A Couple of Cakes and a Caught Cold

This past weekend was my second son's 16th birthday. With all the crazy chaos the past week (getting #1 son off on his mission, rearranging the rooms for the kids) I wasn't really prepared to party. I hadn't really gotten gifts or anything (I have been buying him quite a few new clothes lately though, I should have saved them for his birthday). He actually needs cash (he's broke!) and I'll get him a couple belated presents. I did get him cake though! He wouldn't commit to choosing between triple chocolate or white buttercream ... so I bought both! We had one Saturday night (his actual birthday) with Hubs family over  and one Sunday night with my folks and his girlfriend (who had been out of town for the weekend). Yes ... I ate cake. It was yummy. The white cake is my favorite ... and it is gone, so at least it won't be around tempting me anymore.

I was fine Friday ... got in my Zumba and elliptical and continued working on the room rearrange that has been occupying the last several days (and getting me lots of non-aerobic steps and stairs!). As I went to bed that night, I felt that little tickle in my throat ...

I've caught a cold. :(

Hubs has been under the weather, and I was really hoping it wouldn't pass to anyone else. Alas. It was a bad night. I didn't get much sleep at all. Saturday I was still able to get all the things done I needed (grocery shopping, a basketball game, continued clean up) but I wasn't feeling great. I didn't do any exercise ... and although I wasn't super hungry, I did still manage to eat plenty (unlike my sickness a little over a year ago. Flu x2). Another bad sleep night, and no exercise on Sunday either.

Really hoping I can kick this cold and not have it impact my exercise. I remember when hubby came down with it a week or so ago, he tried to continue to workout, but said it was really hard. Not the normal enjoyable runs and whatnot. 

Weight was actually NOT up after the weekend, so that's good at least.

That was MY weekend. How was yours? Linking up with MIMM.

WWI #83 ... A Busy Week

The last few weeks, my weight seems to be fluctuating between 151 and 153. Up two pounds. Down two pounds. Last week was down, so this week is up again. My average went down a smidgen. As for actual numbers .... Average intake was 2293. Average burn 2689. I didn't manage a deficit this week, (over by almost 1000 calories).

My weight was quite consistent this week, not moving much. My exercise was very consistent too. Mon-Fri I got in my hour of Zumba, then added 40minutes of elliptical throughout the day at home. No bike. No treadmill. No weights. No racquetball. I really wanted to get in some of these extra activities, but it was a crazy busy week.

The beginning of the week was packed with last minute prep for #1 son. A big "last supper" with extended family on Monday. Setting apart on Tuesday. On Wednesday, early ... (like getting up at 3:00 in the morning early) we took him to the airport. He is flying off to Mexico for two years. Our four other boys and Maga came to say goodbye.

 Family dinner at Bucca De Beppo

The airport ...and he's off.

The rest of us went out for breakfast (it was about 5:30 by then), then home to get the kids off to school. Hubs took a quick little nap before heading into work. I packed up the rest of #1's gear, and when #2 was home, we moved him into that bedroom. It was a complete room rotation. #2 and #3 had been sharing a room downstairs. #4 and #5 got moved in there and #3 took over their old room. Much more space for everyone (except #1, we'll have to figure out something when he comes back). Up and down the stairs SO many times over the next few days as we finished up the job. So many shirts, shorts, socks, shoes ... so many not being worn. It was a gigantic purge fest. Hubs took a trailer-full of stuff to the local good will. I'm still really not done. The boys are moved it, but there are still piles of clothes I have yet to sort through, and #3 needs some stuff (a new comforter, headboard, nightstand).

Like I mentioned above, I still got in my "minimum" workout on the weekdays. 100 minutes. An hour of Zumba and some elliptical. I really wanted to hit the bike! I've been wanting to continue on with my book. I've felt the urge to hit the treadmill too, but just had so many other things going on. Okay ... I admit I had no desire to do weights and racquetball really wasn't at all in the cards either. 

My eating was okay amid all the chaos and stress. Not great, but pretty much the norm for me. Hubs admitted he had some emotional eating going on.  Now the weekend is here. It's a birthday week (#2 turns 16) so there will be cake. But with the move mostly done, I should be able to get back into my routine. I hope to hit the bike and treadmill ... and I know I should do weights. I need to work harder to get the eating under control, because I know that is the key to losing a few more pounds and getting into the 140s where I'd like to be!

President's Day & The Weekend

It's President's Day ... the kids like it because they have the day off from school. I thought I'd use this holiday to share this incredible penny portrait my brother made several years ago. Isn't it cool? Ala Lincoln!

For my weekend accountability, I weighed in Friday morning at 151.1 ... after the weekend (Monday morning) the scale showed 153.2. Not horrible, I actually expected worse. This past Saturday was  Valentine's Day. It was kind of a crappy, unhappy Valentine's Day (and day before).

Hubs and I were/are a bit on the outs (it happens even in happy marriages, right?) He wants to completely redo the kitchen. I. Don't. I LIKE my kitchen, and the though of it completely torn up, and the cost (financial, time, inconvenience) ... totally stresses me out! I know, most women would probably love a new kitchen. Poor me! Add to that, and Hubby having a cold ... no smooching on Valentine's Day :(

I don't know that I slept at all Thursday night stressing about kitchen stuff. That doesn't make for a good Friday. All the Zumba posters always show everyone happy and smiling, and that is how I usually feel. In fact, I'd wondered if you COULD be sad at Zumba. You can. I couldn't kick it Friday. I had gone to an earlier class (taking advantage of having my oldest home to run #3 to school) because #4 wanted (well, insisted) me to come be a parent helper at the school valentine day party. After attempting Zumba, I gave up after 30 minutes. My heart wasn't in it (literally, I could NOT get my heart rate up, my stats were as miserable as me). I went to the school and did my duty there, then went home and curled up in bed until it was time to pick the kids up from school.

There are times stress and sadness take away my appetite. Sometimes I exercise more, using it as an escape. This wasn't one of those weekends. I didn't really go overboard on the eating ... but I did make a couple batches of sugar cookies (shaped as hearts, had to get into the valentine day a bit). I ate many of these cookies. Fri/Sat/Sun were pretty pitiful as far as fitness.

There was basketball, as usual. Games Friday and Saturday. At least they got me out of the house, out of the bed. You can see my #2 in action (he's #3 in the video) as I also spent some time over the weekend going through clips and making muvees ... http://youtu.be/camXwGPKWCE He had 16 points.

 Here's a picture ... love the funny faces the stills capture!

Isn't this an awesome shot? 

(I didn't take it, one of the other coaches did)

Sunday was church ... and then the afternoon helping #3 with a school assignment. Not exactly how Hubs and I wanted to spend the weekend, but I'm sure glad Hubs came to help. I always "love" homework for the parents too (although #2 did this same assignment a couple years ago with a friend without any help). Here is the finished product (in video form) ...

So that was the weekend ... linking up with MIMM. I really am glad it's Monday. Even if it's not a "normal" Monday, being a holiday with kids out of school. I did still hit Zumba and got in my 40minutes of elliptical. That's not my usual Monday, but it's good enough. Now out to dinner with the family ... a "Last Supper" for #1 who will be leaving early Wednesday for two years. And as soon as he's gone, it will be the GREAT ROOM REARRANGE (moving the remaining four kids into different bedrooms), which will impact exercise, but will still probably get in a lot of activity. It will be a good change but a lot of work. Maybe I'll be stressed enough I won't snack all the time!

WWI #82 - Not A Good Week But ...

Well ... down 2.63 pounds this week! Now before you go congratulating me, I've been losing and gaining these same pounds a LOT over the past couple years. This 150-155 range seems to be my spot. Up and Down. Back and Forth. Cha-Cha. Still aiming to get a foothold in the spot just below (the 140-149 range).

It really wasn't a good week as far as the numbers go. The weekend was really crazy (Glad This Weekend Is Over), with big food numbers and low fitness ones. I did pretty good back in the routine on Mon and Tuesday, but then got hit with some back pain (minor, but still impacting exercise a little) and tummy troubles Wed and Thursday. Too bad the tummy troubles didn't take away my appetite. I still managed to eat. If you want to know what the actual numbers were ...

NUMBERS: Average weight for the week was 153.6, which was down a smidgen. Average intake was 2457. Average daily expenditure was 2682. With the higher intake and lower output, I didn't even manage a deficit at all this week, I was over by 1712 calories. Not sure where the loss came from. Sometimes the numbers do not line up.

I have updated my Daily Doings ... if you wanted details on the day to day. 

I also updated my Weekly Weigh-In page where you can see my checkins over the past couple years.

Linking up with Fitness Friday.

"Fitbit Finder" Comes Through Again!

We are a Fitbit Family. The BTLExplorer screen shot above shows all of our devices as we went for a drive. There are seven people in our immediate family, and seven Fitbits (the "unknown device" is #1 sons new Charge). I downloaded the BTLExplorer app a while back when I heard stories of how it had helped people find a lost Fitbit. It was free, so I figured I'd have it on hand just in case. Then I needed to put the app to use (Lost and Found) and was so thankful I'd heard about it!

In addition to my immediate family being fitted with Fitbits, my extended family is too. My parents, brothers, SILs and sister all have one now. Last week, my mother copied me on an email my brother had sent. He was so sad, as he'd lost his Fitbit Flex. He had searched the house to no avail. I emailed him back and told him about this app. Here was a bit of our email exchange ...

• Me:  You do still have to be somewhat close...15 feet or so, but as Mom said I was able to find mine on a grass soccer field in the dark. It's worth a try.  I've attached a screenshot of the app while my family was in the car ... the One and Flex (with the smallest number) are me and Gray in the front seat of the car, Landon is right behind me (with the Unknown, which has now updated to show it is a Charge). Callahan is in the other second row seat, and the three little boys (two Zips and a One) are in the back. You can see how the numbers are higher when the Fitbit is further away from the phone. If you walked all around your house, hopefully it would pick up the Flex, then you could play "hot and cold" once you've narrowed it down to a room or something. IF it's in the house ... 
• D: Cool app! I'm using it now, and it says "Flex" under my "Peripherals" but I keep walking around and I can't seem to locate it. My numbers for the Flex are all negative (i.e. -92). I got it down to -60 or so in the garage but still couldn't find it anywhere! I'm scared that the battery is going to die on my Flex and then I'll be really out of luck! I lost it Monday night so the battery should be pretty well gone by now.  
• Me: I don't know if it's a negative or a dash (-), but regardless, 127 means you are in the same room, as you get closer, the number drops. Around 50-60 and you should be right on top of it. So go back to the garage, it's there somewhere! 
• D: Oh my gosh - I can't believe it, but that app totally worked. I found it! I went back to the garage and the lowest rating was right by my work shelf. I started rummaging through a box that I don't even remember using this week and there it was! I must have come off while I was working and fallen into this obscure box of random supplies! I wouldn't have found it for years! Thanks Jen! That app saved $99!

Aren't I a handy sister to have around?  It helped me in my "mommy" role too ...

Yesterday, #4 was looking around, and looking guilty! I asked him what was up and he admitted he couldn't find his Fitbit. I grabbed my phone and pulled up the handy dandy BTLExplorer app. I walked all around the house, but no extra One appeared on the screen. I checked the car, but it wasn't there either. I suggested we try going back to the school and retracing his steps. We went back to the elementary, and almost upon getting out of the car ... another One popped up on my app. It WAS here somewhere. I actually don't think we really even needed the app at this point, as it was in plain site there on the sidewalk (it must have fallen off as he and his brother raced to the car after school). If it had been out in the field though, the app would have been essential. It had been SO nice to know it wasn't in the house or the car though, so we didn't even spend any time looking there.

So if YOU have a Fitbit and an Apple product (ipod touch, phone or Ipad, I don't know if it's available for android) I really suggest downloading this app. It's free! play around with it a bit to get an idea of how it works (like my little screen shot at the top of this post). If your Fitbit disappears, maybe this can help you track it back down. 

Late linkup with Workout Wednesday!

 

Recent Reads - Digi Series

When I first discovered digital reading, I was a bit frustrated that e-books were often still as expensive as a physical copy. It just seemed like they SHOULD be less expensive, as they didn't require materials, printing, etc.  I have found that there are many e-books that are offered for free or greatly reduced prices. Today I thought I'd spotlight a couple of my favorite series I read last year.

I started the "Saving Mars" series in January of last year. Book 1 had been offered for free, and then the first three books were offered in a set for $.99. I read all three and really enjoyed them. Books four and five were out, but I knew there was a sixth book set. I postponed finishing reading the series until the final book was out for I could read them back to back... I'll also admit I was watching for any deals on the final three books too (I'm cheap!). I ended up buying the final three (about $4-$5 each, a deal was offered after I'd already purchased mine but I think the prices have gone up again). 

I really like how the covers are so consistent through the series. The individual books have run together a bit in my mind, yet I remember each book having a definite conclusion (no big cliffhangers) while leaving things open for the next book. Sometimes I just have to wonder where these authors come up with all the unique details and world building. This series takes place on a struggling Mars colony, and on Earth ... but there are some interesting changes here (re-bodying!).  Anyway, these books were fun and easy to read, and clean (from a parental perspective). As far as I know, this six series set is only available as a digital download.

Another series I read last year was "The Frost Chronicles" ... a set of five books.  I can't remember where I heard about this one, but as an Amazon Prime member, I get to borrow a book from the Kindle Lending Library once a month. I picked this as one of my selections.

This series introduced us to a small village in a harsh landscape. Out in the woods roam monsters called "Watchers" ... I couldn't help but recall the movie "Watcher in the Woods" from my younger days (I can't remember the actual plot of the movie, just the title). The setting also had some parallels to M.NightShyamalan's "The Village"(I wondered if the twist there might come into play, but it didn't.) At the end of this book, I couldn't help but think of "Stargate" ...

I really liked the book and was anxious to continue on with the series. Not quite anxious enough to spend money to buy the next books ... but I was always waiting for the end of the month to come, for my Kindle borrowing limit to reset, so I could download the next book. I'd finish them in just a few days (even though I had to read them exclusively on my Kindle, which means I couldn't read them on my phone while I was out and about). 

 ... I remember being a bit disappointed in book 2 (Thorns). Many books suffer as a series continues. It was just a little depressing, not much action. I was happy when  book 3 and the remaining books came back to the level of book 1. There is the stereotypical love triangle here ... no real winner between the boys for me, I'd root for the one that was the most present at the time. These books did tend to just END, leaving me hanging for the next book.

But both this series and the Saving Mars series had long term endings at the final conclusion. Like in Harry Potter, where it then quickly sums up years, giving the reader a glimpse of the future for the characters we've grown to love. That is always a definite ending for a series. The Frost Chronicles actually have a couple novellas ... which I haven't read. Like I said, I'm cheap. I have a hard time paying $2 for those tiny reads.

I do believe the Frost Chronicles are published in print, as well as digital format, but they are less expensive as an e-book. And if you are part of Kindle Unlimited, or Prime, you can read them for free.

Has anyone else enjoyed these series?

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Reading is part of my exercise routine. I read while I ride my stationary bike. I prefer the ease of digital reading and am featuring a "Recent Reads" topic the 2nd Tuesday of each month on the blog.

Glad This Weekend is Over!

Our oldest son, being 19 years old, is going on a mission for the LDS church. He'll be serving in Peublo, Mexico for two years. There has been a lot of prep, getting travel documents, new clothes, etc. One of the final events is a "farewell" talk in church, usually with an open house afterward (as some friends and family have come from further away. We have to feed them and have a chance to socialize, right?)

This past weekend was the farewell and open house. Hubs was pretty stressed about having people over in the house. This past week, he pulled up all the carpet in the front three rooms and had new carpet laid down (New Carpet/Couch). He bought a new couch, love seat and chairs and took loads to good will and the dump. If he'd had more time I'm sure there would have been a paint job and new tile too.

Then there was food prep. You never know exactly how many people are going to come. We ordered a bunch of mini croissants and pounds of chicken salad. My MIL offered to bring a fruit plate and a veggie plate. Years ago, Hubs purchased not one, but TWO chocolate fountains! We have used them quite often during the past years (A Fountain of Chocolate and the Aftermath). Of course one fountain was going to be milk chocolate. If we've done two, the other, smaller fountain would have either dark chocolate, white chocolate or caramel. This time, the boys had a brainstorm to try cheese. We tried it out the night before and it was a hit ...

Luckily, nachos do not appeal to me at all, 

but Hubs moaned that he ate way too much!

 The spread ... 

A closer look at the chocolate fountain and it's "dippers"

Lots of socializing.

Poor #2 sat down on the couch to rest.

Add an Uncle.

Then a brother.

Then another brother.

Then cousins.

No rest for the wicked!

Dogpiles just tend to happen in our family!

It was SUCH a relief later on Sunday afternoon. All the guests were gone, everything was put away. Hubs and I took a nap! This even has been weighing on us so we're glad it's over. It didn't really feel like a "weekend" it was so busy.  But Monday morning ... back to the routine.  Weigh in this morning was 155, not too bad after having a fountain of chocolate flowing in the kitchen!  Linking up with MIMM. At least this next week should be fairly normal ...

WWI #81 - New Carpet and Couch

Another week solidly in the 150-155 range. I did bump above it slightly for Monday morning ... but that was the day after Superbowl feasting, so that wasn't unexpected. It was a rather crazy week! #1 is preparing to leave on an LDS mission, and this coming Sunday is his "farewell" (the church has tried to step away from the term, but everyone still uses it). He'll speak in church, and then we'll host an open house afterward, as family and friends have sometimes come from further away. A chance to socialize ... and eat.

I love our house, but it isn't set up super for entertaining large crowds. Also, after 20 years with five active boys, it certainly has been through the ringer. In prep for having people over, hubs decided it was time to take some action.

The top two pictures are the "after" ... new carpet, new couches and chairs. The other pictures capture the process. Emptying furniture out three rooms, pulling up the carpet. New carpet was installed on Tuesday. I still had a great food/fitness day that day, as I really couldn't do much else (with the kitchen and living areas occupied) and I couldn't really get to the kitchen to eat either. I even did a weights session on Tuesday ... which I think ended up making me stiff and sore and impacting my energy for cardio the rest of the week. Still did double Zumba on Thursday.

So there has been a ton of work, moving, rearranging, cleaning. We've made a trip to the dump, and a couple truckloads of donations to the local goodwill. Daddy is putting the boys to work cleaning up the house and yard ... the weather has actually been so nice. Is this winter? There hasn't been much snow or cold, which it totally okay by me! Tomorrow the forecast is 60° and sunny, so we should be able to have people outside, which will help with crowding.

It will be such a relief to have Sunday over with. It's been stressful. Then we have our son for another week and a half before he actually leaves. Once he leaves ... we'll have chaos and change again as we rearrange the remaining four boys, shifting bedrooms for everyone. It will be a bit job, but will be a good change.

I'm dragging and feeling a bit burned out at the moment though.

Some stress eating. The urge to curl in a fetal position. 

As for actual numbers this week ... no loss. Up 1.7 pounds. Average was up a smidgen too. Crunching the numbers, I did actually have a deficit of -1829.  Average in was 2136. Average burn 2764.

Cha-Cha Challenge

Ah ... the Cha-Cha

I saw this quote the other day. Sometimes I get discouraged when I see a weight pop up on the scale that I was really hoping I wouldn't see again. Living in the 150-155, then finally some success and dropping to the 144-149 ... but then back up over 150. I turned off my weight notifications in MFP long ago, because I keep losing the same five pounds over and over and over again. Hopefully I'll Cha-Cha back down again!

Speaking of the Cha-Cha ... some time ago I heard a new Zumba song, Cha-Cha Swing. It is so catchy and fun! The one of the instructors did it in class and I fell in love with the routine. It is one that can get my heart rate racing.  The steps are the ones in the video featured below ...

Then the song appeared in one of my other Zumba classes ... with different steps. Generally, I always like whatever I learned first, but this had a few moves that seemed easier, more intuitive. I really enjoyed this routine too, although I really missed a couple of the moves in the video above.

I enjoy dancing to this song so much, I'd be a little sad when it wouldn't appear in the Zumba class rotation as often as I would like. What to do! It NEVER made an appearance in one of my classes ... one of the classes I occasionally step up to the front and lead a song or two, just to give the actual instructor a bit of a break here and there. If I lead the song ...

I pieced together my favorite choreography from the two routines and performed it for the first time last week. I hope I'll be leading it regularly in my Tuesday class, as it really is one of my favorites. I'll still look forward to the ones in my Wednesday and Thursday classes, lead by my instructors, but I like my compilation, and hope those in the Tuesday class do too!

Do you do either of these routines (or something different?) 

Which steps do you prefer?

Linking up with Weigh-In Wednesday and Workout Wednesday.

TV Tuesday - Aliens, Spies and Shopping in Old England

I've been getting in my exercise ... which means I've been getting in my television. They go together for me. I watch while on the elliptical, treadmill and even while doing weights (benefit of a home gym, being in complete control of the TV). Here are a few of the series I've seen this past month. I like variety!

I've always really enjoyed science fiction. The apocalypse tales so popular in fiction today are also fun to watch (well, maybe "fun" isn't the right word ... exciting, captivating). Falling Skies started a couple of years ago on TNT. It was one of those summer series, filling up those months with new programing when most of the networks are taking a break and airing reruns. I discovered Falling Skies when season 1 appeared on Amazon Prime's streaming. I think I caught season 2 there as well, then used Play On to stay up to date as Season 3 aired. Rather than recording and watching week to week as Season 4 started airing last summer, I just figured I'd be patient and wait (watch the episodes back to back AND have subtitles, needed for the noisy treadmill). When I noticed that Season 4 was available for streaming on prime ... it was time. I finished it up pretty quick and continue to enjoy this series.

I'd heard quite a few good things about "The Americans" (FX Original) so as I needed something new to watch, I figured I'd give it a try. I've liked Kerri Russel since her "Felicity" days. I do sometimes have trouble with 80's period pieces though. The clothes, the hair ... seriously, it's just hard to look at! But I do like the story. As with most cable programming, there are usually things that wouldn't be allowed on mainstream TV. Here, the sexual content is very high. There is violence, but it's not that bad, and there is no language. I watched Season 1, available on Amazon Prime Streaming. Season 2 is there, but I decided to wait, and switch styles in my series ...

I'm not all action and adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed "Downton Abby" and after watching it, I tried "The Paradise" which was about a lavish department store in early England. It was fine, I never really connected with the characters as I did on "Abby".   "Mr. Selfridge" seemed SO similar to "Paradise" I wasn't sure about watching it. I do like Jeremy Pivan though (from Entourage) and I really enjoyed this series. I've only watched Season 1 so far (finished it up this morning). It's available on Amazon for free streaming if you are a Prime member. Season 2 is available as well ... but again, I think perhaps I'll shift series again and come back to it in the near future.

If you are watching a series and the next season is available, do you continue on, or do you like to switch up what you are watching?  Do you like coming into a completed season, watching all the episodes back to back, or do you prefer to keep current and watch then as they air?

I have watched the latest Grey's Anatomy ... what other series have started back up?

Well that's TV Tuesday for February ... hmmm, what shall I watch this month?