Weekly Weigh-In #296 (173.8)

Well, up a smidgen, but I'm okay with that, considering it wasn't a wonderful week and it ended with uber eating Sunday night, right before Monday weigh-in. I'm glad it wasn't worse! As per usual, I started off the week well. Monday and Tuesday were good for both eating and exercise. I even did weights. Sometimes I'm not sure if that's a good idea so early in the week. Then I'm a bit sore, and it impacts my activity and motivation Wed/Thurs. If I do weights Thursday or Friday, I'm already wimpy on the weekends and it probably won't affect me much. There's been some continued stress (#4, school and scheduling), non-sleeping. After those first couple days, it went downhill ...

NUMBERS: Official weight up .4. Average weight down a tiny bit (-.24).  Only two days with a deficit, also only two days under goal. Average intake 2279. Average Burn 2725. Itty bitty deficit for the week (-100). Two days with 3000+ burn, and 30k days. Step average 20873 with 48.83 logged miles. Cardio minutes 699/861/809/1080 with 45min w/Weights. 

Here's how MeX3 and the family stacked up our steps ...
I need to get my SuperCoop moving more ... and wearing his Fitbit more.

EXERCISE: Only on the elliptical five days this week, and only achieved my hour three of those days. Treadmill time four days, one day with double duty. Zumba four days. No bike this week, but I did do weights once.  OTHER ACTIVITIES: Driving was down, grocery shopping was up. One basketball game. Lawn mowing and a pizza run ... Here's the day by day:

• Monday (0401) Bad night.  I managed to get my hour of elliptical in, Zumba w/Kirsten and some additional practice on my own. One treadmill time. Store stop. Marinated chicken and had Hubs BBQ it when he got home. Homework help with #4. 28807 steps. 3070 burn. 1700 intake. 
• Tuesday (0402) Another bad night. Elliptical in, Zumba, an hour on the treadmill (got distracted by my movie) and even did weights. Homework help with #4 after school.  Hubs and #5 did a derby and #3 answered his upcoming dance date. 30027 steps. 3060 burn. 2400 intake. 
• Wednesday (0403) Bad night. Again. So stressed about #4 and school and schedules and such.  Hour of elliptical, Zumba w/MZL and two miles treadmill. Glad I got it all in early, as #3 and a friend went to workout after school. Stop at Smiths to pick up prescriptions.  Steps 28067. Burn 2948. Intake 1700. 
• Thursday (0404) My bad nights generally have been me waking up around 3:00 and not being able to get back to sleep. Last night, I couldn't get to sleep. Felt sick, stuffed up, tickle in my throat. Slept in a little. No elliptical in early ... or at all. Still hit Zumba. Mowed the front lawn. Hubs and #3 did a derby. #5 normally has practice, but we had been given the night off. Stress eating! 16356 steps. 2483 burn. 2900 intake. 
• Friday (0405) Just 40min elliptical today ... catching last night's "Grey's Anatomy". Stopped at a store after dropping the boys off. Case lot sale. Spent some time getting everything in and organized and put away. #5 had practice tonight. #3 had his dance date. 16465 steps. 2655 burn. 2050 intake. 
• Saturday (0406) Hard time getting to sleep (some snoring) and then awake in the night. Again. Got a couple elliptical sessions in. The boys got much needed haircuts. More homework help. #5 had a basketball game with a pizza party afterward. 13226 steps. 2441 burn. 2200 intake. 
• Sunday (0407) We had our big family breakfast. French dip for lunch and Hubs sous vide steaks for dinner. Then, we had double chocolate fountains and a gathering (official meeting of #2's girlfriend's family). 13164 steps. 2421 burn. 3000 intake. 

*** What I Watched While Working Out ***

Three movies this week ... no big action/drama, but Disney and musicals! I remember being aware of "Saving Mr. Banks"  (2013. 7.5 IMDB) when it was out, but had never gotten around to seeing it. I noticed it was streaming on Netflix now, so, there we go. I liked it a lot. Love Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson. Not really a huge Mary Poppins far, but have seen it (it's been a while) and it was enough to connect. Got a full hour of treadmill time in when watching, when I'd really thought I'd just do two miles, but then missed my mark (I was distracted by the dancing) and just stayed on until the end. I'd seen the first Mama Mia in theaters (with my mama no less) and liked it a lot. I'd had my eye on this sequel (2018. IMDB 6.8), but as I don't really hit theaters much anymore, and this really wouldn't have been one Hubs would have been interested in, I was waiting for it to hit a streaming service. I appeared on HBO this past week, and only my  playlist too. I liked it.  Then back to the Disney idea, with Christopher Robin (2018. 7.3). I had perhaps seen a preview. I didn't think this would really be my cup of tea ... but it was wonderful. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this newer realistic animation style, but it worked. Loved the familiar voices for the characters (having had the cartoons on for the kids a lot in younger years). Loved the storyline. Thumbs up!  As for series (filling in after movies and on days when I wasn't in the gym for a full two hours) ... started the Amazon original "Hannah" but haven't finished up episode one. Looking at Hulu (which I only have for a year on a $1 a month deal) I figured I'd watch "The Last Ship" ... I'd seen the first three seasons, so started season four. And "Greys" of course ...

Five Featured Photos ...

 #3 off to the dance ... no, they didn't really take the Segway. 

Yes, we do actually own a Segway.

 Pizza party after the game.

#4 enjoying the hot tub ...

 Mmmm... Brazillian Cheese Rolls

Gluten free ... but not carb/calorie free.

Sunday selfie

March 2019

While I didn't keep my Intake and Burn lines completely separate ... I did quite a bit better. Hubs started the Keto diet this month (and he's had some amazing success so far), so I figured it was a good time for me to try to get back on track ("back" ... I guess as my eating has never been good I can't really get back). I've been trying out Noom. Have had some initial success, but eating is always a struggle for me. Quantity and quality.  We had big snow and spring flowers. The ducks are laying. Girl Scout cookies. Basketball. Prom. A sick son (twice!).


NUMBERS: Started the month at 180.3. Ended at 174.2. Low 171.9. High 180.3. Average 175.38. With an average intake of 2094 and average burn of 2653, I managed a nice deficit for the month (-9289). I had 18 days with a deficit, 14 under 2000, ten 3000+ days, and nine 30k days. 682,104 total steps for March. Average 22,003 with 263 logged miles. Cardio minutes 3643/4439. 140 min w/Weights.

EXERCISE: I was on the elliptical 28 days this month, achieving my hour 18 of those days. 25 days with treadmill time, 9 with double duty. 15 Zumba classes. Twice on the bike. Three sessions w/weights.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: As much as I dislike driving, and I know mine is likely a lot less than most people out there, I am the mommy chauffeur. At least I am often getting in an audiobook at the same time. Quite a bit of basketball ... #5 on two teams and a few leagues. Grocery shopping. Some family time, friend time (me waiting while #5 was with friends). Snow shoveling AND lawn mowing this month! I have duck duty every day that I don't record, but as it warms up I know I'll spend more time out in the garden and with the birds. A few fast food trips, pizza and Popeyes.

**My Media**

*** March Movies ***

... as movies are around two hours, that's just 12 hours of exercise while watching. I did more workouts than that. I'll be doing a TV Tuesday post, as Feb/March I watched three series I had been anxiously awaiting the next seasons on (Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Travelers, The OA) and three new ones I figured I'd give a try (Homecoming, The Body Guard, The Order).  Still on my Kindle Unlimited deal, and listening to a ton of audiobooks anytime I can multitask.

Weekly Weigh-In #295 (173.4)

This final week of March didn't go quite according to schedule. #4 was sick again, missing three days of school right as the new quarter starts. School stress and other stuff.  Here's the stats ...

NUMBERS: While weight was down a bit (-.5), average too (-.37) I didn't hit the low I did last week. With four deficit days, two under goal, I managed a deficit for the week (-1089). Average intake 2264. Average Burn 2806. Two 3000+ burn days, which were also 30k days. Cardio minutes 866/1024/997/1348. No weights this week  Step average 22723 with 61.25 logged miles. One steps 159058. Charge2 steps 153699. Versa steps 151094. #2's steps were at 112058. #3 at 57192 ... Grandpa and Aunt Wendy beat him again.  #4 didn't really have any, being sick so many days, and #5 had forgotten to wear his for a few days.

EXERCISE: On the elliptical six of the seven days this week. Achieved my hour five days. Treadmill time six days. Four Zumba classes. Once on the bike. No weights.  Here's the day by day ...

• Monday (0325) Not much sleep. Stressing some and awake during the night. Slow start to the morning, just 30min elliptical. Zumba w/Kirsten and two miles on the treadmill. A store stop. #4 had a friend over after school, then Hubs and the boys went to the Jazz game. Steps 24030. Burn 2898. Intake 1600. 
• Tuesday (0326) There was some sniffling and coughing from #4 yesterday, and today he said he was too sick for school. Stayed in bed all day. I managed to be productive still. Got in my hour of elliptical. Zumba at the church, a treadmill time and I hit the bike while #3 and a friend were using the weights. Outdoor work too. Mowed the lawn. Weeded the front flower bed. Reworked the duck pen. Cleaned up the kitchen. Hubs sous vided steaks for dinner. 31882 steps. 3353 burn. 1750 intake. 
• Wednesday (0327) Pretty sure it's just a cold for #4 ... cough, sniffles, sore throat, but no fever. He stayed home from school. Again. Still trying hard not to let it throw me off. Got in the exercise, but the eating went a little off. Hour of elliptical, Zumba w/MZL, two treadmill times. Store stop for groceries and some computer work. #2 came home from work with some similar sick symptoms, but he still went to play basketball and beat me in steps for the day. Steps 30761. Burn 3136. Intake 2500. 
• Thursday (0328) I really wanted #4 to attempt school, but he got emotional. Really struggling. Still feeling yucky, overwhelmed, and anxiety over it all kicking in. I told him I wanted him to at least TRY, and said I'd take him to 4th period/Math (his hardest). I got #5 to school, got some elliptical in (finished up my hour by end of day) and hit Zumba w/MZL. #4 wasn't happy about it, but I made him try the one class. More trips for me, but I think this will help overcome some of the anxiety so he can go back for the full day tomorrow. Grabbed some Popeyes on the way home. Cleaning day. One treadmill time. Stopped to grab some insoles for #5 on the way home from picking him up from school. He's been having some heel pain. I did the drop-off to practice and another parent brought home. Stormy night. I was glad to get home to #4. While no longer suffering from his weather phobia like in years past, this night had gotten to him and he had retreated downstairs away from the windows. The skies were ominous and even had me feeling unsettled. Glad to be home, shower and to bed. Hubs had a derby, and #1 helped him. Steps 27035. Burn 2915. Intake 2700. 
• Friday (0329) Got #4 off to school today. Hopefully he can get caught up without too much trouble. Grades have crashed. Stopped at Smiths after dropping the boys off. Got in my hour of elliptical. Wasn't really feeling the fitness, when I remembered I had last night's "Grey's Anatomy" waiting, so I walked for 40min while watching that. Dropped #5 off for practice. Made gingersnaps. Steps 19515. Burn 2509. Intake 2200. 
• Saturday (0330) Hubs was up and off to work ... on the weekend. I got in an elliptical session early then made breakfast for the boys. More work out in the backyard, reworking the duck pen and the tarps. Made more gingersnaps (from yesterday's dough) and some merenge nests... Easter tradition. #5 had two games, 5:00 and 6:00. Won them both and he hit a few three pointers. The insoles seem to be helping his heel pain.  March Madness in the evening. Steps 14546. Burn 2527. Intake 2600.
• Sunday (0331) Slow Sunday. Nice sunny day. We did our family breakfast. I got a little nap. #5 had a birthday party. I hadn't planned on exercising, but I ended up doing a two mile walk in the evening before bed. Steps 11289. Burn 2307. Intake 2500. 

 What I Watched While Working Out ...

I haven't been getting many movies in, not enough to include on my weekly blog post. Maybe one a week? I've been liking some series, which I'll spotlight in an upcoming TV Tuesday (The Order, The OA).  But I was hearing a bit of buzz about the Netflix Original Triple Frontier (2019. IMDB 6.5). Not all good feedback, and there were some spoilers between when I started and finished the show. It was just ehhh for me. I love Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, so the movie Becoming Jane (2007. IMDB 7.1) appealed. I liked it but didn't love it. Not really a happy ending like in her books. Another unhappy ending, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas (2008. IMDB 7.8). Heart wrenching! 

Five Featured Photos

 Kitten has still been crazy ...

 Hubs (on Keto) and #3 ... caprese and avocado

 Sunday Sandwiches

 Signs of Spring 

Sick son, and kitty keeping company

Weekly Weigh-In #294 (173.9)

Logged a loss. It was a good week for eating and exercise. 

Stayed pretty busy every day.

NUMBERS: Weight down -2.8. Happy with that. Average was even more impressive, down -4.39. Had a deficit six days, four days under 2000. Average Intake 1743. Average Daily Burn 2621. Weekly deficit of -5418. Average steps 23967 with 64.78 logged miles. Four 3000+ burn days, and three 30k days. Cardio minutes 954/1159/1070/1310 and 40min weights.

Here's how the steps stacked up ...

EXERCISE: On the elliptical six out of the seven days this week. Achieved my hour four days. Six days with treadmill time, two with double duty.  I also did a long walk off the treadmill. Five Zumba classes, as I was able to go on Friday. One weights session.  OTHER ACTIVITIES: The usual driving and grocery shopping. Four basketball games and I stayed for one of the hour practices. Some family time (looking at the house) and friend time (#5 to a birthday party ... he actually had two this week but I only had to go and wait it out at one of them). 

Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0318) Beats Hubs out of bed, in fact he didn't leave until after I took the boys to school. Zumba w/Kirsten. A stop at the middle school next door to the church to get #5's registration for next year in. Two treadmill times and my hour of elliptical for additional exercise. #5 had practice in the evening. I ran to the store and through the car wash. Steps 31892. Burn 3242. Intake 1700. 
• Tuesday (0319) Got in my hour of elliptical, Zumba over at the church, and two treadmill times. Double pickups after school. Hubs had a derby, and #3 was prepped to help, but then got the first clue to a scavenger hunt asking him to a school dance ... that took him a couple hours, so #5 went and did the derby with Dad. Steps 30062. Burn 3043. Intake 2200. 
• Wednesday (0320) A little off today. Hubs was up around 3:30, and I couldn't get back to sleep after he left. Just 30min elliptical today. Zumba with MZL and a treadmill time. Double pickups after school. #3 and friends were in the weight room. #2 had left for Spring Break in St. George in the morning. #5 had a basketball game, and then I took him out to Airborne where a friend was having a birthday party. Low calories today just because I was gone all evening. 20435 steps. 2699 burn. 1000 intake. 
• Thursday (0321) Regular morning, up with the alarm. Got my hour of elliptical in, Zumba w/MZL and one treadmill time. Also did weights. Cleaning, and shopping steps. #5 had practice in the evening. Just an hour, so not worth coming home. I just stayed, and walked around the track above the courts. Didn't need the extra steps today, but I also don't like to just sit and wait. 38024 steps. 3411 burn. 1400 intake. 
• Friday (0322) No school for the kids (end of term) so I'd planned on sleeping in, but then was up at 5:30 helping #5 with a bad bloody nose. He was able to go back to sleep, but I wasn't. Without the 9:30 school drop-off, I was able to hit Zumba today ;) Also got in my hour of elliptical, and 40min treadmill while watching last night's Grey's Anatomy. Stocked up on Easter candy  with the Smiths sale. #5 had practice in the evening. 26151 steps. 2915 burn. 2100 intake. 
• Saturday (0323) Hubs was up fairly early getting turkey and roast on the smoker. He had a big triple derby, #3 went along to help. #5 had three games, 12:00, 2:00 and 3:00. I got in 30min elliptical. Started looking over the school schedule for #4, and it stressed him out. He hung out with friends in the evening. I dropped him off and had #3 do the late pickup.  Steps 11374. Burn 2285. Intake 1500.
• Sunday (0324) Hubs was off to teach a friend in NSL how to use his new smoker. He'd prepped a brisket last night and left fairly early to get it on up there. He spent several hours at the office working while it cooked and then went back for mealtime. #1 and wife joined him ... #1 had also worked with Nate. I did two miles on the treadmill in the morning, then made breakfast for the boys. Made cookies later in the day.  #5 had a birthday party. #2 got back from his little trip. Steps 9828. Burn 2125. Intake 2300.

 Five Featured Photos ...

A kiss from Hubs ... looks a little scary here!

 Start of the scavenger hunt for #3 ...

 SO HOT in the gym! Seriously?

 New Nike Jackets for the Wolves ...

A certain little kitty is in heat ... it's the only time most of us can touch her. She normally only likes #3 and #4 and will swat, scratch, bite everyone else. But when she's in heat, she wants love, and she takes it from everyone. Except for Hubs ... she still hissed at Hubs.

Weekly Weigh-In #293 (176.7)

Things were a little off this week. Daylight savings shifted things up, but still the week started fine. Mondays and Tuesdays are almost always my best days as I get back to the schedule after the weekend.  Then we got hit with a pretty heavy snowstorm on Wednesday, and I stayed home and shoveled rather than venturing out to Zumba. Class was canceled on Thursday due to a funeral (one of the MZL instructors) and #4 stayed home from school sick Thursday and Friday. He wasn't super sick, and no trouble or complaints... pretty much just slept all day. But it really throws me off, and I stress about it (is it sickness, or anxiety issues?) Some duck distress also, and a possible new house also came up this week, which caused some sleepless nights ... some excitement, some stress. Looking back on all the events (in the day by day below) I had to think "that was all just last week?"

Fitbit numbers were down ...

 NUMBERS: Official weight up a smidgen (.3) but the average was down a bit (-.9 to 175.6).  The calories in control from last week ... not so much this week. Average was 2336. Only under goal twice. No deficit. Over by 441. Average burn was 2436. Just one day 3000+ burn, 30k steps. Step average was 20646 with 52.13 logged miles. Cardio minutes 687/925/806/1061. 60 min w/Weights.

Here's how my three, and the family Fitbits steps stacked up. Unfortunately I didn't get #5 synced in time for his weekly report. I think he was about 50k (manually adding it up after a sync). Without him in the mix, my dad made it onto the charts ...

EXERCISE: I've had quite the streak going with my elliptical, hitting it for at least 30min a day since the end of January ... but I took an official rest day this week and broke my streak. I did get on the elliptical six days out of seven, and achieved a full hour three of those days. Treadmill time six days as well. Two days with double duty. Only two Zumba classes. No bike. One weight workout.  OTHER ACTIVITIES: The usual driving and grocery shopping. Added an hour of shoveling snow. A couple basketball games with #5. Some family time checking out a house ... three different trips.   Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0311) The morning after Daylight Savings. I was awake early though. Hubs had a doctor's appointment so he slept in a little and hit the gym in the morning... during MY time. He was on the treadmill though, so I could still elliptical. Just switched the show to something we were watching together.  Zumba and some treadmill time later. Made brownies and roasted a turkey breast. The male ducks were fighting today, which stressed me out. Had to separate them.  Hubs brought up the possibility of buying a new house. We went to see it after picking up #5 from practice.  Steps 33964. Burn 3411. Intake 1600. 
• Tuesday (0312) Got my hour of elliptical in, although not all of it early. Zumba and two miles on the treadmill. Double pickups after school. #4 was happy, as he passed his Microsoft test. We did a little practice driving in the church parking lot. #5 had a game in the evening, we got whooped. Steps 24470. Burn 2862. Intake 1900. 
• Wednesday (0313) Ugg, snow. The drive to school was a little scary and took a long time. #2 didn't have work today which was good, as his car is terrible in the snow. He and his GF went sledding though. I spent an hour shoveling instead of trying to go out again to Zumba. Got my elliptical and two treadmill times in as well. The roads were fine later for after school pickups, and #5 had a game. Steps 26631. Burn 2925. Intake 2300. 
• Thursday (0314) The day was already going to be off, with no Zumba (funeral for one of the MZL instructors, before my time). I could have hit my backup class, but I didn't. #4 didn't go to school today either, said he was sick. No observable symptoms, no complaining, he slept most of the day. Still stress about it, especially with his anxiety/depression and missing more school. Threw off my day more. Just 30min elliptical and two miles treadmill. I did do weights though. Should have gone to sophomore orientation with #4, but he said he was still stick. Quick trip to the store.  Steps 18396. Burn 2598. Intake 2500. 
• Friday (0315) Oh, bad stress eating today. #4 said he was still sick. Sigh.  Still had #5 to drop off at 9:30, so no Zumba. Just feeling a bit down and discouraged. #5 was leaving on a weekend basketball trip. I checked him out a bit early and he was off.  Another trip to the house in the evening. Steps 15054. Burn 2449. Intake 3100.
• Saturday (0316) Prom day! #3 was up early to get the truck washed and pick up the corsage. He was having the group over at 11:00 for the day date, a cooking competition, so he asked the kitchen be clean ... and empty.  So no big breakfast today. #4 was still in bed. Hubs went off shopping (needs smaller pants, his diet is working). The crew came over. I went down to the treadmill for an hour ... still could hear when the fire alarm went off ;)  Then they were gone and the house was quiet again. A few dishes to wash. Checked in with #5, three games today, won two, lost one. Got some elliptical in. #3 came back to get dressed and ready. They had a limo to get downtown. Off to pictures, dinner and the dance. Hubs had a derby and #4 went along (a little unwillingly) to help. Steps 18277. Burn 2408. Intake 2250. 
• Sunday (0317) Haven't taken a rest day in a while, so did that today. Been awake in the night for a couple hours the last two nights. At least I could sleep in. Made breakfast. #1 and wife came over and made a bean tortilla dish for dinner. Being St. Pats, he asked if I was making cookies, so I did. Copycat Swig with green frosting. The boys played some spike ball. Another trip out to the house (#1 and #3 hadn't seen it yet).  #5 made it home in the evening and Maga came over ... with more cookies. Steps 7728. Burn 2212. Intake 2700.

Five Featured Photos ...

#4 passed his Excel test ... wouldn't pose for a picture (showing his face anyway)

These two took advantage of the snow day for some sledding.

 Crocs? For Prom?

 What a group of guys!

 My two oldest, starting Scrabble.

Weekly Weigh-In #292 (176.4)

The scale shifted this week. It's the eating. Trying a new tracking system, maybe I was a little more motivated? Kept calories in check every day except Saturday (and that was UBER over). Exercise was on track.

NUMBERS: Official weight down -3.2 pounds! Average was down too, -2.8.  Definitely had a deficit this week (-5359). Six out of the seven days intake was below burn, under goal. Intake average was 1743. Burn average 2838. Three days with 3000+ burn, 30k steps.  Step average 23641 with 66.75 logged miles. Cardio minutes 1047/1059/1311 with 40 min w/Weights.

Here's how the Fitbit Family steps stacked up. 

EXERCISE: I was on the elliptical every day this week. Five days I achieved my hour. Treadmill time five days, four of those were double duty. Zumba four times. Bike once. Weights once.   OTHER ACTIVITIES: Mainly the usual ... driving, getting groceries. Had family over for a few hours. Went to watch a couple basketball games for #5.   Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0304) Awake pretty early. Got my full hour of elliptical in early. I did have to do a quick stop for gas, so I was a little late to Zumba. As I was short, I did some on my own at home to make sure I got a full hour in. Also treadmill time. #5 had practice in the evening. I dropped him off, then checked out the new Lucky grocery store. They had some good sales. Home to unload, then back for after practice pickup, and to bed. First day with Noom tracking, and I kept calories in check. Steps 30236. Burn 3107. Intake 1500. 
• Tuesday (0305) Full hour of elliptical in again. Zumba at the church. Half the gym was set up for a dinner, but we just needed half as we are pretty small. Good workout though. 130HR average for the hour. Treadmill time and Bike for additional workouts. A friend came home with #4 after school, which was fun for him. I grabbed pizza when I went back to grab #5 from Intramurals. Hubs had a derby, and #3 went along to help. #5 had a 9:00 basketball game.  Managed to keep calories in check again. Steps 31128. Burn 3181. Intake 1500. 
• Wednesday (0306) Morning was a little off schedule, started with my 20min elliptical as normal, but then just two 10min ones before heading to Zumba w/MZL. Back at home I got in my final 20min elliptical session and some treadmill time. Double pickups after school. #5 had a 6:00 basketball game. I've been keeping my intake pretty consistent these days. Can I keep it up? Steps 28091. Burn 2983. Intake 1500. 
• Thursday (0307) Awake early. Got my hour of elliptical, Zumba, treadmill time and WEIGHTS. Some shopping steps, hitting Sam'sClub for groceries. Some talking time with #3, double school pickups. Hubs worked very late!  Steps 30365. Burn 3095. Intake 1600. 
• Friday (0308) I thought I might sleep in ... but Hubs alarm went off at 5:00. He kept snoozing, but I went ahead and got up. Some snow - I had #2 take my Durango as I didn't trust his Charger in the canyons. Late drop-off. Stop at Smiths and Walgreens. Hour of elliptical and treadmill time while I watched last night's "Grey's Anatomy" episode. #3 showed up with a few friends for lunch. #5 had practice in the evening. Hubs was doing meat prep for smoking and BBQ tomorrow. I had NO candy/treats today! Steps 22558. Burn 2819. Intake 1400. 
• Saturday (0309) Not sure if 7:00 is sleeping in, but that's when I woke up. Woke starving and had some cereal ... then made breakfast for the boys, and ate again. Exercise motivation goes out the window on weekends. Just 30min elliptical for the day. We'd invited the folks over for dinner. Kabobs and steak with all the extras (potatoes, corn, Brazilian cheese rolls). Did NOT keep calories in check today. Skookie for dessert. Games with the Grandparents. Steps 11690. Burn 2386. Intake 3000. 
• Sunday (0310) Daylight Savings ... lost an hour. I was awake at the new 5:00, but after an hour, I fell back to sleep and stayed in bed until 9:00. French toast, hashbrowns, sausage for breakfast. #1 and wife missed it, and made German Pancakes when they came over later.  Hubs did burgers on the BBQ in the evening. 30min on the elliptical for exercise.

*** What I Watched While Working Out ***

Three movies this week. I'd read the book Annihilation (2018. IMDB 6.9) so when I saw it streaming on Amazon, I figured I'd give it a try. I'd seen the previews and was interested. But honestly, I didn't love the book (even though I read the sequels in the trilogy too) and could say the same for the movie. Ehhh. I'd seen a bit of buzz about a couple of Netflix original movies. Dumplin (2018. IMDB 6.7) was cute, I enjoyed it. In fact, I had just thought I'd do my traditional two miles on the treadmill, but then got caught up in the movie and went a little over, so then I stayed on until I hit my hour (and finished the movie). Bird Box (2018. IMDB 6.7) had certainly received quite a bit of buzz, and I liked it, even though there were some things that didn't make sense (beyond the basic crazy concept, smaller inconsistencies).  Ironically, the gal from Dumplin was in Bird Box too! When not watching movies, I was watching "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" which I really, really like!

Five Featured Photos ...

 On one hand, I like it when the ducks lay their eggs in the dog/duck house. It keeps them clean and safe. On the other hand, I'd have to get on my hands and knees and climb inside to retrieve them. Hubs got me this little grabber tool, and I LOVE it ... especially as one of the male ducks gets a bit protective of the eggs. I really don't want my face at his eye level. 

 Red face after Zumba ... took over an hour and a cold shower to get back to normal. 

 #4 had a friend over after school ... fun to see him interact with his buddies.

 I'd tried to fix my fraying cord with electrical tape. 

The little cord clips are a little more effective though. 

Keeping it all together ;)

My five boys all together! ♥

Weekly Weigh-In #291 (179.6)

Well, Hubs lost eight pounds since his last weigh-in (a couple weeks ago, he's trying Keto). While I've never mastered the eating, I've exercised quite consistently for years. Hubs definitely has his ups and downs, but when he's on, he's ON. I can't even comprehend Keto, keeping carbs at 20? This is a good time for me to TRY to revamp my eating though, as some temptations will be down (eating out, popcorn, big dinners, etc.) 

It was a good week for activity ...

NUMBERS: Official weigh-in was down,  -0.5 from last week. Average down slightly too, -0.39. Ended with a slight deficit (-609) for the week. Kept calories under burn three days, under goal one day. Average intake was 2500. Average burn 2866. Four days with burn 3000+, also four 30K days.  Step average was 24739 with 78.54 logged miles. Cardio minutes 984/1110/1105/1341. 40min w/Weights.

Family Fitbits

My #3, KGB, looked at this chart and said "Hmmm, I got beat!"

EXERCISE: I was on the elliptical every day again this week. Achieved my hour five days. Treadmill time six days, with double duty four of the days. Four Zumba classes. One time on the bike, and one workout with Weights.  

Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0225) Only got two elliptical sessions in early, but got the third in a little later. Ended up teaching Zumba today, subbing for Kirsten. Got in an hour walk on the treadmill, and then some stationary bike before bed. Glad I got my gym time in early, as #3, #2 and even #4 were in the after school. Steps 32484. Intake 2200. Burn 3178. 
• Tuesday (0226) Got in my hour of elliptical, Zumba at the church, an hour treadmill walk. Double pickups after school. #5 had practice last night and was scheduled for tonight too, but it ended up not happening. #5 was glad, he wasn't feeling great and fell asleep on the couch and napped for a couple hours.  Steps 30140. Intake 2100. Burn 3081.
• Wednesday (0227) Hubs started the day with a workout. Early enough that I still got my hour in early. #3 was off school today. Zumba w/MZL, then I hit a couple grocery stores. Loved having #3 home to help bring everything in and get it put away. Hubs had a derby. #4 had been on deck to help, but wasn't feeling well and had fallen asleep. #5 didn't have anything tonight, so he went instead.  Steps 34315 steps. Intake 1900. Burn 3360. 
• Thursday (0228) Hubs was smoking ribs for his work crew today. I got in elliptical, Zumba, two treadmill times and WEIGHTS. Off schedule for me, but cleaning got off schedule, and it worked out. Also stopped at the library to pick up the last book in the series #5 is reading. Uber overeating today. Steps 30965. Intake 3000. Burn 3108.
• Friday (0301) Looks like the ducks are laying again. Found five eggs this morning (only have four females, so one or two must have been from the day before, I just hadn't found them until today. Luckily it hasn't been freezing.) Late school dropoff, no Zumba. Stopped at the store on the way home. #5 had practice in the evening, and #4 was invited to hang with friends, but late, so luckily brothers were around to help, as I wanted to go to bed! Steps 20205. Intake 2600. Burn 2760. 
• Saturday (0302) Hubs hosted his annual derby workshop in the garage ... providing help and tools to any neighbors building pinewood derby cars for the upcoming race. He had a good turn out. I made a big breakfast for the boys. Got in a little exercise, just 30min elliptical. Caught some of the 6A boys basketball state tournament. Steps 10550. Intake 3200 (oops). Burn 2179. 
• Sunday (0303) Made breakfast, but not as big as usual ... no breads, just hashbrowns, bacon and sausage. Hubs got some ribs smoking for dinner. #1 came over for food and Jackbox games. I got in 30min elliptical and two miles treadmill. Steps 14515. Intake 2500. Burn 2393. 

 *** What I Watched While Working Out ***

Ready Player One was one of the movies I'd had my eye on when it was in theaters. I'd read the book and liked it, and wondered how it converted to the big screen. I liked the movie, although felt like it missed a lot more of the 80s trivia ... and I haven't seen The Shining either (I don't remember that being a big part of the book, not like Ferris Bueller's Day Off, mentions of Ladyhawke and lots of other stuff.).  I had been aware of Rampage ... but um, that was dumb. I was just rolling my eyes at the acting and the circumstances. Why did the alligator grow 3x as big as the other creatures? I had not heard of Self/Less, although it has some recognizable names. Reminded me a little of Criminal (also with Ryan Reynolds) with the whole mind swap, remembering what was in the initial body/mind thing. I'd seen About Time before, but felt the urge to watch it again. I rarely re-watch movies or shows, but I really like this one, just as much the second time around. 

*** Five Featured Photos ***

 Sweaty Selfie ... I usually wear black, so you can't see the "boob sweat"

Girl Scout Cookie time ... ummmm, Tagalongs!

 #5 ... reading! The 8th and final book in "The Missing" series.

Love catching kitty in the window too ;)

Five eggs ... I only have four female ducks.

I must not have done a thorough search yesterday (or the day before).

I'd only been getting one off and on during the winter.

I guess it's egg time again!

 Just a little look at the garage set up for Hub's annual derby workout. He found that many just didn't know how, or didn't have the tools, to build a pinewood derby car for the upcoming race. Every year, he opens everything up, including all his knowledge, and helps anyone who wants to come.

The Glittering Court Trilogy

Time for a "Recent Reads" and Book Review ...

Trilogies seem to be SO popular these days. This one had a unique approach, one I haven't really encountered anywhere in my reading experience. These three books are completely connected, but not building on each other chronologically. Parts of each overlap each other, from different perspectives, each book a different point of view. I have seen that done in novellas, as an add on or extra scene to a full length novel, and I'll always remember Anne McAffery's Dragonriders of Pern series. Two different trilogies, that had points where they overlapped, and I'd see a scene from a different perspective. But here ... it's three full length books, each on from the point of view of one of the main girls. Adelaide, Mira and Tamsen. All three girls play pivotal parts in all three books, but each one comes from a different perspective, giving light to scenes not seen in the other stories.

This trilogy has a fantasy feel ... but there is no magic, nothing paranormal. This could be traditional England and the American colonies, but it isn't. It's a made-up world that mirrors our own. More mock-historical. Men have gone to the new world to colonize. Women are scarce, so a sort of "mail order bride" situation is set up. The Glittering Court.   A company entices women who want something better. Promising them education, presentation and the opportunity to pick a wealthy partner and start a new life. The men in the colonies will get a chance to woo the women.  The women basically will have a "price" paid by the men to the company (reimbursement for the time/travel/lodging/education/clothing ... and a little profit). A win/win/win project really.  It is all above board (if it wasn't, that could be a different story).

• The Glittering Court: Introduces Elizabeth, a high ranking lady who feels stuck in her life. She chooses to take the place of her servant girl, entering the Glittering Court in disguise. She is then "Adelaide" for most of the trilogy. 
• Midnight Jewel: Is Mira's tale. It actually starts a bit before Adelaide's story in a prologue, then jumps to all the girls together. It fills in some details, some events we heard about in Adelaide's story, but we get much more of Mira's adventures.
• The Emerald Sea: Is Tamsen's tale ... it starts a bit further in, still repeating scenes we've already seen (some twice), and again, giving new information, as Adelaide and Mira weren't together with Tamsen the entire time.

It was just really odd to read something new, but knowing what was going to happen (because you'd already read it from a different perspective). Ironically, this made me LESS likely to be compelled to continue immediately, like I often am ... especially with books that end in a cliffhanger. Here, each story pretty much wrapped up, and when I did get back to the series, it was easy to get back into. Normally I'm a little concerned I might forget some storyline or something if I wait between books, but here ... while I can't say the books could really be stand-alone novels, and you would want to read them in the above order ... they are telling the same story. So much was repeated, that I didn't feel like I necessarily had to remember what came before.   

I'd read Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series and really liked it. I enjoyed all the books in the Bloodlines spin-off too. This ... didn't pack the same punch for me. I liked it okay ... didn't love it. In fact, after the first book, I wasn't sure I was even going to continue (thus my wait in-between books). 

When I finally decided to go back to the series, I picked up book 2. My library had it in audiobook format, so I selected that. I'd listened to the first book too. Book 2 was a different narrator ... normally I like consistency in a series, but here, as the POV was changed, a different narrator was actually a good thing. Except here ... it was NOT working for me. Nothing against the narrator's voice really, it was the accent. Or the lack thereof.  Mira is the one telling the story, and Mira has a very distinct (English as a second language) accent. One that was part of her character. An accent that had been introduced in book one. An accent that was used when Mira spoke ... but not when she was "narrating" the rest of the story.  Again ... it's perfectly fine not to have an entire book told in an accent generally, if it's third person, a generic narrator ... but when it IS the character telling the story, she would still have the same sound when she's thinking as when she'd speaking. My brain could not handle it. I had to stop the audiobook, and get the Kindle copy from the library and read it on my own (and MY imagination had the accent the entire time).

My favorite was book 3. Maybe because I was already invested in the story by this time ... or maybe I just liked Tamsen best. Even after the first two tales, there were some things in Tamsen's storyline that had been left unaddressed. So with the third and final book, we finally got those answers.

Overall - I do think I'd recommend the series.