My Milestones

It's Weigh-In Wednesday ... of course I step on the scale EVERY day. At least I have for the past eight years. Prior to that, I never (well, very rarely) weighed myself. I really don't remember what I weighed in high school and college. I'm not sure if I crossed over 200 during my pregnancies...probably. I'm sure I could ask for my medical records, but at the time, I'd actually look away when I stepped on the scale at the doctor's office. It's interesting to look back, to take my numbers and graph the fluctuations over the past several years.  Some of the numbers that stand out in my memory as milestones ...

185 ... that's where I topped out. I do count myself lucky that I never went any higher (except during pregnancy). With my eating habits and inactivity, I'm a little surprised I didn't have a bigger problem. So 50 pounds over where I want to be.

135 ... that's my goal, and my low. When I reached that weight, I was able to fit into my wedding dress, so I assume that was my high school/college and pre-wedding weight.

150 ... I have many thoughts on this particular number. I distinctly remember "flirting with 150" on the way down the first time (back in 2006). I was SO happy to get there. Then I continued to lose and get to goal. As I struggled to maintain my weight, I remember being pleasantly surprised at how I was able to fluctuate to 140, 145 without really noticing that much of a difference. But 150 ... that was like a switch, suddenly clothes didn't fit right, I could see it in my face.  I vowed NOT to go above 150 ... then I went above 150 and beyond. Looking at my graph above, a lot of lines converge right around 150. It's where I'm at now ...

Those are the three main numbers on my mind as I look back at my weight over the years. The top, the bottom, and the middle. But there are a couple other numbers that have a "milestone" moment for me as well ...

I remember when I hit 155 (this time around) ... that was a milestone moment for me. That moved me from the "overweight" category, to the "normal" one.  It isn't easy being green, but green is good. I'm still a little too close to the top there. I'd like to be comfortably in the middle.

My Fitbit scale tops out at 153.3 ... that is another number that stands out. For a while, this number really confused me. I'd seen other people's dashboards, to see that of course higher numbers were able to be listed.  For quite a while, this tile didn't even show anything, because I as "off the chart" so to speak. I did finally figure out 153.3 ~ That's what I weighed when I FIRST got my Fitbit back in April 2010. That is my "original" weight according to Fitbit. Even though I added an impressive 30 pounds over the years, that number still stuck as MY number to beat. Fitbit credits me (with badges and what not) with both ... my loss from my highest point, and my loss from my starting point. But 153.3 ... if I have a bad day and bop up above that and lose all my color and credit from this tile, well, I do NOT like that. So I definitely need to stay under 153.3!

Those are five of my milestone numbers ... 

Do you have "numbers" of your own?

Check back on Friday for my "official" weekly weigh-in.

Baby It's Cold ... Downstairs

My home gym is in the basement. It's usually a good 10° cooler in the basement gym than it is in the rest of the house. It's great in the summer ... not so great in the winter. 59° is just a tad chilly. But after about 10 minutes of working out, I am warmed up enough that I'm ready for my fan.

Recently in the news, I've noticed quite a few stories pushing the PROS of working out in cooler temperatures, or just being cold in general. This article in Everyday Health  (here) says that 15minutes of shivering can actually equal an hour workout on the bike! An almost identical story (based on the same study) was in Medical News Today. I did a quick Google search and found there had been several articles on this topic published in the last month or so.  So if you are in an area hit by the extreme cold this winter ... look to the positive! Perhaps it will help you shed a bit of weight *Ü*.  Currently my car heater has decided not to work (both the blowing air and the wonderful seat warmers, which I always adored). So as I spent my miserable moments carpooling the kids in the cold, I'll hope I'm shivering off some calories.

Indoors, where I have a little more control,  I keep our thermostat set to 68° during the winter. At times it feels a little cool, and the kids complain a bit (I'm not a Nazi, I'll let them turn it up if they are feeling really chilly). But I've found the cooler temp actually encourages me to go get in a workout ... if simply to warm up! And once I have worked out, 68° feels plenty warm (and if the kids have turned up the heat to 70° or above it feels uncomfortably hot, coming from the cool gym into the warmer upstairs). Everyday Health had another article recently on this topic (Turn Down The Thermostat to Lose Weight ... and on a completely irrelevant note, we have that exact Nest Thermostat pictured in the article. Hubby is a gadget guy and it's a gadget. *Ü* ).  Although this conflicted a bit with another article they posted last summer (Odd Things That Make You Fat ... Too Much A/C).

What do you think is the ideal temperature for working out?

What do you keep your home thermostat set to?

As the weather here was "warmed up" to mid-30s ... I see a lot of exercisers hitting the outdoors again. I'm an indoor exerciser, so the weather doesn't impact me much (although the dark, dreary days can be hard on my mood, I need some sunshine and blue skies!) If you do hit the great outdoors, be careful out there ... enjoy this story (The Joys of Jogging in the Snow), of a couple taking a jog, getting interviewed about how nice the conditions really are ... and then the woman wipes out on camera.

That's MY tip this Tuesday.

Linking up with Lisa and Kristin.

Check them out for more tips, and link up your own!

Are You Ready For Valentine's Day?

The topic for this Motivation Monday is Healthy Valentine Dinners. Whenever I think of Valentine Day dinners, I can't help but remember one many years ago (1994 to be exact) when hubby surprised me with the spread pictured above (I used to scrapbook *Ü*). It was a fairly simple dinner of steak, potatoes and green beans. Depending on how you topped your potato ... I think it was a pretty healthy meal, one that we don't save simply for Valentine's Day.

 Here's a more recent re-creation.
Yummy!

We'll be celebrating our 22nd wedding anniversary this year (in July). Marriage has added FIVE kids and FIFTY pounds (I'm down 30 now, 15 more to go). For the past several years, Valentine's Day has been busy as I volunteer at the elementary running the class party (Valentine Game Ideas). I enjoy it, but it does wear me out (I don't know how teachers do it every day!) I generally haven't been too up for making a romantic or healthy Valentine dinner. Knowing this themed post was coming up, I did bookmark these ideas ...  Lovey Dovey Dinners, Cooking Light Dinners for Two,  ... or if all you are up for making are reservations *Ü*, then check out these Tips1 & Tips2 for staying healthy while eating out. Generally, Valentine's Day itself is so busy, we usually try to celebrate before/after the day itself, when it's a little less stressful. #2 just told me he has a basketball game ... on Valentine's Day? (Part of a President's Day Tournament).

Hubby does usually get me some chocolates ...

 ... this was last year's box. It's empty.

I ate them all (over a few days time).

I thought I'd throw out a couple other Valentine ideas ...

Create a cute card by posing your kid with arm outstretched. After printing, punch two holes and add a sucker for a 3-D effect. My oldest has surprised me by requesting a photo shoot each year!

I call this the "Lazy Mom's Valentine Box" ... it's simply a garbage can (a new, clean one!) ... it can't get any easier than that! Large opening for kids to get the Valentines in and out of as well.

Valentine's Day, like other holidays, can easily derail a diet. 

Keep yourself happy and healthy this year.

Check out the other posts, link up and add your own!

Check out some of the many Monday blog hops 

Katie,  Nikki, Kristy & Barb

The Motivation Monday team
Tiffany/Morgan/Wendy/Alisha/Betty
JenB/Brandi/Jen/Gwen /Theresa

Saturday Spotlight #13

I skipped my Saturday Spotlight last week, as Saturday fell on February 1 and I wanted to recap January that day ... and this week? Well, I just haven't gotten around to getting much reading in myself. As I posted yesterday, it's been quite a week. I think baby boy is finally feeling better, but yesterday was a crappy day (and I mean that in a literal sense, as he was having potty problems). For the reading I did get in this week, SO many of the posts the past few days seemed were reactions to The Biggest Loser (I did my own post on this topic too). 

As I personally don't have a lot to share this week, I thought I'd link you up with bloggers who do similar spotlights, link love and reading recommendations. Since I started doing this, I really notice when I find other bloggers doing it also...

• Success Along the Way posts a "What I'm Reading" list every Friday. Lots of interesting links.
• Strength and Sunshine features a "Blog Posts I Loved This Week" each Friday. 
• The Lean Green Bean's Bean Bytes  ... she's been doing this for a while!
• Healthy Helper's Link Love ... another list of favorites.
• Fitting It All In does a Five Things Friday and "posts I loved" are included there.
• Running With Spoons ... link love on Sundays (also a link up!)
• OliveToRun does a LinksOLoved post
• Daily Moves & Grooves does a Fascinating Friday Links 
• The Fit Knitter does a monthly review of favorite food/fitting (& knitting) links.

I appreciate bloggers who take the time to share stories or articles that they found interesting.  I'm sure those spotlighted enjoy getting links back to their site as well. I know I enjoy hearing about something I might have missed ... or if it is something I have already read, I have an "aha, we're so in-sync" moment with that blogger.

Do you recommend good reads to others out there?

What a Week and Weigh-In #30

No loss this week. Up a couple ounces. Average weight is up slightly too. I actually had a 3.4 pound jump after Superbowl Sunday. Happily it dropped back down the very next day. Yesterday's weigh-in was a nice, new low ... but it didn't stick around for my "official" weigh-in this morning. But overall, fairly steady (superbowl snacking notwithstanding).

It's actually been quite a difficult week! Monday and Tuesday (up until the afternoon) were great. I was back on track after the weekend. Then I got the call ...

#1 son: Mom, ummm, there's been an accident (wailing in the background).

Me: WHAT?

#1 son: It's ok, Keaton is fine ... but he kind of fell out of the truck.

Me: WHAT?

#1: I guess I took off before he was in, and he fell out. He is scraped up pretty bad. Maybe a sprain.

Me: But he's ok? Let me talk to him (some sobbing from #3 son and "I don't want to talk about it"). 

#1: You don't need to come. I'll bring him home.

Call#2: Ma'm, this is the paramedic on scene. We'd like to transport your son to the hospital.

... I quickly made arrangements for a neighbor to pick up the two little ones from elementary school and rushed to the scene. A couple fire trucks, an ambulance, police cars barricading the road. Normally #1 son or I pick up the boys in a church parking lot next to the school, but #1 had been running a little late, so #3 was waiting by the side of the road. He was climbing in (#1 had Daddy's truck, which is raised up and takes a little "climbing" to get in to) when #1 saw a break in traffic and wanted to make a u-turn before more cars came. #3 was NOT ready and as the truck pulled out and swung around, #3 tumbled from the truck into the middle of the road, skidding across the street. Witnesses watching, seeing a young boy tossed from a moving vehicle called 911.

#3 was trundled up on the stretcher, neck brace on ... with his ipod on playing a game of Bejeweled. I'd asked the paramedics to wait the 5 minutes until I got there. Please don't think me callous, but I did want to be sure a trip in the ambulance and afternoon in the ER was really required. #3 (who is an infamous hypochondriac) actually said he was ok and didn't need to go. Other than the abrasions, he didn't seem overly-injured. He had not actually been hit by the truck or another car. He hadn't hit his head or lost consciousness. I did decide to bring him home and watch him there. #1 son received a ticket for having an unrestrained passenger (that is putting it mildly) but I think he felt guilty enough so I didn't chastise him further.

I got #3 home, we washed his leg, put on antibiotic and got him bandaged up and resting. He seemed fine, and was even able to walk without a limp or pain. I picked up #4 and #5 from the neighbors and took #5 to scouts. He got dropped off a bit later ... and went straight to bed and fell asleep (unusual for him). When he woke up, he was complaining of a headache and was running a fever :(

I had the flu in December, and Daddy had the flu last month. We'd both been absolutely miserable and sick for a solid week. So I was a bit worried about my baby boy. Hubby's fever had spiked (actually hitting 105°!) so I was keeping an extra close eye on my little one. He has been sick since then, but hasn't gotten too bad (eating and drinking, fever; but not too high).

My mornings ... usually I'm up, checking email, waking #2 and #3 and hitting the elliptical first thing. These past few mornings I've been checking on baby boy, giving him medication, refreshing his drink and getting him anything else he needs. Then washing and re-bandaging #3's leg ... those "nonstick" sterile pads? They STICK! I miss my usual morning routine.

When I'm stressed ... it affects my eating in one of two ways. Either I just almost unconsciously grab stuff and shove it in my mouth, or I lose my appetite all together. This has been the latter, which I guess is the preferable of the two. So I have done a decent job of keeping calories in check through all this. At this point, I'm feeling a bit run down and I've been feeling some cravings kick in.

So, that was MY week.  For my numbers ... Calories in averaged at 2157, calories out averaged 2827 (goal is 2000 in 3000 out, so not quite there). I actually had a total weekly deficit of 3067 ... almost the 3500 goal. I did still bump up into the 150s ... one of these weeks I'm going to stay under the entire time! I'm going to keep plugging away.

Check in on my Day to Day Doings for further details of each day if you like. I decided to try Jillian Michael's No More Trouble Zones for some resistance training this month. I'm doing it on Mondays and Wednesdays, then my weight workout on Fridays (do I have the energy to do it today? I did NOT want to do NMTZ this past Wednesday, but I did!) I've been getting in my cardio each day as well.

How did you do this past week?

How does stress affect your eating?

 

Check in with the Follow Through Friday gals and recap your week!
Aubrey Leigh//Candra//Jodi//Mel//Val//Cait//Jacquelyn//Jennifer

Also linking up with Fitness Friday at Fitness, Health and Happiness.

Thoughts on The Biggest Loser

I've been on my own weight loss journey for almost eight years now. You would think I would have had some interest in The Biggest Loser during this time, but this year was the first time I ever watched the show. Much of that was simply due to the fact that I only watch TV while working out, and previously, I didn't have a way of watching "live" programming in my home gym. Since discovering Roku/PlayOn, I have been able to watch current shows ... although I'm always behind, as I have to wait for the networks to post the program to their website.

So ... I'm a day late in watching and talking about The Biggest Loser. I'd actually planned on writing up a blog post from the start (even before the controversial conclusion this year that has social media buzzing). So although I already knew  the results, had seen the pictures and heard others opinions, I went ahead and watched the finale yesterday.  My "Thinking Out Loud" topic this fine Thursday will be some of my thoughts on The Biggest Loser (coming from someone who has never watched it before) ... the entire season, not just the end result.

• Comparison & Competition: At first I was a little put off by the entire concept. We are taught NOT to compare ourselves to others. Weight loss is an individual process. I realize this is pretty essential to the "game" but it's still a little difficult to get over the negative aspect of competition to lose weight. Really the only person I want to beat or compare myself against is me.
• Challenges: I've always liked the challenges in "Survivor" ... but some of these Biggest Loser challenges just rubbed me a little wrong. I wasn't sure why "chance" was included (rolling the dice to determine how many buckets of water the team could carry), why not just let them compete fairly? Forcing them to eat candy and unhealthy foods? The equipment auction was actually interesting ... equipment/gadgets are great, motivating and helpful, but not absolutely necessary.
• Commercialization: I realize the show is sponsored and endorsements help pay the costs, but the pushing of products was eye-rolling for me. All the commercial interruptions too (especially there in the finale!) ... I was very happy I had it recorded so I could fast forward through all the breaks.
• The Caffeine Controversy: Before the big finale fiasco, there was the caffeine controversy (remember that?). On one hand, I wondered if it was just an attempt to get a popular player (Reuben) back on the show. My other thought was "is this tacit endorsement of caffeine pills" by the show as a whole? If the pills were considered "cheating" enough to take such action ... does that imply that they do actually help someone lose weight?
• Therapy: Not that I thought the trainers gave bad advice or anything, but when the trainers would sit down and talk with the contestants and delve into their backgrounds and such, I would wonder if they had a background in psychology. The show did bring in physicians, dieticians and make-over experts ... perhaps they should have a trained professional to analyze and offer therapy.
• Food, Fitness & Numbers: If you follow my blog, you know I'm a numbers gal. I would have liked to have a little more information on how many calories the contestants were eating (if they WERE tracking, I would assume so but I don't know), exercise estimates for their workouts (did they have a body media or other tracker, I thought I saw something on their arm). Were trainers and contestants allowed to crunch numbers? I'm assuming they weren't allowed to step on a scale other than the official weigh-in. I would just like to have more info on some of the background details. The day to day stuff interests the OCD in me.
• Sizes & Makeovers: I had to wonder at the sizes spouted during the show. When Rachel put on the size 8 jeans. They showed a picture of her wearing them and she looked a lot smaller than when she put them on in the show. I personally felt smaller than Rachel at that point (we are similar in height/weight at that point) and I still was wearing a size 10. At the finale when Chelsea said her dress was a size 6 ... again, doing a little of that comparison I said I should not do... I don't fit into a size 6 although I feel similar (even smaller) in size/shape.  It was fun to see the changes in the makeovers though. Even with my weight loss, I still don't feel comfortable in form fitting clothes, belts, bright colors or sleeveless shirts. I could absolutely sympathize with Marie and the hair cutting. I would feel the same way (that said, she did look great!). I laughed a little as Chelsea went back to no bangs after the makeover show. The change in David ... wow!
• Travel & The Utah Connection: It was so much fun to see the contestants come to Utah and to the Olympic Oval, which is just minutes away from my home (My Olympic Oval Experience). We're lucky to have such a nice venue accessible.  But this episode also re-enforced my fears about vacation and travel. I'm such a homebody and need to stay "on the ranch" so to speak.

Back the the show's conclusion. In the second to the last episode, Rachel was favored by far as the triathlon winner. If she had NOT won that automatic spot ... she would have been eliminated that week as she only lost one pound, less than any other contestant. I had wondered if she "threw" that week (I wasn't sure how the final weigh-in worked, if it was a total loss, or a loss from that show to the finale ... as I said, I hadn't ever watched the show before).

Rachel had been seen as a favorite to win for weeks ... but I wondered. Going against David and Bobby, who had both shown HUGE losses from one weigh-in to the next in previous shows and who still had weight left to lose. Rachel didn't  (Jay had been in a similar situation). I really wondered HOW Rachel could possibly win ... I guess I (and everyone) saw that she still could, but... The number cruncher in me wonders at what weight she could have still won (and if that would have still been an underweight number). Anyone with better math skills than me want to crunch some numbers?

Anyway ... will I watch "The Biggest Loser" again? Probably. It is amazing to see the transformations take place. It will be interesting to see the ramifications of this season's finale and how that impacts the show in the future.

... I think I'll also consider finishing up the season as an NSV.  I was on my elliptical working out for every moment watching The Biggest Loser. I don't mind pressing pause and coming back to my episode (I don't watch it all in one sitting ...er, standing/stepping). What will I watch now ...

**Update ... just thought I'd post a link to a more recent interview where Rachel has put on a few pounds and looks healthier (Biggest Loser Update) and it will be interesting to continue to check in. Good luck to Rachel! 

My Steps Was Counted

Yesterday started great, ended ... not so great. I got up and got in my first session on my elliptical. Then I got the kidlets to school (carpool x2, middle school and elementary) and then stopped off at zumba. As I mentioned a few weeks ago (I Hope You Dance) this is a fairly low-key class ... not that I have anything to compare it to, but everyone else seems to get mega calorie burns. But it's close, convenient and free, and I do get in quite a few steps and it's a decent, different workout from my usual elliptical/treadmill/bike. I am actually looking forward to it each week at this point. My HRM and Fitbit were over 100 calories different on their estimations ... you know I'm a bit OCD about my numbers.

For the past three Tuesdays, I've hit 10K by 10 a.m. 

That actually used to be one of my goals. I don't hit it very often anymore, as the mornings are often busy with other things, but on Tuesdays ... with 20 minutes on the elliptical and then an hour of zumba, I do.

I joined Gym Pact (now just Pact) at the start of this year, when they incorporated auto-syncs with Fitbit (10,000 steps count as a workout). I had stayed away from Pact previously, knowing I usually did smaller, 20 minute workouts, and that I'd probably forget to log in and out to register my workouts. But 10,000 steps a day? I can do that no problem! Yesterday, I was happy to see my sync register so quickly. I do have to laugh a little at the grammar, as "Fitbit steps" is substituted for the normal "workout" wording. My steps WAS counted ...

It was a good thing I did get my workout in early (I still did additional elliptical, treadmill and bike later in the day) as the afternoon and evening ... well let's just say they did NOT go according to plan. I've got my baby boy home today with a fever. It kicked in last night. Both hubby and I have had the horrible flu (I think mine was the seasonal, his the H1N1) which laid us low for a solid week. I'm sure hoping baby boy doesn't have either version. That was one thing. There was also an accident involving #3 after school during pickup. He's ok, but really banged up and bruised but we're lucky it wasn't worse. Between the two issues, I really had a hard time focusing last night! Luckily, instead of stress-eating, I lost my appetite completely.

Not sure how today will go ... #5 is home sick. My folks are running out to watch him while I go to the middle school for a college/career class for #2. I'll make a quick run to the store for additional bandages/supplies for #3 while they are around. But this does perhaps open up my evening, which previously had been booked with a basketball game (that #3 is now not up for playing) and a basketball event (Junior Jazz Player Appearance, which #5 is too sick to attend). 

Checking in with Weigh-In Wednesday, weight was actually down this morning (about at last Friday's weigh-in weight, which is nice after the 3.5 gain after Superbowl Sunday's smorgasbord) ... check back in on Friday for a full week recap and my official weekly weigh-in.

How is YOUR week going?

Walking with Walgreens

Do you have a Walgreens near you? As part of their balance rewards program, you can earn $$ rewards just for walking! A while back, I did a Reaping the Rewards post, mentioning the various programs out there that offer incentives for activity (if you wanted a little something more than weight loss and better health *Ü*). Since then I've been updating with my experiences with the different programs (Everymove Update, Achievemint Update). I originally signed up for the Walgreens balance rewards and linked up my Fitbit last summer, so I've had a bit of time to work with it.

Unlike some of the other programs, the Walgreens rewards are fairly limited. They only sync with Fitbit, BodyMedia, Wirthings and Omron. You can input activity and weigh-ins manually ... but it's SO much easier when it links and syncs automatically. You can just set it up and forget about it and start earning.

There are limitations to the Walgreens walking program. You can only earn 1000 points per month from your steps. I usually hit it a few days into the month. That's equal to $1. You do need to get to 5000 points ($5) before you can redeem anything. If you hang onto your points though, they do gain additional value ...

So ... it's not a HUGE reward. You can earn about $12 credit through steps each year. This does need to be used toward a Walgreens purchase. I can see why Walgreens is offering this return. Before I heard about the walking rewards, I didn't really pay any attention to their balance rewards program. Now, being linked up, I do check out their ad and have made some purchases, earning additional rewards that way. Just before Christmas, I redeemed 30,000 points (9000 of those had been earned through walking and weigh-ins) and got $35 off my purchase. I was pretty happy with that.

So if you have a Walgreens nearby (they have decent online deals often with free shipping over $25 if you don't) and you have a Fitbit/BodyMedia/Wirthings/Omron, or are willing to enter your activity yourself, it's a rewards program worth checking out. Walgreens Balance Rewards (I'm in no way associated with Walgreens other than simply shopping there occasionally and earning my rewards).

Linking up with Lisa and Kristin for Tips and Tricks Tuesday! I also stumbled up another Walgreens Rewards Walking article. Check it out for even more info and another recommendation. Then go get off the computer and get walking! *Ü*

Motivation Monday - It's the Eating

The theme for today's Motivation Monday is "Healthy Treats" ... now admittedly, the "food" portion of this whole "weight loss/be healthy" lifestyle is my challenge. Prior to 2006, both the eating right and the exercise were pretty much non-existent in my life.  Then, it happened. I never actually "dieted" but did have some stress-induced non-eating for a couple weeks. I started walking, then added weights and got down to my goal weight quick and easy. And while exercise became an integral part of my life from then on ... the eating? I've never mastered the eating. So even though I stayed active, the weight crept back on over the years. 

Ah ... the eating. Part of the problem for me is that I'm just SO picky (Eating Issues). Always have been. So as I look through the magazines and blogs and people tout their "healthy" meals, recipes and snacks ...  nothin.  So I'll check out all the offerings and bookmark some to try for the hubs and kids, but 99% of them aren't going to work for me. 

I just have to try to control the calories at least. MFP has been a big help with keeping track of it all. I'm trying to make "healthier" choices and I am doing better than I was before (at least the 30 pound loss since I started my food diary would seem to reflect that).

It was NOT a good weekend though. TOM was visiting with a vengeance and some cravings kicked in. Superbowl Sunday we had our smorgasbord ...steak, chicken, mashed potatoes and Superbowl sugar cookies for dessert.  

NOT a healthy treat! *Ü*
But yummy ... I only make these once a year.

Yes ... weight is UP this morning.

Getting back on track... we'll see how quickly I can reverse the effects.

As far as actual healthy snacks ...

I'm pretty basic. No recipes or anything. I'll usually grab a banana or some grapes. Or these (pictured above) prepared apple slices. Why not just a whole apple? Well, I do keep some of those on hand too, but these "crunch pack" apple slices are just easier to eat, so they get eaten more often. They are a staple in our home. They are great for lunches (they don't brown) and there is less waste (you can just grab a couple slices if that's all you want). Mozzarella cheese is a quick, individually proportioned, easy to grab snack too. I prefer the Babybel, but the kids like the "string" cheese. Many magazines and websites tout the health benefits of chocolate milk after a workout ... I don't indulge in it often, but sometimes it does just hit the spot. My kids are picky, they ONLY like the TruMoo brand (which has less sugar than the other brands, so I guess that's a good thing).  

Link up with the Motivation Monday team
Tiffany/Morgan/Wendy/Alisha/Betty
JenB/Brandi/Jen/Gwen /Theresa

What are YOUR food challenges?

Do you have any healthy treats to share?

Visit the other blogs, and join in yourself! 

... also linking up with some of the many other Monday blog hops out there. 

Katie,  Nikki, Kristy & Barb

You don't have to stick with the theme "Healthy Snacks" theme to join in here, but if you wanted a "writer's prompt" so to speak, check out the upcoming topics (here).  Be thinking of your favorite cardio, favorite resistance training, top tips for weight loss, progress pictures, inspirations ... blog hops are a great way to interact with other bloggers on this same journey! The link-up doesn't close for a few more days, so you still have time to join in the fun! *Ü*

January Recap

Time to look back at the month, at 2014 thus far ...  after my Disappointing December it was nice to feel physically able to get back to exercise.  Hit my goals (see right sidebar) 17 out of the 31 days.  It's just hard to get in enough exercise with the demands of the weekends (Friday schedule shifts, Saturday basketball games, church on Sunday). I'm pretty happy with this.

A closer look at the cardio ...

I dropped my elliptical requirements from 100 minutes (had it set to this for 2013) to 60 minutes. This is simply MY designated number, a pretty random pick. Admittedly, since changing my "streaks" requirement, I have NOT hit 100 minutes on the elliptical nearly as often ... but I have gotten more marks on my "Mile" and "Bike" and I think mixing it up a bit is a good thing.  But back to just 60 minutes on the elliptical a day ... I should be able to get quite a streak for that, maybe even an entire month. Didn't make it in January though ... maybe February (it IS a short month after all). Shall we call that a goal for next month?

On the days I did a different activity (zumba, cardio dvd, wii fit, ping pong) or something that didn't quite make it onto one of the other streaks boards (say 30-40 minutes of elliptical) I marked it here. If you layer and look at all the streaks, you'll see I did workout every day.

Here's another calendar.

All activity at a glance!

  Strength Training

 

I was happy with my strength training results. At the end of the year, I decided to switch my "weights" days to Friday. I was a little worried that I might not get them in, but I did good this month. True, I missed the first Friday (but DID do them Monday, December 30 so I did get them in that week).  There was a "Jillian January" challenge going on ... I didn't officially join it, but I had it there in the back of my mind and felt pretty good about what I got done.  My first day back, I did my final workout of Ripped in 30 (I had been doing it before I got sick and had the one final workout left). Then I did 30DS for the rest of the month ... the first week I did one day of each level. Then I did one week of each level. I tried Jillian's "Yoga Meltdown" once. Not sure what I'm planning for February (repeat Ripped? No More Trouble Zones or Shred it with Weights?) ... I had better decide by Monday!

For food ... staying under 2000 calories shouldn't be such a challenge, but it's all about the food choices. The empty calories add up quick. Some days I was just barely over, other days ... over by quite a bit. I felt like I did pretty good (for me) on my "Feeling Fruity" streak. Some yummy grapefruit helped out with that this month.

Intake vs Burn

 Had some cross-over and touching a times ...

Need to do better keeping those lines apart.

I'd like to bump up the exercise average just a bit.

Get the eating average under 2000.

Looking back, on January 1, I weighed in at 153.9. Yesterday morning, January 31 ... 148.7. So that's a drop of 5.2 pounds for the month. I'll take it! I was 153.3 at the start of December though, so it doesn't look as impressive when I take that into consideration. I am quite happy with where I'm at though. I'm feeling good about myself most of the time, although I know there is still oodles of room for improvement. I'll continue to work toward losing a little more, dropping body fat, but I'm not obsessed with hitting my goal weight (135) as much as I am not going back above 150.

How was your January?