My Olympic Oval Experience

It's Throwback Thursday! Here's a picture from back in 2008. I think this was when both hubby and I were doing great keeping active and keeping the weight off. We're at Utah's Olympic Oval for a little family ice skating. The three older boys were naturals ... the two youngest, not so much. They were NOT happy. I mean there were kids their age just zipping by on the ice, but not my two little ones. We had such a good time (well, five of us anyway), that we decided to invest in a family pass. It really wasn't much of an investment actually. For just $99, we could get into the oval for an entire year of free skating (including skate rental). If we just went a couple of times, we'd get our money's worth. The two little guys never went back, but I went several times with the older boys, and a couple times by myself just to get an ice skating work-out in. 

In addition to skating, our membership also gave us access to the track around the oval. Unlike the skating, which had limited hours, the jogging track was usually open all day (from 5:30 to 10:00). If you are a bit wimpy, like me, it's a great alternative to running outdoors. Always a comfortable, cool 65° that was appealing in both winter and summer.

I'm not a big runner, but I did get several trips in. Often there would be Olympic athletes training on the ice. It was hard NOT to get a bit of an adrenaline rush, feeding off their energy. Once, as I was walking back to my car, I crossed paths with Apolo Anton Ohno. He nodded and said hi as he walked by. Pretty cool!

Since then, we've debated whether or not to get another pass. The price has increased slightly, but it's still a good deal. I know the older boys would like getting some skating in, and I enjoy it too. I'm still not sure the little ones would even want to try though. We haven't gotten around to doing it, but it's always there in the back of my mind.

I've just been catching up on the latest episode of The Biggest Loser. It was fun to see the contestants come to Utah and work out in a place where I've been myself.  As the 2014 Olympics are getting so close, there have been some articles in the local paper about how Utah is the only location to have all it's Olympic venues open to the public and still in use. I haven't toured the venues up in Park City, but the Olympic Oval is only about 15 minutes from our home. 

Want to see what's going on at the Oval right now? 

They keep a live web cam running!

Do you ever ice skate?

Are you going to watch some of the upcoming Winter Olympics?

Winter Weather

Baby it's cold out there! The winter weather has been in the news quite a bit lately, as colder than normal temperatures have hit much of the US. Here in Utah ... the weather really hasn't been anything out of the ordinary (unlike last year when we got hit with an ice storm that shut down the city - you can read more about that and see some great videos that went viral on my family blog post Ice Is Not Nice, ah the memories!). My teens (#2 and #3) want to wear SHORTS to school! Crazy kids. They are inside for the day, but still. I did manage to make the munchkins wear pants, and even take a jacket and gloves. Unless the temperature is 23° or under, it's an outside day and they still have recess. 

The weather has actually "warmed" up a bit ... the sun is out, the snow is melting and I'm seeing quite a few joggers taking advantage and getting outdoors. Me? I'm an indoor exerciser. So winter weather doesn't really affect me much. My gym is simply down the stairs, so I don't even have to venture out on the streets to get my workouts in. It's always 58°-64° in my home gym. A little chilly in the winter as I start my workout, but I'm usually ready for my fan 10 minutes in. If I'm feeling cold, I'll go jump on the elliptical for twenty minutes, and that will warm me right up. 

A few days ago, some of the snowflakes falling were HUGEmongous! 

This picture doesn't quite do it justice, 

but I think you can see the size of some of those "flakes" 

(you really can't call those flakes!).

How is the weather in YOUR next of the woods?

Does Winter Weather impact your exercise routine?

Feel The Beat

Music can be so motivating! I'm a little picky when it comes to working out to music though, the BEAT is what drives me.  Sometimes I'll see someone recommend some good "running" songs and I think to myself "that song is NOT a running song, it's a walking song" because my foot falls have to match the beat of the song exactly. EX. ACT. LY.  Call me OCD ...

Last year I started challenging myself to run a WHOLE mile without stopping (you read that right, one entire mile! Impressive, I know). To be able to do this, I need to stick with a slow but steady 5mph pace (set to this speed on the treadmill). As I'd do my daily jog, I went through my playlists while I jogged ... some songs were too fast, some too slow, but now I have a nice list of perfect songs for me, that even off the treadmill I think I'd stay at that perfect pace.

Have you heard of Jog.fm? It's a website and an app ... I haven't tried using the app yet, as on my treadmill, I use an older ipod on a speaker, not my iphone, to play my music. Anyway, it's an interesting option to look at your music and perhaps find more songs that will work for you. Each song has the BPM (beats per minute) listed, and you can search for songs with a certain beat, or checkout playlists that others have created and find new songs that way.

I found it interesting that all my 5mph songs fell right around 160 BPM (or 2x80, a "slower" song that still has the same underlying rhythm). Oddly enough, Jog.fm lists this as a 9-minute mile ... which is NOT the case for me. My mile is definitely a 12-minute mile. But the BPM ... all the songs that ended up on my list all were in a very close range as listed on the website.  I did glance around at other songs with the same BPM, and peeked at playlists others had set up that had similar songs. I don't know that I went out and purchased any new songs, but often I'd see one that I knew I had in my library, but not in my playlist, and then I'd be able to try that out next time I hit the treadmill.

I just thought I'd give a little shout out to jog.fm if it was something you hadn't heard of. I know some people can just jog to any music, but if you are like me ... driven by the beat, then having a list of the BPM of your favorite songs may be helpful in deciding which music will motivate you the most. That's my little offering for the weekly Tips and Tricks linkup.

There was an interesting article out just today...
Songs Scientifically Proven to Help Fuel Your Workouts

Does the beat of the music matter to you?

I know there are other apps out there that do similar things? Any good ones you've tried?

Change

I do NOT do well with change. Ask my husband and he'll tell you that is an understatement. There are always changes in life however. As I look back on the past several years, 2006 was a year for changes. It was after the birth of our 5th and final child. Hubby changed jobs, and there was some other stuff going on. I lost 50 pounds. Exercise became an integral part of my life. Unfortunately eating right was never part of that change, so despite staying active, I did regain the weight eventually.

This past year it was time for a change again. I started counting and controlling calories (with the help of MFP) and saw success. The pounds dropped off pretty quickly at the start, then it's slowed and almost stalled. Is it time for a change again?

Now I KNOW that eating better is the answer. I see so many of you out there with your clean eating. I look at the pictures of "What I Ate Wednesday" and favorite recipes shared but I'm SO picky ... I look at what you are eating and it just doesn't work for me (Eating Issues). I'm also not ready to give up my sugar, chips and carbs. I am trying to control them better, but I'm still eating them. I'm still eating too many calories on a daily basis.

The theme for Motivation Monday this week is "Things I Will Do Differently This Year" ... although I know I need to focus more on the food, most of my planned changes are minor, and they target the exercise instead of the eating.

• WEIGHTS: I decided to move my Monday full body weight session to Friday. I'm often a little stiff and sore after, which can impact my cardio Tues/Wed. I'm usually taking it easier Sat/Sun anyway, so any stiffness should have less impact with the move. It also helps keep my Mon-Thurs schedule a little more steady (Friday schedule is shifted anyway).  I do still plan on doing some strength training during the week (probably Jilllian's 30DS or Ripped). 
• STREAKS: I've modified my STREAKS calendars somewhat. Previously, my "Elliptical" calendar required 100 minutes to get marked. I've changed that to 60 minutes ... so prepare to see some streaks this coming year! My "Mile" I'd previously marked only if I jogged it without stopping. I'm changing that to a mile walk/jog in general ... I'll get an "X" if it takes me 12 minutes (jogging) or 20 (with a walk).  
• ANXIETY ISSUES: I have some anxiety issues. I haven't addressed it much here yet. My fears are generally pretty controllable and don't impact me too much, but they can cause some problems. My mom and SIL had a little "intervention" over the holidays pushing me to talk to a doctor, maybe get on some medication or counselling. IF I get around to doing that, there could be some changes ...
• EATING: I'm hesitant to make any real food commitments ... because I don't want to fail. Yesterday I was WAY over my calories. Sundays are hard, as the family expects a big "Sunday Circle" (belgian waffle) breakfast and homemade oreos in the evening. I know I could just make but not partake ... but my self-control is lacking and these foods are so yummy to me. I'm trying to move our oreos to Monday. At least then I have some extra cardio to combat the calories.  I'll continue to TRY and control my calories, to try and eat better, but ... it's my struggle!

I'm so glad it's Monday again! I do find motivation in being back to my routine and structure! I have to admit, the weekend was not good. Uber overeating, underexercising (although I still got in some decent activity every day). Weight did go up a bit over the weekend, so time to buckle down again if I want to see success by Friday and forever. I need to try HARDER at keeping calories under control, at eating better. Monday linkups with Grab Your Kicks, A Life in Balance and RunawayBridalPlanner and of course ...

Check out the other Motivation Monday posts.

Join the link-up and add your own.

Saturday Spotlight #10

As this first week of January has passed ... how ARE your resolutions coming along? Did you make any? Did you link up with Motivation Monday and tell us what they were? I'm back to MY routine. Back to exercising, back to blogging and back to my Saturday Spotlight. I've still been enjoying reading novels (I got into that during December when I was so sick I couldn't do much else) but I've been trying to browse the blogs and online articles as well. I'll admit I haven't been reading my magazines ... gotta get back to that (I have a few out from the library that are due back as well). 

Now to shine a spotlight on stuff you might have missed during the week ...

• Resolutions: I liked A Little of This and a Little of That's post about goal setting and Talk Less Say More shared the SMART acronym to remember when setting goals. Nerky shared some fun tips for newbie gym "resolutioners" (that's her word). 
• 100 Days: Have you seen this viral video of an overweight but inspiring woman who shares a video diary of her 100 Days at the gym? It's worth the watch.
• Sexercising: I forwarded this Time Magazine article to hubby, hee hee. Thanks science!

At My Fitness Pal, they announced they were joining up with PACT ... formerly GymPact.  I had looked into GymPact a while back (I mentioned them in my Reaping the Rewards post) but based on reviews and requirements, I decided against giving it a try myself. I preferred the reward site options (Everymove, Achievemint) that linked easily and automatically to my current programs (MFP and Fitbit). Ones that didn't require any "check-in" on my part. With recent updates, it looks like Pact DOES now link with Fitbit (10,000 steps in a day counts as a workout) and with MFP, as food pacts have now become part of the program. 10,000 steps a day? Easy peasy for me (unless I'm sick or it's a holiday with family activities) and I haven't missed logging my food on MFP since I started last May (235 day streak and counting). So I'm signed up to give this a try starting next Monday. You can bet I'll share my experience here on the blog. Watch for it. I'd be really interested in hearing about anyone else participating and their experience as well!

Finally - I thought I'd link up with #backthatazzup Friday (I know, it's Saturday now), but sometimes you just gotta link up late. We've all got our Demons ..

Weekly Weigh-In (#26)

My first "official" progress post for January (last Friday, while technically being January, was still part of the non-routine, holiday schedule.) I like that my screen capture of my daily weigh-ins DOES start on January 1 though. After my crazy December (being sick, the holidays) and the drastic weight changes (my ten pound loss and then regain, my three pound up and down last week) this week was nice and steady. While I AM still wanting to lose weight, in a way, it was nice to see some consistency too. 

I was SO excited and ready to return to the routine this week. The weekend ... it had it's challenges, with a fountain of flowing chocolate (A Fountain of Chocolate and the Aftermath), but my Monday morning weigh-in was just under what I'd been on Friday. Mon-Thurs this week I've been excellent in my exercise and ok in my eating. Average intake for the week was 2257 ... too high, too many treats (even with the chocolate fountain put away). Average expenditure was 2884 ... not quite up to my 3000 goal, but this IS my first week back at it after my flu(s).  

 My MFP ticker is on 30 pounds lost. My weigh-in today came in at 150.1, down 1.5 from last Friday (down 1.6 from yesterday). As the scale seemed to be staying so steady, I wasn't sure I was going to see a loss this week. I'm glad it did decide to drop a little today.  I had deficits Mon-Thurs, but for the week (calculating the weekend in) it only added up to 1943, so my loss is a little more than the numbers would have indicated. I'll take it, and try to keep it! Just need to drop a little more to get below 150 and stay there!

There's a new link-up for the new year. Follow Through Friday. As I'm already posting weekly recaps and Friday is my weigh-in day, it's a perfect fit for me. I really like looking back and reflecting on a weekly basis.

I'm a little late, but I thought I'd go ahead and link-up with Weigh-In Wednesday, and of course with my usual Friday linkup Fitness Friday. I really enjoy checking out these blog hops, and finding new blogs to follow. We are definitely not alone on this journey to better health, fitness and weight-loss.  I've been trying to get my reading in, and will be posting my Saturday Spotlight so check back tomorrow for that!

AchieveMint Update

(Be sure to check out the most recent Achievemint Update too)

Join Achievemint now ... get 250 points for simply signing up!

A while back, I did a post about the various reward sites out there (Reaping the Rewards). Programs I could simply link my Fitbit and forget about it. I am going to be exercising anyway, I might as well earn a little something if it's being offered. I did a review of my experience with Everymove (EveryMove Update), and now it's time for my AchieveMint Update.

Honestly, I've been putting this one off for a bit, because I wasn't sure which way the review was going to go. I'll admit to some frustration with this company. The other program's rewards were often simply discounts in disguise, so I could see how they worked, receiving sponsor ships and such from participating companies. THIS program however promised a cash reward! $25 for 25,000 points.

Now granted, it does take a while to achieve that many points. But I'm pretty active, and with  my Fitbit and Aria scale, I was also getting points for tracking sleep and weighing in, in addition to my exercise. I joined back in May or June, and by the end of August, I had hit my goal. I could cash in, or roll over, earning and extra 5000 points if I continued on toward 50,000 points and a $50 payout.

I chose to get my reward ... because I wanted to see if I would actually get my reward.

I didn't get my reward.

I emailed customer service and they said they would look into it. I got an email asking me to update my name and address so they could process it. Still waiting. I posted on their Facebook page that I was still waiting (weeks after)  and again got the response that they were looking into it. 

At this point ... I kind of gave up. I mean, I hadn't invested anything. I hadn't paid anything out, my activity had been for me, not for this reward. But it would have been nice. I anticipated doing this update and telling people it just wasn't paying out.

I didn't disconnect my account, and every once in a while I'd get email updates, and what do you know... I earned the $25 reward AGAIN. I hadn't received the first award earned back in August, but yea! I did it again.  Again I was offered the roll-over or the reward. Again I chose the reward.

Is my reward on it's way?

Is it really?

I decided to follow up one more time ... I may or may not have mentioned I was going to review my experience on my blog. I got an email back apologizing for the delay/mixup/what not and an assurance that all rewards to others had been paid out without a problem.

I did receive my reward. $50, plus they threw in an extra $25 for my trouble. A $75 payout ... not too bad for simply linking up my Fitbit account several months ago. That's almost what I paid for the Fitbit!  Now a couple extra notes on the payment. It wasn't a check, it was a "Virtual Visa" debit card. Being the skeptical person I am, I HAVE made a couple purchases online and they went through fine. There was some fine print (you have to be 18 years of age, which I don't believe I read before ... my 14 year old has an Achievemint account, and has hit his first 25,000 points but we did go ahead and roll his over, but now I'm wondering about his payout). The Visa has a limitation that you can't apply it to anything over the credit amount (I mean that is obvious, but it seem you should be able to pay with it then with another form of payment), so it's probably a bit tricky using it up entirely. It must be used only for online/phone orders, not where an actual card is required. Rewards are limited to residents of the United States (sorry my peeps out of the country!)

I was wondering if there was a limit to the rewards (one per person, etc.) but I can't see that being the case. I'm not sure HOW this program is funded ... but I'll stay connected and see how it goes. 

**  I included my recent experiences with this program in my Fitness Rewards Update (06/2014) and Another Achievemint Update (07/2015) so check those out for more recent information *Ü* At one point they had a waiting list for people wanting to join, and did limit rewards ... once you earned it once you were done.

**As of May 13, 2016 ... Achievemint revised it's points plan (earning is a little slower now) but also removed the threshold limits (which had vacillated between as much as $100, which I earned, and $25 for recent members).  I had some points piled up, so I've hit the "redeem" button on my account and I'll update again when/if I receive my latest reward.  Check out my Achievemint Update ... Update post *Ü*

I do absolutely give Achievemint a thumbs up recommendation at this point!

Follow this link to join and receive 250 points to start you off!

Exploding Oatmeal

I'm not a huge fan of oatmeal, but I will eat it. I don't do the packets, but I admit I pick the "quick" over the old-fashioned oats.  I haven't been able to bring myself to try the steel-cut kind (but hubby prefers it). I'm super plain too, I'll add sugar (or sugar-substitute), milk and maybe a little cinnamon, but that's it. No fruit or flavorings.

I know many people prefer cooking their oatmeal on the stove-top over the microwave ... but the microwave method is quicker, easier and leaves less cleanup. That is, unless the oatmeal explodes! Then there is more clean-up ... and less oatmeal.

It's a cold, snowy day here ... a perfect day for oatmeal. I find I'm much more likely to eat oatmeal in the winter when the warmth from it is appealing. I don't know that I ever eat oatmeal in the summer. 

Have you seen those chilled, overnight oatmeal jars?

The Yummy Life

I tried (making, not eating) a couple recipes. Hubby said they were pretty good, but he has to be in a "healthy eating" mindset to want one.  I thought I'd link up with What I Ate Wednesday today ... although oatmeal is all I've had so far. 

What about YOU. Are you an oatmeal eater? Which kind to you prefer? Flavorings? Microwave or stove-top? Does oatmeal fill you up? I know the experts say it does, but I find I'm still starving an hour afterward. 

Have you ever had an oatmeal explosion? 

Calendars & Keeping Track

 As 2013 was winding down, I started keeping my eye out for some calendars for the new year. I knew I'd have one for the kitchen (an annual family photo calendar is created each Christmas) but I want one by my desk, and one in my gym ... I always forget the date when I'm writing up my daily workout notes.

I've always loved calendars. I'm picky with my pictures, but I'm always able to find something I find beautiful or inspiring. Through the years, I've used calendars and day planners to write down my days. I think I like calendars more for looking back on, then for planning. I have a big box with all my old calendars. I can pull one out, glance over it and remember what life was like at a glance.

Because I have these calendars hanging on a wall, sometimes writing on them is a little tricky. So for several years now, I've printed out a simple calendar and I use that to record our "life". This isn't really for planning, but to provide a visual of the month. I keep it color coordinated for the different activities. These are small, clean and easily scannable to keep a back up on the computer as well. (BBP/BBG are basketball practice/games, just in case you were wondering *Ü*) 

I keep track of my workouts in an excel file. I also have my "streaks" calendars, but this year I thought I'd also try keeping track of my activity on a simple calendar, where I could see everything at a glance.

Here's the year so far ...

Does a calendar/keeping track help motivate you?

Resolution Time

BabyBlues

In all honesty, I'm NOT a big "resolution" type of gal. But it's hard not to get a little caught up in the feeling of a fresh start with the new year. Last January was not great though ... there had been a trip to Disneyland in the Fall which got me a bit off track. Hours on end in the car, waiting in lines, eating fast food. Add to that some anxieties on my part (crowds and  car travel) and it was NOT the happiest place on earth for me. I didn't even take my Fitbit. It was the older "Ultra" and I didn't have a simple way to sync and charge, and I was worried I would lose it. I had my backup Omron pedometer ... but the battery died the first day. I'm sure I did get a lot of walking in, but without feedback from my pedometers, I don't really know how much.

After Disneyland it was the holidays. I think I put on 20 pounds November/December of 2012. When January rolled around, I wanted to get back into gear, but I was discouraged and down and it didn't happen. I've never been officially diagnosed with "SAD" or depression, but I know I missed the sunshine desperately. It wasn't until Spring rolled around that I was able to snap out of my funk, join MFP, upped the exercise, started my blog here ... and I did see success. The rest of the year was good.

December was still quite a challenge though. Between the usual holiday hustle and bustle, and then getting sick (I lost 10 pounds in 7 days, but of course gained it right back when I recovered), it wasn't good. I've been counting down the days to January, to the New Year ... not necessarily to "resolutions" but just to get back into my routine.  January 1st wasn't a magic number, these first few days still fell into the "holiday" mode ... But TODAY ... January 6th. This is the day I've been looking forward to. Hubby back to work, the kids back to school, me back to my routine. These past few weeks, there has been tons of family time and we've made many memories, but it's been hard to keep up the exercise/eating during this time. Now,  no more sleeping in, no more excuses. Back to the busy, but structured routine. 

As I walked into Sam's Club over the weekend, I noticed they had changed up their entryway display. Gone was the Christmas decor, "tis the season" for "health" ... well, vitamins, energy bars, protein powders, water bottles,  athletic wear/bags and a treadmill tucked on there at the end.  The first few pages of the Target ad on Sunday was all "fitness" stuff as well. Hoping to capitalize a bit on all those "New Years Resolutions" people are making.

For me in 2014, I do have similar "resolutions" to the ones featured in the comic strip at the top:

• Weight & Fitness: I DO want to lose 10+ pounds. I'd love to get to my goal weight of 135, but really, if I can drop under 150 and STAY there I'll be happy. In addition to just a weight goal, I'd like to run(jog) a 5k, firm up  my muscles and lose the flab (my body fat %  is still way too high). 
• Mental Health: I've always been a reader, though many years life got in the way. With the introduction of digital books, I have been reading more these past couple years. I don't have a specific goal in mind, but I DO think I read about a book a week (see what I've read and rated on GoodReads). I'm still working through my magazines and keep up with all the great blogs out there. In addition to reading, I want to make sure and keep my Good Reads updated (I'm currently about four books behind) and feature interesting articles in my weekly Saturday Spotlight. 
• House and Home: I do want to be more patient with the kids. I want to initiate a game night once a week (inviting grandparents to join at least once a month). I need to do better with the cleaning ... I do actually get credit for steps and activity with my Fitbit, so that should motivate me ... right? Cardio cleaning? I want to stay current on my blogs (family blog, basketball blog) and have a weekly date with the hubs.

Did you make resolutions for this coming year?