Weekly Weigh-In #309 ... the 4th, Food and a 5k

This week was a little off. Just some stuff, making me not very motivated. Throw in the 4th of July holiday ... right there on the edge of 170 for weigh-in this morning.

My Versa went a little crazy a few days this week ... thus the difference of over 26k! I noticed it on Thursday (4th of July) when it showed almost 30k, when I'd really logged about half that (just Zumba and two miles treadmill for exercise, not a particularly active day). Looking closer at the daily details, the phantom steps didn't show up in the spikes or minutes of the day. There the correct count (16727) was listed. Fri/Sat/Sunday also had dependencies. Weird. I'll have to keep an eye on that.  #3 hit 100k and beat his brother. #5 came in behind Grandpa, just over 50k ... and that was NOT wearing his Fitbit a few days during the week.

 Fitbit Steps and Stats ...

NUMBERS: Official weight up 1.1, and average up even more, 2.3. Wasn't a good week for weight. Glad it didn't tip into the 170s.  Got my full fast in four days. Intake under goal just one day. Intake average 2329. Burn average 2658. No deficit this week, over by 1042.  Step average was 18717 with 40.87 logged miles. Cardio minutes 658/809/817/998.  EXERCISE: Was on the elliptical four days, but only achieved my full hour two of those days. Three days with treadmill time, one 5k jog. Still got all five Zumba classes in. No weights. Whoops.   OTHER ACTIVITIES: Driving was down, at about four hours. Grocery shopping down too. Duck stuff, yard work and mowing ... really not a lot else on the docket this week, even with the 4th holiday.  Here's the day by day ...

• Monday (0701)  Got in my hour of elliptical and Zumba w/Kirsten. No treadmill today. Mowed the lawn, front and back. I was running boys around. #4 was hanging with a friend, I dropped them off for some bowling in addition to hanging out at our house. Dropped #5 off at a friend's house, and they went to Lagoon. Some computer work. Kept calories in check. 24959 steps. 3044 burn. 1600 intake.
• Tuesday (0702) Slept in, didn't get in any elliptical before Zumba over at the church. Got some elliptical, but just a half hour for the day. Two miles treadmill. Not feeling motivated. #3 had some girls over filling water balloons. I dropped off the littles to go see a movie. Quick store stop on the way home. Hubs was very late getting home. 21963 steps. 2729 burn. 2500 intake.
• Wednesday (0703) Got my full hour of elliptical in today, and Zumba w/MZL. Noticed more egg evidence in the bushes. Another ducky had nested there. Stopped at Sam's for some groceries. Made chicken alfredo (#3 requested) and some chocolate chip cookies ... added red, white and blue M&Ms to make them festive. Sent some with #5, as I dropped him off for a sleepover with friends. #1 and wife came over and make taquitos for dinner.  23392 steps. 2937 burn. 2000 intake. 
• Thursday (0704)  4th of July. We didn't really have any plans, so I got up and went to Zumba w/MZL. Picked up #5, made waffles with all the extras for a family breakfast.  Hubs was off riding the razor for a big. The weather turned, cloudy and windy, with some rain and hail.  My Versa went a little nuts, showing almost double the steps I'd actually taken. I had done two miles on the treadmill, watching Stranger Things. Season 3 just came out. #5 has already binged it all. 15784 steps. 2785 burn. 2450 intake. 
• Friday (0705) Normal day for the guys. Hubs, #1 and #2 all had work. I went to Zumba w/MZL. Tried to get #4 to join me in the gym ... it didn't go over well. :(  I got in two miles on the treadmill and half hour of elliptical. Mowed the lawn. #5 had basketball practice. I stopped and grabbed the race packet after dropping him off ... even though no one in the family is planning on the race. #3 had friends over late ... they weren't really even being that noisy, but it kept me awake and I was SO tired. 26031 steps. 2956 burn. 2450 intake. 
• Saturday (0706) Race day. I got up and headed out. The past couple years we hadn't made the special trip to pick up the packet ... but it was nice having it already, especially as they had changed the course and there was a map showing it. Having my number already, I got there just in time to start. I had prepped my headphones and music, but I caught up with Carma and we jogged and chatted for the first couple miles. Then I turned the music on and jogged ahead for the finish. 34 minutes. Beat last year's time. No big breakfast today, but Hubs made hamburgers for an early lunch, then #1 made corndogs for dinner. He also made jello in a watermelon, and gelato. I made some Swig cookies. #5 had a game in Utah County. I dropped him off to catch a ride. He had a friend come home with him afterward and talked us into a sleepover here. Big mistake. Another late night with noise and me being super stressed and unable to sleep. 13564 steps. 2562 burn. 2400 intake.
• Sunday (0707) Made a big breakfast, but the sleepover friends left before. Quiet Sunday. Rest day for me. I was quite sore from the race. Legs super stiff, absolutely hobbled as I'd get up, although the legs would warm up and then I could walk fine. Big breakfast. Hubs and I finished up "Chernobyl" and both got a nap in during the day. 5157 steps. 1991 burn. 3000 intake. 

*** What I Was Watching While Working Out *** Finished up my CBS All Access and cancelled. I was able to get to the end of "One Dollar".  Started watching S3 of Stranger Things. Hubs and I finished up Chernobyl upstairs.

 *** Five Featured Photos ***

 Got a new big water bottle ... replacing my pink with gray/black.

The straw sucks ... which is a GOOD thing.

Wore red to Zumba on the 4th.

... adding colored M&Ms makes cookies patriotic too!

I also made copycat Swig cookies ... and there was tons of other stuff going on in the kitchen as well. Hubs made hamburgers and smoked a roast. #1 made corndogs (dipped and fried them), watermelon jello, gelato and cheesecake. Three big breakfasts this week too (waffles, pancakes and french toast).

#3 and many water balloons

... a little look at the garden/duck area

Love my stepping stones. New ones added a few weeks ago.

Didn't include the 5k photos, as they got their own blog post (here).

Family 5k ... Sans Family

 

A few years ago, my #4 was interested in running 5k races. While I know that the majority are fundraisers for good causes, they are a little pricey. Especially if we wanted to have the whole family participate. They I discovered a local race. More to give back to the community than to raise money. $10 got everyone in the family signed up. 

So in 2017, we ran our first Family 5k (2017) ... we'd actually had one back in 2013, but while everyone was there, not everyone was running (the two littles were very young and Hubs pushed them in a stroller, while #3 rode a scooter).  Last year in 2018, Hubs and #3 bailed, but we still had most of the Blackham Bunch.

This year? Everyone bailed on me.  I signed us all up, I picked up the packet pre-race. No one seemed excited about it. #4 fighting it the most. #1 said he was afraid he might die. #2 said he would if I really wanted him to. I gave up and figured I'd just do it myself. And I did. 

The previous two years, the course was multiple loops around the center of the park. This year, they changed that up and extended the course, around the entire park, through the middle, along the rodeo grounds and 2200 W past the rec center. I think I preferred the new course. Not repeating (and even possibly losing count, am I on lap 3 or 4?) ... not getting lapped, although that was part of the fun too. 

Although my family didn't make it, one of my Zumba friends did. I didn't see Carma at the start (I was running late and barely made it there for the start. It was a bigger crowd this year too, about 500 people) but caught up to her shortly into the course. We jogged and chatted the first couple miles. We'd both told each other that if either wanted to go on (or stop and walk) that we didn't have to stay together ... at about a mile left I felt like I had a little energy so I took off ahead, putting my music on.

I really struggle to "run" (jog) continually. I had stayed with Carma (she had her pace set, I might have walked earlier on without her pacing me), and only slowed a moment or two the last mile. Time was 35 minutes, beating my last year's time by a couple minutes.

You can see my HR go up as I sped up that last mile.

4853 steps for the 3+ miles. Longer jogging steps. 

This selfie was a little while after the race. After chatting with Carma and a couple other friends (one of #5's basketball families) and going home ... still quite the red face! Got my little medal, and Carma sent me a screen shot of the race results, and then they were posted online later. Still a bit confused on the official time vrs the "gun time" ... shouldn't they be different, especially as I did NOT start at the gun, but waited at the back of the pack (they had the high school cross country team and top finishers in that "front" position and asked the "slower" people to move to the back, which I was more than happy to do). MY time on my Fitbit showed 34 minutes, not the 35+ the official chip time said. 

I wonder if my family will do it with me next year ...

The green shirts this year weren't my favorite. Really liked the red in 2017, loved the navy in 2018. No finish goodie bag (loved the lip balm in last year's bag, still using it, as we had several with more of the family participating). This year, we got some nice reusable mesh produce bags. I'll have to remember to bring them to the supermarket to use instead of the plastic bags.  Still, as other years, very impressed with how they set everything up so well. I get so easily intimidated by crowds and chaos and cost ... I feel comfortable with this race.

Weekly Weigh-In #308 (168.8)

This week was a bit off. Definitely a summer schedule, with a bit of sleeping in (affects my early elliptical). A couple dental appointments for the boys, one which made me miss my Zumba. A big bruise on my leg, which I think impacted me a bit.

Steps and Stats

NUMBERS: Managed to keep weight about the same (up .4) but moved the average down (-2.5). Didn't have a deficit this week, about breaking even (33 over). Kept calories in check three days, but went way over on the weekend. Intake average was 2450. Burn average 2758. Two days with 3000+ burn, just one 30k day to start the week.  Step average 21884 with 45.81 logged miles. Cardio minutes 707/991/952/1407. No weights this week.

EXERCISE: Just two days with my full hour of elliptical, although I got a bit in three other days. Did better on the treadmill ... six days with treadmill time, two double duty days. Just four Zumba classes this week. No strength training.  OTHER ACTIVITIES: Driving was way down this week. Gardening was up. Appointments ... dentist two times, and #5 in for a haircut.  Here's the day by day ...

• Monday (0624) Started the week with a couple early elliptical sessions before heading to Zumba. At my building, with Kirsten teaching (me helping) while waiting out the floor refinishing at her chapel. Then I went back with the two littles, they shot hoops while I did some Zumba practice. Two treadmill times in, and my final elliptical session. Hubs had a charity event at work, then had little cousins over to build derby cars in the evening. 34757 steps. 3238 burn. 1650 intake. 
• Tuesday (0625) Not my usual productive Tuesday.  Slept in and didn't get in any gym time before heading over to the church for Zumba. Good class. Took #5 to the dentist. No cavities. Talked about braces. #5 then dropped his phone and it was dead. Luckily we had an extra around, so I spent a while getting it set-up for him. We swapped out the sim card and he's back up and running.  He went to help Dad with a derby ... and #3 had to run out a couple things they'd forgotten (projector and timer). Made #4 get started on some Driver'sEd stuff. Did get in 30min elliptical and one time on the treadmill. 22393 steps. 2749 burn. 1950 intake. 
• Wednesday (0626) Early up ... got a couple elliptical sessions in. Instead of Zumba, I took #4 to the dentist. Hated to miss, but hard to pass up an opening (otherwise had to wait until August). No cavities for him either. #3 and a friend were in the gym when we got back, so I mowed the lawn and did some yardwork. Later, got in my final elliptical session and a couple treadmill times. Hubs and #3 did a derby. 26098 steps. 2837 burn. 2400 intake. 
• Thursday (0627) Started the day with half hour of elliptical ... and that was it for the day. Zumba w/MZL, and then store stops on the way home. Sams/Walmart and Lowes. Got 15 bags of mulch. The boys helped unload them, then I worked in the yard for a few hours getting them laid out where I wanted them. My hands were brown! Cleaned up ... Hubs wasn't home yet, so I did a late treadmill walk. 28575 steps. 3224 burn. 1950 intake. 
• Friday (0628) No elliptical at all today. Straight to Zumba w/MZL. Stopped at Maceys on the way home, grabbing a few groceries. Two miles treadmill. Mowed the back lawn. 20361 steps. 2742 burn. 2700 intake. 
• Saturday (0629) Hubs bought a sprinkler timer. #2 installed it, while I worked on the rebate. Glad to have that working so I don't have to water manually all summer. Now it's automatic and app enabled! Hubs served up steak in the Sous Vide for dinner. Yummy. #1 made his gourmet brownies. Ate way too much. 11520 steps. 2298 burn. 3700 intake.
• Sunday (0630) Most of the family went waverunning up at Pineview today. #4 didn't want to go, and I stayed home with him. It was overcast, and started raining at our house shortly after they left (they were okay, mild temps but no rain. Some wind). I got 10min elliptical in. Made bread. Kitchen cleanup and laundry. The crew came back after a few hours. Low key evening. Hubs and I watched a couple episodes before bed.  9485 steps. 2217 burn. 2800 intake. 

What I'm Watching ...  Still playing around with CBS All Access while I have my free month. Did find a series that interested me enough to keep watching ... "One Dollar". Upstairs Hubs and I aren't watching much, but got in an episode of Mad Men and Chernobyl this week.  The boys got interested in "American Ninja Warrior" ...

Five Featured Photos ...

 A little basketball for the boys ...

A little Zumba practice for me.

Zumba is over and off to appointments ... face still red.

My son's gourmet brownies ...

  ... my bruised leg

 Most of the gang off for some weekend waverunning ...

June 2019

Well ... school is out and the summer schedule started. Sleeping in ... my mornings have been a bit lazy. My hour of early elliptical hasn't been happening. It's been a bit of a struggle to get it in my end of day. Not needing to get kids to/from school has also dropped driving hours ... although I added an hour of "driving" with #4, attempting to prep him for his learner's permit. #5 had a bunch of basketball, but they were tournaments I just sent him to, rather than attending myself (the crowds/chaos and cost) get to me. I did get to a few games. So far, summer has been pretty laid back. Nothing super exciting going on (I mean, #3 went skydiving and Hubs bought a Razor, but ...)

NUMBERS: Weight started at 164.9 and ended at 169.7. Doesn't look good, but the average actually went down a bit (167.19). High was 171.4 and low was 164.3.  Average intake was 2203. Average burn 2785. Monthly deficit was -4756.  Step average was 22084 with 216 logged miles. 662505 total steps.  Cardio minutes 707/991 with 190 minutes w/Weights.  A dozen days under calorie intake goal. 10 days with 3000+ burn. Just five 30k days.

EXERCISE:  Just fifteen days with my full hour of elliptical. Nine additional days had some elliptical in them. 20 days with treadmill time. Four of those days had double duty. 19 Zumba classes, with some extra on my own. Hit the weights five times during the month. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Lots of time in the yard getting the garden going. Mowing the lawn as well. Family time ... Father's Day gatherings and a wedding reception. A couple dental appointments for the boys (no cavities, yea! But braces incoming for #5, but that's still a few months out). Took #5 in for a haircut (#4 needed one but didn't go) and took the littles bowling.  A trip to Tepanyaki. Some shopping, mostly grocery and garden stuff.

Weekly Weigh-In #307 (168.4)

Well, no excuses this week. Everything was pretty standard ... for summer. #5 had a basketball tournament, and Hubs had a quick getaway.  Managed to bring the weight back down a bit. 

Here's steps and stats:

NUMBERS: Official weight down (-2.8), but the average was up (1.17) ... that higher weigh-in last Monday! Managed a deficit four days. Intake average was 1986. Burn average 2837. Deficit for the week was -3390. Three 3000+ burn days. Two 30k days. Step average was 23729 with 61.35 logged miles. Cardio minutes 902/1117/1062/1363 with 105 minutes of strength training.

Here's how the family steps stacked up ...

EXERCISE: Achieved my hour of elliptical five days. Did a half hour one other day. Five days with treadmill time ... two of those with double duty. Five Zumba classes. Two full sessions with weights, and a little extra with abs too. 

Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0617) Good day for food and fitness. Kept calories in check. Hour of elliptical, Zumba w/Kirsten (different church today due to floor refinishing) and two miles treadmill. Also mowed the lawn and did a bunch of stuff around the house. Productive day. 28018 steps. 3017 burn. 1200 intake. 
• Tuesday (0618) Bad night ... feeling yucky when I went to bed and couldn't get to sleep until late. Didn't sleep well. Still had a decent day. Hour of elliptical, Zumba at the church, two treadmill times and a workout with weights. For food, kept quantity in check, even though quality needs improvement. 31235 steps. 3133 burn. 1800 intake. 
• Wednesday (0619) Often drag a bit the day after a weight workout. Exercise was down a bit today. Just elliptical and Zumba. Some shopping steps, getting groceries and gas. #5 went to Lagoon with #1 and wife in the evening. Caved on my fast, indulging in ice cream in the evening. Over on intake. 22609 steps. 2888 burn. 2400 intake. 
• Thursday (0620) Still managed 16 hours for my fast, by pushing "breakfast" until after 1:00. Got in my hour of elliptical, Zumba w/MZL and two miles treadmill.  #5 had games today, BMJ tournament. I dropped him off for the first game, then the boys hung out for several hours until their next game, at 9:00.  #1 came by and took #4 to Toy Story 4.  Hubs came home and packed, leaving on a little weekend getaway tomorrow.  Late night. 27349 steps. 2919 burn. 1400 intake. 
• Friday (0621) Hubs was off early, riding trails today. I got in my hour of elliptical, Zumba, and two miles treadmill. Did weights again! #3 went to a waterpark, but they cut it short. The weather has really cooled down. #5 had games two games again. Today several of the boys came here to hang out between games. Undefeated so far ... #1 and #4 hit a movie again.  31064 steps. 3266 burn. 1400 intake. 
• Saturday (0622) Toyed with the idea of hitting a Zumba class, but then slept in. Didn't end up getting in any official exercise. Mowed the lawn though. One final game for #5 ... they won, taking 1st in the D3. The entire team went out for ice cream afterward. Hubs got home in the evening. Broke the fast and had popcorn while we watched a show. Uber over on calories today. 10147 steps. 2223 intake. 2900 burn. 
• Sunday (0623) Did breakfast, even though I only had two of the boys home. Hubs made pulled pork for dinner (prepping some for a work event tomorrow night). I actually got in some exercise ... 30min elliptical and two miles treadmill. A little abs too. Over on intake again. Oops. Some water balloon fun, bumper balls and riding the Razor. #2 was off to the airport to welcome his GF back after two weeks! 15681 steps. 2411 burn. 2800 intake. 

What I'm Watching ... still on my free month of CBS All Access. Finished up "The Good Fight" this week. That was mainly what I was interested in. Glancing at other shows ... not really anything catching my eye. Giving "Seal Team" and "FBI" a little try, but definitely not a streaming service I "need" or will pay for. 

 Five Featured Photos ...

 ... at the amusement park 

Taking home the Trophy!

Made some homemade ice cream ... one reason for my intake overage on Saturday.

... I bought the boys some new bumper ball toys

Hubs bought a new toy too ...

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)