trend.

But it actually bumped up this week.

More numbers ... my average weight for the week was 157.9, up from 156.5 last week. My average food intake was 2400 (up from 2007), average TDEE (Fitbit Total Burn) was 2970, which was actually up slightly from last weeks 2933, but I admitted last week my activity had been dragging a bit (the weeks prior my average TDEE was always 3200+).

So ... I KNOW it's the food. I need to eat less, and I need to eat better. My activity is pretty good, but I probably need to shake it up. The elliptical is my "easy" fall back. It isn't that it is "easy" per say ... I do work up a sweat, I do feel like I'm getting a workout. It's just easy in that it doesn't have some of the same requirements other exercises do. If I'm watching a program that doesn't have captions, I can't be on the treadmill. The treadmill is just too noisy, I can't hear. It's not a problem on the elliptical. The treadmill, or circuit training ... they require me to put on SHOES, and my HRM. That adds time and discomfort, and makes me choose the elliptical over these other items.

But I know I need to shake something up to get the scale moving again ... just a few more pounds to drop from "overweight" to "normal" ... but I've been saying THAT for weeks now. Last week I moaned a bit about my MFP ticker being at 23 pounds lost STILL ... this week I'm actually glad that it's at least showing that, as it did slip back to 22, 21. When I requested movement, I did NOT mean backward!

I found a new LinkUp today ... How'd I Do Friday. I think my weekly weigh-in is a pretty good recap of my week. If you want details, I have them in my Day to Day Doings which I update each morning (well, at least by afternoon). 

It's the weekend.

And there are still some chocolate mint brownies calling ...

"Food Porn" & Chocolate Mint Brownies

So ... yesterday was the Weigh-In Wednesday link up. I often participate in this link up, but I didn't really want to yesterday. Why? My weight is up. It's been going in the wrong direction. Why? I've been eating too much. Not only that, what I've been eating has not been good stuff. Well, it's goooood (add a little moan here). Good tasting anyway. Good for me? Good for my weight? Well ... that's a different story.

Warning ... Food Porn Ahead

"Thank You" Bake-aholic for the image and recipe.

I made these brownies on Sunday.

I ate these brownies on Monday and Tuesday. 

I could not stop.

I want a brownie right now...

I hadn't registered a loss Friday at my last weigh-in (#10). Saturday was date night (Texas Roadhouse) and the scale went up even more. I usually get back on track on Monday ... unless I have chocolate mint brownies calling to me. So my weigh-ins haven't auto-corrected as they often do. And I still have some of these brownies left (in the freezer ... but you can eat them straight from the freezer, oh yummy). 

I had made these brownies before ... I had NOT made them since joining MFP back in mid-May. I knew, I just KNEW I wouldn't be able to resist if they were around. But I was glancing through Pinterest the other day, and there they were. And I was drooling. "I can eat just one" ... I said to myself. Myself was wrong.

As I mentioned in a previous post (Mucho Magazines), I'm making my way through my backlog of backissues. I was reading the September 2012 Women's Health when low and behold, an article on "Food Porn" and how even the images of tempting foods can be a problem (snapshot in the image up top). The article is online (The Food Porn Problem) if you wanted to check it out. It's an interesting read.  I also remember Food Porn being pointed out by a fellow blogger ( it's #3 in  Weight Loss Mistakes).  Though not labeled "Food Porn" ... tempting images were also discussed in a recent article in Fitness Magazine (Fat Proof Your Life). What are your thoughts on images of food. Do they affect you?

So ... I'm a day late, a dollar short and a couple pounds up. 

But I figured I'd still link up.

Weigh In Wednesday with Heather, Ash and Bailey.

I did NOT eat a brownie ON Weigh In Wednesday.

I resisted.

I've still got some brownies left though.

"Jen, Jen" ... seriously, I hear it calling ...

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!

Say What?

When I first started on MFP (My Fitness Pal) and checked out the forums, there were a LOT of acronyms, abbreviations and terms that left me scratching my head a bit. Usually, I could just google the phrase I didn't understand and find a quick answer, but as a list of helpful explanations and definitions came across the forums, I thought I'd post it here on my blog for quick reference (I did ask the OP for permission) ...

Even if you're not on MFP, you'll probably come across many of these terms on blogs or other fitness forums ...  HTH *Ü*

• 30DS: 30 Day Shred: A cardiovascular and plyometric exercise program. Developed by Jillian Michaels. 
• AMRAP: "As Many Rounds As Possible" ... often used in CrossFit and circuit training.
• BodyBugg: From the website: the bodybugg calorie management system is a proven solution in weight loss management. The bodybugg system works by keeping an accurate daily record of calories consumed vs. burned making it easier to stay informed, make decisions and more effectively manage your weight. (http://www.bodybugg.com/) 
• BMR: Base or Basal Metabolic Rate ... the number of calories you burn each day at rest.
• Bump: To bump a thread on an internet forum is to post a reply to it purely in order to raise the thread's profile. This will typically return it to the top of the list of active threads. At MFP, it will also cause the thread to be listed in your "My Topics" for easy reference.
• C25K: Couch to 5 K: A running program designed for beginner and non-runners to get them from the couch to running a 5K. Some are 8 weeks, others are slightly longer. 
• DH/DW/DD/DS or : Dear Husband (Darn Husband as the care may be) ... wife, daughter, son. SO: Significant Other
• DOMS: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: From wikipedia: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), also called muscle fever, is the pain and stiffness felt in muscles several hours to days after unaccustomed or strenuous exercise. The soreness is felt most strongly 24 to 72 hours after the exercise. 
• DYEL: Do you even lift? 
• ED: Eating Disorder. There are several kinds. Go to www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/information-resources/ for more information. 
• ESE: Eat Stop Eat. A type of Intermittent Fasting diet plan. 
• EMTLW/EMTWL: Eat More to Lose Weight/Eat More to Weigh Less 
• ETA: Edited to Add (people often like to explain what was edited as they modify an existing post)
• Fitbit: a small electronic device attached to clothing to monitor steps taken and movement throughout the day. http://www.fitbit.com 
• GW: Goal Weight- Related to the following:  UGW- Ultimate goal weight- The final weight goal a person wishes to attain  SW- Starting Weight  CW- Current Weight 
• HIIT: High Intensity Interval Training- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training 
• HRM: Heart Rate Monitor 
• IF: Intermittent Fasting is a pattern of eating that alternates between periods of fasting (usually meaning consumption of water only) and non-fasting. 16:8, 5:2, 4:3, are numeric terms you will in see in conjunction with IF discussions. 
• IIFYM: If It Fits Your Macros- See Macronutrients.  
• IPOARM: In Place of a Road Map: From the MFP page: "In Place of a Road Map is simply a way to get your metabolism functioning at max capacity while eating as much as you can and getting the results that you need. This is also a Fat Loss program.  Never confuse Fat Loss with Weight Loss.
• Macros: Macronutrients- the large categories of nutritional ratios of Carbohydrates, Protein and Fat. 
• MFP: My Fitness Pal 
• Net Calories: number of calories eaten minus number of calories burned in exercise and baseline metabolism. 
• NROL4W: New Rules of Lifting for Women (an often quoted book).
• NSV: Non Scale Victory a dieting and weight loss term for noticing your weight loss success off the scale. This includes smaller clothing sizes, measurements, compliments, etc. 
• OP: Means "original post" or "original poster" of a forum topic. Example: "The OP was clearly talking about carbs instead of fat." 
• P90X: A high intensity, 90 day cardiovascular/plyometric fitness routine. Created by Tony Horton. 
• Paleo: From Wikipedia: "The paleolithic diet (abbreviated paleo diet or paleodiet), also popularly referred to as the caveman diet, Stone Age diet and hunter-gatherer diet, is a modern nutritional plan based on the presumed ancient diet of wild plants and animals that various hominid species habitually consumed..." 
• PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome- Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which a woman has an imbalance of a female sex hormones. This may lead to menstrual cycle changes, cysts in the ovaries, trouble getting pregnant, and other health changes. Weight gain and obesity is common in women with PCOS. Losing weight can help treat the hormone changes and health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Read more at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001408/
• Primal: From Wikipedia: "The Primal Diet is a carnivorous, low carbohydrate raw foods diet, pioneered by Aajonus Vonderplanitz. It can also be considered as a Paleolithic diet with the addition of raw milk products."
• QFT: Quote(d) for Truth- QFT is used when a previous or quoted post is so on point and correct, you "QFT it" for emphasis and agreement.
• SL5x5SL5x5 (or plain SL) = StrongLifts 5x5 - a strength training problem stressing compound lifts - squat, deadlift, bench press, barbell row and overhead press.  Other related weight lifting terms: BW - bodyweight (as in bodyweight exercises, like push-ups)  DL - deadlift  OHP - overhead press  BP - bench press  LP - leg press 
• TDEE: Total Daily Energy Expenditure 
• TLDR/TL;DR: Too Long Didn't Read. 
• TOM: For women- "Time Of the Month"- The monthly menstrual cycle. Important in terms of fitness because of the uncontrolled body changes and water retention that can affect weight loss and fitness goals and plans. 
• Vegetarian,Vegan,Pescatarian,Flexitarian:  http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianvegan101/tp/TypesofVeg.htm 
• VLCD: Very Low Calorie Diet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Very-low-calorie_diet) 
• WOD:  Workout of the day 
• YMMV: Your mileage may vary. Basically means that if you try what the poster recommended, it may not produce exactly the same results. 

Have YOU encountered any of these acronyms as you've been reading? 

If I missed any, feel free to leave a comment and I'll try to update the list. 

I'm linking up today with Tips and Tricks Tuesday.  I hope this has been a helpful tip.

I know I wanted to keep it handy for myself!

Basketball Mom

#4 in his game on Saturday

We are a basketball family. In addition to the traditional winter season,  my boys have been playing  in spring/summer/fall  leagues for several years now (Hoop Dreams ... A Basketball Mom Blog).

During some seasons, the boy's basketball is actually beneficial to me getting a workout in. In a recent post (here), I wrote about the gyms with a track above the basketball court. I could watch and jog at the same time, and often get in five miles or so during games and practices.

I have three boys in basketball for Fall (#2, #3 and #4). Alas none of the games/practices are being held at the gyms with the track above.  Dang it. So instead of getting in steps, I'm driving, sitting, sitting & driving.  There is a two-hour practice every Monday and Thursday. There is open gym every Tuesday evening. Wednesday is another practice for #2, and games starting next week for #3. Thursday is game day for #2, practice for #3 and #4. Saturday is game day (for #3, #4). #5 is playing soccer (games on Wednesday and Saturday) as they don't have basketball for his age group. Juggling the schedule can get tricky. I do all I can, then get hubby, #1, and even Grandpa to help out when things overlap.

Busy busy! 

But I do love watching my boys play. 

As I'm NOT jogging around the track during these games, I stay busy running my video camera. Then I take all the good shots and make a quick highlight reel. This does mean MORE sitting back at home, but the boys really like them. 

Here's a peek at my boy in action.

My #2 is #2, the point guard.
Poor kid had back-to-back breaks (right foot then left)
It kept him out of basketball for almost a year.
He's SO happy to be able to play again!

Well, I best get down to my gym for some cardio and weights while I can!
My evening exercising is going to be limited!