Sunday, June 30, 2013

June ... Intake and Burn Graph

I love these graphs from Fitbit. Before I started using MFP though, I only had the burn line. No matter what it says, unless you have your INTAKE as well to compare, it really doesn't mean too much. As I had been gaining weight, even with a lot of activity, I must have been eating at the same level - or higher! Now I really try to keep those lines apart, and I was pretty successful this past month. Trouble spots were ...

  • Over Oops at the first of the month. It was a Sunday (always hard) and some emotional eating.
  • Whoops Weekend at the end of the month (not crossed but close). Movie on Friday, out to eat Saturday and Sunday ... Sundays are always a challenge.
Happy with the total burn average, and the average intake *Ü*
That is where I want them to be. 

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Making Progress

When I started here a few weeks ago, my weight was 180 ... as I logged calories and controlled them, I dropped into the 170s. Today, it dropped a little, to 169.6. The change in that middle number is a big milestone. 10 pounds. Happy to be out of the 180s, 170s ... while my goal weight is 135ish, I sure hope I can keep this up to at least 155, which would at least get me out of the "overweight" category. I remember feeling pretty good about myself at 150, even on the way back up from being lower. Just trying to keep it realistic. 
I'm really happy I've been having so many good days. I think I've only gone over my goal ONE day since I started (and that was over my expenditure, not just over my decifit) . I'm not sure what it is.  In the past, I would only need to think the word "diet" and be starving ... and I'd alomst always give in to that. I always felt I had no willpower. My initial weight loss several years ago was almost a fluke ... seriously. 20 pounds fell off initially, then I did start eating "better" (still not good, but better *Ü*) and exercising to lose the additional 30. But it was not hard. Not like keeping it off, not like trying to lose after I'd gained again. While exercise has become a part of my life, I've never got a handle on my eating.
 I'm still not eating healthy ... I'm simply trying to control my calories at this point (maybe once I feel I really have it under control I can start looking at macros and moving to healthier options). I still struggle. Most days, even when I'm really trying, I can't keep calories under 2000 (they add up so fast when there are a lot of empty calories in there).  I'm really trying to pay attention, no mindless or emotional eating.  I have days where my hunger is no longer out of control even on a low calorie count day.
Add to that my exercise. I'm a bit crazy with my exercise ... although admittedly, I'm a little more into quantity than quality. I would feel guilty if I just sat down and watched tv ... but if I'm walking, or on the elliptical, I can justify it. I'm exercising! I love to read as well, but again, feel guilty spending too much time on novels ... but if I read while on the stationary bike, then I'm accomplishing two things at once! I don't do a lot of just sitting ... I don't know if I could do a desk job. I think I'd go crazy.   
... well, enought sitting down writing this up. Time to get back on the elliptical!

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Day to Day (June2013)




June 1 (Saturday)
Sports Saturday! Started off with soccer for #5. It was his final game. He got two goals. A little later in the day we had back to back basketball for #2 and #3. I had to have my dad come help carpool one of the kids. They both won and both got some points. Nice to see #2 play again ... he's been out for a while with back to back broken bones (his right foot Sept2012, his left foot Jan2013).

Not a great eating day, although taking into account exercise credit I did manage to stay under goal. I had made some yummy rice krispie treats for hubby to take to a neighborhood carnival in the evening (while I was at basketball) and of course I snacked as I made them and had to taste test them ... and then he didn't end up taking them, so there were still around to temp me!

I got in an hour on the elliptical and 37min/10miles on the bike.
#2 beat me on steps (he ended up playing basketball at the park after the game and really racked up the steps!) 

June 2 (Sunday)
Sundays are hard ... today was hard. Ate too much (2725) and that WAS even with me recording everything and being aware. I actually did hold back a bit ... how many calories could I consume in the past when I was completely oblivious? It was a carb fest today ... I was so embarrased I put my food diary back to private (as I was feeling the urge to be dishonest in what I was putting down, and I can't do that!)

I had a bit of an emotional day, dealing with an issue that's coming up has me super stressed. Some Sundays I don't get in any cardio ... I did get an hour on the elliptical today, but it wasn't enough to combat the calories in (675 extra per the Fitbit for all the day's activity). Weight was up a bit from yesterday - technically I hadn't gone over yet. I wonder what the scale will say tomorrow after today ... 

June 3 (Monday)

Ok - Back on track after the weekend. Weight did come in at 176.7, up after yesterday.

My tummy was actually feeling a bit off, so I didn't eat a lot. It didn't keep me from cardio though. Got in 120minElliptical (6 20min sessions) , 37minBike, 15minWiiFit. It was a beautiful sunshiny day and I spent a little time outside too. Busy evening making dinner, running kids, and getting some groceries. Got in a little ping pong with #3. Basketball signups for summer too ... debating putting #3 on #2's team, even though that would mean playing against kids two grades up ... hmmmm, what to do.

Kept calories in low ... at 1100 actually. MFP told me I am eating too little, but believe me, it is not something I do on a regular basis! I don't know how anyone can even keep a 1200 calorie day diet regularly. Of course my sugar intake was still in the red, even with that. Exercise out was 1560 .... again burning more in exercise alone than I ate. 


June 4 (Tuesday)

Well ... the scale SHIFTED! 176.7 yesterday, to 173.4 today. 3.3 pounds difference in one day! I guess that is why it is suggested to not weigh in everyday. So even though I'm not sure what is up (if my slight gain was water weight, if some of this is) I'm going to be happy with it. Going down ...

Another good day today. The last day of the big boys in school. I got in 120minElliptical, 37minBike and 60minWeights. Also a little ping pong. Even spent some time cleaning the house (yea me, this is for the CLEANING, not for any caloric burn, but hopefully there was some of that, although I didn't track it, hopefully the Fitbit gave me something for all that vacuuming). Exercise credit was 1547. Food intake was 1850...

Finished my book "The Selection" yesterday ... started a new one for my bike ride today, but it isn't clicking as much. Watching "Falling Skies" during my elliptical workouts. 

Fitbit said the total step count was 22321, with a total calorie burn of 3374. 140 Active minutes. I beat #2 today!


June 5 (Wednesday)

My two older boys are now home during the day. The oldest was actually up uber early to participate in "Senior Sunrise" ... as they are now technically seniors. He did come home and go back to sleep. #2 also slept in, then had me take him to the local rec center. He's saved his money to buy a summer pass and plans on spending many a day there playing basketball. Although I had a very active day (25790 steps) he beat me with over 30K!

It is National Running Day today ... so I decided to "participate" (I can't really say "celebrate"). I did 60 minutes on the treadmill (3.5 miles). I tried jogging but only felt like I could keep it up for the first 1/2 mile. I alternated and did a little more jogging, adding some incline, but mostly walking. My feet weren't very happy with me after either. I really dislike wearing shoes. I do have several different pair but all of them seem to rub somewhere. While I've never liked shoes, I used to walk a lot more than I do now. When #4 was in kindergarten, I'd take #5 in the double stroller and walk to pick him up every day, 1.5 miles each way. As the older boys had basketball, I'd jog the track above the court during their practices and games, often getting in 5 miles at a time. I used to walk on the treadmill at a 14 incline. Now it's a challenge to put in an extended period of time, or any speed/incline at all.

I did get in some ping pong with #1 and #3 and my "usual" workout of 100min Elliptical (five 20 min sessions). No bike today. 

With exercise consideration (1380 calories burned) I did stay under my net goal, but it was close (calories consumed 2190) ... over my static goal of 1800. 

June 6 (Thursday)
Once a week, I generally go out to my folks. Try to help with little tech things (updating Itunes playlists, setting up Mom's new Fitbit, Facebook lessons). The folks are pretty tech savvy but still could use a lesson or two. Not that I'm an expert or anything. My brothers stop by for the harder stuff. I try to get a little ping pong or tennis in with Dad, then go out to eat with Mom. 

Now going out and tracking food is always a challenge. A couple weeks ago we went to Golden Corral and I was pleased to find that everything I ate was in the database. I entered the foods as I went and it was very helpful in keep in control. Today we went to Chuck-a-Rama, and I was hoping for a similar setup. Unfortunately I guess ol' Chuck isn't a national chain, so they haven't had to provide nutritional information. It really was a bummer to try and guess at things. My phone was having trouble too, so I didn't enter anything there, but attempted to when I returned home. Even staying somewhat controlled the one meal came in at over 1800 calories. I hadn't had any breakfast ... and now I guessed I shouldn't have any thing else for the rest of the day either. I did eat a tiny bit later in the day, but not much. I was still pretty full from our late lunch.

Spending a few hours going across town does impact the exercise too. I did pretty good at still getting it in. I'd done two 20 min sessions on the elliptical before I went out, and got in three more. Inspired a bit by a friend's calorie burn on the elliptical (much higher than mine) I did attempt to up the resistance for one workout, and introduce some speed intervals for another. The reading on the machine went up slightly, but the Fitbit didn't really up the calorie count (although the speed intervals got me more steps).

I also got in 10miles on the stationary bike, some ping pong with #3, 10min of WiiFit, walked about 10 minutes (to pick up #5 from a playdate) and ... I tried a weighted Hula Hoop (again, inspired by a MFP friend). I read it's good to start slow, so I did 7 minutes, keeping it up the entire time on my first try (I always liked hula hoops). I watched a couple videos, and they are all very dancy. I am NOT a dancer in any way shape or form, so I think I'll just be keeping it pretty basic, just a little add to the exercise each day. 

Calories consumed came in at 2045. Extra added for exercise was 1396. Fitbit steps 24289. Total calorie burn estimate 3224.

June 7 (Friday)
Good exercise day (especially for a Friday) ... not a good eating day. It was National Donut Day, and my son picked up a dozen. And I did partake. Calories came in at 2800 for the day. Yikes! Mostly empty too. At least hubby was to tired to initiate a Friday night day ... is that bad that I was happy about that? Movies or going out to dinner would have added calories to an already bad day. I did exercise a lot, so I was actually just barely under my MFP goal ... got 1500 exercise credit from 100min Elliptical, 35minBike, 60minWeights, 20minPingPong and 15minHulaHoop. Fitbit steps were at 25494 with total burn listed as 3341

June 8 (Saturday)
I got up and got in my first elliptical session for the day (20min/2miles). It was a basketball day. #2 had his game at 10:00, they lost. Back at home, I mowed the lawn (about 30min) and did some weeding. Then at 2:00 it was #3's basketball game. It was at a rec center that had a track above the basketball court. I ended up walking the track the entire time (in my sandals!) and got over 3 miles. My feet were a little sore. They won, so it was back for the championship game at 6:00 (same location). This time I planned ahead a bit better, actually wore running shoes and brought my headphones. 2/3 of the track is around the main court (where the team was playing) and 1/3 was around an auxillery gym (where I couldn't see the kids). I'd walk the 2/3s, then sprint the 1/3 (to get back to viewing the game). #3 wasn't getting a lot of playing time, I did stop and watch when he was actually in. I got in 5 miles. My feet were even more sore! I did get in 10 more minutes elliptical, 10 minutes of ping pong, and 10 minutes of hula hoop.

I was so busy today, I didn't have much time or appetite to eat. Calories in at 1400. Calories credit from exercise was 1570, so I actually had a negative net.

Fitbit step count was 32123, total calorie burn came in at 3407. I used to hit 30k a lot, but it's been a while. I think I only hit it twice in all of 2012, and both of those were basketball days (with track). I used to jog the track during every game and practice. Then games/pratices moved from the gym with the track, so that wasn't an option. I have both boys signed up (on the same team) for a summer season, and hopefully the practices and some of the games will be at these two gyms with tracks above ... but I'll probably go back to videotaping some games too (#2 LOVES the highlight reels I make of his games, and hopefully he'll be back enough after his break(s) to get some good action. If you want to see what one of my videos looks like you can see one here (it is the gym with the track above where I ran today) http://youtu.be/Uu9kauMng6w My kid is #2 ... these videos are my creative outlet since I've stopped scrapbooking *Ü*

June 9 (Sunday)
Weight just keeps fluxuating between 173 & 174 ... so want to at least get a drop below 170 as a quick/immediate goal... Sundays can be stressful, some issues that just always come up that get me down. Also usually a low exercise day ... can't quite make myself take a complete rest day. I know I should, it's good for the body to have a break, but I think a little exercise helps clear my head, get some exercise endorphins going. I also like to see at least one red spike on my Fitbit graph, helps me visually keep the day in perspective. Then of course, there are calorie considerations. I have a hard time staying at my calorie goal (1350 per MFP), and Sundays are usually bad eating days anyway! We don't do family dinner a lot, as schedules are so crazy and there having everyone home at the same time for dinner is rare. But Sunday mornings everyone is home, so we always do a big breakfast of bacon and belgian waffles. Often we will have a big evening meal, and usually homemade oreos for a treat.

Today I only ate half a waffle (which I've been doing since starting tracking calories) and was doing ok until the Sunday Stress hit ... at which time I NEEDED sugar and indulged in a Snickers PB Square. Hubby needed some treats for a class, so I whipped up some cake batter rice krispie squares. Of course I snacked on some, and then hubby ended up not taking them, so they were around to temp me all day long. I was going to make Haystacks for dinner but was missing a couple ingredients, so it just ended up chicken and gravy over rice. I only ate the chicken, as I was already over calories. I didn't make the usual homemade oreos (much to the dismay of the boys).

I did still start/end the day with an elliptical workout (45min total), did a little WiiFit balance and some ping pong. Also walked to church (just a short walk). I am feeling my workout from yesterday, I'm quite sore ... my calves, quads. Fitbit Steps 11884, Total burn 2430. MFP Calories Consumed 2200, Exercise credit 600 

June 10 (Monday)
Weight up a little from yesterday, even though I have managed to keep calorie intake under calorie burn ... sometimes it's close, but I haven't gone over. Dang it! I was still feeling quite stiff in my legs, I'm assuming from the jogging on Saturday. I was able to work through it for cardio and even did weights. 100minElliptical, 40minBike, 60minWeights. Also a little ping pong. Calorie credit for exercise was 1365.
Eating was ok ... Spaghetti dinner, and I did make dessert (the homemade oreos I didn't make yesterday.) Calories came in at 2200. Fitbit steps were 23580. Total burn of 3197. 

June 11 (Tuesday)
BIG cardio day today! Got in 120minElliptical, 40min/2milesTreadmill (3.0 MPH, some incline, calorie burn on the machine said 226), and 53minBike ... I was actually going for an hour but ... kids, had to stop and be mommy. Didn't quite catch the numbers on the machine so I just had to go with the MFP estimate. Got in a little ping pong and hula too. Total calorie credit today was 1640. Calories consumed came in at 2200. Fairly healthy breakfast of french toast, Lean Cuisine for dinner, but still too many snack calories during the day. Can't quite kick the sugar .... had a couple stress triggers (a note in the mail that #1 had gotten a speeding ticket he had not mentioned to me, and a call from the credit card company verifying an addition of someone to our account ... um NO, glad the company is on top of fraud before anything was actually charged but still) ... I just reach for the sugar during stress!

This was one of those rare days where my Fitbit steps were lower than my Omron. Fitbit came in at 32136 (Omron at 32600). Total burn came in at 3476. #2 STILL beat me in steps today though, he spent all day at the gym with basketball buddies and had basketball practice in the evening. This upcoming tournament has also been a stressor, as it is downtown and I do NOT drive downtown. But I talked with a number of parents on the team and I think he'll be able to catch rides ok. I'd actually LOVE to go watch him play, and be there just in case (as he's had two broken bones in the past several months)... my driving phobia has many drawbacks :(

June 12 (Wednesday)
Good day ... Got in quite a bit of cardio. 100minElliptical, 40minBike and even tried one of those 4-minute Tabata routines. Alas, no ping pong as my partner (#3) was busy. I also got in 60minWeights. Exercise credit came in at 1375. Did ok with the eating. My mom emailed and asked if I wanted to come out and go to lunch. I was stuck at home with carpool duty, so I couldn't. I do like going out, but it IS so hard to keep calories under control when we do. Of course then the boys were clamoring for KFC, so we did indulge for dinner. I kept calories around 2000.  Fitbit steps were 23889. Total burn of 3205.


June 13 (Thursday)
I got in 100minutes on the elliptical, 40minStationaryBike, 40 min Treadmill. I tracked them all with my Fitbit (recorded the activities with the timer) and while the elliptical and treadmill are pretty much on target, the bike (while being the smallest step count by far) had the greatest calorie burn (well over what my machine actually said). I have been aware of this, and so I've been manually inputting jut the bike workout on MFP and inputting the lower calorie burn. Better to underestimate the burn. Total exercise expenditure was 1260.

Did ok on eating ... calories consumed came in at 2000.  Fitbit steps were 25903 with a total burn listed as 3089. I beat both boys in steps today. 

June 14 (Friday)
Weekly weigh-in came in at 172.7, so it is down a pound from last Friday. 

We started with French Toast Friday ... it's a big breakfast for me, as I usually just pick and don't eat much until later. I really tried to keep lunch under control (apple, chicken, some chips) but had way too many treats for the day. If I eat good, I REALLY crave the sweets, and then I have the calories from both. If I only eat the treats ... I'm generally feeling the same, but without the extra calories (and vitamins and fiber, the good stuff I know) from my nutritious choices. Calories came in at 2530 (and that was with me actively NOT eating as much as I really wanted to). Exercise came in at 1330. 100minElliptical. 40minBike, 40minWeights. Fitbit steps 24270. Total calorie burn 3155 ... #2 beat me on steps, he also had 100 flights of stairs today! In between basketball games they ran stairs, and there was just a lot of up and down as they walked around. He was in the 90s when he got home, and ran the stairs in the house until he hit 100. Looks like #1 beat me in steps today too! 

The Weekend (15th&16th)
... I was worried about this weekend, weekends are always hard. So much stuff going on, not as much time for cardio. Often there are family gatherings that make controlling calories difficult. This weekend, we had family parties on both Saturday and Sunday. But it all worked out ok. 


SATURDAY (June15)
Got in 60minElliptical and 40minBike. Cardio calories 860. Fitbit steps 17431. Total calorie burn 2667 

Calories consumed 1800 ... started the day heavy with french toast. Then uber anxiety kicked in. Luckily it was the "stomach knotted up, can't eat anything" kind (rather than the "shove sugar into my mouth" kind). I was literally sick for hours. At the family party, dinner was pizza (I am not a pizza gal, so that didn't tempt me). I actually turned down the cake and ice cream, although I did sneak some off of my son's plate when he left his half-eaten. I guess it's good I checked the calories on the ice cream carton, as this particular brand had DOUBLE the calories of the one I have at home!

SUNDAY (June 16)
Got in 60minElliptical. Walked to/from church. Cardio calories 728.Fitbit steps 14382. Total calorie burn 2540.  

Calories consumed 1350 ... been a while since I've had a low day (and very unusual for a Sunday!) Being Father'sDay, #2 son made pancakes (Daddy's favorite) ... but they didn't appeal to me, so I abstained (which I never do when it's waffles or french toast). As I wasn't feeling very hungry, and anticipating eating at the family BBQ, I really didn't eat until dinner. There I had some marinated chicken, grapes & tortilla chips, with a brownie and ice cream for dessert (ice cream was still higher than our brand at home, but not the 260 calories per 1/2 cup from yesterday!) I was still surprised I was able to keep the calorie count so low. 

In the past ... I would have brought Doritos and Ruffles (even if I hadn't been assigned chips, as I wanted to be sure MY favorites were there). Today I figured if I didn't like any of the chips others brought, I wouldn't eat any of the chips. I almost always bring a sweet Chex mix (butter/cornsyrup/sugar over cereal and nuts) ... NOT low cal and easy to snack on by the handful. I didn't make it today ~ therefore I didn't eat it today. Even if I'm not assigned desserts, I almost always bring a dessert or two ... because I love dessert and I certainly don't want there to not be enough dessert, and again, I want to be sure it is a dessert I like. Today, I didn't bring a dessert ... and I looked at the cupcakes and cherry pie and thought "well, I guess I won't be eating dessert" ... of course then they brought out the brownies, and I did partake. I volunteered to bring a fruit or veggie tray, but was asked to bring jello cubes (a favorite with the kids). I made a small batch of sugar-free jello cubes (for me and my mom ... and #2 son who said they just tasted better) in addition to a big batch of regular (sugar full) ones.


I feel pretty happy about making it through the weekend successfully! 


Monday (June 17)
Mondays are usually me "back at it after the bad weekend" day ... ironically NOT the case this weekend (I was good) and today (I wasn't "bad" but calorie count was high). Calories in 2700 ~ Calorie Credit (Exercise) 1380. Total Burn (Fitbit) 3196. Did pretty well on exercise - got in six (20min) sessions on the elliptical and did 60 minutes of weights. Fitbit steps were 23314. Weight was up .4 from yesterday's 170.0

My mom had given my dad a new Fitbit yesterday for Father's Day and wanted to have me come out and help set it up. My sister was also in town, so we hit lunch at the local buffet. It's hard keeping calories in check at a buffet, especially when what I like is mashed potatos, fried chicken and fresh rolls (SCONES, Utah style, fried in oil!). So no breakfast, no dinner, but lunch only came in at 1800 calories. At home, I made homemade oreos for a treat (they had wanted it yesterday, but I had beem missing an ingredient). I can't resist them myself, with a nice glass of milk ...


Tuesday (June 18)
Good day ... today was my "Monday" I think *Ü* Calories in at 2029, Calorie credit 1500. Fitbit total burn 3310. Steps 25099. Exercise consisted of 100minElliptical, 35minBike(10miles), 30minTreadmill (most on an incline of 10 ... Fitbit DID seem to be able to tell, as calorie count was higher than a normal, level walk). Also got in a rousing game of ping pong, and a little hula. Eating ... it was a snacky, empty calorie day. I don't eat regular pizza, but we did get a Dominos with white sauce and cheese (so more like breadsticks than pizza) and I had a slice of that for dinner. ... school stress!

Wednesday (June19)
... another good day. Calories consumed 1634. Calorie credit 1677 ... I had a negative net today. Early in the afternoon, the numbers came in at 1176 eaten, 1176 burned. I thought it was funny that they lined up perfectly like that. Probably does not happen often. Total burn was 3485, Fitbit steps in at 25270.
Today's exercise consisted of 100minElliptical, 45minBike, 20minTreadmill (10%incline) and 60min weights! Whew!

Thursday (June 20)
... another good day *Ü* Calories in at 1400 ... seriously, I just don't know if I wasn't that hungry or what. I even kept my treats in check! Awesome exercise day too ... calorie credit of 1680. 60minElliptical, 45minBike, 30minTreadmill (with a 10% incline most of the time, Fitbit didn't give me nearly enough credit for that, but I didn't adjust it at all) ... then in the evening the boys had basketball practice. Above the court, there is a track. Practice was just supposed to be an hour, but they didn't get kicked off the court, so they continued another 30 minutes after. And I walked/jogged the entire time. 12000 steps! I could feel my pinky toe burning, and I do have a huge blister on it. This is the same spot I always get a huge blister. In fact, I don't know if it's really new, or just aggrevated from last time I ran the track during basketball (June8 ... I don't know if it ever really went away). The boys have a game on Saturday ... will I be jogging again? I either jog, or video the games. My boys love the little highlight reels I make, showcasing their awesome moves. Hmmm .... what to do.  Fitbit steps 34774. Total burn 3491. 

Friday (June 21)
Calories in at 1800 ... normally I have several items and a bulk of my calories under the "snack" portion, but today, I really only had Tootsie Rolls. Admittedly, the rest of my day still wasn't super healthy, but not plain sugar either. Calorie credit at 1250. 100minElliptical, 35minBike, some Ping Pong and WiiFit too. I thought about doing weights, but that's as far as I got. Fitbit steps 23470. Total burn 3056. 

I was a little off today, as #4 woke not feeling well. He did throw up then fell asleep for a long nap. It seemed a "one and done" deal. Today was their "Wax Museum" (where they dress up as a famous person from history ... he was Thomas Edison) and I was a little sad that we missed out on that :(


Super Saturday, Slow Sunday (June 22/23)
Another successful weekend ...

SATURDAY (June 22) Fitbit Steps 31266, Total Burn 3342
Calories in at 1850 ... I kept really busy and didn't have that much time to eat. I skipped breakfast (I know it's "the most important meal of the day" but I find if I can put if off, I save those calories), grazed for lunch (watermelon, tortilla chips), FrenchToast for dinner (the kids wanted it, and it's easy and a favorite). Only had two items in my "Totally Empty Calories" section ... Tootsie Rolls and some PB cookies.

Calorie Credit in at 1540. Three (20min) sessions on the elliptical, 35minBike. I also mowed the lawn and did some gardening. I got a good workout in during the boys basketball game as well ... 60min/4miles. I was glad a jogged instead of video taping the game. It was an easy win, and both boys got multiple baskets ... in fact with only five players, they played the entire game. But it was TOO easy, it didn't have the excitement of a well-matched game. They even turned off the score as our team pulled ahead by so much. At least I'm not regretting putting my 6th grader on this team (of 8th graders) - he's a shrimp out there, but holds his own. Much easier on me than trying to juggle practices and games for two different teams.

SUNDAY (June 23) Fitbit Steps 10247, Total Burn 2376 (wimpy wimpy!)
Instead of our usual church, we spent the day as a family at the lake with the wave runners. Hubby and the boys had been a few times this year, but it was the first time for me and the little boys. 

Calories in at 1700 ... I knew I wasn't going to get in exercise today and would need to keep calories in check. We did our usual big breakfast, I'm doing good at only eating 1/2 a waffle now. I WOULD have snacked a LOT more at the lake if I'd had more snacks along. I could feel the urge, but the boys quickly powered through almost everything I brought. We grabbed some Wendys on the way home, and again, I was saved overeating by an error (double check your bags before leaving the drive through, we only got half the nuggets we ordered and paid for but were on the freeway again before we caught it). So instead of six nuggets, I only ate two.

Calorie credit in at 570 ... I did manage to start/finish the day with a 20 minute elliptical workout. Other than that, it was a small walk to/from the beach, and the rest of the day was sitting. Hopefully in the future I'll feel better about being in a swim suit ... 


Monday (June24)
Feeling a bit off and run down today. Odd as yesterday was my "rest" day and Mondays are usually my best days. Only 5.34 hours of sleep according to the Fitbit. And emotional morning, many tears from #4 as we discussed the upcoming school switch.

Calories in at 2000 ... didn't have breakfast until really late. Family dinner of chicken and gravy over rice. I hadn't made homemade oreos yesterday, and they were requested. I made them and only had one myself.

Calorie credit of 1400 ... 100minElliptical, 35minBike and 60minWeights. Normally the boys would have basketball practice on Monday evenings, but almost all the boys were out of town, so practice was cancelled. But there is a game tomorrow, so I should get some jogging in ... it's not until 9:00 in the evening though. I don't care for those late games!

Fitbit steps 24423. Total burn 3238. 

Tuesday (June 25)
... a good day. Went to the school to see #5 in his first grade program. Still an emotional rollercoaster discussing the school switch with #4. Basketball game in the evening for #2 and #3 ... uber easy win. The other team looked like 5th graders (it's a 7th/8th league).

Calories in at 1800. I love cold cereal for breakfast ... the sugar/kid kind. I've really been loving salty tortilla chips for lunch too. Cut up a watermelon, it wasn't a great one. I'm not good at picking them. I kept planning on having some of yesterday's leftover chicken for lunch or dinner, then didn't get around to it. I know I need to get more protein in. Snacks/Empty Calories were a bit higher today.

Calories out at 1600. 80minElliptical, 60minBike, 10minWiiFit. I'd already hit 20K, and then jogged the track during the basketball game ... well, mostly walked. Got in about 4-5 miles there at the very end of the day. I had more steps than #2 during the hour (and again, there were only five players so both boys played the entire game). 

Fitbit steps 30702. Total burn 3428. 

Wednesday (June 26)
... today SHOULD have been a weights day, but too many distractions! First, nice and sunny and the older boys were gone, so I slipped outside for a bit to get some sun on my legs. Then spent some time on the phone finalizing the school switch ... I hope this is a good thing (moving 4&5 to a different elementary, on a traditional schedule rather than year round. Now all five of my boys are going to out of boundary schools). I also had to make a run to the store and the library. Then the AC broke! 80° in the house (at least it's cooler in my gym downstairs, but I always have to come up again).

Calories in at 1850. Calories out at 1260. Another distraction today was the arrival of my new HRM. I've just seen here how many people use them to help calculate calorie burn. I have a Fitbit and my machines all have calorie displays, but I thought I'd check this out too. So some time spent setting that up. I'm not really a fan of putting the cold wet strap around my chest. Some interesting readings so far, not totally unexpected that the HRM is coming in lower than both the FB and machines. Got in the usual 100minElliptical and 35minBike.  Fitbit steps 23508. Total burn 3070. 

Thursday (June 27)
It's HOT... and the A/C is broken. Pretty miserable night last night, and miserable hot day today. 91° in the house. Had a repairman out but it can't be fixed, we need to replace. Hubby bought a portable machine for our bedroom and it actually did a decent job (just in our room). We had the little boys sleep downstairs as it was about 75° down there.

Calories in at 2150 ... I did stress snack some, and then we went out to Wendys for dinner (there was no way I was cooking in the kitchen). Calories out at 1100 ... at least it was cooler in my gym, but the heat was getting to me. I had to stop a few times and rehydrate! 80minElliptical, 40min/2milesTreadmill (1/2 easy walk, 1/2 10% incline) and I did 60minweights. Fitbit steps 21566. Total burn 2946. 

Friday (June 28)
Another over 100° day with the A/C out. We did have some guys out to install a new one today, a new furnace too (as that was part of the problem). So they were in and out all day long. The furnace room backs my exercise room, so I was a little self-conscious about working out still, and wasn't sure if I needed to stay around in case they had questions. So didn't get quite as much exercise in as I usually do. Also had to go to the school for Honor Roll Assembly (all three boys got the award as usual). The A/C was back up and running by late afternoon, but still took hours (the night) to catch up to the hot house. We took the boys and went to the movies ... Monsters University. The A/C at the movie theater was in high gear. 

Calories in ... 2450. We went to the movies, need I say more? Popcorn and candy, I seem to have no control when I'm at the movies so I'd really rather wait for DVD and watch while working out. But sometimes a date with hubby or family time does need to take preference even to detriment of the diet. 

Calories out ... 900. 60minElliptical, 38minBike ... I also went ahead and tried the first level of 30DS for the first time. There is a group starting this in July (Monday) so I think I'm going to join and try to shake up my traditional workouts a bit (although it didn't too different than much of the stuff I have been doing. My HRM did get me higher during the aerobic portions).

Fitbit Steps 17890 ...Total Burn 2722. 



Whoops Weekend (June 29/30)
I HAD been doing quite well over the weekends ... until this one *Ü* I went over my calories Fri-Sun. Over my goal anyway (with the 500 deficit), I think I managed to barely squeak under my total burn ... and speaking of burn, SO nice to have the A/C fixed!

SATURDAY (June 29) 
Calories in 2600. I did ok for the first half of the day. Then during some grocery shopping I picked up some discounted donuts, and ate one (it wasn't even that good). I was also in a sugar snacking mode, and had quite a few snacks. Then the parents invited us out to Red Robin for dinner. I usually try to get the "kids" fish (two fillets instead of four) but I knew my mom wanted a sample, so I got the full size and gave her one. Which left three for me, which I ate. We actually skipped dessert at the resturant, but hubby had brought home some gourment cookies ... too tempting to resist. So, not a great eating day!

Calories out at 1000. 80minElliptical and 38minBike. Fitbit Steps 18959. Total burn 2834. 

SUNDAY (June30)
Calories in at 2400. We always do a big Sunday morning breakfast at our house. Today it was pancakes, which I can usually resist (not the case for waffles or french toast) but then did look good today and I had one. I was totally craving ice cream later in the day, enough that I caved. It was delicious and worth it. Unfortunately it wasn't my only sugar snack for the day ... and we had Skookie for a family treat. The boys did scarf that down, so I didn't get that much, which was ok ...

Calories out at 997. 80minElliptical and 38minBike. I also walked to/from church, but other than those items it was a pretty lazy day.  Fitbit Steps 19634. Total burn 2802. 









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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

... A Little About Me



I never struggled with weight growing up, 
I was a happy, healthy little girl.
Not "skinny" but not overweight either.

During my middle school years, I was quite active, playing soccer and running track. During high school my interests shifted to music and drama. In college, I was still heavily involved in music (and my college group did some dance too, although I am NOT a dancer!) I made sure I took a P.E. course every quarter to force myself to stay active (tennis, racquetball, circuit training) ... and there was a lot of walking around campus too (I didn't have a car).  I stayed not "skinny" but healthy.

Then comes marriage ... and a desk job ... and then kids. I just figured weight gain was inevitable. My mother was heavy and I took after her.  My hobbies were crafting and scrapbooking (fairly sedentary stuff). I really wasn't very active and I wasn't watching what I ate. My wonderful husband wouldn't say a negative word as the pounds slowly but surely crept on through the years.  I didn't like what I saw in the mirror but I didn't think I had the self-control or motivation to make a change.

Shortly after our fifth and final baby was born, I went through a very stressful time. I lost my appetite completely (something that never happens to me) and I lost 20 pounds in a about two weeks. Now I know that isn't a healthy way to lose, but I don't know that that was actually a conscious goal (or I might have taken some measurements or before/after photos). But that 20 pound loss was the kick-start I needed. I could already see a change, and it did motivate me to continue. It was actually a life-changer. I started watching what I ate, logging a food diary ... and I started walking. I walked a LOT. On the treadmill and with the little ones in the stroller. I started lifting weights (hubby had a complete set-up downstairs, not that I needed very much). I lost an additional 30 pounds over the next three months. I was at my goal weight. I even pulled out my wedding dress and was able to fit into it! I had to buy a completely new wardrobe. I felt younger and prettier than I had in years. 

I was able to maintain that weight (135) for about six months, then I had a bit of a jump to 140, but then maintained that for a while. A little more up, then working on it and getting it back down. Then a little more up, then a little more, then a little more. At a rate of a about five pounds per year, eight years later I was back up to where I had been before the initial loss.  You can see some of the changes in my Family Photos post and the graph below.



I've stayed very active throughout the years, but it's said you can't "out-cardio" your calories. Admittedly I was NOT counting my incoming calories so I really had no idea what they were. I do like to eat, and I really like my sugar and carbs. In May 2013 I made a commitment to really try again. I know it's the eating, so I joined My Fitness Pal and started logging my food. I tried to up my exercise, and shake it up a bit as well (as I do tend to get in a routine rut). 

I started this blog to help me keep track of all my data and my days. Recaps of the days, weeks, months. Capturing some of the graphs that only seem to be available for a short time. It's also said to make your goal public, so others know what you are doing and you have that extra incentive on knowing people are watching. I don't know if anyone will actually read this ... but I think it will help ME, and that is what matters most.

Here we go ...

Monday, May 6, 2013

Pedometer Personal Best


 ** I'm a pedometer person. For the past few years I've worn a pedometer and recorded my daily steps. I set a new personal best, just topping a high from about a year ago. 10,000 steps is about five miles, so throughout my day, I got in just over 20 miles. I actually wear two pedometers. My Omron (shown in the picture above) shows me my total steps, as well as my aerobic steps (steps taken continuously for 10 minutes or more). My Fitbit gives me a visual graph which is fun to follow - the image below was my day ...

Got up and did 20 minutes on the elliptical (first spike) then got the kids of to school. Then some short bursts of steps (laundry, walking the little one to a neighbor's for a play date) then another 20 minutes on the elliptical. Then the walk to school to pick up #4 from kindergarten (twenty minutes each way, with a small break in between as the kids enjoy the playground before we head back home). Make some lunch, get in another 20 minutes on the elliptical. Play with the kids, mow the lawn, a couple quick 10 minute elliptical sessions. #3 has a baseball game ... there's not a lot of parking, I always have to walk a quarter mile just to get from my car to the field (as I'm a walker ... I don't really mind). Then rather than just sitting and watching the game, I walk and watch. From the edge of left field to the edge of right field, back and forth ... the games last about 90 minutes ... I usually get in five miles. I was pretty much done for the day, got the kids to bed and was ready to head there myself when hubby got called away on an errand ... so, I went down and did 20 more minutes on the elliptical (just to go ahead and break my personal best record). Hubby gave my poor tootsies a foot rub ... they needed it!

**This post was originally added to the family blog June 3, 2010

Sunday, May 5, 2013

A Fitbit Fan

I am a FAN of the Fitbit! I don't know when the Fitbit first came out. I ordered mine in February of 2010. It was backordered, so I didn't receive it until the very last day in April.  Now I'd been wearing a pedometer for years ...I can tell you how many steps I've walked any given day since September of 2006. I started out with a fairly cheap model ... went through several of those! Upgraded to an Omron and used that for years (still using it as a backup in fact *Ü*).  Going from a $20 pedometer to one that costs $100 ... it was a bit of a jump. But from the moment I got my Fitbit, I was hooked!

Now honestly ... I can't say the Fitbit made me MORE active. I had been VERY active already. I joined Walker Tracker in December of 2008, and the competitions there did actually make me move more. I was hitting 30K a day with regularity. By the time I got my Fitbit in 2010, I was slowing down a bit. Changes in schedules and priorities and all that, but I loved my new Fitbit and the visual graphs and data it provided. 

I can't say the Fitbit helped me lose weight either. Since my initial loss in 2006, I seemed to put on five pounds around April every single year like clockwork, just in time for summer. Add the five pounds each year from my goal weight of 135 in 2006 and I was at 175 in 2013 ... actually more like 180, as I'd added a few extra pounds here and there as well. It was a little frustrating, as I was so active, yet I wasn't tracking my food, so couldn't say the weight gain was unjustified.  I probably WAS eating as much (or more) than I was burning. The Fitbit website does have a food tracker ... I had given it a half-hearted attempt a couple times. I also used another calorie tracking site but struggled with it as well. I then heard about My Fitness Pal, and it is SUPER easy to use, AND it syncs with Fitbit. Now that I am also tracking intake as well as activity, I am really hoping to make something happen.

I'd had my original Fitbit (the Ultra) for over three years. Honestly, I can't believe I didn't lose it or wash it during that time.  It was still working, but I noticed cracks in the top. I wasn't sure how much longer it was going to last, and I knew I didn't want to go even a day without it should it break. Right about this time, Fitbit came out with the One ... the new and improved Fitbit. So I ordered it and easily connected it to my account and was up and running. That was February 2013. 

As my old Ultra was still functional, I figured I see if my oldest son wanted to use it. Not really as a motivational tool, but just to see how active he was. He didn't really express any interest in it though. Now my mom was actually a pedometer person even before I was, so I thought I'd see if she wanted to give it a try. I took it out and she was hooked. She ended up buying a One for herself, and for my dad. Then my son DID show an interest, but wanted the new Flex (bracelet type) ... like many years ago when the Fitbit was first introduced, supply cannot keep up with demand and I've placed the order but am waiting for shipment. My 14-year old son also expressed an interest, so I did authorize a purchase for him as well. We are a Fitbit Family!

I love that the Fitbit is so easy ... just put it on and go. You really don't have to do ANYTHING else. All the information is synced wirelessly to the computer (or they've even developed an app for that!). I love the visuals, the graphs.. you can SEE your activity chronologically throughout the day. You can compare your total calorie burn with your food intake (once you commit to logging your food anyway). The Fitbit can give you exact numbers for a specific workout, and then also captures all your miscellaneous movement throughout your day. At night, it can log your sleeping habits.  It really is a great tool.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Gray's Garmin



A few years ago, my hubby was getting back into running. He had an older model, but I found a good deal on this new Garmin and bought it for him. It uses GPS to track your speed and distance, and included a heart rate monitor and would upload the data wirelessly to the computer.  He could also adjust the settings and use it for his bike rides as well. Now personally, I'm more of an indoor exerciser, but on those few times that I did jog the park or walk outside, I'd borrow this gadget and give it a try. It's pretty cool!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Musical Motivation



Music is a pretty powerful motivator when it comes to exercising. When I first started back in 2006, I had a couple dozen playlists. What I would listen to would depend on my mood. I gathered a huge library of "up" songs to exercise to. As we expanded the home gym, a TV replaced much of my music, and I do miss it (of course I can always listen to music if I want to, but I do like watching tv series or movies too). But during those times I leave the comfort of my home gym, I do return to music.  

Now I've always struggled with headphones. The "in the ear" kinds just don't seem to stay IN my ears! The over the ear kinds tend to push on my ears uncomfortably. And then there is always the wire from the headphones to the ipod or other mp3 player. Until I discovered these awesome headphones. These do actually stay in my ears, and there are no wires whatsoever. My little shuffle plugs right into them. They are also very durable. I can just shove them in my gym bag without worrying about anything breaking. Ok ... on a guy, they might stand out a little, make him look like a cyborg. But with my long hair, you can't even see that I have headphones on! These are a great gadget for this girl!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

J&G's Gym


** New Year's Resolution time, the majority of goals set probably are about fitness or losing weight. I'm spoiled ... in our basement we have a large unfinished room that has become J&G's Gym. For cardio, there is a treadmill, an elliptical and a stationary bike. The wall I face as I workout has a plethora of pictures ... I love to look at all the memories (it's my happy place). To help keep me entertained and motivated, there is a nice speaker system and Ipod to blare music ... there is a TV, with both a DVD player and a Wii attached (the Wii streams Netflix ... and is there for WiiFit if I'm so inclined). I always need a little bit of a breeze, so there are fans on the bike and elliptical (which can be tilted toward the treadmill, although the treadmill has its own fan ... it's just a very NOISY fan). Those are my fuzzy slippers next to the elliptical, because yes ... I like to wear slippers instead of shoes when on the elliptical *Ü* (I'm not sure if they'd go for that at Gold's Gym).


And fitness isn't just about cardio, so we have a full set of weights, a leg press, a calf machine as well as a full bench system. Add a ball, kettlebells and resistance bands ... as I mentioned, I'm pretty dang spoiled with this set up! Personally, I really like the treadmill (I know many really prefer running outdoors), but I have NO excuses not to work out with all this just a few steps away.

It's always nice and cool in the gym (sometimes a little TOO cool in the Winter months, but that is just a motivator to get moving). I like to lock the door when on the treadmill, but there is a little window into the room that the kids can safely poke their head in if they need me. Whereas sometimes it can be hard to get away for a solid hour, I can almost always slip away for 20 minutes here and there. In fact, the little ones sometimes get a bit spooked by "the basement" and don't want to be down there alone ... it doesn't matter if I'm in the same room, as long as I'm on the same level ... so the two little boys will say "Mom, I want to go downstairs, will you go exercise?"

... both Gray and I DO have a membership at Gold's too ... because alas, as wonderful as this gym is, we can't play racquetball in it.

** This was originally posted in the FamilyBlog January 2011 (alas, we haven't played racquetball in forever)

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Family Photos

I'm usually behind the camera, not in front of it. A lot of that does have to do with my weight. If it's a family photo, then I guess I'll have to be in it. So here's some visuals of how, I (and the family) have changed over the years. Here we are December of 2005 ... shortly after the birth of baby #5. I was probably at my heaviest here (180). 

 November 2006 ... at my goal weight (135) *Ü*

Feb. 2007 (Weight 135)

September 2008 (weight 145)


 May 2009 (weight 145)
... a family 5K

June 2010 (weight 155)
Family Photo Shoot


June 2011 - Father's Day
(weight about 160)


December 2012 (weight 175)
New Sunday Suits

When I think back on my weight changes over the past several years ... in my memory, it was a slow, steady gain. There seemed to be a five pound gain each spring. But when I actually plugged in the numbers, I can see I had a LOT of ups and downs. There were a few times I tried a little harder and did manage to lose a little weight, other times there was a pretty fast gain. 

... and the most recent pictures!  June 2026
















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