WWI #101 - Don't Look At This Post

I don't know how many people actually read my blog ... but posting my weekly weigh-in this week, I actually kind of hope no one checks in. It was BAD. It wasn't that long ago I was complaining a bit about being stuck in the low 150s. Here I am almost 10 pounds over that. Yikes! Now I have to lose 10 just to get back to where I just need to lose 10! 

I'm late getting this post up. The goal would be to get the post up the same day as the weigh-in, which would be Friday. If that fails, then during the weekend ... here it is Monday morning. Perhaps it is because I didn't really want to post the weights from the week.NUMBERS ... up 4.2 pounds from last week. Normally I can have a big fluctuation like that after the weekend, but I can correct it by Tuesday or Wednesday. This week ... it didn't correct. Average intake was up, 2521. Average daily burn was down 2693. I didn't get my weights in on Tuesday. I missed Zumba on Thursday. Crunching the numbers I was over by 2631 for the week. Not good, but not four pounds worth either!

Here's a quick recap of the day by day ...

• Friday (0619): Got in morning Zumba. It was the last day of basketball camp for #3. I took the two little boys and a friend to the park. It was HOT. Got in some elliptical. Kept calories pretty much in check. Quantity at least, not quality. Hubs and I went to visit Dad in the evening. He is doing better, off the oxygen. But still bad when it was time to take Mom home, he insisted on leaving too. We ended up staying quite late, and it was really hard on the emotions!
• Saturday (0620): I debated hitting a morning Zumba class, but didn't make it out of bed. Only got in 20min on the elliptical today. Took the munchkin to his basketball game, then prepped some treats for a neighborhood social in the early evening (jello cubes, brownies). Walked to/from the park, but I didn't stay long. Dad was moved from intensive care today, but will still need to stay for a few more days. 
• Sunday (0621): Father's Day. We were too slow to get breakfast in bed for Hubs. He'd gone to let the ducks out, so we brought him breakfast outside. The boys ate outside too. It was a lovely morning. I walked to/from church to do my piano primary duty. We had a party at my brother's in the early evening. Surprise! Dad was released from the hospital and was able to attend! I brought brownies, Cool Whip dessert, Chex mix and jello cubes. I ate WAY to much Chex mix.
• Monday (0622): Dropped #2&#3 at the high school at 6:00 am. They will be gone to a basketball tournament for a week! Had a good Zumba workout in the morning ... and also hit it at 5:00 too. In-between, got in some shopping and elliptical. Whew! Basketball practice for #5 in the evening. A little overindulgence in food.
• Tuesday (0623): Walked to/from Zumba. Took the two little boys bowling. Got in some bike and elliptical. Probably would have done okay on food, but #5 had a scout meeting in the evening. We were requested to bring a treat to share (I brought homemade oreos) and with the baking and all the yummy temptations, I overindulged again.
• Wednesday (0624): Hit Zumba, I know I could get better numbers in this class once I learn the steps and give it a little more oomph (I was dragging a bit today). Got in elliptical and bike, and I mowed the front lawn. The house is quiet with just the two little boys home! Quite over on calories today.
• Thursday (0625): My usual Zumba was cancelled, as there was a funeral in the building. I could have hit an alternate class, but I wasn't feeling 100%. I got in some elliptical, but it was hard. I took the little boys to a park/splash pad for a bit, but had a pretty low-key day. Didn't hit Zumba in the evening, just not feeling up to it. 

Father's Day Photos

 

... at the family Father's Day party

 Dropping off the boys Monday morning ...

... and their email updates during the week

... a little bowling on Tuesday

Daddy and his duckies ... should I be jealous?

WWI #100 - Worst Week in a While

Not a good week at all ... but it could have been worse! Had a disappointing Monday morning, when I went to Zumba and we couldn't get the music to work (later uncovered it was some faulty cords which have now been replaced). It was just discouraging to drive out (it's one that is a bit further for me), wait ... and then head home without any dancing calorie burn. I did manage to have a decent day, even still hit 30k ...

Then Tuesday night, I got one of those calls you don't want to get. My dad had just had a heart attack. Hubs and I joined the my family at the hospital. Dad is 78, but has stayed very active and is in good health, so this did come as a shock. He had been playing tennis with my 17-year old nephew at the time. A neighbor saw him fall and called her husband (a doctor) who performed CPR. The ambulance got their quickly, and he was transported to the hospital. That night, we were there until around 2:00. The next day, he was still sedated, with a breathing tube and respirator. His heart seemed to have come through things fine (two stents inserted) and his kidneys had survived (they can be damaged during the process) but his brain function was still in question.  It wasn't until Thursday that he was able to wake up and remember us all. 

Unfortunately, his short term memory is still foggy. He couldn't remember the heart attack and didn't know why he was in the hospital. Even though he was the one in bed, in a hospital gown, hooked up to machines, he thought he was just visiting someone there. My grandmother had alzheimers and this was reminiscent of that. Hubs and I were on the late shift the next couple nights (Thurs/Fri) and when it was time to take Mom home, Dad was adamant that HE was going to. He didn't need to stay in the hospital, he'd be better off at home, he was just fine ... it was really hard!

He is improving every day. Physically, his healing is leaps and bounds ahead of what is expected after such an ordeal. We hope his short term memory and logic come back quickly too!  Every year, we have a big family party on Father's Day. We received a surprise this morning when the doctors agreed that Dad COULD come home (he is just to agitated being in the hospital, he probably will do better at home) and could even come to the family party! So Happy Father's Day indeed!

Here's a picture from last year ...

Last year, I had suggested a picture with Dad and us six kids. We've had lots of family shots and such, but I couldn't remember the last "Dad and Kids" picture. Mom and Dad have also really been working at getting all their affairs in order (wills and trusts) and encouraging us all to do the same. You just never know!

I'm often sharing our family Fitbit stats. As my son (on an LDS mission to Mexico) sends me his steps each week, I update them, then see how he stands in steps compared to the rest of us.  My dad, (Grandpa) is always there in the top 10 (although just barely this past week, #9). My boys have been more active as summer has started, but Grandpa has often had them beat in the past. He'd just gone on a big hike up the mountains the day before his heart attack ... and had one planned for this weekend too. We are so glad that things worked out the way they did! If he'd been up on a trail, he wouldn't have had the medical help so quickly and we would have lost him. Even at home, in the back yard garden, or in the house ... I don't know that it would have been witnessed and acted upon so quickly.    It will take some time to recover, and Grandpa will slip from his spot here in the next bit, but at this point we're pretty sure he'll be back!

So as for me ... there was some emotional/comfort eating. I was sitting at my desk at one point during the week when I realized (with wrappers as evidence) that I'd gone through several servings of chocolate Resisen carmel candies. I was still able to hit most of my Zumba classes during the rest of the week, but I could feel the impact there in the exercise as well. Mom may need more help in the upcoming weeks too, so we'll have to see what that does to eating and exercise coming up. 

As we were waiting that Tuesday night ... I couldn't sit still. Yes, some was nerves and such, but mostly I am just NOT a sitter. It's physically uncomfortable for me. I was already at my daily goal of 22k (I hit 22923 that day), so it wasn't that I needed the steps.  I was trying to unobtrusively walk around. My SIL joined me, saying she was in a competition to get 10k a day and just needed a few more before midnight.  We had to laugh a little at the sign posted there in the waiting room ... the meaning is "don't move the furniture around" which I didn't do, but I was definitely moving around the furniture making my little laps.

Weight IS up ... again. Officially over 160 this week :(  up 1.1 from last week. Average is up even more (161.67). Average intake for the week was 2357, with average daily burn 2717. Crunching the numbers, I didn't have a deficit, but was over by 950 calories. 

... and now, off to our family Father's Day party.

Father's Day 2015.

Why yes, I believe Dad is wearing the same shirt as last year!

Surge?

Ah, the Fitbit Surge. One of the latest superwatches to hit the market. It you follow this blog at all, you are probably aware, that we are a Fitbit Family. Even though the price tag of the Fitbit Surge is $250, when Hubs expressed an interest, I encouraged him to give it a try. I consider myself something of a Fitbit connoisseur, so I do like to have some experience with all the different styles. We had yet to add a Surge to the Family.

Hubs was still a little hesitant ... he hasn't worn a watch in a while, and wasn't sure how he'd feel about something on his wrist. Of course, he was sure I wouldn't be able to adapt to the ChargeHR for the same reason, and I've been fine. The Surge is bigger than the Charge though. He really wanted to just try it one somewhere, but no place seemed to have that option. He finally purchased one at Target, they said he could return it within 14 days if it didn't work out.

I told Hubs I wanted to post a review on my blog, and he was SO good in writing up a little list of pros and cons from his experience with the device.

Likes:

• FitBit familiarity. Having used a FitBit for a few months there was no getting used to a new app and its navigation.
• Fairly simple to use, especially during workouts.
• Screens are "sticky" meaning they don't change back to a home screen after a period of time. Some have said they don't like that. I like it.

Questionable:

• Step count isn't consistent with other FitBit devices (comparing past workouts with a previous device). I would like to test and experiment with this but I don't know that I want to invest the time. I wear both the ChargeHR and my One, and the ChargeHR is consistently under the One in steps, with the One matching my Omron. The 11-year old tried wearing both a Zip and his Charge and they were pretty consistent.
• Driving home the other day I could tell it was counting steps while I was driving. Not a crazy number of steps added but up to 100
• The charging connection is very poor. Why they didn't just use micro-USB instead of a proprietary connector, that doesn't even make a good positive connection, is beyond me 
• Can't be sure how responsive the heart rate monitor is. This is mainly a concern on the spin cycle as I watch that metric regularly. It's not a big deal on most other exercises. It seems to take a while for the monitor to catch up to the heart rate. I don't think chest strap monitors have the same issue.

Deal-Breaker: GPS doesn't seem to be accurate when compared to the GPS use in my iPhone (Runkeeper) and also my Garmin Forerunner. Even after trying to allow enough time for the GPS to triangulate with the satellites I still got a reading below what the historical distance has been, as measured by other devices.

So ultimately ... Hubs decided to return the Surge. Perhaps it was a bad one. I saw a fellow wearing one at a family function and asked him about his experience (because I'm like that, if I see you with a Fitbit, I'll strike up a conversation!) *Ü* He said he really liked it, and had found the mileage tracking to be quite accurate,  even while biking (which was one of the positive points my husband was looking for).  He's wearing a simple Zip now, for steps. He has a HRM for that when he wants to monitor his heart rate, he has a couple GPS units when he needs to track mileage. It just just would have been nice to have it all in one!

And I could have SWORN I  took a picture of Hubs wearing the Surge before we returned it. I even recall a rather funny face in the picture ... but I can't find it anywhere!

Recent Reads - Janie Johnson Series

These past several weeks, while I haven't been very productive as far as food and fitness ... I have been reading. I speed through all five books in this Janie Johnson series (six are pictured, but one is just a short add-on ebook). This certainly wasn't the best series I've read, but I did continue on from book to book and read them all, so that does say something for keeping my attention. There were fairly short, aimed more for a YA (female) audience.

I'd had this on my "to read" list after seeing it recommended somewhere. When the series appeared again on a list of books recommended for reluctant readers, I figured I'd give it a try. My local library had all the books (including the small e-book addition) as digital downloads, and all were available. The first book won awards back in 1993, so it isn't fresh off the presses (Janie uses a pay phone at one point ... that dates things!)

The covers make the series appear a bit more sinister than it really is ... much of it was really quite light (as we are in the head of our young protagonist and she's a bit flighty). Just shy of 16 years old, Janie sees the face of a missing little girl on a milk carton and recognizes her younger self. While the author does attempt to explain away several issues, I did feel like it called for a bit of suspension of disbelief. It was a complex situation that makes you consider what is right and wrong. 

As I finished the first book, I felt it was a little "young" ... the voice of Janie grated on me at times. I wasn't sure I would continue, but, as the second book is titled "What Ever Happened to Janie" ... honestly, I did wonder! That book had a fairly nice conclusion, so again, I didn't think I'd continue, but I read the first couple chapters (included at the back of the book) and I was interested enough to continue. The fourth book brought in another dimension to the already sticky situation. "What Janie Saw" was only 32 pages, but it was a pretty important intro to book 5. I really felt like it should have been included as part of that book, not a separate entity. The final offerings (the e-book and book 5) grated on me again ... the "voice" of a new character was extremely unlikeable, enough so that I really couldn't enjoy the read.

I think I probably would have really enjoyed the series if I had read it when I was a teen ... of course it hadn't quite been written yet then! As I peeked at the reviews on Amazon and Good Reads, the ratings seemed all across the board. Some loved it. Some hated it. I liked it ... have you heard of or read this series?

Unfortunately ... I only read a small portion of this while on the stationary bike. I've been a bit of a lazy slug lately! Reading in bed ... can you imagine?

WWI #99 - Funk

I'm in a funk. Not a happy uptown funk either. I hardly have the motivation to get this blog post up. Blah.  Technically, down .3 (which really isn't anything), but I'll admit, I did step on the scale twice and took the lower reading. Otherwise, it would have been  up by about the same smidgen. Average was up. 160.33.  My eating was slightly down. 2220 was the average in. Not even aiming for a 1200 intake, I know I can't keep that up, but an average under 2000? Doable ... I just haven't come close to doing it.  Average daily burn was 2860. Crunching the numbers, I had a weekly deficit of 1000.

It was the first week of "summer" and no school. There were moments already when the kids were bored. It might be a long summer. Here's a quick day by day recap of the week ...

• Friday: A bit of a crazy day. Last day of school for the little ones, plus an awards assembly. I managed to squeeze in a Zumba between dropping them off and getting back for that. #2 ended up home for the evening with a sick stomach, and I was feeling off too. Hubs and I had thought of hitting a movie, but he ended up going with the little guys while I stayed home.
• Saturday: #5 had a basketball game in the morning. I did manage to get quite a bit of stuff done around the house, but while I THOUGHT about hitting the gym more (I had the time) I didn't. I kept calories in check though! Huge thunderstorm in the evening.
• Sunday: Croissants for a quick breakfast before church, Sunday Circle brunch afterward. Another family hike in the evening. A bit of miscommunication, and I ended up staying home. Needed to get in some Zumba practice anyway.
• Monday: First day of SUMMER ... didn't really sleep in. #3 was off to a youth camp for three days. I dropped him at the church on my way to Zumba. Did my usual store stop & errands on the way home.#2 hit the gym (not my gym, the boys got a membership for the summer) and the little boys went next door to play. The house was actually quiet! I hit a Zumba class at 5:00. Papa Murphy Monday for dinner. Should have taken #5 to basketball practice, but he didn't feel like going and neither did I actually ...
• Tuesday: Oh what a beautiful morning ... I was able to walk to Zumba as I didn't have to get the little boys off to school. Had a good day, getting in elliptical, bike and weights. Had a couple friends over, which entertained the boys. #2 had to work in the evening.
• Wednesday: Tried a new Zumba class this morning and liked it. I think I'll be going back. Wasn't too motivated for the rest of the day though. Had little friends over most of the day. #3 arrived back home in the early evening.
• Thursday: The church floor was being refinished, so my usual Zumba was cancelled. I tried a new class. It wasn't really Zumba, but more simple moves with weights (to music) ... I do prefer my dancing.  I did have my usual Zumba in the evening. #2 was gone to a basketball tournament during the day, I would love to go see him play but it's a little too far for me. Hubs and #2 did a Lego derby in the evening and the other boys watched the NBA playoffs.

 #4 and his Great American Award

#3 off to camp for three days.

 Hubs with the duckies... eating a worm out of his hand.

#5 in the doghouse ... or DUCKhouse.

The duckies are going to be spending the night outside soon!

As soon as there are no storms in the forecast.

This sky was a little strange!

 Blue sky on one side, scary orange clouds on the other.

I don't know what is wrong with me. I'll admit, the shift in schedules does throw me a bit. Wanting to be a good mom, knowing I do need to provide some fun outings for the kids in the summer, warring with my desire to just stay home. I'm not feeling very motivated. Even my beloved Zumba ... I've been feeling a bit tired of. I want to eat better, and I think maybe I can do better ... and then I don't. I think maybe I can do better at cleaning the house, making dinners ... and then I don't. Sometimes I look in the mirror and I'm fairly happy with what I see, other times ... I don't. Especially these last few days, just really in a funk and feeling down.

Thrifty Thursday - Prime

Time for another Thrifty Thursday report. Today I'm going to talk a little about Amazon. I L♥VE Amazon. They almost always seem to have the best prices, and with free shipping with Prime, I don't have to spend the time (or the impulse purchases) I would going to a store. Yes, there is a charge for Prime, but it's well worth it to me. Originally, we paid for Prime JUST for the free 2-day shipping, but Prime offers so much more!

• I adore the free shipping. Before, I'd try to add things to my cart to exceed $25 (now $35) to get the free shipping and sometimes, I'd buy things I didn't really need to get it. With Prime, I place an order when I want without waiting. Although I'm willing to wait a bit. I usually don't NEED 2-day shipping. Another money saving trick I love ... if you aren't in a rush (just practice patience and buy ahead) you can elect "no rush" shipping, and Amazon will credit you $1 for a future digital purchase (music, ebooks or streaming shows). I've had my eye on a book, and I'll now get it for free because of multiple purchases I've waited a few extra days for shipping on!
• We have Netflix, and at first I wasn't too interested in Amazon's streaming. I am now. There are a ton of good movies and television programs. They added a lot of HBO content, and picked up NickJr stuff (BluesClues, Dora, etc) that Netflix dropped. We do still have Netflix, but I like having my Amazon backup (as at times two people are already watching, and that is the Netflix limit. If that happens, I always make sure I have an Amazon show I'm watching while I exercise). 
• I love reading! I have a huge collection of digital books in my Kindle Cloud that I've picked up for free (from Pixal of Ink and Book Bub), and I have a list a mile long at my local library. Amazon has introduced it's KindleUnlimited plan, but as a Prime member, you can borrow any of those books. The Kindle Lending Library is limited to one per month, but it's just another perk of Prime membership (you do have to have an actual Kindle for this, not just an app).
• My husband has been a fan of Spotify, and my son paid out for a BeatsMusic membership. Amazon now includes music streaming as part of the Prime package. Hubs just cancelled Spotify and switched to Amazon and seems satisfied (and I like the monthly savings!)
• Dropbox and Google and other companies are competing in their offers of online storage space. The price has really dropped lately, which I love.  As I logged onto Amazon this morning (to place an order, no rush shipping for my $1 credit) I received the little notice above that I wasn't taking advantage of the photo storage plan. Unlimited photo storage. It's always nice to have a backup, and another online storage option.

One other way I get a little extra when ordering from Amazon ... I pick up Amazon gift certificates at my local Kroger store. Then my purchase goes toward gas rewards (they always offer 2x the points on gift card purchases ... and often have a 4x the points special). I just bring home the gift card, load it to my account and then it's there for me when I need it. No need to hang onto the actual gift card anymore. I prefer one big purchase on my Visa (where I also get a little cash back credit) rather than dozens of small Amazon purchases cluttering up my monthly credit card statement as I look it over.

Just feeling a bit thrifty this Thursday, as I placed an order for a small item (some smoothie straw), checking around and seeing that Amazon did indeed have the best price. Free shipping, $1 credit for accepting no rush shipping, Hubs streaming music, me streaming a show (just started the sci-fi show Defiance), borrowing my monthly book (I just finished "Pines" ... reviewed on GoodReads).

Do you pay for Prime? Is it worth it to you?

Wii Are Back In Business

I remember when the Wii was the IT electronic. That was many years ago. The kids have all their games, so I had a separate Wii in my gym, with the Wii Fit balance board and the Wii Fit disk. I would go through phases, using it every day ... then not so much.

The kids just got out of school, and have a lot more time on their hands now. The munchkin told me that the Wii in their room wasn't working. I hadn't used the Wii in my gym in a long time, so I figured I'd could move it to their room. As I got it all set up, I figured I'd do a little Wii Fit myself.

I remember seeing a post a few days ago from Katie, on her Runs for Cookies blog. In this post, she mentions how she got back on her Wii after a long break and the resulting weight gain documented. I could relate ... I knew that would be the case with me. It had been a little over six months since I'd stood on the Wii and weighed in there. Back in October, I had FINALLY managed to get into the 140s and was feeling good. Now? I know I've put on some pounds. I weigh in every day and document it every Friday here on the blog ... but to see it there shown after a big break, instead of the daily slide. Fourteen pounds. Ouch! It's not very nice when your little Wii Mii suddenly plumps up!

Now the Wii isn't a big "exercise" for me. I like my Zumba and elliptical for cardio. I do my own weight workout. I do like the balance exercises on the Wii, as I don't feel like I really have them in my general routine. I could tell I was rusty as I attempted the soccer heading, skiing, and I forget the name of the one where you have to drop the marbles into the holes.

What was fun, is that the boys saw me on the Wii ... and they got back into WiiFit too. I mean I'm sure they will be spending time playing SuperSmashBrothers and Mario, but I'm going to encourage them to spend some time doing WiiFit too. We're already competing for steps on Fitbit, let's see if they can beat me on some of the Wii activities. Except that the ones they like aren't necessarily the ones I like, so who knows if that will actually happen.

We just have the regular old Wii ... not the Wii U. The kids looked up the Wii U Fit and said that it's quite superior. The console is definitely superior in price, then you have to buy new games too! I think I'll just stick with my tried and true, and see if I can Wii a bit each day this summer. See if I can slim down my little, or NOT so little Mii. Unfortunately ... she's moved into the overweight category again :(

Linking up with Weigh-In Wednesday.

TV Tuesday - Series I've Seen But Never Watched

Time for another monthly edition of TV TUESDAY here on the blog. Since I posted last, I have finished up Daredevil on Netflix, and got caught up on all MY shows as they finished up their seasons (Grey's, Good Wife, Nashville, Scandal). Going back to Grey's after watching Daredevil made me remember I ♥ Grey's Anatomy. I was often anxious to get back down to my gym and work out so I could watch the next episode. Sometimes, some shows I'm just pushing through ...

I haven't really started another series to spotlight here, so I thought I'd do a bit of a random post about several shows that I've SEEN, but never really WATCHED ... and now, never will. I'm a little obsessive about TV sometimes. I hate to see an episode ahead of what I've watched! It ruins it for me. So when the kids are watching something upstairs, and I'm catching bits and pieces ... that is a series I'll never see, other than those bits and pieces (which often add up to a lot, making me feel like I know what is going on). Some shows I had on my exercise "to watch" list, but if they're on upstairs, then off the list they go.  

I did watch the pilot episode while on the elliptical some years ago. I'd heard good things and wanted to see what I thought; if it would be okay for the kids. I did quite enjoy it, but I just never continued on my own. Then the boys discovered it.  I've caught quite a bit of Shaun and Gus over all the seasons. I'm well aware of their girly screams, silly antics, the romance with Juliet ... yet other than the first episode, I've never seen another from start to finish. 

I like police dramas, and I'd had this one on my "to watch" list for some time. The boys started watching it. It is one I probably would have liked, although I like my shows to really carry the story from one episode to the next, and this seemed more like individual episodes that you could hit and miss. I don't feel like it's a huge loss. I never picked up too much (names of the characters and such) as I have with some of the other shows the boys watch ... I COULD probably still watch this and not really remember the parts and pieces I've seen, but I doubt I ever will.

Medical dramas are another favorite of mine (ala Grey's Anatomy!) and I'd heard good things about House. Then the older boys started watching ... another series ruined for me. I kinda, sorta, know a little bit about what happens throughout the series, and I guess that's all it will be ...

Yikes! This one is a dark drama! My oldest is interested in profiling, psychology and crime investigation. After seeing some of these, I told him NOT to watch it when little brothers were around. I'd had this on my "to watch" list, but I don't know if I actually would have made it through it!  #1 son is gone on an LDS mission for two years, so this one hasn't been on in recent months.

This HAS been on in recent months! Oh my heavens teenage soap opera! I had watched the first season of this in my gym some years back. It hadn't hooked me, and I never continued on with the other seasons. When my 16 year old started watching, I have to say I was surprised. "But Mom, it's about basketball!" Ummmm, a bit, just as the background for the rest of the stuff. I don't love the kids watching, as there is a lot of high school drinking and sleeping around (of course, "Friends" is another favorite that has that too). The boys (my 14 year old is now watching too) aren't quite through the entire series yet, but boy ... it's had some eye-rolling, over-the-top stuff. I keep reminding the boys this is NOTHING like real life! I don't feel bad that this is not on my "to watch" list anymore.

I still have a "to watch" list a MILE long (Netflix and Amazon Prime), 

although I wonder what the boys will ruin for me next?

WWI #98 - Up but Just Ducky

I was thinking I had stayed the same, barely squeaking in under 160, but that was two weeks ago I had this same weight. I had dropped a bit last week ... so back up again this week. Average actually stayed exactly the same (160.09). NUMBERS: Average intake was 2486. Average Burn was 2889, this resulted in an overage of 655.

I didn't manage to keep one day under 2000 calories in. Quality of calories makes quantity of calories a real struggle. I felt pretty good on the fitness front though. Had another high in Zumba. Had a little track time (#5 has started up basketball again, and I'm walking/jogging during his practices). I didn't get any bike time, but I did jog a whole mile! It's been a while since I'd done that. I did get one sessions of weights in. Then my usual Zumba and elliptical (although just 40 minutes per day, not an hour as I had been getting in sometimes in the previous weeks).

Here's my quick weekly recap ...

• Friday: Beautiful sunny day. I spent a little time out in it. After school, #5 said he was feeling sick, and sure enough, he threw up. This did impact the evening somewhat. I had gotten in my Zumba and elliptical earlier though.
• Saturday: Bad night, up with #5 a couple of times. My folks called to invited us to a late breakfast. Daddy stayed home with #5 and I took #3 and #4 (#2 had work stuff). It was good, and I didn't feel like I overate ... not there anyway. I did by end of day! Only got in some elliptical today, although #4 and I took a long walk along the canal in the evening.
• Sunday: Great family Sunday. Did our Sunday circle breakfast. Went up the canyon and walked Silver Lake. Had some pizza indulgence in the evening. Another high calorie day. Low exercise, only 10min on the elliptical other than the walk around the lake.
• Monday: I was on deck again to lead the class, and I practiced a couple songs in the morning before heading out. Got a new high again! Had the A/C guy come out, because yesterday the house was HOT. Daddy brought home two new baby ducklings. #5 had his basketball practice in the evening. I walked the track, jogging a couple times. I did get in my elliptical during the day too, and kept calories pretty much in check. 
• Tuesday: My mornings are a bit off, with the older boys not taking lunches (they don't have lockers anymore, so they just take hot lunch rather than having to carry a bag around). I completely forgot to make one for #4 until it was time to go. I was a little late to Zumba. Caught a little sun, got in elliptical, weights and even a one mile jog on the treadmill. Kept calories under control until the evening ... it was #2's first day on the job at KFC, so of course we were all suddenly craving fried chicken.
• Wednesday: #2 didn't go to school, so I had to drop off #3 ... I've been spoiled having a little extra time in the morning (although it's been taken up with duckies lately). Zumba, and then some quick errands (Sears, Sams, Post Office). #5 had three friends over after school, it was a bit chaotic! #3 had a friend over too. I did manage to get my elliptical in, and mowed the lawn.
• Thursday: On double carpool duty again this morning, but it's #3's last day. Hit Zumba, then Kmart (had to get a new basketball for #5 as his popped). Dropped #3 off at friends to go swimming in the afternoon. Made chicken and gravy over rice for dinner. I went to Zumba. The older boys were gone in the evening (basketball practice for #3, date for #2), Hubs took #4 out to cousins, and #4 stayed home to watch the NBA playoffs game.

 The family up at Silver Lake

 Daddy and his duckies

This video makes me laugh...
Ducky will jump for worms!

Duckie got legs

A video posted by Grayson Blackham (@gblackham) on May 31, 2015 at 6:44pm PDT

A little duckling cardio ... #daddysduckies

A video posted by JenB (@jenbsjourney) on Jun 5, 2015 at 11:41am PDT

So even though weight is up ... right there on the edge of absolutely unacceptable (and into unacceptable during the week), it was a pretty good week. The last week of school. Now the shift to the summer schedule. No more school carpools and homework help, but still a lot of running the kids here and there, sleeping in, staying up late ... we'll see what happens!

May 2015 - Zumba Stats

Time for another monthly Zumba update. I went to 25 different Zumba classes during the month of May. Got in some Saturday sessions, and some evening ones, in addition to my usual morning classes Monday-Friday.  I did have to miss a couple classes (an assembly at the school, a little person panic attack, a basketball game) and there were a couple class cancellations. I also "taught" a class, and got my highest heart rate yet!

May Zumba Stats

** click on picture to enlarge **

I hit one new class this month, at the South Jordan Rec Center. This one is for members, but they were offering class free for women on Mother's Day weekend (it's the picture at the top). I also went to a Friday fundraiser event, with several instructors I was familiar with, but a couple new guys as well.

The "winners" this month are ...

 

•  Highest Heart Rate: I haven't quite been able to break the 138 average on the ChargeHR, but on the Polar ... 153! That was on Monday, May 18 when I was heading up the class. Do I just do an awesome class or what? Being on stage, giving your all as everyone is looking at you, choosing the songs you know and like, and having a prepped playlist (no waiting between songs) I think is what tipped the scale there. That is going to be tough to beat!
• Highest Calorie Estimate Average: 533 on Monday, May 18 also. 600 on the Polar. 500 on both the ChargeHR and One.  That barely beats last month's 518 mark. 
• Highest Step Count: This award goes to the Friday Fundraiser ... which isn't quite fair, as it was longer than the average hour Zumba class. But that's where I got the most steps in a class this month. 7346 ... but that doesn't beat MZL's April High Step Count still!

Here's some snapshots from the past 30 days of dancing ...

 Cute Claudia 

(Mountain View Zumba, Thursdays in West Jordan)

 Marian ... big smiles! Thursday night class in West Jordan.

 Heather H back at it after baby ...
(Mountain View Zumba. HH Dancing)

 Heather Jones rocking it. Friday in Sandy.

 Me at MZL. Wednesdays in West Jordan.

The SoJo Group (BIG class!)

The Friday Fundraiser Crew!
Here's a quick YouTube clip of them in action!



Two trackers on my arm!

Debbie C is back at Southziders after a double knee replacement!

Playlist from Monday, May 18

Alas, Debbie in Daybreak (different Debbie, Debbie Hancock) has been out this month with an injury, so I didn't get any "Dancing with Debbie" classes. With June, comes the end of school, and the summer schedule. I still plan on hitting my Zumba most mornings, we'll see if the kidlets let me. I may try out some new classes that I couldn't before (due to timing conflicts and getting the kids to school) ... we'll see! Check back next month to see more stats and snapshots! Zumba on!