Take a Hike

Throwback Thursday today. Unfortunately these pictures are several years old (2008/2009). I don't have any recent hiking pictures. We haven't done much (ok, any) hiking the last few years. Both my weight and hubby's have fluctuated since these pictures. I still have those tan pants ... they were my "hiking" pants. Easy to move in, lots of pockets. I just jumped off the computer and tried them on. They do fit again, so that is good. 

 2008 was our "hiking summer" 

... hubby and I got out several times and tried out a variety of trails. 

One hike I think I drove hubby crazy.

I stopped to smell (and photograph) the flowers.

During a trip to St. George, we got in some hiking in the beautiful scenery there.

Love the red rocks.

And hiking in October!

We even got in a family hike!

... so many years ago though. I'm not sure why we haven't been hiking since. It would certainly be easier NOW than it was when the kids were smaller (whether we take them or go alone). Unfortunately we've pretty much missed the season at this point. It's COLD, and there's snow up in them there mountains. I'm putting it on the list for next summer ... time to take a hike!

Top Tips for Workouts/Weight Loss

Several months ago when I decided it was time to take this seriously ... part of my weight-loss plan was to start this blog. To make my goals, my progress (or lack thereof) public to friends and family and others in the bloggosphere. Accountability. As I was reading one of the magazines from my stack (Health November 2012) I came across an article "100 Best Diet Tricks Ever". There were some good tips there, and one of the tips, #13 (it will change your life, claimed the cover!) was to Blog About Your Weight Loss.  Do YOU think making your weight-loss public is a motivator? Has it changed your life? *Ü*

There were some other tips that I felt I was already implementing ...
(and thus agree with, funny how that works)

• Weigh Yourself Often: I've weighed myself every day for the past 8+ years. Admittedly, I still slowly gained weight, watching it every step of the way. Now I'm watching it on the way down. While I weigh everyday (and thanks to my Fitbit Aria scale which syncs wirelessly to my Fitbit and MFP account my weight is updated, graphed and recorded every day) I really try not to focus on the daily numbers. I have an "official" weekly weigh-in, and I also average the numbers each week and watch for trends. It is interesting to see the fluctuations. I plan to continue weighing in even when I hit my goal.
• Count/Record Calories:  Joining MFP and tracking my food is what has made a difference. Calories can add up SO quickly. Write it all down, be accountable, know what you are eating.
• Workout in the morning: I always get in a 20min session on the elliptical first thing.
• Get enough sleep: I don't know that I am, but I try.
• Fill your playlist with upbeat tunes: Music can be SO motivating and there is so much great music out there.

Now ... two commonly heard tips (they were included here) were to Eat Breakfast and to Stop Eating Three Hours Before Bed.  I always get a bit flummoxed at these. Does timing of what you eat really make a big difference, or is a calorie a calorie? I'll admit, I'm not a good breakfast eater. If I eat breakfast, I always end up with a higher calorie count for the day. If I put off eating until I am hungry and need to eat, then I usually save myself 300+ calories, or whatever I would have eaten for breakfast. And while I don't have a big problem with late-night snacking, I don't consciously set a goal NOT to eat after 7:00, and I don't really feel guilty when I do. 

... another common tip is to have a Workout Buddy. Now the little article blip I showcased in the image above (the "Ask Bethenny" sidebar, on the left) is actually from a different issue. Health, December 2011. I had to laugh just a little though.  Apparently I would NOT be a good workout buddy ... according to her, you certainly don't want an "obsessive type who works out twice daily and counts every last calorie."   Is that obsessive? Is that bad? *Ü*  I guess it doesn't matter, as I am actually a very solitary exerciser. My only "buddies" are online support.

I couldn't find the entire article online, but there is a truncated version (25 Tips) on the Health Magazine website. As I was looking, I found another blogger who had reviewed this article, citing several of the tips she did NOT agree with. I thought her take was interesting.You can read her review here.

I found another article with top tips My No. 1 Weight-Loss Tips from celebrity fitness experts and I thought they were very good. Check them out if you have a little time. 

If I had to come up with a few workout/weightloss tips from ME...

• Break it Up: If committing to an hour long workout seems too much, try three 20 minute workouts spread throughout the day.
• Just Start: Even if you don't feel like exercising, commit to starting. Tell yourself you can quit after 10 minutes ... you will probably keep on going once you've begun.
• Pre-Record Calories: I know some people pre-log their entire day. I'm not that organized. But I do try to log BEFORE I eat something ... and often logging, seeing the calories in black and white will stop me from eating something I shouldn't. And with pre-logging there are no surprises.

Linking up with Workout Wednesday (what do you know, there are a bunch of good tips listed on today's post!) Weigh In Wednesday (does a diet-bet help you with achieve your weight-loss goals?)

If YOU were asked to list three of your top tips, what would they be?

I Like Link-Ups

I've kept a family blog for a few years now ... I'm not sure how many people (family included!) actually get around to reading the posts, but that's okay. The blog is mainly for ME. It's my way of documenting what goes on, and it's a great reference (I'll look up recipes, or figure out when something happened by going through past posts). It's our online photo album and journal.  When I started this blog a few months ago, again ... it was mainly for me. But that being said, it IS nice to have readers, to get comments and compliments. I have been trying to be active in the blogging community. A fellow blogger recently posted some ways to increase readership on your blog (Affection for Fitness) and there were many good ideas. One idea not included there, was participating in Link-Ups. These are often weekly posts with a specific theme. You are able to add your link and you are encouraged to check out others who are participating. I've found many great blog posts through link-ups, and I know I owe much of my traffic to references from these sites. So if you haven't linked-up before ... give it a try! Here's a list of the link-ups that I participate in regularly.

• Motivational Monday: Get the week started off right
• Friend Making Monday: Some fun topics, link up in the comments section.
• Tips and Tricks Tuesday:  Share a health/fitness tip or trick!
• Weigh-In Wednesday: Give a weekly accounting of your progress.
• Work out Wednesday: Share a workout related post.
• NSV Thursdays: Link up with your non-scale victory!
• Fitness Friday: Large link up ... share your fitness blog here.
• Stay Fit Sunday: Share a healthy living post. 

If these link-ups appear to be no longer accepting entries, check to see if there is a more recent one posted. All of the linkups I shared update weekly and usually have a "live" linkup going on.

Link-Ups can give you a little "writing assignment" post, as you try to match the theme of the link up. Sometimes it's a post you might not have written otherwise. The Link-Up can lead you to posts and blogs you might have missed, and introduce new readers to your blog. It's a great way of interacting with the fitness-blogger community.

I keep a list of the link-ups I participate in featured in my sidebar, and I also try to link back to the original webpage in my post (although sometimes I'm linking up an older post). Today ... I'll link this up with Tips and Tricks Tuesday (I already featured the button in the image up top).

(Another blogger posted about her love of Link-Ups with her own list, which has a few different than mine, if you want to check it out at Grab Your Kicks.) 

I've even started my own link up. During the week, I keep a unpublished post in progress, where I copy down the links and my thoughts on articles, blog posts, magazines ... anything that impacted me. Things I think others might enjoy. Then on Saturday, I finish it up and press publish.  It keeps me motivated to read (I've got a stack of magazines) and gives me something to reference if I want to find a certain article or blog post again in the future.  I've seen many others also sharing links and reading references on their blogs. I hope you'll come link up over the weekend (last week's Saturday Spotlight is still accepting).  If anyone was interested in co-hosting the linkup, I'd be open to that too *Ü*

Do you participate in Link-Ups?

Try (Motivational Monday)

I'm so glad I had some noticeable results right off the bat when I first started counting calories and actively setting goals to lose some weight. It was motivation to keep going. Then for a bit there last month, the scale seemed to stall. Yes, there were some Chocolate Mint Brownies that could perhaps take some of the blame. I had some eating days that were not great, I had some exercise days that were not great ... but I was trying every day. The progress has been slow, but I think I am still heading in the right direction. I am conscious of the choices I'm making and I am NOT giving up. Every. Single. Day.

I did have a slight shift in the scale this past week (Weigh-In #12) and that does help reinvigorate me. Ok ... I'll admit over the weekend Saturday was BaD, with a capital B and a capital D. We stopped for donuts after the boy's basketball game. I have no self-control. If donuts are in the house, I will eat donuts. And these donuts are big donuts (Dunford Bakers). They even have the "nutritional" information online ... so I know just how many, many calories I just consumed. Then hubby suggested going to a movie. I know we don't HAVE to get popcorn, but I seriously feel like something is missing if we don't. At least we didn't get a refill! So Saturday ... Saturday wasn't great. But I wasn't really considering it a mistake or a slip. I wasn't consciously calling it a cheat day. I did just decide to celebrate Saturday. We hadn't done donuts or gone to a movie in quite a while.

I managed to keep Friday on track, and Sunday actually wasn't bad, so I didn't blow the whole weekend. I'm always ready to get back to the routine Monday morning. I know some people loathe Mondays. I am not one of them. Mondays-Thursdays are SO much easier than the weekend.

It is a busy week coming up ... basketball almost every day. An orthodontist appointment (#2 is SO excited to get his braces off), I'm helping out with a field trip, PT Conferences. Hubby has two derbies. It's TOM too. It might be hard to get to goal many days, but I'll do my best.

Exercise Goals for October ...

I started Ripped in 30 last week. I got (not quite) two days in. I'm actually not planning on doing it 5 days a week like I did 30DS. I have MY weight workout that I like, so I'm going to stick with in on Mondays. Then I'll do Ripped Wed/Fri (that's that plan anyway). I want to get in my 100minElliptical at least five days a week. I want to get in my mile jog at least three days a week, with a longer treadmill time at least once. I haven't been good at getting back on the bike ... I'd like to get in at least two bike sessions per week (I NEED to catch up on my reading!).

Eating Goals for October ...

Ah eating. Exercise is easy, it's the eating.  My "goal" is to stay under 2000, and I so rarely do that. I think I'll make a "Streaks Calendar" to track the days I'm successful, and see if that motivates me to keep calories under control.  Also a goal to eat at least one fruit or veggie a day ... I know some of you gasp to think THAT is a goal, but it is so hard for me to do!  I'm so picky (Eating Issues) that my options are quite limited, but I know I need to do better.

Have you set goals for October?

Do you like or loathe Mondays?

Linking up with Motivational Monday  ... check it out to find other bloggers and their motivation. Share yours!

Wendy @ Daily Dose of Del Signore Veronica @ V Watts' Thoughts Morgan @ Fat to Fit Confessions Tiff @ The Fit Train Katie @ The Carb Monster Alisha @ Coily Locks

I enjoy Link Ups and I've started my own. Spotlight Saturday. If you have a post where you recommend an article, book, DVD, video, or another blog post ... come link up (older posts are fine, give them a second chance in the spotlight).  The link up is still open and I'll post each Saturday. It keeps me motivated to get through my magazines and to browse other blogs to find something to share. 

Saturday Spotlight

Magazines, blogs, websites ... there is a wealth of information out there focusing on health and fitness. Even if you spend a lot of time online, there are bound to be great articles, information or even tiny tidbits that you miss out on. As I move through my backlog of magazines (see my Mucho Magazines post) and find myself folding over the corner of an interesting article, or seeing something online that I want to bookmark, I thought I'd compile my collection and share it here on the blog each week. 

I've noticed (and enjoyed) similar posts from bloggers I follow ...

• Success Along The Way posts a weekly "What I'm Reading" list. I always like checking out the articles, some fitness health related, some not. Often I've already read many of her picks (then it's a "we're so in sync" moment) but other times I'm introduced to new information.
• Strength and Sunshine has a "Blogposts I Loved This Week" recap each Friday.
• Garden Girl had a recent post listing healthy living links in her blog.
• Sky n Surf showcased a couple very interesting articles on her site in recent posts.

I was glad that I found these bloggers, who took the time to recommend reads I would have otherwise missed.  I'm sure those featured also enjoyed having the link back. It's a win/win.

So, in addition to the links given above this week I thought I'd share some tidbits from my latest magazine reading (Fitness July/August 2013)

• Cruise Control Run app: ($5, itunes) ... An app that analyzes your music to match a specific tempo. I'm currently getting  back into  running with music and I am VERY beat oriented! I looked into it, but think I'll pass for now. Has anyone tried it?
• Split Ends: A quick tip from a stylist to put conditioner on the ends before shampooing ... hmmm, this is one of those "it can't really do any harm and it's worth a try" tips! 
• Preventing Injury: You can read this article online ( Workouts Gone Wrong) ... I know crossfit has been stirring up controversy in the news lately, and of course the crazy competitive Spartan, Tough Mudder and Warrior Dash were mentioned (which brings me to another link, a fellow blogger shared her recent race in the Warrior Dash, I'm not sure I'd ever be up for that). I've always thought stationary bikes were super safe, even after MY silly injury (A Bit Bruised), so I was surprised to see them make this list . 
• Slowing Sugar: Another article available online (Ditch the Sugar Habit). I know SO many of you have been able to do this successfully. I keep hoping that if I simply control calories, it doesn't matter so much what those calories are. Articles like this are a good reminder that it's not only quantity, but quality that is important. I don't know if I'll ever be successful in breaking my sugar addiction ...

Even though so much is available online - I love magazines. They are inexpensive, and a bit a motivation in my mailbox each month. I pretty much subscribe to all the fitness ones. Just a shameless plug for my munchkin ... he's selling magazines as a fundraiser for his school. If by chance you were thinking of purchasing a subscription, a portion of the funds go to support our local school AND my munchkin wins a little prize... a plastic monkey. Apparently he really wants these little plastic monkeys. Check out the sales page (Magazines for Monkeys) ... the 2-year or combos seem to have the best deals. Health, Fitness, Shape, Self, Women's Health, Weight Watchers, Eating Well. Non-Fitness magazine are available too (Time, People, Cosmo, etc.). Luckily for my little man, I did need to renew a few, so he at least got an order from mom ... and a monkey.

If you have come across something you think others would appreciate, I'd love to hear about it. I'm going to TRY to jump on the LinkUp trend. If you see it below, and have a post you want to feature, link up. If you do not see a link up link ... then I was unable to figure it out. Feel free to post a link in the comments though.

I'll leave you with one final link .... Metronome Magic. Watch 32 discordant metronomes achieve synchronicity in a matter of minutes. I watched the video ... it really was a bit mesmerizing *Ü*

Do you like "reading recommendation" posts?
Do you share articles, links or shout outs on your blog?

Weekly Weigh-In #12

It moved, my MFP ticker finally moved!

It's been stuck on 23 for FIVE weeks.

I would have been happy with 24, 25 ... but I'll take 26!

Watching my daily weigh-ins during the week, I was happy to see I wasn't bumping back up into slightly higher numbers. I never went higher than last week's weigh-in the entire week. Did I do anything differently this week? Not really ... it's been pretty similar to the last several weeks when the scale seemed stuck. I just kept plugging on. If  you want details ... check out my Day to Day Doings where I record all my numbers.

As I crunch the counts (calories in vs calories out ... and as I posted a few days ago, Exercise Estimates - Trying to be Truthful I'm really doing my best to make sure they are as accurate as I can make them) I came up with a total weekly deficit of 4141 ... so I'm not exactly sure where the 2.5 loss came from.  Maybe making up for one of the past weeks when I showed a similar deficit but didn't register any loss.

It has been a CraZY week though!  I've spent a ton of time with the kids sports (Basketball Mom, I'm behind on making my videos though), we had Parent/Teacher conferences for the middle school (both boys there have all A's) and THEN there was THIS ...

My baby (#5) ... my only unbroken boy! :(

Wednesday around 2:00, I was almost through  Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 Level 1 (just starting the third circuit) when the phone rang. It was the school saying the munchkin had fallen during recess. He really seemed to be hurting, so I brought him home, gave him some ibuprofen and did the whole "RICE" thing. I still had to run back to the school for carpool, the PT Conferences, and dropping #2 at practice. As the wrist was still bothering my baby, I told him we would go get an x-ray. The first instacare we went to didn't have their lab tech there, so we had to go to a different, further location. We had the x-ray and exam and the doctor didn't think it was broken and sent us home. I pulled out an old wrist brace we had  so that he would have some support, as it was very tender.  Yesterday, I got a call that after the radiologist had looked at it and forwarded the x-ray to the orthopedic guy on staff, it was determined it WAS broken (a buckle fracture) so ... back in for a cast.

My exercise was definitely impacted these last couple days as I spent unexpected hours at the doctor's office ... but it was so crazy  I also didn't have time to eat, so calories were kept in check as well.

#4's basketball practice was changed from yesterday evening to tonight (which is great, as I had #2's basketball game last night and couldn't be two places at once). And it's going to be at the gym with the track above it (Two Tracks).  Yea! I'm super excited to go and jog the track during practice tonight! It's been a while since I've done any jogging on anything other than the treadmill. 

Linking up with Coffeecake and Cardio for "How'd I Do Friday" ...

So ... some bad, some good ... how was YOUR week?

  

NSV ... Too Big

When I first saw the acronym NSV I had no idea what it meant. A quick Google search got me the answer and I've seen it around a ton since then (for a quick cheat sheet of fitness acronyms see my Say What? post). Now I have to admit ... I am VERY centered on the scale.  I'd seen a Non-Scale Victory Link Up posted on one of the blogs I follow (KJ Weighing In) and I really wanted to participate, but week after week, I just didn't feel I really had anything to share.

Well, I'm happy to announce my first official NSV. 

Last winter wasn't great. As the warmer weather rolled around I pulled out my shorts and capris ... and nothing fit. I was so frustrated. How had I let it get to this point? It was the wakeup call I needed I think, and I was determined to get back down. I had too many cute clothes in smaller sizes. Until then however, I needed something to wear. I stopped at the local thrift store and was able to find quite a few cute capris for cheap. Today... pretty much everything is too big. Baggy. Even falling down! I've pulled out the things that didn't fit in the Spring, and they fit now. I also had to adjust the strap on my HRM ... it was too loose.

So ... I've been able to officially participate in the NSV link up.
I do still have some smaller clothes I've saved.
I'd love the ones that fit now to be baggy!

What do you do with clothes that you have outgrown? 

Keep them or get them out of the house?

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?