... it's that time of year

I don't how the weather is where you are, but here? It's turned COLD. We had our first big snow on Monday. It took me twice as long to get the middle kids to school. I wasn't sure I was going to make it home in time to get the little ones off. With the cold ... comes hot chocolate.  I love this little dispenser, keeping a fresh batch of cocoa ready at all times.  As the snow fell, I wasn't surprised  at all when the kids asked me when we were going to get the hot chocolate maker out. It's a tradition in our home.  

Other traditions ...

The stockings hung by the fireplace ...

A variety of holiday nesting dolls

our little elf slide toy

The Winter Wonderland Skating Pond ... this was given to us LONG ago and we've really enjoyed getting it out each year! It's on it's last legs, having been beaten up through the years. A fond memory with this was my little boy taking his dinosaurs and placing them in the scene, with one poor skater in the mouth of a T-rex, with the other skaters looking up in terror ... *Ü*

The kinetic pyramid ...

A funny memory not with THIS pyramid, but Maga's.

... it caught fire and went up in flame!

A Christmas memory those there will never forget!

... and then there is the Santa head filled with M&M candies. Christmas just is not complete until he is out and filled up (and then of course emptied out) ... the "clank" of the candy jar being opened and closed is a common sound throughout the holidays at our house.

I'll have to be careful of my consumption of hot chocolate and m&ms ... :)

We are lucky to have both families so close (hubby and I grew up within a 1/2 mile of each other, going to the same Jr. High and High School but not meeting until afterward). We always spend Christmas Eve with my side of the family. The annual slideshow and calendar capture the memories from the year. The "candy bar game" is tradition too. For hubby's side, we have a family party about a week before Christmas, then we go up again on Christmas Day.

What are YOUR Christmas traditions?

Check out  Holly and Amy's  Christmas Traditions Link-Up!

More Exercise Estimates

How do you calculate you calorie burns from your workouts (or do you not worry about the numbers?) If you've been following my blog at all, you know, I'm a numbers gal. But getting a correct calorie count is tricky. Who do you trust?  I addressed the issue once a couple months ago (Exercise Estimates) and I've continued to try tracking the different variations from workout to workout, and from the different gadgets and machines. 

The picture above is from a 30 minute/2.25 mile treadmill workout. 

The treadmill said 303 calories. 

My Fitbit said 242. 

My HRM said 225. 

I love my elliptical, and I usually get in five 20 minute sessions a day. I do always mark down the numbers from my machine itself. I do NOT always put on my HRM, or start/stop my Fitbit to get a specific reading.  But last week I did try to do just that, so I would have three different estimates for the same workout. It was interesting to see the results.

Machine readouts ... 209, 201, 211

HRM estimates ... 149, 147, 155

Fitbit calculations ... 191, 186, 182

Oh course I had to get the counts for a bike workout again too ...

30 minutes/8 miles

Machine ... 211

HRM ... 192

Fitbit ... 319/158

the Fitbit overestimates when worn on my sock

the second number is my  manual entry using Fitbit's online calculations.

Not really "exercise" ... but I thought I'd compare a 40min Lawn Mow.

The numbers came in pretty darn close!

I do always wear my HRM for my Jillian workouts (30DS, Ripped in 30) and it always comes in significantly higher than the Fitbit - which makes sense, as Fitbit can't calculate for many of the movements during those routines. It is interesting to watch how it can still vary from workout to workout (even when I am doing the exact same video), and how quickly my heart rate can change, going up and down, and which exercises make it go up ...

It was a good exercise for me. While the numbers may "only" be off by 50 calories or so, when you add that up over multiple workouts ... it's a LOT.  Generally for my elliptical workouts, I've just been going by the Fitbit estimate (knowing that the machine was probably overestimating, but not bothering to put on the HRM every single time).  I'm going to continue to try and track and watch for trends and make adjustments in my calorie calculations so that as I look at my numbers, they are as correct as I can get them.

Linking Up with

Workout Wednesday & Weigh In Wednesday 

My Biggest Fan

I wanted to dedicate this post to my biggest fan ... pictured above. No, I'm not my own biggest fan, I'm referring to my actual FAN. He blows me away.  Seriously, it makes such a huge difference in how I feel during my workout. I usually don't start with the fan on, but after about 10 minutes in ... I need it. Just that little bit of air movement can cool down my heated up face and give me the energy to keep on going.

My BIG fan is positioned to where I turn it toward me while I'm on the bike. I can turn it toward me while I'm on the treadmill (but I also have a fan on the treadmill which hits my face a little better). When I'm doing a weight workout or one of Jillian's programs, I'll turn the fan so it blows in that direction.

I have a smaller clip fan attached to my elliptical as well.

Again ... I'm totally spoiled with my home gym. I guess if you GO to a gym, you don't have as many FANtastic options (although I'm sure some of the equipment has a built-in fan, like my treadmill). When I'm jogging the track at the rec center (Two Tracks) ... they have a couple fans positioned strategically along the track and I love that small breeze as I jog by.  

So just my little Tip and Trick for the day ... if you can, invest in a fan!

Check out Tips and Tricks Tuesday for more ideas, and share something of your own!

November ... A Look Back

Well ... November was my least successful month since I started tracking.  

Starting weight was 153.4.  Ending weight ... 153.1.  

The highest weight during the month was 157.1.  The low was 152.0.  

It was my lowest average burn in months, although I did keep food intake under October's numbers. I've posted all my Intake vs Burn graphs together for quick comparisons. I wonder if I can ever get an entire month without my lines touching?

Not as many successful days on my "streaks" calendar either. Only 13 out of 30 days. While I allow myself some slack on the weekends, I'm disappointed in myself over all. At a glance (without going back and examining the Day by Day) ... the 8th, 9th, 10th was my BIRTHDAY weekend, so I guess that is somewhat understandable.  I do remember feeling uber stiff/sore for the 20th, 21st ... enough that workouts were impacted... and then just having some down days.  Thanksgiving weekend was in there too.  My "Goal" ... (22,000 steps, Fitbit Burn of 3000+) IS pretty hard to hit without some dedicated time and effort. 

Now for a more exact breakdown...

I got in some treadmill (mile jog) and bike (30+ minutes) ... 

You can see I'm more motivated Mon-Thurs.

Originally I wasn't going to keep an "elliptical" streaks calendar, because I figured any day I got my 100 minutes in, I was going to get to goal. You can see (comparing the elliptical x's to the goal x's) that I CAN spend 100 minutes on the elliptical and NOT get to goal. Even the days I didn't get in 100 minutes (and no x) I did still spend some time on the elliptical. I pretty much always hit my elliptical for a bit each day.

My goal for this month was to do a full body weight workout once a week, and try to do Jillian's Ripped in 30 two times a week. I got in all my dull body weight workouts, but didn't get to "Ripped" as much as I wanted (so I have not finished it up yet, I still have week four to go). After my stiff/sore week (Feeling It) I switched things up for the last week of November. I moved my full body weight workout to Friday, and did Jillian Mon&Tues. I figured if I got stiff and sore again, it wouldn't affect me as much Sat/Sun when I'm not really getting in my usual full workouts anyway.  I'm going to try and continue this swap for December ... I do know my motivation wanes on the weekend, so my only concern is that I won't get in my full body weight workout ... but I guess that is up to me!

... I know so many gals out there keep calories at 1200-1800 every day. Me? Not so much. I'm TRYING to stay around 2000, and have set up a "streaks" calendar to mark the days I achieve that.  12 out of 30 days. Some days I made it, I barely made it; but I did have a few LOW days too. Some days I was only over by a bit, other days ... I was OVER.  My exercise is fairly routine, but I think as far as eating goes, I do a pretty good job of keeping my body guessing about what is going on :)

I had a pretty good fruity streak going there mid-November. While I do like fruit, I have to consciously make it a part of my day, or it doesn't make it in.

Walker Tracker Stats

Under goal ... lower than the last three months

... about the same as July

But better than Jan-May before I recommitted to this journey.

So ... what will December bring? I know one thing, BASKETBALL is back in full swing!  I just got most of the schedules (still waiting on one) and it looks like my Saturday afternoons are going to be booked. Games Wed and Thurs nights, often multiple practices every day. I guess that is par for the course when you are a mom to five active boys! One good thing is that the majority of the games are quite close (unlike last year when we often had to travel up to an hour each way). Some of the little boy's games are going to be at the gym with a track above (Two Tracks) so I might get some jogging in (but then again, they like me to make videos of their game highlights too, so we'll see). 

There are also Christmas activities and projects and treats ... I do think I'll just be doing my best to get through December, and looking forward to a return to the routine for January. Wish me luck ... and YOU too!

Day by Day (December 2013)

1201 (Sunday) Pretty Good Day. Weight 153.3. Fitbit Steps 20106. Total Burn 2719. Calories in 2100. Calories out 1008. Exercise: 100minElliptical. Basic Sunday ... I haven't been making homemade oreos lately.

1202 (Monday) Good Day. Weight 153.6. Fitbit Steps 28155. Total Burn 3293. Calories in 1500. Calories out 1582. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 1mile Treadmill, 45min/12miles Bike, Ripped Level 3. Back to the routine, but baby boy wasn't feeling well and stayed home from school, although he didn't seem very sick (was playing by afternoon). Took #2 to a basketball scrimmage which lasted a lot longer than I expected (over 2 hours), then #3 had basketball practice in the evening, with a 10:00 (past my bedtime) pickup.

1203 (Tuesday) Good Day. Weight 152.9. Fitbit Steps 31594. Total Burn 3494. Calories in 2000. Calories out 1791. Exercise: 120minElliptical, 30min/8miles Bike, 30min/2.5miles Treadmill, Ripped in 30 Level 4. I got in all this, plus volunteering an hour at the elementary and doing some grocery shopping. 30K day! Hubby was gone all evening with a derby workshop.

1204 (Wednesday) Good Day. Weight 152.4. Fitbit Steps 27611. Total Burn 3187. Calories in 1400. Calories out 1484. Exercise: 100minElliptical. 30min/1.75 Treadmill (Incline), 30min/8miles Bike, Ripped in 30 Level 4. A negative net day ... I just got busy in the evening taking #3 to his basketball game, I forgot to eat dinner.

1205 (Thursday) Good Day. Weight 151.6. Fitbit Steps 28453. Total Burn 3127. Calories in 2400. Calories out 1427. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 30min/2.3miles Treadmill + 40min (about 2 miles) pacing during basketball practice. Had a meeting at the school for #5, getting him in some speech therapy as he has trouble with "s" sounds. I will actually miss it, it's cute, but probably won't be considered cute as he gets older. Basketball practice for #4, then a game for #3. Neighbors dropped by a goody plate ... I caved to temptation and took a sugar cookie and some fudge.

1206 (Friday) Pretty Good Day. Weight 152.4. Fitbit Steps 20063. Total Burn 2946. Calories in 2400. Calories out 1237. Exercise: 100minElliptical. 60minWeights. Late start for the boys, and thus for me. Got in weights and cardio. Early out then #5 had a playdate at a friend's house. The boys went to watch the high school basketball game in the evening. #1 cheering for his school, #2 and #3 cheering for theirs.

1207 (Saturday) Pretty Good Day. Weight 153.4. Fitbit Steps 23604. Total Burn 2832. Calories in 2700. Calories out 1123. Exercise: 60minElliptical, 45min/3.5miles Track. Three of the boys had basketball games today, but not until later in the day. I got in a morning workout, then jogged the track during #5's game. He made one basket, but it was his team's only basket. #4 had his game at 5:00, they won. #3 had his game at 7:00, they won. Tons of snow falling today ... I do NOT like the snow.

1208 (Sunday) OK Day. Weight 153.6.  Fitbit Steps 12602. Total Burn 2308. Calories in 2500. Calories out 599. Exercise: 60minElliptical. I was thinking I'd take today as a "rest" day, but I did still do an hour on the elliptical. I almost did more, but ended up spending quite a bit of time on basketball videos and journal updates. Sunday circles in the morning, Toasted Cheese in the evening and hubby restocked our Otis (cookies) and we had that for a Sunday treat. I did keep myself to one cookie.

1209 (Monday) Good Day. Weight 153.9. Fitbit Steps 28538. Total Burn 3283. Calories in 1574. Calories out 1900. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 30min/8miles Bike, 30min/2.5miles Treadmill, Ripped in 30 Level 4. Back to the routine. Stopped at the store after dropping off the munchkins then got to my exercise ...

1210 (Tuesday) Ok Day. Weight 152.6. Fitbit Steps 20186. Total Burn 2796. Calories in 1300. Calories out 1087. Exercise: 100minElliptical. Woke up around 3:00 with a tickle in my throat and couldn't get back to sleep. Feeling sick all day, #1 too ... he came home from school. I still tried to get in some exercise, but throat is definitely a problem. Made some chicken soup for dinner. The boys had scouts and basketball practices. A hot shower at the end of the day was wonderful!

1211 (Wednesday) Ok Day. Weight 151.2. Fitbit Steps 15788. Total Burn 2531. Calories in 1000. Calories out 835. Exercise: 60minElliptical. I slept a little better last night, but still awake some of the night, although I couldn't say it was because of my throat. I started the day with a session on the elliptical, but it felt hard. Got the kids to school and did a little more elliptical. Had to cut a session short at 10 minutes to go take some medication. Ended up calling it at 60 minutes, that is good enough for today.  Feeling worse as the day progressed. My voice is pretty much gone. #3 had a basketball game in the evening, I didn't really feel that great but I took him out. Easy win for them.

1212 (Thursday) SICK day. Weight 150.8. Fitbit Steps 2806. Total Burn 1674. Calories in 700. Calories out -10. No Exercise. Not a good night for sleep. Got up and was so lightheaded. Had to grab a bucket and did dry heave ... I really had nothing in my tummy. Still had to take the kids to school, and then #5 was getting an award, so I pulled myself back for that. Then home, shower, bed ... until it was time to pick up kids after school. #2 had a game tonight and I hated to miss it, but did not feel up to going out. Tried to eat a little, but food made me feel like I was going to throw up, and nothing sounds appealing.

1213 (Friday) SICK day. Weight 148.9. Fitbit Steps 2330. Total Burn 1643. Calories in 700. Calories out -20. No Exercise. Staying in bed except for the necessary trips to the schools. Not trying not to eat, just nothing sounds good and I don't feel hungry at all.  Fever/Chills, body aches, coughing, congestion.

1214 (Saturday) Sick Day.  Weight 148.1. Fitbit Steps 3370. Total Burn 1695. Calories in 700. Calories out 14. Well, I managed to move just enough to get a tiny Fitbit adjustment (and not a negative one). I made arrangements for the first two games of the day, but decided to try and hit #4's game. He really likes the videos. Unfortunately the other team was bigger and better and I really didn't get enough footage to make one anyway. It actually felt better to try and get out then to just stay in bed, so I also went to #2's games in the evening. They won both.

1215 (Sunday) Sick Day. Weight 148.4. Fitbit Steps 1103. Total Burn 1553. Calories in 600. Calories out -20. I'd planned on staying home from church today, but actually thought I was doing better. Not sure if I overdid it yesterday, but fever was back today. I can go a while without coughing, then have an attack where I can't stop. Had a fitful nap in the morning, but couldn't get to sleep in the evening.

1216 (Monday) Sick Day. Weight 146.3. Fitbit Steps 6365. Total Burn 1860. Calories in 650. Calories out 193. Did my school carpools, but still didn't feel up to too much. By evening, I did try a small walk on the treadmill, but that was pushing it.

1217 (Tuesday) SICK Day. Weight 146.0. Fitbit Steps 1562. Total Burn 1564. Calories in 120. Calories out -20. Got up for carpool and was immediately hit with a dizzy spell and nausea. It passed enough that I was able to get the middle school kids delivered. Back at home while making lunches for the elementary kids I was hit again, stronger this time. I did throw up. I recovered enough to get the kids to school then came home and collapsed in bed. I had a few more "sessions" and I was absolutely miserable. I couldn't eat/drink anything. Hubby came home to check on me and brought some pebbled ice and picked up some anti-nausea medication, then took the kids out for some dinner (I haven't cooked in a week). Thank heavens the nausea passed before night fell ... so I was able to sleep.

1218 (Wednesday) Ok Day. Weight 143.9. Fitbit Steps 6885. Total Burn 1846. Calories in 1750. Calories out 190. Feeling better this morning, but still taking it easy. Got the kids to school, tried to do a little laundry and cleaning, as it's piled up a bit while I've been out of commission. Felt a twinge of hunger ... was able to eat almost normally. Tried a little WiiFit in the evening, but it did feel hard.

1219 (Thursday) Good Day. Weight 146.5. Fitbit Steps 15569. Total Burn 2501. Calories in 1200. Calories out 831. Exercise: 60minElliptical, 60minWeights. I meant to take a slow return to exercise, but I was feeling a bit stir crazy today. I did some elliptical and felt the desire to try some weights. It  felt good. We got hit with a huge winter storm. Basketball practices were cancelled, but the game was still a go. Hubby drove so I wouldn't have to in the snow and ice. Our boys won.

1220 (Friday) Pretty Good Day. Weight 146.8. Fitbit Steps 15272. Total Burn 2340. Calories in 1600. Calories out 670. Exercise: 60minElliptical.  Last day of school for the munchkins before Christmas break. It's baby boy's birthday today too (8 years old!). I did go grab a cake and did a little shopping. #2 and #3 went to the high school to watch basketball games there.

1221 (Saturday) Ok Day. Weight 147.4. Fitbit Steps 9898. Total Burn 2044. Calories in 1600. Calories out 369. Feeling a bit off today, head feels fuzzy. Did 20min on the elliptical but it felt really hard. A bunch of basketball today. #5's game at 12:00, #3's game at 2:00, then games at 4:00, 5:00, 5:15 and 6:00. Hubby and I alternated and had #1 son drop #3 off. I think I actually had my fill of basketball today.

1222 (Sunday) Sick Day. Weight 149.7. Fitbit Steps 3454. Total Burn 1812. Calories in 2200. Calories out -20. Same as yesterday day, just feeling fuzzy headed. Did make breakfast for the kidlets, but didn't try to exercise. Had to lay down repeatedly. Skipped most of church, just going in for my piano duty the third hour. We had a family party in the evening.

1223 (Monday) Ok Day. Weight 49.1. Fitbit Steps 15420. Total Burn 2372. Calories in 2000. Calories out 690. Exercise: 60minElliptical.  Slept in and lots to do (prepping neighbor gifts, a video slideshow for my family party and some wrapping of presents). Also a bit of last minute shopping (both for gifts and groceries). Managed to get in a little elliptical, but I was pooped by end of day! Daddy and the boys delivered the neighbor gifts (non-edible! We gave wrapping paper).

1224 (Tuesday) CHRISTMAS EVE. Weight 148.7.  Fitbit Steps 6302. Total Burn 1975. Calories in 2350. Calories out 290. Didn't get in any exercise today, it's Christmas Eve and I was busy from the get go! Made roll dough, and shaped it into orange rolls and breadsticks. Made a double batch of soup (chicken noodle and chicken and wild rice) and some rice krispie treats. Finished up the video and packed everything up and headed out to my folks for the family party. Lots of people. Eating, watching the slideshow, playing the candy bar game and exchanging gifts. Got the boys to bed and santa came. I was very ready for bed myself. A bit of a slim Christmas this year, my being sick for an entire week before Christmas didn't help.

1225 (Wednesday) CHRISTMAS. Weight 149.2. Fitbit Steps 5760. Total Burn 1927. Calories in 2650. Calories out 242. The kids seemed pretty happy with their Christmas. Hubby had a ton of little presents for me, I felt bad I hadn't gotten much for him (he said his purchase of the wave runners during the summer was his Christmas, this year/next year/ the year after ...) We headed up to Maga's and spent several hours there. Overate today and yesterday. Took an afternoon nap, then I was feeling antsy and needed to move, so I got in 20 minutes on the elliptical. Grabbed a DVD (Elysiym) and ate popcorn.

1226 (Thursday) Ok Day. Weight 150.1. Fitbit Steps 17620. Total Burn 2424. Calories in 2400. Calories out 724. Exercise: 60minElliptical + walking. #2 had a basketball tournament today. Games at 10:00 and 12:00 at a new location about 30 minutes away. I had to drive on the freeway (I don't like driving on the freeway) but the roads were clear and sunny and it was fine. Unfortunately they lost both games. The gym was SO cold. During the hour wait between games I walked back and forth and did get in quite a few steps. Better than just sitting and I needed to move so I wouldn't freeze! In the evening we had a family party.

1227 (Friday) Ok Day. Weight 150.5. Fitbit Steps 14851. Total Burn 2424. Calories in 2300. Calories out 751. Exercise: 60minElliptical, 60minWeights, 20min(1mile)Treadmill. #2 had a basketball game in the morning, I was able to get up early and get in a workout before heading out. Alas, another loss (just by three, we were always just a few points behind). We stopped for donuts on the way home ... so that is not good for calories in. Still many holiday treats too. Spent some time running kids around, but managed to get in some cardio and weights. My treadmill time was NOT a run, still not up for that yet.

1228 (Saturday) OK Day. Weight 149.7. Fitbit Steps 14521. Total Burn 2364. Calories in 2300. Calories out 671. Exercise: 60minElliptical. No basketball today! Unheard of :)  If #2's team had won their games, they would have played today, but ... there was also a shooting competition my boys have participated in in the past, but #3 (the only one eligible this year) wasn't interested. With the day off, Daddy took the boys to join Maga and cousins at the museum downtown. I elected to stay home and enjoy the quiet house. I was far too lazy, I should have gotten in more exercise than I did, but I've been more "relaxed" since I've recovered from my flu.

1229 (Sunday) Ok Day. Weight 151.0. Fitbit Steps 7705. Total Burn 1999. Calories in 1999. Calories out 304. Exercise: 30minElliptical. #5 wasn't feeling well and stayed home from church. Daddy and I traded off watching him (so I just went for the third hour). Took a bit of a "rest" day today ... although contrasting current activity with past activity, all recent days have been fairly restful ... I thought the synchronicity of my in/out was interesting!

1230 (Monday) Pretty Good Day. Weight 152.6. Fitbit Steps 20207. Total Burn 2987. Calories in 2700. Calories out 1282. Exercise: 100minElliptical, 30min/8milesBike, 50minWeights. ALMOST got to goal today ... I should have pushed it a little more. Glad to get in the activity I did, but ate quite a bit too.

1231 (Tuesday) NEW YEARS EVE. Ok Day. Weight 151.2. Fitbit Steps 13075. Total Burn 2427. Calories in 2300. Calories out 730. Exercise: 30minElliptical. Interesting to see, while my dedicated activity was the same as Sunday (just 30minutes on the elliptical) my Fitbit Calorie Adjustment was almost double today, as I stayed pretty active prepping for our party (shopping, cleaning, etc.). We had the grandparents over for games and everyone but #4 made it until midnight. #2 had a 30K day today, with a couple of basketball sessions with friends.

Weigh-In #20

Twas the weigh-in after Thanksgiving ...

Yesterday, the morning before the big meal, I had my lowest weigh-in in a while. I didn't do too badly at Thanksgiving dinner, but I did indulge a little too much in chocolate pie. I wasn't surprised when the scale went up again for the weigh-in this morning. Hopefully I'll be able to correct that quickly. It's actually is a loss after the up from last week, but I had been lower the two weeks before that. 

So technically, .5 loss from last week. 

My weekly weight average was up .1 from last week. 

My combined deficit for the week was just over 3300. 

I'm really hoping to drop just a few more pounds and get UNDER 150. You can see in my sidebar that is my secondary goal. I've been so close for so long. Hubby has already lost a few pounds. Hopefully him being in the good eating/exercise mindset will help motivate me a little more. I just got some schedules for the boy's basketball, it's going to get BUSY ...

Tipping the Scales

Scales need to be on a hard surface to register correctly, right? In our bathroom, we only have a tiny amount of tile, the rest is carpet. There is just a small section in the toilet closet. So, we need to store the scale upright, and move it down when it's time to weigh.  I do wish we had a bit more room so that I could leave the scale in a stationary position.

Anyone else have silly scale situations?

I mentioned on Monday that Hubs has begun his own weight loss journey (again).  He hadn't stepped on a scale in a while, and he hadn't ever stepped on THIS scale  ... I got it this past January. I had to laugh at his Facebook post:  "I decided to step on the scale this morning. It's a new-fangled digital device that went through about 20 seconds of "SENSING", whatever that is. At the conclusion of the sensing cycle it insensitively registered "ERR" and no weight reading. Perhaps a hint of some sort..."

The Fitbit Aria scale CAN be a bit temperamental. I know as I shift it from the upright to the down position, I can't step on right away. I need to give it a minute or two to calibrate or something.  Hubby has since had a readout as he weighed in. He doesn't have a Fitbit (yet), but I did set him up an account to track his weight wirelessly.  He hasn't weighed in a few days ... he says he's only going to weigh-in every week or so. 

I weigh in every day, with "official" weigh-ins on Friday. It's been a bit bumpy lately. The weight dropped this morning, if I can maintain, I'd be fine with this number for my Friday weigh-in. But ... tomorrow IS Thanksgiving. So we'll see. I don't really plan on overeating, but exercise will be impacted.  Linking up with Weigh In Wednesday  ...

The Meal Snap App

I was reading on of my many magazines when I was drawn to a  recommendation for a new app called Meal Snap. The premise sounded interesting ... take a picture of your meal, and get a calorie estimate from the picture itself. It does sound a little too good to be true. The app was only $3, so I decided it was worth looking into. 

So I've had the app for several weeks now ... I mentioned it originally in my Photos of Food post last month. I must admit, I haven't used it as much as I should have. Not that I regret the purchase (all three dollars of it). I really like the organization, having all your meals saved chronologically in a calendar form. The estimates are off, I would not recommend trusting them, but I don't plan on stopping my food diary in My Fitness Pal anytime soon. Sometimes it's nice (especially when out and about) to just quickly snap a picture of my plate, then fill in the food on MFP at home ... it's nice to have the photo for reference as it is so easy to forget. 

What I love about apps, is that one purchase can be used by multiple family members. I mentioned that hubby recently signed up for MFP (The Hubs is on Board) and I encouraged him too add the app to his iphone as well. #1 son decided MFP sounded interesting and set himself up as well. He asked me "what was the picture taking calorie counter app you had?" ... so I think we'll be having some additional experimentation with our family.

Here's three "meals" from the past few weeks. I didn't go in and adjust the calorie count, although that is an option. This way you can see the Meal Snap estimates (wouldn't it be nice if my chicken and rice was that low? I did have trouble estimating it on MFP, because I don't eat the sauce that comes with it, which is included in the online counts. I estimated about 600 calories based just on white rice and battered chicken). I do need to go in and calculate the final picture... that was my boy's lunch today.

Capturing the pictures of food is also a fun way to lock a no-cal version in your memory (mmmm, Tepanyaki). You can see there are social media sharing options in the app as well. Sharing what you eat seems to be a popular trend (look around for all the "What I Ate Wednesday" posts). 

I do find it funny that I try to get an attractive staging for my food when taking a picture, even if it's just a little snapshot only for myself. But that extra moment you take to grab your phone and snap a picture does give you a moment to pause and think "Is this something I should be eating?" ... "Is this something I want picture proof that I consumed?" ... on the days I try to commit to taking pictures, I find myself a little more in control. Less mindless eating because I can't just snack ... I need to take a picture first! Ok, I do admit to forgetting to take a picture and pulling out an identical item to photograph after the fact.

   I even took a picture of just the wrappers once ... (ok, maybe more than once).

With Thanksgiving coming, this little app could be a helpful item in controlling and counting your calories. Providing you with a picture record, an estimate (however inaccurate), and a moment's pause before eating your holiday meal.  Linking Up with Tips and Tricks Tuesday. Check out the link for more tips and share some of your own! 

Hubby is on Board

Today's post features the hubby (this is us back in 2007)
I'm on the treadmill, he's on the bike.
We've since rearranged the gym (to add my elliptical)

For me ... after marriage I settled into a fairly sedentary lifestyle. Add pregnancies and family history and I just figured weight gain was inevitable. I didn't really even try to fight it. Then after the birth of our last baby, I lost the weight and added exercise every day. I never really mastered the eating, so in spite of the activity, the weight crept back on over the years. I did gain most of it back (about 50 pounds), but still felt more fit than I had been originally.  I feel like this time is really only my second time losing weight.

Hubby has had several cycles.

He's had his ups and downs as far as weight/fitness goes. 

Hubby and the two youngest (4 and 5)

Hubby said this picture was a wake up call (Spring 2008)

Hubby and the middle two kidlets (2 and 3)

I think the mustache makes him look even thinner! (Summer 2009) 

When the hubs is on, he is on!  When he makes the decision to eat healthy and exercise, he gets results. He's extremely motivated and has wonderful willpower.  But then there are times the healthy habits go out the window. If you look through our Family Photos, you can see some of the changes in him as well as in me. And he had a couple successful weight loss cycles prior to any of those photos too (I remember his first real one was when I was pregnant with #2 ... I thought it was so unfair that he was getting so fit and trim while I was "blossoming" in my pregnancy). 

When hubby is active ... he is active!
Some pictures from the last few years ...

 He has a road bike and participated in a couple of races, 

including a century (100miles)

 He ran a couple half marathons, 

and then finished a full!

He also enjoys trail riding.

We did a lot of hiking together one year (Take a Hike)
Then he did some harder hikes with friends.

... he got into climbing quite a bit too!

He always includes strength training as well.
(I showed you all the machines/weights we have in our home gym).

When Hubs is NOT in a healthy mindset, he can hit McDonalds every day, drink Redbull and inhale oreos ... he's a cookie monster!  When he focuses on health, he'll make his own cranberry/apple muffins, almond milk, overnight oatmeal, smoothies ... all sorts of "good for you" stuff and he actually enjoys it. 

When he's "fallen off the wagon" it's usually one of two things. Crazy work schedule or injury.  Back in 2005 he was quite active up until he ruptured his Achilles tendon. He has tweaked his back here and there, and had a bad case of sciatic pain this past winter. 

The hubs just recently changed jobs. We hope this new one will give him a little more free time and less mental stress. And with this change, the hubs in back on the health bandwagon. He signed up for MFP and has started to track calories and make better food choices. We've talked about getting him a Fitbit, but he's not totally sure he wants to wear one yet. I did set him up a Fitbit account, so our Aria scale can keep track of him.

He's easing back into exercise. During the week he gets up earlier than I do, but this weekend we both headed down to J&G's gym at the same time (so he had to use the stationary bike on Saturday, and I postponed my workout a bit on Sunday so I could use the elliptical after him ... and watch MY show).  

I'm betting he's going to pass me up on pounds lost in no time. But maybe this will be the little boost I need to get things moving a bit more myself. 

Linking up with Motivational Monday

Wendy @ Daily Dose of Del Signore

Tiff @ The Fit Train Katie @ The Carb Monster Alisha @ Coily Locks

Interesting Articles from Fitness Mag and More

I've been trying to get through my magazines ... should I read the oldest first, or stick with the most recent and work my way back? I just renewed my subscription to Self and Shape (they had run out) when the munchkin was selling subscriptions for school and I just got my first issues this week. I wonder if I will ever catch up!

I did get through several magazines these past weeks, nothing really had enough oomph for me to include it here in my Saturday Spotlight until I picked up the June2013 issue of Fitness. It had a few good articles.

• Take the Crazy Out of Busy ... brings up the "not a priority" statement that was also featured in a couple blogs last week (You're Not a Priority Right Now) and the article did have some good tips to consider.
• Can You Be Fat But Fit? ... you can't judge a person's fitness by looks alone. This was a good article. I know as I browse the blogs of several girls who might be heavier than I am, but are probably more fit! You can be "fat" skinny too!
• Home, Slim Home: Simple tips and tweaks to help you burn a few more calories around the house. One was to keep the thermostat turned down a bit ... I've had my house at 68° and my boys think that is too cool. 

I didn't have a lot of other items from across the bloggosphere, but if you like posts like this, check out ...

• Success Along The Way's"What I'm Reading" 
•  trength and Sunshine's Blog Posts I've Loved.  
• The Lean Green Bean's Bean Bytes

If YOU have a post like this (spotlighting links or articles) feel free to link up! Share your reading recommendations! I'd love to check them out.