Saturday Spotlight - Christmas Video Edition

Being sick this past week, I got a LOT of reading in. Novels though. I read the third Michael Vey book (my son is reading it in school and I like to be familiar with what they are reading), "Allegiance" (3rd book in the Divergent trilogy), "If I Stay" and "Throne of Glass".  I stuck to  my digital reading (on my phone or ipad mini) as real books/magazines were just too heavy and turning pages was too difficult in my weakened state :)  I also didn't have the energy to sit at the computer to read blogs (I did peruse some on my devices, but it's harder for me to comment or bookmark).

For today's Saturday Spotlight I thought I'd share a few of the favorite videos from this time of year ...

This was a cute version of 12 days of Christmas

Ordinarily NOT one of my favorite songs.

Video Christmas Card - Very Cute

With my basketball boys, I had to include this video

Have you heard of Kid History? They are some family videos, where the kids tell an often repeated story from the family history and the adults reenact it. We were introduced a few years ago, as we were doing our own family nativity and my brother said out of the blue "Dave's always the donkey" ... as there was no "Dave" at our family party, he introduced us to Kid History - The Christmas Episode. Our family was hooked. These are a little longer (about 8-10 minutes) but well worth the watching!

Breath Wars! Big Trak!

Weekly Weigh-In #23

Still a "sick" week. Tuesday was the worst day (the stomach flu after the flu) but I've been feeling better the past two days and have been able to eat and drink almost normally. Still keeping calories pretty low. I even felt the urge to attempt a little exercise yesterday and it went fine.

Not sure how much I can trust any numbers at this point (because of all the sickness and the drastic losses lately) but here they are ...

Down 2.1 pounds from last week. My average dropped from 152.5 to 146.9 (that's 6 pounds down). My total deficit was -5440, and that was even with no exercise/activity. TDEE for the week was 1809. But my average intake for the week was only 817. I just couldn't eat ... SO unlike me!

It would be good to get back to the routine, have a normal week or two to stabilize and see where I really stand ... but alas, "normalcy" is not on the horizon. Today is baby boy's birthday (turning eight years old), SIX basketball games tomorrow (two of the boys have double games) and then of course, Christmas next week. Then the boys are out of school until after New Years ...

THEN we'll get a return to the routine!

Speaking of school and routine. Last year, I agonized over a decision to pull my two youngest from their elementary school to different one. The reason? To move from the year-round schedule to a traditional one (with summers off, rather than 3-week breaks all throughout the year). It's been SO wonderful to be on the traditional schedule and the kids have adapted wonderfully to the new school ... but alas, due to overcrowding, a budget bond that didn't pass, boundary changes, now this elementary school is going to switch to the year-round schedule too. I'm heartsick ...

Linking up with Fitness Friday and Talk Less Say More for Fitness Friday. I do plan on getting in a little exercise today. Not pushing my return to health too much, but I'm SO tired of just laying around, I do need to move!

The Flu x2 Diet :(

It's Weigh-In Wednesday. This week we're introducing the Flu x 2 wonder weight loss plan. Lose 10 pounds in a week! No exercise required ... just you TRY to get out of bed! 

Ok ... I guess I did do some ab work. All this coughing must have worked them out somewhat. And then yesterday ... turned out to be the worst day yet. The influenza flu (fever, chills, coughing, congestion) had kept me down Thurs-Sun, but I was feeling a bit better on Monday. Not back yet, but getting there.

Tuesday I got hit with nausea. There had been a touch of it for the past several days here and there, but this was much more intense. I managed to get the middle schoolers off and was about to drive the elementary kids to school when it hit hard and I threw up (what little I had in my tummy). I managed to get the kids to school in that small recovery period after, but was hit again when I got back home and a few hours later.

The stomach flu is worse than the fever flu.

It was so miserable. I'd already been eating/drinking next to nothing for days, and now I couldn't keep anything down anyway. Hubby came home from work and brought me some pebbled ice which did hit the spot. We talked about going to the doctor but again, they can't really do anything for the flu. At this point I'm figuring that they would probably suggest an IV just to get some fluids in me, but I wasn't sure it was worth the effort it would take. We called a neighbor nurse just to check options/recommendations. She gave us some anti-nausea medication. Either it eventually kicked in, or the flu ran its course (while called the "24 flu" I've noticed the actual vomiting is usually limited to 12 hours).  After one more "session" in the evening, I made it through the night.

I had stepped on the scale Tuesday morning for a 146 weigh-in (down just a bit from Monday), and just for grins and giggles I weighed myself again in the evening for a 144.1 weigh-in. Down almost 2 pounds just in those 12+ hours. I didn't think that was possible after the weight I'd already shed with sickness.

So TODAY ... I THINK I'm on the road to recovery. I felt a twinge in my tummy this morning ... could it be hunger? I don't remember exactly what that feels like. I've been able (and even have the desire) to drink today. I even took a shower and put in a load of laundry. 

I feel frail and weak. I am going to take it easy on my return to activity, especially considering Christmas is around the corner and my streaks calendar is shot anyway  *Ü*.  Baby boy complained of tummy trouble so he stayed home from school today.

I know I'm going to have some scale shock coming up. No more one pound losses every single day. I'm ok with that. I realize that I'll probably put on much of what came off during this unintentional "crash diet" of mine. I hope I can keep a little bit of it though. Having finally broken through my plateau of the 155-150s that I'd been stuck at for so long, I don't ever want to go over 150 again. 

The Pros of Prepared Products

Sometimes having hubby hit the store is a good thing. He'll pick up something that I wouldn't. He was packing for a scout camp several weeks ago, when he bought the prepared apple slices to take along. There were some left over, and my boys devoured them. I had no idea they would be such a hit. I always have apples available. Does having them prepared and ready make that big of a difference? It is nice being able to send them in the lunch boxes.

There are times when it is worth it to pay a little more for "prepared" foods. In a previous post, I talked about my experience trying to get the seeds out of a pomegranate. That is another one that I think I'm willing to pay a little extra for.  I tried the grapefruit in a cup, but I do prefer those fresh.  Health Magazine did an article on Prepared Foods Worth Paying For, my apples and pomegranates didn't make that list, but they will continue to be on mine.   

I'll prep the apples even more, diving them into single serving portions (you can buy them this way too) to keep in the crisper and grab each morning for lunches. I'll do with with grapes, and even clementines (as the kids often don't get around to peeling them themselves). I've told the munchkins, these aren't just for lunches, that if they want a quick snack at home they can feel free to grab a bag.

During these past few days of sickness, my "streaks" activity calendars have been streakless. The one I have been able to keep getting an X in is my "under 2000" goal. Due to my lack of appetite that has not been a problem  Then there is my "feeling fruity" goal. Getting in at least one piece of fruit a day. I've actually managed to keep that streak going during my sickness as well. The first couple days when my throat was sore, cold applesauce helped soothe it a bit. Then I had some pears I had purchased which were going to go bad (I did lose a couple) so I had one of those. Those apple slices were one of the few items that actually appealed to me somewhat over the weekend (and apparently to others in the family, as we went through the entire package ... I didn't have any left for lunches yesterday. I'm restocked now). 

So anyway, that my Tip and Trick for the week.  Check out the "prepped" options of some foods. If it makes it easier enough that you will eat something healthy you wouldn't otherwise, it might just be worth the investment. 

What prepared foods are you willing to pay a little extra for?

***On the sick front, I was feeling much better yesterday. Still having violent bouts of  coughing here and there but no fever or other big issues. Still not hungry though, although by evening things I had a couple cravings (still didn't get many calories for the day though). I even tried walking on the treadmill for 10 whole minutes.  The night went ok, and I got up this morning thinking I was pretty much over it but have been hit with light-headedness and nausea pretty bad.  I know I haven't been eating enough (thus the light-headed feeling) but feeling like I'm going to throw up isn't a good incentive to eat.  I need to take the kids to school, and I feel less sure of myself today than any of the days last week. 

Still Sick

There's been a distinct downturn in exercise and eating the past few days ...

Still sick ... Saturday I did manage to get out to a couple of the boy's basketball games. I didn't feel great but wanted to watch and video. I tried to stay in my own little corner so as not to infect anyone. I rested in bed most of the day yesterday (that's a graph of my day to the left). 

No fever this morning. It comes and goes. I'll go for a bit without coughing and then I can't stop. Sleep ... the nights have been awful. I have been catching some naps during the day. My appetite is non-existent, which is SO unusual for me. I've been trying to make myself eat, but I've barely been able to get to 600 calories these last few days. My fluid intake hasn't been great either, but I'm trying to be conscious of staying hydrated. 

I'm down 7.6 pounds from last Monday.

Hopefully I'll  be able to shake this soon. Ease back into exercise and eating and back to losing weight the right way (and seeing how much of this loss I can convince to stick around and not rebound.)

I miss the me that works out all day, the Energizer Bunny me that just keeps going and going. I'm not that great a housekeeper, but this week, things have really piled up without me doing the minimal stuff I do to keep things somewhat straight. I'm attempting some laundry today.  Wish me luck!

Weigh-In #22

This has been a rough week. I've been sick. When I posted Wednesday morning (Working Out While Under The Weather) I thought it was just a cold. But I proceeded to feel worse on Wednesday, and absolutely awful yesterday.  My activity has dropped (yesterday I didn't even make it to 3000 steps; I had a negative Fitbit adjustment on MFP), but my food consumption has as well.  Nothing sounds good, and as I try to eat, I end up feeling nauseated. I only took in 700 calories yesterday (a little oatmeal, applesauce and chicken broth). My throat has been sore and swollen, I grimace with every swallow. My nose is stuffy and I have been running a fever.  At times it's hard to get a deep breath. Body aches all over (some of that may be from the inactivity, my body isn't used to laying around all day). I can't speak, my voice is gone.

I was sick back in February ... this seems very similar, except admittedly that time the sore throat was even worse. Then, I was laid out for four days, and then it took almost two weeks before I could actually exercise again. I hope this recovery isn't that slow. 

One bright spot this week has been the scale!
That's 3.4 down from last week. 

So I know a "sick" loss often rebounds with recovery, but I'll be doing my best to prevent that. I've dropped under 150! This is what I've been waiting for for so long! It's not even "goal" ... I'll continue to try losing until I hit my 135 - but honestly, I think I'm in a pretty good place at anything under 150.

So I've still had some "mommy" duties to do, getting the kids to and from school. I went to #3's basketball game on Wednesday night, but that was pushing it. I felt (and looked) awful. #2 had a game last night ... and I didn't go. I hate missing the boy's games. We have FIVE games on Saturday, so I hope I'm feeling better by then.

I watched "The Sound of Music" (I used to perform in high school and college and that was the last production I was in, I was Sister Margareta). I caught up on "The Biggest Loser" and "Survivor" and I'll watch "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal" today. It's weird to just watch, not watch while working out. I've tried to  get in some reading, but honestly my arms are just too tired to hold a book :)   Sleep has NOT been good (just 3-4 hours the last few nights according to my Fitbit).

Linking up with Fitness Friday ... I've noticed so many of the link-ups NOT happening lately. I guess people are just super busy with all the holiday happenings. Looks like the one at Talk Less Say More went up, so linking there too ...

How was YOUR week?

Working Out While Under the Weather

In the wee hours of the morning yesterday (about 3 am), I woke up with a tickle in my throat. It was annoying enough that I got up and ate something, just trying to "scratch the itch" but that didn't work. I tried to get back to sleep. That didn't happen. 

It wasn't a great day. I could feel my throat was swollen, not really sore (yet) but irritated. A dry cough. Just feeling off. #1 texted he wasn't feeling well and he came home from school and crashed. We were hacking it up.

Breathing in cold air always irritates my throat to a painful degree, even when I'm not feeling sick. When I'm outside during the winter, I have to have a scarf around my nose and mouth to warm the air a little before I inhale.  When I am feeling sick, I incorporate this (can I call this a Tip&Trick?) into my workouts as well. It is quite cool down in my basement gym... about 60°.  That's not a medical mask, it's actually a ear-warmer headband. I pull it down over my nose/mouth and breath through it and it helps. I really don't know if I'd be able to workout without it when my throat is irritated. Another benefit of a home gym *Ü* ... no one sees me (unless I post a picture on my blog!)

I still managed to get in five (20min) sessions on my elliptical yesterday. It takes more than a cold to keep me down. I did dial it down and kept it pretty easy, but it was better to be moving than just sitting around thinking about my throat. I've been chewing gum and sucking on hard candies to help soothe it as well. My eating has been affected ... and that's not a bad thing. Kept calories at 1300 yesterday. I did make some chicken soup, but nothing really tastes good. A hot shower at the end of the day helped a ton. I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to sleep last night, but I did ok.

Still definitely feeling it today, so I'll probably be taking it easy again. Moving if I feel up to it, resting if I don't. Maybe some elliptical, bike or walking ... no Jillian or jogging.

Even with little exercise, my calorie cutback did seem to show up on the scale.

My lowest weight in years.

So close to breaking into the 140s ...

Linking up with Weigh-In Wednesday.

How does sickness affect your exercise/eating?

Insurance Issues

Healthcare has been a hot-button topic lately. A few years ago, hubby went to a small company that didn't have health insurance as a benefit. Trying to find insurance on our own was such a stressful ordeal! Filling out tons of paperwork, and then the hubs was denied, as he had gone to the doctor to have his blood pressure and cholesterol checked. It had been high, and through diet and exercise he had gotten it under control. We appealed the decision, including his current reports and they finally did accept him on the plan with the rest of us. Our "wonderful" insurance had us paying almost $400 a month, although the $10,000 deductible meant it was basically just for basically catastrophic care, almost everything else was out of pocket.  Luckily, we are pretty healthy, despite a few broken bones, we got through the years without too many issues. We set up a pre-tax health savings account in which we tried to build a buffer of some savings for medical bills.

With the current health care changes, we received this letter (pictured above) ... under the new ACA, our premiums more than double from $381 a month to $835! I have to admit, I've been intimidated by our previous insurance application experience, and all the negative reviews on the "healthcare marketplace" so I have not checked  to see what our options would be there.

Hubby has recently changed jobs ... one of the things we took under consideration in making this move was medical insurance. We went ahead and signed up with the new company. It's still expensive (about $600 per month), and I am a little worried about the impact to corporations with government regulations this coming year. I am very afraid we'll be impacted again. But for now, I just need to figure out a new insurance company, new plan, new doctors ... it is a little better coverage (copays instead of just a deductible, which will hopefully help out. There were times in the past that I should have gone to the doctor but didn't because I didn't want to pay $150 out of pocket for a simple visit). 

So much of my journey for weight loss is to look better and feel better ... but I also do want to be healthy. While there are no guarantees, the steps I'm taking in fitness and food should help with health. I'm very glad hubby is back on board too (here). Wouldn't it be nice if there WAS a guarantee? If people ate right and exercised they would be assured of good health? I do wonder still, how many people could adapt to a healthy lifestyle even then ... 

Have you been impacted by the recent healthcare over haul?

Linking up with  two new ones this week ... 

Motivate Me Monday
Motivation Monday

... and also my usual Motivational Monday link-up as well.

Wendy @ Daily Dose of Del Signore

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

How can you NOT be motivated on Monday with all these Motivational Monday blog posts going around? Monday is actually usually not a day I'm lacking in motivation ... I'm always ready to get back at it after my "wicked weekend".  This past weekend was ok. I went over calories Fri-Sun, but did manage to keep the activity up, so I didn't really go over too badly. Weight was up a bit this morning, but not as bad as I expected. Well, off to hit the elliptical!

Saturday Spotlight (#8)

I haven't been reading as much lately. Just busy I guess. During the week I do try to give a quick glance to all the updates in the blogs I follow, but I don't think I've picked up a magazine in the last week or two. Even with my huge stack of backlogged magazines, and my new subscriptions kicking in - I did pick up a few issues from my local library that I need to read and return. Does your local library carry magazines? It's a great resource! My library offers many digital options as well. If you haven't looked at your library, you should check it out.

Just a couple online articles to share this week ...

• So You're Feeling Too Fat To Be Photographed (Huffington Post). This was an article I could definitely relate with. I really don't have many "before" photos. I was generally the photographer, behind the camera, not in front. On the rare times when I was required to be in the shot I'd position myself in the back, and I'd try to delete any pictures of me I didn't like (which was most of them). Even having lost weight and getting out of the "overweight" status, I still struggle with this (Picture Imperfect). 
• How To Make Your Workout Routine More Effective (FitSugar) I thought these were some good tips (although nothing I haven't really heard before). I have been trying to incorporate these ideas into my workout routines lately.  I know I'm in a bit of a rut.
• A Polar Review: You KNOW I'm a Fitbit fan and I'm not planning on switching to anything else anytime soon, but this review of the Polar Loop did impress me. I most ways it's really the same thing as the Fitbit, but I really liked the presentation of the daily activity (of lack thereof). This past summer, Fitbit changed up there dashboard. I did a post about it (Fitbit Fluctuations) and I still really miss the "pie" chart which showed the various activity (sedentary, lightly active, moderately active, very active). Reading this review has made me switch back to the old dashboard so I could see this chart again.

Yesterday I posted a music video for my song of the week ... I think maybe I'll move my song of the week to the Saturday Spotlight. It seems to fit in more here than on my weekly weigh-in (even if it is part of a Friday link up *Ü*)

Have you been keeping up on YOUR reading this week?

Any interesting articles worth sharing?

Weigh-In #21

It was a pretty good week. My daily weigh-ins have been steady (no big ups). While the "weight-loss" for the week appears to be 1.4 pounds down from last Friday, I've weighed in at 152.7 twice in November, so it isn't a huge change.

 ... although it was enough to officially drop my MFP ticker another number.  Down 28 ...

My weekly average was 153.0, which is the lowest the average has been thus far. My total deficit for the week was 4824. I did finally up my activity average above 3000 (TDEE for the week came in at 3248).  I got in a lot of elliptical, bike and treadmill and did three "Ripped in 30" workouts (you can get more detail in my Day to Day Doings if you desire).

I also kept my average intake under 2000 (just barely, at 1937). It seemed a bit easier this week to keep calories in check. I was doing ok yesterday until we had neighbor's drop by a Christmas treat delivery ... I did partake. Still "under" for the day, but weight was up this morning after a low yesterday. I'm sure there will be more treat temptations coming up this month. 

Check out how others are doing. Get a little fitness inspiration. 

Share your own with these Friday Fitness Link-ups.

JillConyers at Fitness, Health and Happiness

Katie at Talk Less Say More

Michelle at Mind, Body and Goal

For my song of the week ... I'm betting you've already heard about this great version of Little Drummer Boy by Pentatonix (if you haven't, it really has been getting rave reviews). We've been fans of this accapella group for a while now. They've done some great re-mixes!

Are you listening to Christmas music?
What are your favorites?