Weekly Weigh-In #306 ~ Father's Day. Food, Fitness and Fasting Fails

Well, not a great week for food, fitness and fasting. It started off fine, but Sat/Sun weren't great. Father's Day activities threw the routine off somewhat, but ... that's just an excuse, I know. Also struggled with some tooth pain. Need to get into the dentist, but I keep putting that off.

Steps and Stats ...

NUMBERS: Official weight up four pounds on Monday morning. Yikes! I'm sure some of it is temporary with bad eating and no exercise Sunday. The average was only up .28. I was sad to slip up into the 170s again though, and not dropping to even 165 during the week. Intake was up, with the average at 2200. Only one day under goal. Burn wasn't as high as usual, average at 2780. Two days with 3000+ burn, no 30k days, although I got really close once. Still, crunching the numbers, I did have a small deficit for the week (-510). Step average was 21447 with 46.85 logged miles. Cardio minutes 724/946/846/1230. Spent 45 minutes on strength training.

Stacked Steps ...

It's always a little ironic that my Charge2/TorsoTracker (3JenB) gets the least amount of steps, but counts the highest active minutes. The One, worn on the pocket, counted the most steps, per usual. #1 was again 120k, nice to see #3 over 100k as well. The two littles ... #4 is both not stepping, and not wearing. #5 got over 20k Monday and Tuesday, then didn't sync, and wasn't wearing it Thurs-Sunday. He had basketball games Thurs, Fri and Saturday. He isn't allowed to wear anything on his wrist while playing. Too bad, I'd like to see his steps in games (#2 straps his to his ankle, but #5 doesn't care to do that).  My dad showed up in the step count ... appropriate for Father's Day weekend.

EXERCISE: Sleeping in has been an issue this summer. Instead of getting in three 20min sessions on the elliptical early, before heading to Zumba, I'm only getting in one or two ... or none. Only achieved my hour of elliptical three days this week, two other days equaled another hour when added together. Four days with treadmill time, two miles each. Five Zumba classes. One weight workout. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Driving was way down this week (3hours), grocery shopping was up at bit (also at 3 hours).  Quite a bit of family time, with get-togethers Saturday and Sunday for Father's Day.  One basketball game. Lots of yard work, gardening and mowing the lawn. A couple fast food runs, to Popeyes and Little Caesars. Some driving practice with #4. 

Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0610) Just shy of 30k today. Got in my hour of elliptical, Zumba and two miles treadmill. Not a good day with #4, very withdrawn. Thought I'd be running #5 to basketball camp this week, but he elected not to do it. Some gardening and baking today. The boys were watching the NBA game in the evening. 29262 steps. 3096 burn. 1400 intake. 
• Tuesday (0611) The usual exercise ... hour of elliptical, treadmill and Zumba. There was a funeral, so I'd canceled my class, and I hit the one with HeatherB, which was fun. I did weights today too. Better day for #4. Computer work, gardening, made chicken and rice for dinner. Dropped #5 off at a sleepover and hit Smiths for prescription pickup and some groceries. Hubs was asleep when I got back. 26640 steps. 3007 burn. 2400 intake. 
• Wednesday (0612) Only my hour of elliptical and Zumba for exercise today, but still felt productive. Picked up #5 after Zumba, he was right there on the way home. Did some driving practice with #4 then picked up Little Caesars. #3 had friends over in the morning for breakfast, then ... he went sky diving! Yikes! #1 came over and took #4 to a movie. As I was falling asleep, heard the beep from a fire alarm and had to get up and change the battery. 23559 steps. 2859 burn. 2200 intake.
• Thursday (0613) Cleaning day, with prepping the house I didn't get in any elliptical before heading to Zumba. Didn't get any elliptical all day! Did two miles on the treadmill, and then stayed very active with some shopping (Lowes, Sams, Walmart) then work in the yard, gardening, mowing and duck duty. Some thunderstorms hit in the evening. #5 had a late game, I just dropped him off to catch a ride with teammates. Final NBA game, as the Raptors won the championship. Hubs was home UBER late.  26792 steps. 2982 burn. 1900 intake. 
• Friday (0614) Went to Zumba with MZL, and got two elliptical sessions in. Also two miles treadmill. A quick store stop. #5 had three games, I went to the first one. 25320 steps. 2905 burn. 2000 intake. 
• Saturday (0615) Prepping for a family party today, Hubs ran some errands and I was busy in the kitchen (jello cubes and Swig cookies). Got in one elliptical session. #5 had two games, caught a ride with teammates. They dropped him off at the family party, as it was on the way home. #3 had to work, but it was his last day at KFC. 9357 steps. 2249 burn. 2600 intake. 
• Sunday (0616) Father's Day. Had a big family breakfast. Hubs got a nap, while I did some prep, more jello cubes, Swig cookies and Chex mix. Rounded up the game bag, and we packed up the segway. Got the annual family picture. Eating window was open all day today. 9200 steps. 2361 burn. 2900 intake. 

*** What I'm Watching ... still watching "The Good Fight" ... finished up Season 2 and moving onto Season 3. Just have a month "free" ... I'm not willing to pay for CBS All Access. Hubs and I watched the first episode of Chernobyl, and an episode of Mad Men (ironically, both shows have the same actor in them).  No movies this week. Sticking with series for the summer, when I'm in the gym a little less.

*** Five Featured Photos ***

So I ordered this black, racerback, pullover compression workout tank (pictured on the left). What I received is on the right ... um, not even close! Come on Groupon Goods, you can do better than that! At least they offer free returns, and you can bet it's going back. Just not sure if it was a mistake in what was sent, or if I attempted to order again if the same thing would happen?

#3 went sky diving!

 Hubs and a big ol- piece of meat at Saturday's family BBQ

 ... and a Sunday nap on Father's Day. Zzzzzz... 

 Funny Father's Day games on Sunday ...

TV Tuesday - Keeping Current w/a Couple

Time for another TV Tuesday.

Normally, I like to watch a series quickly. Watching while working out, so not really a binge per se ... but sometimes, only a week or so to get through a short season. It's made me spoiled. I don't like waiting between weeks. I want to watch when I want. But, there are two shows that I stayed current with, still generally not catching them as they aired, but ones I'd wait anxiously for and get to as soon as possible. Both because I wanted to see what happened ... and to avoid spoilers.

One of the two was GOT. This one was one Hubs and I were watching together, so I was NOT working out (although there were times in the past when we would watch an episode together in the gym, but it's been a while). Lounging in bed while viewing. Only six episodes in this final season ... and now it's done. In addition to enjoying the episodes, I'd love to check out the memes made after each episode aired. Some funny stuff there!

I didn't watch Grey's "live" from the start. I came into it when there were four or five seasons finished. But from then on, this was one I'd wait for and watch week to week. 

Grey's Anatomy would air on Thursday nights. Friday I'd record the episode using my PlayOn service. Then I can cast the recording to any of the roku devices ... including the one in the gym. I could also skip the commercials. Big plus!

While I had a really good routine Monday - Thursday when the kids were in school, my motivation would slip up over the weekend. Knowing I had an episode of Grey's waiting for me would make a Friday or Saturday session in the gym much more appealing. I was sad when the season wrapped up. 

I've been meaning to make some posts featuring the movies I've watched, but other than including a quick "What I've Been Watching" on my weekly reports, I haven't gotten around to that. As summer is now in swing though, I think I will be sticking to series. Just featuring one series at a time, watching a season from start to finish before moving on to something else. I won't even have my two week-to-week episodes from  GOT and Grey's to break things up.

What are YOU watching lately?

Weekly Weigh-In #305 ... First Week of Summer

First official week of summer ... unlike on the school schedule, I wasn't quite motivated to get up early and get my full hour of elliptical in early. I still got in some before heading out to my Zumba classes. Without "latestart" Fridays, I can now hit a Friday Zumba class. So now, the kids are around all the time. Hubs however, was gone. Left Tuesday and was back Friday. Work trip. I faltered a bit on the food ... had a couple high intake days, a couple days where I didn't quite get in my full 16 hour fast. Exercise was okay.

Here's my steps and stats ...

NUMBERS: Official weekly weigh-in was down a little (-.7) putting me back to where I was a couple weeks ago. Never got down as low as the previous weeks, so average was up (1.49). Three days with intake at/under goal. Did have a deficit for the week (-1380) with intake average 2186 and burn average 2886. Three 3000+ days, two 30k days. Steps average 23455 w/54.93 logged miles.  Cardio minutes 805/1103/1000/1362. 40 min w/Weights.

Stacked steps from my three devices ... #2 had 126718. The younger three ... some didn't have many steps, didn't wear theirs or just didn't sync. Fitbit fails.  My SIL got knockoff Fitbits for her two young boys, and they've been motivated, here for the first few days at least.

EXERCISE: While I didn't get my full hour in early, I did achieve my full hour by end of day four of the seven days. Also elliptical-ed two other days (30min each). Five days with treadmill time, but didn't get in any double duty. Five Zumba classes. One workout with weights.  

OTHER ACTIVITIES: The usual driving and grocery shopping. Non-grocery shopping this week, was at IFA picking up plants. Thus gardening was there for a big chunk this week. Probably more than that what got recorded, especially if I actually included all my duck duties too. Lawn mowing. #5 had several basketball games for a clinic he was in, but they were up at the university, and I just sent him with teammates. I went to watch his Saturday game when they won the lower division championship. Ignore the eating out ... that was last Sunday that I forgot to edit out (LifeCycle runs Sunday-Saturday, but I personally calculate my week Monday- Sunday. I wish the app would let me edit that!) I did grab pizza/Popeyes and donuts and took the boys bowling.   Here's the day by day ...

• Monday (0603) First official "summer" day ... not that different for me. Still up early and hit the elliptical. Didn't get my full hour in early, but did by end of day. Zumba w/Kirsten. No drop-off for school ... but I still dropped off/picked up #5 from the high school for basketball practice. Treadmill time and some shopping/errands. Steps 27695. Burn 3006. Intake 1950. 
• Tuesday (0604) Fun Zumba class at the church today with a few extra people. Added energy for me. I got good numbers anyway. Also my hour of elliptical, treadmill time and a weight workout. Ran to Smiths to pick up a prescription and gift card, had to go back with some issues with it.  Picked up pizza. Mowed the front lawn. Hubs left for his business trip. Will be home on Friday. Steps 30580. Burn 3218. Intake 1200. 
• Wednesday (0605) Awake uber early today ... and that was without Hubs here leaving for work. Got two elliptical sessions and a treadmill time before heading to Zumba. A little later today, as I was hitting Southziders (MZL had a funeral at the building and had to cancel). After Zumba I went to IFA and got some plants and a bale of straw. Picked up some donuts from Dunford. Dropped #5 and teammates off at basketball practice, then hit Sams/Walmart and picked up Popeyes. Got the boys from practice then went out back to get my plants in the ground and transplant some seedlings and work in the duck area. Finally got my final elliptical session in before a late bedtime. Steps 33174. Burn 3492. Intake 2200. 
• Thursday (0606) Thunderstorm in the a.m... woke my up, and apparently was quite the visual show. Lots of pictures posted on social media. I got in my hour of elliptical and Zumba with MZL. Took the boys bowling ... I hadn't been able to find my shoes (yes, I have bowling shoes) before, so I sat this trip out. My right shoulder has been hurting too ... maybe the weight workout from Tuesday, or the mega-arm song at Southziders yesterday.  Not sure bowling would have been feasible for me anyway. Made some Swig cookies. #5 had a game up at the U ... I don't drive there, or even go there, so I sent him with teammates. They lost both their games. #1 came over with Popeyes (again) in the evening. No late tonight, I was ready for bed early! Steps 22191. Burn 2759. Intake 2800 (oops ... also outside my eating window).
• Friday (0607) Scale showed my splurges! Just 30min of elliptical today, but glad I was able to hit Zumba w/MZL.  Also got in a treadmill time. Dropped #5 off to get to his games again. #3 took #4 out and ran some errands. More work in the garden and duck area. Hubs got home in the evening ... and was craving Popeyes. So fried chicken for the third day in a row. I didn't have any tonight. Steps 21550. Burn 2799. Intake 1950. 
• Saturday (0608) Got 30min elliptical in today. Hubs went into work to try and catch up after his trip. #1 came over and made waffles, then made brownies, then made tinga. I dropped #5 off early to get to his Jags basketball game, then met up with him in the afternoon for his Wolves basketball game. They'd lost all the games with the Jags, but won with the Wolves, got a t-shirt for taking the championship. #5 wanted to go hang out with friends after, and #2 dropped him off. #2 also dropped off his girlfriend at the airport, she's gone to Kenya for two weeks for a humanitarian trip. Mowed the front and back lawn and tried to patch some holes in the lawn. Got distracted by a fledgling Robin looking for his mommy. Steps 17569. Burn 2724. Intake 2300. 
• Sunday (0609) French toast breakfast today. Hubs prepped some ribs and put them on the smoker. I got in a walk on the treadmill. NBA basketball on in the evening. Steps 11423. Burn 2207. Intake 2900. 

*** What I'm Watching *** I didn't turn on any movies this week, but stuck with series. Watched What/If on Netflix. Ehhh. Pretty over the top eye-rolling. I finished it, but had to push to do so and was relieved when it was done. Now starting the second season of "The Good Fight" taking CBS All Access up on a "free month" offer ...

*** Five Featured Photos ***

 Love having a nice edge to the lawn ... love our edger and that I know how to use it. I always think "Oh I don't need to edge today, it hasn't been that long" but then I still do it, because I love the look.

 Home from Zumba, changed, hair done ... face still red!

Oops ... the pin came off with the tab. 

Got the giftcard fixed finally.

A couple boys bowling.

T-shirts for the champs!

Robots - Recent Reads and TV Too

This is a TV Tuesday post, mixed with a Recent Reads. Topic? Robots. I ended up reading LifeL1K3 around the same time I was watching Season 3 of Humans. I really TRY not to read such similar books back to back, or watch something with the same theme ... just so I don't confuse things in my brain. But it does make for a good themed blog post *Ü*

I first discovered the BBC Series HUMANS in Summer of 2015. It was showing on AMC, and I recorded the episodes using my PlayOn service so I could stream them to my gym TV. I ended up rewatching the first season w/Hubs upstairs when it hit Amazon Prime.

When the second season started to air on AMC in the Spring of 2017, I was anxious to watch again ... again recording and streaming to the gym. I'd heard the third season was coming out, but this time I just waited and watched for it to appear on Amazon Prime. When it finally did, it was next up on my "to watch" list.   Just eight episodes each season ... two years is TOO long in-between. Sometimes I just wish I'd been more patient, and watched all three seasons back to back. I just watched a preview from season 1 ... I didn't remember a lot of it! It's been too long. It is an intriguing series. Robots, made to help with labor, replacing much of the human workforce, and gaining consciousness.

The movie I-Robot. 

The television series Battlestar Galactica. 

The  "Partials" book trilogy.

All robot related stories I've enjoyed in the past.

For more recent reads ...

 

I borrowed Lock In from my local library. It was a random pick for me. I loved it. Rather than featuring complete robots with an AI consciousness, the machines here are actually connected to a human body/brain. One affected by a futuristic disease called Hayden's Syndrome, which leaves the victim unable to move or communicate, even though they are fully conscious within their body. They are "locked in" per se. While there is no cure, scientific discovery leads to robot bodies that can connect and house the consciousness for those with this disease.  It's such a unique idea. Where do authors get such imagination?  The machine bodies are called "threeps" by many, as one of the first users looked in the mirror and stated "I look like C3PO" (from Star Wars). 

Lock In is technically the first book ... and Head On is a sort of sequel. Lock In can be a stand-alone, but as I loved the characters and the world created here, I was happy to read another installment. What I didn't know going in, was that there was a short story, called Unlocked that really introduces everything. I would absolutely recommend reading it to start (you can find it here on Tor for free. I prefer a Kindle copy, but it was worth reading this web-based presentation.)

This was one of those books that I could "see" ... my imagination made it into a movie. Loved the idea of the consciousness being able to hop from one mechanical body to another. No need to physically travel, just rent a new body at your desired destination. Just know it will cost you if you don't return it in good shape. That's something our protagonist struggles with ...

Even with the horrid disease, and people/robots walking around, the Lock In world was still very familiar. Not post-apocalyptic, not super-futuristic. Recognizable and relatable.

Not so for the LifeL1K3 world. As the story starts, it totally reminded me of the movie "Real Steel".   A big arena, with robots fighting, programmed by their human counterparts. But that not what the book is really about. At the very beginning, we are given definitions of the different types of robots (Automata, Machina and Logika), the three rules (and some thoughts on those) ... and a memory. We aren't sure whose memory or what it is all about. Those memories continue to surface throughout the book. They are written in italics, so they are easily identified. I was listening to audio, and still the different distinctions were quite clear. Also (I was glad I was able to download the Kindle copy in addition to the audio, as I like to have a visual of some of the story) Cricket's robotic "voice" was in a different typeface, which I liked, it added a distinctive note to the Kindle copy, the narrator did a good job with the different voices on audio.

Speaking of voices ... the book/characters had a distinctive tone. In their slang ... such as "no way a bot this beautiful is getting bricked by some fritzer" ... fizzy, smoked, true cert, and ALL the nick names and ways characters were referred to... LemonFresh (that's not even a nickname really), bestest, Riotgrrl, Freckles, Dimples, BrainTrauma, "the lifelife", almost-boy, dead girl, the Preacher. I liked it, although sometimes it got a little overdone (the "her bestest" and "the lifelike" ... a LOT of that).  Everything came together in the end. Even the title, with the numbers in there. The author did a good job and making the characters (and us) care about some of these machines (like Cricket and the little robot dog.)  There is a sequel coming out this year. Like the series Humans ... I'm wondering if it would have been better to wait and read the books back to back.

Any other robot/android TV, Movies or Books I should check out?
(I have seen WestWorld ... HBO Shows)

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 ...