Weekly Weigh-In #304 (168.4) Memorial Day, Graduation, Wedding Weekend

Up just a titch this week, but that is with a three pound gain from Sunday morning to the official Monday morning (after a Tepanyaki dinner). Managed to keep the average about the same, and almost hit the "low" from last week. My Monday was off, as it was Memorial Day. Off schedule without school in session. Then Thursday was Graduation - much sitting still. Then a family wedding reception on Saturday. It was the final week on the school schedule ... we'll see how I do shifting to the summer schedule. Sleeping in? 

Steps and Stats

NUMBERS: Official weight up.5, average weight stayed about the same (-.14). I did have a deficit for the week (-3418) ... where's my one pound loss? Average intake 1971 and average burn 2688. Kept a deficit five days. Just one day with 3000+ burn. Two 30k days.  Step average 22706 with 60.23 logged miles. Cardio minutes 835/1071/995/1378 with 40min w/Weights.

 Here's how my steps stacked up ... and how the boys came in on their Fitbits.

EXERCISE: Achieved my hour of elliptical five days this week. Got in some elliptical one other day. Just three days with treadmill time. Two of those had double duty. FIVE Zumba classes ... I was able to hit a class on Friday too, which should be the case all summer long, and even when school starts, as #5 will be attending a different school with a starting time that works with class.  No bike. One weight workout.  OTHER ACTIVITIES: Driving and grocery shopping were down just a bit this week. FOUR hours registered for school graduation. That was getting there a little early to find a seat, the program was just over 2 hours, some mingling/photos afterward, then over an hour to exit the parking lot. Uggg!  One basketball game. Mowing. Family time ... and the walk was to/from the reception, as we had to park a little ways away. 

Here's the Day to Day ...

• Monday (0527) Memorial Day. Hubs off work ... well, he went into work still. Kids off school. I still went to Zumba w/Kirsten. Still got my hour of elliptical in, but no treadmill time. #5 had a couple basketball games, but I just sent him with teammates (crowds and cost intimidates me for that tournament). Mowed the front lawn.  Late night to bed, for me anyway. 21484 steps. 2661 burn. 1800 intake. 
• Tuesday (0528) Hour of elliptical early, Zumba at the church, two treadmill times and weights. Good day for fitness. Also kept food in check. Rain. 32667 steps. 3147 burn. 1700 intake. 
• Wednesday (0529) Started the day with my hour of elliptical. Zumba w/MZL and two treadmill times. More rain, but a little sun earlier in the day. 30488 steps. 2986 burn. 2200 intake.
• Thursday (0530) #4 didn't go to school today. It was Lagoon Day anyway, but he didn't want to go. #5 went, but he and friends ducked out early. He stayed with friends as Hubs and I and Maga went to #3's graduation. Looooong. Hubs was stressed, as he needed to get to a derby after. He had #1 pick up the trailer and head out to set up, then picked up #5 on the way and had the munchkin help. 29685 steps. Did get my hour of elliptical in early, Zumba w/MZL and a treadmill time today. 2931 burn. 1800 intake. 
• Friday (0531) Not a great night for sleep. Technically #4 had school today, but I didn't make him go. So I could go to Zumba, and I did. Also 30min Elliptical in. Supposed to go to my niece's wedding dinner, but Hubs wasn't making it home on time. I was checking to see if #1 was available to be my date, and ended up sending him and his wife to represent our family. 15714 steps. 2375 burn. 1950 intake. 
• Saturday (0601) Tried some elliptical but it felt HARD, quit after 10 min. Tried to mow the lawn, twice, but it started raining both times! #5 had a basketball game. They got the win. Sun came out, so I mowed the lawn. Went to the wedding reception in the evening. #1 and #4 went to a movie, then made cookies. 13673 steps. 2284 burn. 1850 intake. 
• Sunday (0602) Got three 20min sessions on the elliptical in. One early, one mid-day, one at the end of the day. Took the whole family to Tepanyaki for dinner to celebrate #3's graduation (as we hadn't been able to go out on Thursday). 15228 steps. 2430 burn. 2500 intake. 

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

As school wraps up this week ... my morning elliptical may be impacted. Not having to get up early and get the boys off to school, I'm not sure if I'll keep it up. Sleeping in is temping! So I'm not positive I'll be spending enough time in the gym to watch a full movie in a day. We'll see.   I got in a final three.  1 Mile to You (2017. IMDB 6.3) was good. I even ran during it, instead of my usual walking. Hard not to be inspired by it ;)  The First Grader (2010. IMDB 7.5) was also good and inspiring (although it didn't make me want to run). 23Blast (2014. IMBD 6.5) felt a little low-budget. Recognized the mother from old soap operas my mom used to watch. It was fine though. I don't think I'm as picky when I'm multi-tasking.  When I wasn't motivated by movies, I was watching "What If" and it's kept my interest.

Five Featured Photos ...

 #5 wrapped up his Memorial Day tournament on Monday.

So much rain ... so many mushrooms. All over!

There is fungus among us!

#3 ... The Graduate. Class of 2019.

Wedding Weekend. My brother's kids.

A car full of trouble ... off to Tepanyaki.

May 2019

May ... there was Mother's Day, friends from out of town, basketball, some sunshine/LOTS of rain, the end of the school schedule, including graduation for #3.   As for as the scale goes, another nice loss this month. At the end of April I incorporated Intermittent Fasting into my daily routine. Going the 16:8 route, eating between the house of 11:00 am and 7:00 pm was the plan. I found myself starting early (well, 7:00 would roll around and I'd realize I hadn't eaten since 5:30 or so), and often extending longer than the 16 hours. Staying flexible. Some days when I didn't meet the 16 hours (a couple weekends) but overall, it's been pretty easy. Keeps me from mindlessly eating in the evening or morning. Still counting calories and tracking during my eating window, but it helps with calorie control too. For the first time in I don't know how long, my intake average was actually under my 2000 goal. 

NUMBERS: Weight started at 170.70. Ended at 164.90. High was 171.9. Low 164.20.  Average 168.53. With intake average at 1997 and burn at 2825, I had a nice deficit for the month (-13219).  Kept calories under goal 18 days. Had a 3000+ burn/30k day 14 times. Step average 24,111. Total steps 747,451 with 255 logged miles. 

EXERCISE: I achieved my hour of elliptical twenty-two days this month. Got in a little extra two other days. Twenty-two days with treadmill time too. 10 days with double duty. Nineteen Zumba classes, with some extra on my own. Just one time on the bike. Four weight workouts. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES: The usual driving around and hitting the store for groceries ... shopping steps, except the wrist trackers don't do well when you hold onto something like a shopping cart or stroller. There's enough vibration that my lawn mowing gets picked up. I love mowing the lawn. Quite a bit of yard work too, as well as duck duty. Quite a bit of basketball, watching #2 as well as #5 this month. Friend time. Family time (bridal shower). School stuff ... graduation. Yes, four hours, that was including attempting to get out of the parking lot! A couple of times eating out. A walk. Other shopping. A visit to the doctor with #4.

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

I got involved in some series, so I didn't get in a ton of movies.  12 ... three over last month.

Weekly Weigh-In #303 (167.9)

The scale shifted again this week ... it bumped up a bit for my Monday morning weigh-in, so only showing a tiny "official" loss, but the average went way down! It was a good week for food and fitness. Hubs had three derbies, there were multiple basketball games and basketball camp, friends in town, lots of rain and quite a bit of baking. 

Steps and Stats

NUMBERS: Official weight down a smidgen (-.2) but the average went way down (-3.25). New low. While I was in this area about six months ago (Nov2018) this dipped a little beyond that. It's been encouraging. I've been sticking with the IMF and had some longer ones ... also skimped on Sunday. Stayed under goal five days this week, with an intake average of 1993. Burn average was 2833, with a deficit for the week (-2925). Four days with 3000+ burn, three 30k days. Step average was 23958 with 58.03 logged miles. Cardio minutes 838/1104/1088/1462. 

STACKED STEPS: My steps .. and my sons. Still need to work on #4, both wearing his Fitbit, syncing, and getting in steps. But pretty impressed with his brothers. #5's steps would be a little higher still, but he doesn't wear his device during basketball games (and he had three of them). #3 commented that Friday morning, he had 20k by 6am (nighttime shenanigans). 

EXERCISE: I achieved my hour of elliptical five days this week. Treadmill time five days, with three days double duty. Four Zumba classes.  OTHER ACTIVITIES: Driving was about usual (7hrs), with the usual grocery shopping (3hrs). I attended two basketball games, didn't make it to three of #5's due to crowd/cost issues. Mowing and other yardwork/gardening for several hours this week.   Here the day by day ...

• Monday (0520) Not a great night for sleep, but still managed to keep fitness and food in check. Started the day with my hour of elliptical. Zumba w/Kirsten. A store stop on the way home. #4 was in good spirits after school, having passed another Microsoft test and getting an art award. #5 had his first night of basketball camp over at the high school. Got in two treadmill times and did some vacuuming in the house. Steps 31246. Burn 3035. Intake 1800. 
• Tuesday (0521) Started the day with my hour of elliptical. Taught Zumba over at the church, and got two treadmill times in. Hubs and #3 did a derby in the evening. #5 had his basketball camp. Ended up making Ziti quite late for #1 and wife, who stopped by hungry. Very rainy day! Steps 30459. Burn 3130. Intake 1900. 
• Wednesday (0522) Same exercise as yesterday - hour of elliptical, Zumba and two treadmill times. My usual MZL Zumba had canceled with a building conflict, so I went to Southziders. Fun to see everyone again and check out the new building. Costco stop on the way home. #4 had a friend come home with him after school. Did Dominos for an early dinner. Hubs and #3 did a derby again, and #5 had basketball camp. Made graduation announcements for #3 and got them printed off so he could pass them out to his friends. Steps 32064. Burn 3182. Intake 1800. 
• Thursday (0523) #2 had a late shift with work, didn't get in until 3:00 am! My morning was a bit off, I didn't quite get my hour of elliptical in early, but did by end of day. Zumba with MZL and some errands after. Rain in the forecast, but the morning was okay, so I did some work in the garden, until the hail hit! Long fasting day today ... not planned, just stayed busy and didn't eat early. No treadmill time, and didn't quite hit 30k, although I was very close. Vacuuming. Went to watch #2 play in the alumni tournament at one high school, while dropping off and picking up #5 at the other high school. He won the top spot at the camp, and #2's team took the tournament. Hubs and #1 son did a derby. Steps 29261. Burn 3282. Intake 1400. 
• Friday (0524) #3 was the one to stay out all night ... Senior "prank" and such. Missed his first couple classes catching some zzzzzs, super tired after school. Some errands after dropping the boys off at school. Got in my hour of elliptical, but that was it for exercise. I mowed the front lawn. #5 had a basketball game. Steps 17320. Burn 2447. Intake 1850. 
• Saturday (0525) Some friends from California were in town, so we had them over for breakfast. Fun to see them again! #5 had a couple of games later in the day, and #3 had to work. Hubs worked.  I hit the treadmill for a couple miles, and mowed the back lawn and did some additional yardwork. #1 and wife came over to cook, made Tinga and some brownies. Then they took the two littles to a movie. Steps 14418. Burn 2455. Intake 2400. 
• Sunday (0526) Broke my fast early, food temptations from last night I'd resisted were too much in the morning. Hubs went to work again, but took a field trip to check out Pineview Reservoir.  #5 went to a movie with some teammates. #1 and wife were over again, to partake of the steak dinner Hubs cooked up (past my window, but I ate). They made brownies and cookies, and then #3 and a couple of friends made cookies too. Busy kitchen ... messy kitchen! Did get in two+ miles on the treadmill. Steps 12938. Burn 2297. Intake 2800. 

Five Featured Photos ...

 Graduation announcements for #3

 ... a long fast

A camp shirt, a champ shirt, and a game ball for "camper of the week" as well as an invitation from the head coach for some training during the summer ...

 #2 and the 2016 team ... 1st place in the alumni tournament.

 The DiFran family ... Friends from California in town!

Weekly Weigh-In #302 (168.1)

Well look at that ... a loss. Almost the entire week under 170. Yea! This 16:8 intermittent fasting hasn't really been hard. It really just keeps me from mindless eating in the evening and morning. Overall calories have been quite controlled this week. Quantity ... still could use work on quality. Also got in my activity. 30k Mon-Thurs. 20k Friday and 10k Sat and Sun.  Here's my steps and stats:

NUMBERS: Official weekly weigh-in down (-3.8 pounds) to 168.1. Weekly average was down also (-1.78) to 169.06.  Achieved a deficit five days. I was able to keep my average intake under goal, at 1757. Daily burn average for the week was 2891. Ended with a deficit for the week (-4665).  Four days with 30k/3000+ burn. Step average was 25210 with 54.57 logged miles. Cardio minutes 815/1200/1188/1574 depending on the device.  As for how the steps stacked up per device ...

Not bothering to gather the data on the boys ... they aren't doing great. #2 was over 100k, but the other three had their Fitbit's off much of the time, and forgot to sync before the weekly reports came out.  I wish they were as addicted to the data as I am! 

EXERCISE: I got a full hour of elliptical in five days this week. Still got some in on Saturday, but not an hour. Five days with treadmill time, two of them with double duty. Four Zumba classes and some extra practice on my own. No bike or weights this week.  

OTHER ACTIVITIES: The usual driving and grocery shopping. Also some shopping at the home improvement store for plants and flowers. Then a couple hours yard work getting some gardening in, and getting the lawn mowed. #5 had two basketball games on Saturday, and then I spent a couple hours with family at a bridal shower. A quick school stop to grab a sick kid ...

Here's the Day by Day...

• Monday (0513) Not great sleep. Not a great morning either, as #4 said he wasn't feeling well and didn't go to school :(  Kirsten wasn't feeling well either, and had asked Carma and I to sub her class today, so we did. Pretty productive day at home. Got in my hour of elliptical, some extra Zumba, a treadmill time (interrupted though, as I had to help #4 with some scholarship stuff). Hubs and #3 did a Lego derby in the evening for a YSA activity. Kept calories in check. Steps: 31032. Burn 3130. Intake 1700. 
• Tuesday (0514) Got my hour of elliptical in early, Zumba at the church. Two treadmill times, had to cut the first one short when the internet went out. Hubs had a gun safe delivered. Weather is turning rainy for the foreseeable forecast, so I did a mow of the front lawn and a little work in the yard. Baked some bread. 32455 steps. 3176 burn. 1600 intake. 
• Wednesday (0515)  Similar day to yesterday for activity. Hour of elliptical, Zumba w/MZL ... small class today! Store stop after, stocked up on the granola bars that #2 loves. Two treadmill times. #4 texted from school asking me to come pick him up. He had a small panic attack after math, likely from missing Monday and feeling overwhelmed. Doesn't help to miss MORE, but ... did make him work on some school stuff and we got quite a bit done. I made chocolate chip cookies and #1 grabbed Popeyes for dinner. It was late, past my eating window, but I can't resist Popeyes. 32035 steps. 3192 burn. 2300 intake.
• Thursday (0516) Didn't quite get my hour of elliptical in early, as I needed to do some cleaning prep, get garbage cans out, etc. Zumba w/MZL, then I stopped at Lowes. Grabbed some soil, veggie plants and flowers. Worked in the yard for a few hours, getting flowers planted and filling in holes in the lawn. Prepping the garden a bit, got the tomato plants in and planted some seeds. Didn't make it to the gym for treadmill, but still hit my 30k! Got my final 10 min elliptical in to equal my hour anyways.  Hubs headed out for Moab with a couple work buddies. #5's basketball practice was canceled, so we had the night off. Early to bed, I was exhausted! 31581 steps. 3494 burn. 1300 intake. 
• Friday (0517) Got a little elliptical in early, then took the boys to school. Stopped by Smiths on the way home to grab groceries and a prescription.  Got more elliptical to equal my hour, and got a treadmill time. Watched the "Grey's" season finale ... I'll miss it. It motivated me to at least one weekend workout. #3 had the senior dinner dance tonight. #5 had practice, I dropped him off. Another "early to bed" night. When Hubs is gone, I either stay up later than usual, or crash quicker ...  22004 steps. 2692 burn. 1600 intake. 
• Saturday (0518) Made breakfast for the littles, they were the only ones around in the morning. Got a treadmill time in. Hubs headed home, and made it just as I was leaving with #5 to his basketball games. Won the first, lost the second, and #5 took it hard. There were tears. Got him home, then I headed to a bridal shower for my niece at my mom's house. 10991 steps. 2141 burn. 1700 intake. 
• Sunday (0519) Hadn't been able to do my usual lawn mowing Friday or Saturday with all the rain. Sprinkles still forecast for today, but I managed to get the mowing in. Hubs headed to work, making up the work he missed Friday. Unfortunately it kept him there all day ... and it was the GOT finale! He said I couldn't watch it without him, now I have to stay off social media completely until we see it. 

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

Went with a bit of a theme in my movie choices this week ... based on true events/inspirational stories. All on Netflix. Walk, Ride, Rodeo (2019. IMDB 6.4) was just okay for me. 22 July (2018. IMDB 6.7) was interesting. Glad for captions with the accents and low talking at times. Interesting politically, as there are such strong feelings about immigrants and different cultures here and now. July 22 is my wedding anniversary though! The Stray (2017. IMDB 5.5) was filmed here in Utah, and one of my high school friends had her little girl in it, playing the middle child, Rachel. I thought she was cute, but didn't care much for the movie. Just MY personal preference, but I don't like when it starts out with some big action, and then goes to "1 year earlier" or whatever and builds up to the event we already saw. Much of the writing and acting was just not very good. The guy's boss? Really? Elementary kid can just walk off the school grounds without anyone objecting? The scene in the principal's office. Two families sending their nine year olds off with an almost stranger for an overnight backpacking trip.  It starts snowing, then lightening strikes. Now I'm not a weather expert, but since I had a son with a weather phobia I have noticed things. I've never seen lightening with snow (we didn't have any weather issues with our son during the winter). A lightning strike hits the tent, when there are tons of taller trees around ... and goes through all five, when they weren't really touching. SPOILER ... the dog dies, the dad almost dies, but then he hikes out with the boys and just drops them off without even talking to their parents about what happened. He doesn't even go to the doctor to get himself checked out.  I'll admit in spite of all my negativity, I teared up a time or two, but I'd really only recommend the movie if you like Hallmark/After School Special type shows. On IMDB, people either LOVED it with a 9/10 rating, or hated it with a 1. Personally I'd give it a 3/4.

Beyond movies, Hubs and I watched episode 5 of GOT. It was the last Grey's Anatomy for this season. I'm sad. Having that weekly episode helped motivate me to get into the gym over the weekends, when I need the push. I've still been watching Colony/Season 3, and started Killing Eve, getting a couple episodes in. 

*** Five Featured Photos ***

 I love lilacs! Wish they lasted longer!

 I actually wore a tank to Tuesday's Zumba.

The buildings can get so hot!

Baked some bread ... took some extra loaves to Zumba on Wednesday.

 Popeyes and chocolate chip cookies. 

Eating was over this day. 

Spotted on the road by the canal ...

Weekly Weigh-In #301 (171.9)

Well, after this past Mother's Day weekend (eating out twice) and not getting to the low from last week, I thought for sure the scale would be up for the official weekly weigh-in. It wasn't. And the average went down over one pound.  Eating was okay. Still keeping up with the Intermittent Fasting. Generally 16:8, but sometimes a little longer ... the weekend was off though. It was a good week for fitness Mon-Thurs. Here are my stats and steps ...

NUMBERS: Official weigh-in at 171.9 which was -.1 from last week. The average was down -1.09 to 170.84. I only had one day with eating under goal/2000, but four days with a decent deficit. Deficit for the week just -605 as I had some uber over eating days too. Average intake was 2286. Average daily burn 2802. Step average 23494 with 53.55 logged miles. Cardio minutes 948/1034/1024/1410. Ironically, the highest "active minutes" came in on the Charge2, which had the lowest step count of my three devices. Here's how mine and the family's steps stacked up.  90min w/weights.

STACKED STEPS: Wearing the One on my hip gets more steps than when I wore it on my torso (where I have the Charge2 now). The Versa on my wrist was between the two, but overall, the steps were pretty close this week. My sister and dad made it onto the list. I'm sure #3 would have, but he forgot to sync and so his report was missing Fri/Sat/Sun. #4 was pretty low, he wasn't very active, but also doesn't wear his Alta all the time. 

EXERCISE: Only achieved my hour of elliptical four days this week (Mon-Thurs), got a little in on Friday. Treadmill time five days this week, two days had double duty, and I also got a walk in. Four Zumba classes with some extra on my own. One time on the bike. Two weight workouts!   OTHER ACTIVITIES: The usual driving and grocery shopping. Out to eat twice ... ala Mother's Day. I actually spend a lot of time doing ducky duty, and just log the extra. We had a duck rescue this week that took some extra time. Yard work and lawn mowing should be making weekly appearances. No basketball games but I hung out at practice with #5 for an hour. A doctor's appointment for #4 and a food run. Went to Wendys. It had been a while since we'd been there last! Didn't get noted (just part of the "home" time) but I spent some time in the sun this week too. 

Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0506) Awake early. Got in my hour of elliptical, then Zumba w/Kirsten. Chatted with a Zumba buddy after class for a bit, then did a quick store stop. Treadmill time and some work in the yard the mowed the front lawn. Hubs was home late, dinner with a work buddy. 30110 steps. 3095 burn. 1800 intake. 
• Tuesday (0507) Not a great night, but a productive day. Got in my hour of elliptical, Zumba over at the church, two treadmill times, weights and a session on the bike! Very rainy weather today. 31909 steps. 3078 burn. 2200 intake. 
• Wednesday (0508) Hour of elliptical, Zumba w/MZL then a store stop for groceries. Shopping steps! Two miles on the treadmill too. In the evening, Hubs and I ended up rescuing 10 ducklings that had fallen through a grate, and reunited them with mama. 33708 steps. 3442 burn. 2200 intake. 
• Thursday (0509) Started the day with an hour of elliptical. Zumba w/MZL ... Cinco De Mayo celebration, had to switch church buildings due to no power. Cleaning day. I got in two treadmill times and a weight workout. Took #4 to a follow-up doctor appointment after school. It was pretty quick. Stop at Wendys on the way home. Hubs and #3 did a derby and I took #5 to basketball practice. Practiced a little Zumba while I waited. 33293 steps. 3276 burn. 2200 intake. 
• Friday (0510) Only one 20min elliptical session today. Got distracted helping #4 with homework that he'd "forgotten". Stop at Smiths after dropping the boys off at school. Planned on hitting the gym again, but #3 and friends were in it all afternoon. Took a walk along the canal. 15576 steps. 2482 burn. 2100 intake. 
• Saturday (0511) The littles got haircuts and then #1 took them to a movie (Detective Pikachu). Ended up adding an Xbox1 to our video game arsenal (#1 found it on FB marketplace and the littles bought it with their money). I got in a walk while watching the latest "Grey's Anatomy" and then mowed the lawn. Out to dinner with the folks and MIL for Mother's Day. 14357 steps. 2282 burn. 3000 intake. 
• Sunday (0512) Mother's Day. I peeked out the window and one of the ducks was on the wrong side of the fence, so I had to go walk her back. Out to breakfast with the whole family. Restful day, a little sun, a nap. Some popcorn and a show later, then GOT. 5503 steps. 1960 burn. 2500 intake.

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

Three movies this week. I'd had Mr. Church (2016. IMDB 7.7) on my "to watch" list on Amazon or another streaming service, then it disappeared. But it showed up on Netflix. I enjoyed it. Interesting to see Eddie Murphy in something other than a comedic role. The Jane Austin Book Club (2007. IMDB 6.8) was one I hadn't heard of, although I recognized many of the actors in it. I love Pride and Prejudice, but haven't really read Austin's other works. I liked this movie, even though it didn't have a lot of action or adrenaline (which is helpful when working out). Then I figured I'd watch the Ted Bundy movie (2019. IMDB 6.7). I'd heard some people really liked it, while others found it extremely boring. It kept my interest and I was glad I'd taken the time to watch.  When my movies were done, I finished up Humans. Season 3 ... what to watch next?  I also finished up Reign (season 1) which is one I "watch" during my weight workouts. As I generally only do one weight workout a week, it's taken a while to get through the season. Caught the most recent "Grey's" and GOT and a couple episodes of Mad Men with Hubs. 

*** Five Featured Photos ***

 I tend to get sun on my shoulders with my yardwork and mowing, so I wanted to even things out and get a little color on my legs. I set this up in back and got my book to read ... and the cat thought I'd set it all up for him!

 I've been watching mama duck at my Wednesday Zumba church, checking on her each week. Last week I could see one egg out of the nest and knew the hatching had begun. This week, she and the babies were gone, with remnants of the nest left behind. Stay safe little duckies!

 Speaking of duckies NOT staying safe, a neighbor notified us (we are the "duck people" that others come to) of a mama duck and babies in distress over at our church. Hubs and I went over and mama and one baby were near a grate, a water retention pit, with peeping coming from down below. Hubs was able to get the grate off, needed a ladder to get down (it was around nine feet deep!) and rescued 10 little ducklings! Luckily they all seemed okay, even after such a fall. We reunited them with mama at canal next to the church. I say again, stay safe little duckies!

 #2 finished up his Wednesday night league - playing in the championship game (they ended up coming in second place. Still got t-shirts!

Heading out to breakfast ... four boys on their phones!

TV Tuesday - The Last of "The Last Ship"

 I first discovered The Last Ship back in 2016. It had aired a couple years before that, so I got to watch both Season 1 and Season 2 back to back (TV Tuesday - Is It The End Of The World?). I watched it via Hulu and PlayOn. We had cable with Comcast, I and could have followed up with Season 3 as it aired, but, I figured I'd wait until the season was complete. Sometime after season 3 finished up, I watched it. 

It has been a while since I'd thought about "The Last Ship" ... Hulu had offered a deal for $.99 a month for a year, which I took advantage of starting December 2018. I really didn't get around to checking out Hulu much though. I always seemed to have plenty to stream (commercial free) from Netflix and Amazon. But then, I remembered this series. I think it was the end of March, or early April. Season four was available in full, and season five was going to be added April 11. So ... it was time.  I must admit, I had to go back and watch some of the final episode there in Season 3 to remind myself what the situation and story was, even though that particular storyline had wrapped up, and a new one was starting up.

Season four was not my favorite. The basic premise was fine. The "red rust" ... the same virus that decimated the human population, was now affecting plant life, which would again put those who had survived at risk again.  But, it just got a little over the top, or a lot really. With Chandler meeting up with his old crew at a fighting arena, a madman scientist, constant betrayal, savior seeds. One small eye-rolling incident, when one of the women strips off her camo, and happens to be wearing perfectly white, sexy underwear, enough that she can slip into a pool party without drawing any notice, and happen to be able to attract the attention and seduce the main man there (who was their mark). I know, suspension of disbelief ... but definitely not one of the better seasons in the series.

I finished up Season four just in time to start Season 5 as it hit streaming on Hulu. I can NOT stand commercials, so I recorded the episodes with my PlayOn service (this does double my data per episode, which is a bit of an issue, with Comcast's data caps ... we use a lot of data in our family, and we were very close to going over for April!)  I really liked season five. It starts three years after we left our characters in Season four. No dearth of drama. Conflict between countries - not quite as far-fetched as the whole "super seeds" premise from last season. A lot of intense action, beloved characters in crisis, and not everyone makes it out alive (it's amazing how so many have miraculously survived up to this point!)  Really moving moments there at the end, I'll admit to some tears. This season finale did end up being the series finale too, and it worked to bring it all to a close. 

With a 7.5 rating for the series on IMDB, it has mostly positive reviews. I really liked it. The action and drama kept me coming back to the gym, and gave me adrenaline bursts as I worked out while watching. And, eye candy too. McSteamy and several other gorgeous guys easy on the eyes ;)

Weekly Weigh-In #300 (172.0)

Look at that ... a number other than 170s on the scale! Just barely there, and it didn't hold for the official Monday morning weigh-in, but still, it was motivating.  I'll try to keep it up ... I mean down. Been doing IMF (Intermittent Fasting), this was the second full week. 16:8 is the main thing I'm doing, although I did have some days where I went a bit longer. Basically, I stop eating by 7:00, then don't eat until 11:00. I know some people need a little something in their stomach before a workout, but I don't. My morning routine (elliptical, kids to school, Zumba) keeps me busy and occupied. Still trying to control calories during my eating window ... did pretty good with food and fitness. Mon-Thurs were great, the weekend could use work, as always.

Steps and Stats

NUMBERS: Official weight down (-2.7) to 172.0. Average down (-1.26) to 171.93.  I kept my calories in check four of the seven days this week. With average intake at 2029 and average burn at 2856, I had a deficit for the week (-2759).  Three days with burn 3000+, those were also 30k days.  Step average 24240 with 59 logged miles. Cardio minutes 876/1082/987/1470 with 45 min w/Weights. 

 How the family steps stacked up ... (and me x3)

The littles forgot to wear and sync, so they didn't make the list this week. 

EXERCISE: Got my hour of elliptical in five of the seven days this week. Six days with treadmill time, one day with double duty, and one day with time on the track. Four Zumba classes. No bike, but one weight workout.    OTHER ACTIVITIES: Three back-to-back basketball games with #5, was a bit down. The usual grocery shopping and some other errands. Spent about an hour mowing the lawn.

Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0429) Started the day with my hour of elliptical, then Zumba w/Kirsten, and did a little extra on my own. Some shopping steps, then mowed the front lawn. Two miles on the treadmill. 30759 steps. 3156 burn. 2200 intake.
• Tuesday (0430) Had a larger Zumba class, as MZL's Tuesday class had to cancel, and I mentioned mine if anyone wanted to come. Got a few extra :)  Also got in my hour of elliptical, and double treadmill time. Big storm, with loud thunder claps. Later in the day, there were jets flying by, making the house pulse. Grabbed pizza for the boys. Low key evening. 30141 steps. 3038 burn. 1800 intake. 
• Wednesday (0501) Hour of elliptical, then Zumba w/MZL. Checked on the mama duck there, and there had been some hatching! I saw a couple opened eggs. She was still sitting. It was a cold morning. There was even some snow. Hope the ducks do okay! Two miles on the treadmill when I got back home. Made bread. In the evening, #1 and wife stopped by, bringing Popeyes and their new kitten. They played Sorry with the littles. 25744 steps. 2914 burn. 2700 intake. 
• Thursday (0502) Got my elliptical hour in, Zumba, and two miles treadmill. Hit the store after classes, and cleaners came. I got in a weight workout. Hubs had a derby, #4 was supposed to help, but didn't ... #1 filled in. #5 had practice and I walked the track while I waited. Started my "fast" early, even though Hubs had made yummy steak late (I resisted).  35998 steps. 3471 burn. 1200 intake. 
• Friday (0503) Late start. Just elliptical and two miles treadmill for workouts today. I did also mow the lawn and get in some shopping steps. Full house during the day, with #2 and K8, and #3 and some friends. Dropped #5 off for practice. Hubs was home late. Dragging by evening. 23178 steps. 2820 burn. 1600 intake. 
• Saturday (0504) Got in two and a half miles while I watched this weeks Grey's Anatomy while on the treadmill. Ran several errands. #5 had THREE games, 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00. The boys were tired for that last one, which was against the hardest team. They lost by four. #5 went to a sleep-over with teammates. 17983 steps. 2585 burn. 2000 intake. 
• Sunday (0505) Family breakfast. Sunday nap. Family dinner.  5877 steps. 2007 burn. 2700 intake.

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

Three movies this week ... the first two were based on books, books that I had read and enjoyed. It's been a while since I read either book. I remember really liking The Darkest Minds (2018, IMDB 5.7) ... the book was better than the movie. The movie was just ehhhh. I actually didn't love the book Everyday, but I thought they did a really good job with the movie (2018, IMDB 6.4). I liked it. My final movie was about a Book Club (2018, IMDB 6.1) ... and I have read 50 Shades (they book they read). I liked the movie, it kept me entertained, while making me not want to get older (even though these women are rocking the years).   Watching Humans (season 3) when I couldn't get a full movie in, and Grey's of course. Also watched the most weekly episode of GOT with Hubs (not while working out). 

Five Featured Photos ...

Mama duck and a discarded, hatched egg ... I wonder how many babies she has under there? I wasn't going to disturb her to find out. I've been watching her for weeks and knew hatching time was any day. This day, the first of May, was cold, there was even some snow. Good luck duckies! Stay safe! 

 Homemade bread

A game of Sorry

 #2 and his girlfriend and her brother's wedding.

#3 and a teeny, tiny kitten (#1 and wife adding him to their family).

 

April 2019

Well, no impressive drop like last month, dang it. There was Easter, and all the eating and treats that go with that, and Spring Break, which was a week off the school schedule ... No more Noom for now. I found the tracking app too clunky and inaccurate, and the psychology wasn't anything too interesting either. Hubs has added IMF (intermittent fasting) to his Keto (still having success, he's dropped a lot and shaved his beard ... he's a new man!) and I am giving it (the IMF, not the Keto) a try too.

NUMBERS: Weight started at 173.4 and ended at 174.1. But the high (174.8) and the low (171.6) were lower than last month, as was the average (173.25). I did have a deficit (-5984) with intake average 2182 and burn average 2786. Thirteen days with a deficit, twelve under 2000. Eleven days with 3000+ burn, and nine 30k days. Total steps for the month were 674,879 with the average 22,496 and 83.9 logged miles. Cardio minutes 3387/4295. 

EXERCISE: Achieved my hour of elliptical 16 days, and had another seven days with elliptical activity. 18 times on the treadmill, five days with double duty. 19 Zumba classes. Three workouts with weights.   OTHER ACTIVITIES: The usual driving and grocery shopping. A bit of basketball. Easter celebrations with family. Out to eat once (I don't get out much). Got my hair done. A couple walking sessions while waiting at basketball practice, and with the weather warming up ... more mowing!

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

Nine movies this month ... a couple musicals, a couple "Disney" themed, some old, some recently released.  April was also "The Last Ship" (Hulu/PlayOn) and keeping up with Grey's and GOT.  My Kindle Unlimited deal ended, so I'm back to library loans (which is fine, I have a list a mile long).