TV Tuesday ... Starz Series

When Hubs first got talked into trying Direct TV, Starz/Showtime & Cinemax were thrown in for free for three months. While we had them, we watched some shows, but as soon as we'd have to pay, we canceled. With Netflix/Amazon and HBO (free through our phone plan), we had plenty to keep us occupied. Then Hubs got a sales call and accepted Starz again a while later. While you can easily ADD programs yourself on the website, you have to call in to cancel. Uggg. Again, we'd been offered a special deal, so I figured I'd make the most of it for those few months. There are some series that are Starz originals ... and I ended up watching three of them.

I started with Counterpart. Sounded up my alley. At a point in history, our world split, and now there is a parallel existence ... but of course things don't stay the same. Only a secret agency is aware of this alternate universe, some agents communicate and travel between the two worlds. Enter espionage, action and intrigue. It's rated really high on IMDB on other TV trackers. I liked it, but didn't love it.  Just the one season existed as I started, with a second season starting soon ... but I don't feel compelled to continue.

I've always liked Kelsey Grammer. Here, he is not very likeable! Boss reminded me a bit of Netflix's House of Cards, but instead of featuring the President and the politics there, it focuses on the Mayor of Chicago. Still, so much corruption ... I know it's all fiction, but it does make me doubt the political system sometimes. 

As the show starts, Kelsey Grammer's character is diagnosed with a degenerative brain disorder (Lewy Body Dementia) ... but he hides this, trying to preserve his legacy, whatever it takes.  I'd never heard of this disease before, but shortly after I finished watching, I heard that the former Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan has been diagnosed with it. 

There are two seasons ... I watched the first, but didn't really feel like continuing on with the second. Even when I cancel Starz, if I decide I want to watch more, the second season (10 episodes) is just $7.00 on Amazon demand, or it's on DVD at my local library.

The third Starz series I started was Power. James "Ghost" St. Patrick seems to have escaped the streets to become a successful businessman, but it's a double life. He's still very much involved in the drug trade. There is a ton of violence and murder and sex. A lot of sex in this show! It is cable, and they make the most of the MA rating (nudity/profanity ... it's got it all. All three of these did actually).  This was one I'd definitely have to quickly turn off if one of the kids came into the gym. 

Sometimes I struggle to make a connection with characters, especially when they are ones I have nothing in common with ... but this show hooked me. There were five seasons, 10 episodes each ... and I watched them all back to back (gave up watching my movies for a while as I POWERED through). Season Six This is one I'll be a little sorry not to be able to watch when I cancel my Starz subscription, but it's not one I'd want to watch week-to-week either. So maybe once the season is complete, I'll sign up for a month on Amazon and watch the sixth (and final?) season. 

Now I just need to call and cancel my Starz subscription ... and it's back to Netflix/Amazon and HBO, and maybe more movies again too.

Weekly Weigh-In #290 (180.1)

Well, I managed to move back into the 170s (barely) but bumped back up a bit after the weekend. This week was fairly routine as far as school, I think the boys are finally caught up after the cruise. There was some basketball, a doctor's visit for #4, and a birthday for #2. Hubs was out of town Monday through Thursday. My stats were pretty good ...

NUMBERS: Official weight down .9, with average up a smidgen (.38 to 176.69). Average intake 2477. Just one day under 2000. Small deficit (-667). Average burn 2887. Three 3000+ days. Two 30k days. Step average was 24495 w/70.45 logged miles. Cardio minutes 840/1052/1024/1412 with 40min Weights.

... a look at the family Fitbits ...

EXERCISE: I managed to get  my hour of elliptical in every single day this week. I don't remember the last time that's happened (okay, I looked on my "streaks" app and it was May2018, but I did go almost an entire month once, 28 days straight!) Treadmill time five days, with double duty three of those days. Four Zumba classes. One time with weights.  OTHER ACTIVITIES: The usual driving and grocery shopping. Running #4 to the doctor, spending an hour after w/Zumba friends, a basketball game ... the "more" was the stop at school to check #4 out, and a pizza run. Not sure why sometimes small (10min or less) activities show up on the LifeCycle graph, and other times they get moved into the "more" section.

Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0218) The kids were out of school for President's Day. #4 and I had a stressful day as I tried to get him to complete his catch-up work from the cruise. I made it to Zumba, got in my hour of elliptical and two times on the treadmill. Hubs went to work, then straight to the airport, away to Vegas for the Builder's Convention for a few days. Steps 28110. Burn 2980. Intake 1294. 
• Tuesday (0219) Woke to snow. It stopped before I took the kids to school, but roads were slippery and slow. Zumba at the church. Got in my hour of elliptical, hour treadmill time and I did weights. Pulled a muscle in my thigh - ouch! Both boys stayed after school doing make-up work. Stopped at Little Caesars on the way home. #5 had practice in the evening. Steps 33864. Burn 3380. Intake 1990.
• Wednesday (0220) Took the boys to school early as #4 was taking a test he'd missed. He got an A. I went to Zumba w/MZL, a store stop and car wash. I done my hour of elliptical early, and managed an hour on the treadmill in the early afternoon. Then back to the school to check #4 out for his doctor's appointment. We made it there in good time. I felt it went well. Trying a couple new prescriptions. Thinking about therapy. Stopped at Popeyes on the way home and still was home in time to go pick up #5 after intramurals (I'd had #3 on standby just in case ... he didn't have school today, Juniors taking the ACT). #5 had a 6:00 game in the evening. An easy win. Got a team picture while we had all 10 boys, they were wearing black, and happy after a good game. Steps 32056. Burn 3157. Intake 2150. 
• Thursday (0221) I got my hour of elliptical in early, then went to Zumba w/MZL. Meeting after, and a stop at Walmart. Just two miles treadmill today. Double pickups after school. Birthday for #2, 20 years old. I made crepes for an early dinner. He had class, and then we had cake. Snow in Vegas, and Hubs flight home was cancelled. He and the guys managed to rent a car and headed home. He didn't make it until after 9:00.Steps 27325. Burn 3004. Intake 2800.
• Friday (0222) Slept in a little. Got the kids to school, did a store stop. Got everything put away. Netflix is being weird today (exiting out of my profile) but it was okay, as I had a Grey's Anatomy on PlayOn waiting for me. #5 had practice in the evening. #3 was off watching girl's basketball (state playoffs) and then to watch, and perform in, the Drill review in the evening.  Steps 17356. Burn 2662. Intake 2200. 
• Saturday (0223) Store run. Breakfast with the boys. Haircuts. Donuts. Got in three 20min sessions on the elliptical during the day.  Steps 14013. Burn 2429. Intake 2700. 
• Sunday (0224) Not a good night. Started the day with elliptical, and got my full hour in by end of day. Treadmill time too.  Big breakfast with the family, waffles and homemade bacon. Emptied, cleaned, refilled the hot tub. Oscars in the evening. 18743 steps. 2600 burn. 2800 intake. 

*** What I Watched While Working Out ***

We'd got talked into a Starz subscription with out Direct TV, and while I will be canceling, I figured I'd watch a few movies/shows. I'd gotten sucked into "Power"and  I stopped watching movies for a while. As I finished all five seasons, I've made my way back to movies, and to streaming services other than Starz. On Netflix, I finally watched Ant-man and the Wasp (2018, IMDB 7.1) I'd really enjoyed the first installment. I'm behind on my other Avengers movies, so I felt like I'd missed some stuff (why he was on house arrest) but I still enjoyed it. On Amazon, I watched Wonder (2017, IMDB 8.0) which I'd heard rave reviews about, and I'd read the book. I liked it. There were some tears as I elliptical-ed along. Finally, on HBO, I watched Oceans8 (2018, IMDB 6.2). I'd loved the first Oceans11 movie. I'd seen the previews for this and it had peaked my interest. It was a little over the top but it kept me entertained.  On my non-movie days, or for finishing up when my movie ended before a workout, I started watching "Travelers" (season 3) on Netflix. I'd really liked the first couple seasons and have heard this is the end and that there is closure, which will be appreciated. I also got in the most recent episode of Grey's on Friday.  Upstairs Hubs and I watched a couple episodes of Mad Men (season 2). The boys have recently started Brooklyn99 on #1's recommendation. 

*** Five Featured Photos ***

That's #3, in a white suit, for the White Out at the high school game ...

My #5 (who IS #5) and his Jags team. Not the final game yet, but as we had all 10 boys, they were wearing black (which I prefer to the white) and they won ... so there were smiles.  Perfect picture opportunity!

#2 is now the big 20! Got a cake and a kiss from Kate ...

That's homemade bacon! Hubs bought the slab of meat, brined it, smoked it, sliced it ... then we fried it up. #2 in the background there making waffles. 

#1 and wife have been into movies, and seen almost all the Oscar contenders. 

They were having a contest to see which one could predict the most winners. They ended up in a tie.

Weekly Weigh-In #289 (181.0)

 

So this last week was a return to the routine. Sort-of. The kids went back to school and attempted to catch-up on the week they missed. The middle school was out Friday, because of Parent/Teacher conferences earlier in the week. Hubs is attempting to improve his eating/exercise starting this week, and has done well. That SHOULD help me, but we'll see...

NUMBERS: Official weight was up (1.3 ... back into the 180s) but the average was down (2.53 to 179.31).  I had four days where I kept intake under burn, three under goal. Intake average was 2536. Average burn was 2913.  Overage for the week though, (180). Three days with 3000+ burn and 30k in steps.  Step average was 24508 with 64.68 logged miles.  Steps on the devices ... One(clippedHip) 171554,  Charge2 (clipped/torso) 165305. Versa (wrist) 163864. Motiv Ring 162846.  So although the hip position seems to pick up more steps overall, I do notice it does not pick up my hour of Zumba as well (it's one of the lower stats there). Cardio minutes 865/1071/1088/1509.

EXERCISE: I was on the elliptical every day, and achieved my hour six of the seven days. Treadmill time four days, one day with double duty. Five Zumba classes, as I was able to hit Friday. No bike. No Weights.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: The driving and grocery shopping per usual. A stop at the department store. Just one basketball game (always adds up to more than an hour as they want the kids there early, and sometimes they run over, plus a little practice time).  Irregular activities ... a stop at the school (PT conferences), doctor (annual exam) and out to eat (Valentines!) ♥

Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0211) Return to the routine. The snow last night made the roads slow this morning. Zumba w/Kirsten then grabbing groceries at Maceys.  An hour of elliptical and an hour on the treadmill. Some shoveling too. #3 had practice in the evening.  32392 steps. 3147 burn. 1950 intake. 
• Tuesday (0212) Got in my hour of elliptical, taught Zumba over at the church, then two miles treadmill. Didn't get weights in today. I had a doctor's appointment, just my annual exam and prescription refill. After picking up the kids from school, I went back for PT conferences and managed to meet with almost all of the teachers for both boys, checking in on their catch-up after the cruise. Hubs and #4 did a derby in the evening. 26529 steps. 2967 burn. 2300 intake. 
• Wednesday (0213) Hour of elliptical, Zumba and two miles treadmill. Stopped at Sams and Walmart for groceries. Just one pickup after school. #5 had a basketball game in the evening. Hubs starting working out this week. He hit the gym this morning, and again in the evening. Improving his eating too, which seems to be fairly easy for him. 32692 steps. 3336 burn. 2000 intake. 
• Thursday (0214) Valentines Day. I grabbed some donuts as there was a little potluck mingle after Zumba class. I also wore red and did a "love" song for my number. Also an hour of elliptical and two miles treadmill. Stop at Kohls to spend my Kohls Cash expiring today. Both boys stayed after school for some make-up work. Hubs I went to grab an early dinner, but we weren't early enough, the restaurants were packed. We ended up at a pizza place that wasn't crowded. 30147 steps. 3171 burn. 2800 intake. 
• Friday (0215) No school for the middle school kids (because of P/T conferences) but I still had to get #3 off. But without the 9:30 drop-off, I could hit Zumba, and I did! Also got in my hour of elliptical, but that was it for additional workouts. #4 got an invite to go hang with friends, so I dropped him off around noon. #5 had practice, and I had to pickup #4 later in the evening. 23929 steps. 2989 burn. 2000 intake ... but I forgot to log, I'm likely forgetting some. 
• Saturday (0216) Awake early, not sure why. Crepes for breakfast. Hubs hit the gym early, I got in three 20min elliptical sessions throughout the day. NO basketball today! Some stress with the ducks (the males being really aggressive against one of the girls). Uber over on the eating. 15232 steps. 2488 burn. 3300 intake. 
• Sunday (0217) Pancakes, bacon and hashbrowns for breakfast. Hubs smoked pulled pork for dinner. I got 30min elliptical in. The boys watched the NBA All -Star game in the evening. Uber over on eating. Again. 10633 steps. 2295 burn. 3300 intake. 

 *** What I'm Watching ... I finished up Power. Watched five seasons back to back. Now I'm all caught up. Started Travelers/Season 3. Caught the most recent Grey's Anatomy. I'd meant to go back to some movies this week, but I kept forgetting to start one in the morning, just continuing on with my series. Upstairs, watching Mad Men (season 2) with Hubs.

*** Five Featured Photos ...

 #3 ... sporting Space Jam for Sport Day at School

Heading up the BLACK OUT crowd at Friday's game 

... and off to the Sweethearts Dance

Red Shirt for Valentine's Day Zumba

(I didn't dance in the glasses)

Dinner out with Hubs

Weekly Weigh-In #288 (179.7)

Well, at least after being above 180 for the entire week, it dropped below (barely) for the official weekly weigh-in. This was a unique week! Hubs and the boys were gone on a cruise. I stayed home. I don't travel well and someone has to take care of the animals. A little bit of Home Alone time is actually nice. Quiet. Clean.  Then we got hit with a huge snowstorm. They canceled school, something they do NOT do here in Utah (it's never happened in my 20+ parenting experience and I  don't remember it happening to school-age me either).   And the boys were gone! Well, that's one less day of school they missed while they were on vacation. They arrived back for the weekend, and all is back to "normal" here at home. Resuming the routine this coming week ...

I had a pretty good week for steps ...

NUMBERS: Official weigh-in was down (-1.9) but the average was up slightly (.4 to 181.84).  I wasn't able to keep calories under my 2000 goal any days this week, and only kept intake under burn two days. Average intake 2550. Average burn 2726. Overage for the week (1303).  Step average was 20985 with 52.95 logged miles. One steps 146,894. Versa steps 142170, ChargeClipped was 136596.  Wearing the One on the hip, which seems to track more steps then when worn on the torso (currently where my Charge2 is clipped).  Two days with 3000+ burn. One 30k day.  Cardio minutes 660/820/836/1141. 

I haven't been including my Life Cycle graph, because it just doesn't change much from week to week. I'm unexciting. Got my routine that doesn't change much. This week was a little different. 

 

EXERCISE: I hit the elliptical every day, and achieved my hour four days. Treadmill time four days, with one day of double duty. Zumba ... only twice. Classes were canceled on Wednesday because of the snow storm, and I still wasn't quite ready to brave the roads on Thursday morning. I was thinking I'd go Friday (as I didn't have to get the kids to school) but then class was canceled due to a funeral in the building. It's been a while since my Zumba has been that low. I actually hit the bike once, and did weights. Also, a LOT of shoveling snow. That is a workout!  OTHER ACTIVITIES: Without my two/three times daily drop-off/pickups from school, my driving time was down. With the snow storm, I didn't even leave the house Wed/Thurs. Some family time, as I went out to my folks on Monday, and Mom and I went out to lunch. Grocery shopping was down too, I didn't get out to restock until Friday. Grabbed some pizza on Saturday ... it was National Pizza Day and I really feel we should support these "holidays". The boys got home in time for games on Saturday. There were actually four games, but two were at the same time.  Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0204) Home alone. Didn't have to get the boys to school, so I slept in some. Went out to Draper for Zumba w/Southziders. Then out to my mom's house, we did lunch. Had to enlist #1 to help pick up the truck, finished up after some repairs. As for exercise, I also got in my hour of elliptical and two miles treadmill. Eating was over goal, but under burn. Steps 23023. Burn 2737. Intake 2600. 
• Tuesday (0205) Very full day ... checked off all the boxes, almost anyway. Awake and up at my usual time. Didn't get the full hour of elliptical in early, but did by end of day. Zumba at the church. A two mile treadmill walk, then a one mile run, and one more mile a little later, walking again. Attempted adding some incline. I did WEIGHTS, and even a bike workout. Unfortunately, a bit over on eating. Well under burn, but over goal. Steps 32394. Burn 3292. Intake 2200.  
• Wednesday (0206) Woke to a SNOW DAY. School was canceled, which didn't affect me, as my boys are gone this week. But in my entire parenting career, school has never been canceled before. That's one less day they will miss. Most of the free Zumba classes canceled too. I wasn't going to go out anyway. I got in my hour of elliptical, but no other official exercise. I spent at least an hour shoveling snow though. Had to go out three separate times and still only got a third of the driveway and the sidewalks done. Eating was a little out of control. Steps 21290. Burn 2696. Intake 3100. 
• Thursday (0207) Motivation way down today. Slept in. Zumba was on, and the roads weren't too bad, but I bagged it. Figured the parking lots weren't cleared yet. Just a half hour of elliptical, but another hour of shoveling as I tried to uncover the truck and clear more of the driveway ... and a little more snow had fallen overnight so still had to hit the main driveway and sidewalks again. Eating was over again. Hubs and the boys arrived home safe in the evening. Steps 15442. Burn 2462. Intake 3100. 
• Friday (0208) Well, the boys COULD have attended school today, but originally we hadn't been sure of the arrival time, so we'd put the vacation leave through today. I encouraged them to go, but ... they fought it hard. Sometimes you need a home vacation after the vacation. Without needing to get them to school, I was thinking I'd hit Zumba w/MZL, but then received word it was canceled due to a funeral in the building. Got in an hour of elliptical and two miles treadmill. Hubs and #2 went to work per usual. No basketball practice for #5 in the evening though. I went out to restock groceries and got some shopping steps. Steps 35398. Burn 3022. Intake 2400. 
• Saturday (0209) Family breakfast. Three basketball games with the boys. It was National Pizza Day, so grabbed some Dominos. #3 worked on his poster to answer his date to Sweethearts. Set up the new TV. Got in 40min elliptical. 13257 Steps. 2303 burn. 2150 intake.  
• Sunday (0210) Crepes for breakfast this morning. 30min elliptical, and two miles treadmill walk. Blizzard blew in for early evening. 16090 steps. 2572 burn. 2300 intake.

 Five Featured Photos ...

 I actually changed out of my workout wear to go lunch with Mom on Monday ...

Hit with HUGE snow on Wednesday

 ... the family had some sunshine in Mexico on Wednesday.

... and cool frames for photos.

... apparently the soft serve ice cream was one of the best things on the boat.

Captivated by "The Conqueror's Saga"

Time for a Recent Reads post ... Featuring the "As I Darken" trilogy.

When I start a series, I usually just give a quick glance at the blurb and the Good Reads ratings. I don't want spoilers. With that little peek, seeing the name "Dracul" I was thinking this might be a paranormal tale about vampires (I had read and enjoyed this author's Paranormalcy series featuring all sorts of supernatural creatures). It was not. This felt a little like fantasy, but was more along the lines of historical fiction (10 Historical Facts Interwoven Within ...). A sweeping saga set in medieval times in the Ottoman Empire. It is dark and dangerous, with countries and kings, and characters we love, and others we aren't sure about. Should we love them, hate them, cheer them, fear them?

There is a lot of violence. There is some sex. There are gay and lesbian characters.  That is not what the book is about, it's part of the story.  This is a trilogy that I would recommend being ready to read back-to-back. I think you'll want to continue on immediately to the next book (those poor people who started reading it as it was written and had to wait for the next installment to be published. I was SO glad they were all out before I started). I love the continuity of the covers. I listened to the audio editions, and the narrator was wonderful. I definitely would not have pronounced "Wallachia" correctly, nor "Mehmed" ... in fact I almost didn't recognize the names when I saw them in print. I felt listening to the story told, in a slight accent, added to the exotic ambiance of the book. 

• AND I DARKEN: No one expects a princess to be brutal, and Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. Then they meet Mehmed, a true friend but heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against. Together, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point.
• NOW I RISE: Lada Dracul has no allies. No crown. All she has is what she's always had: herself. After failing to secure the Wallachian throne, Lada is out to punish anyone who dares cross her. But Lada needs the support of her diplomatic younger brother, Radu. As nations fall around them, the Dracul siblings must decide: what will they sacrifice to fulfill their destinies?
• BRIGHT WE BURN: Lada's rule of absolute justice has created a Wallachia free of crime. But Lada won't rest until everyone knows that her country's borders are inviolable. Only by destroying everything that came before--including her relationships--can Lada truly build the country she wants.

This was a series I felt a bit bereft about when it came to its ultimate conclusion.

Sigh ... never read a series quite like it.

Netflix and Amazon Originals

Time for another TV Tuesday

Seems like streaming service "originals"  ... while not new, are the "big thing" now. They are generally a little (or a LOT) more MA than network television. This past year, Hubs and I watched some together (so these are "not watched while working out" series), one started up, and only I finished it in the gym, and Mrs. Maisel was on my own while in the gym.

• House of Cards: We'd been intrigued by this series through the years, but this final season was just odd. Neither Hubs nor I cared for it at all.
• Ozark: We'd watched the first season shortly after it came out and liked it (ended up with a binge watch of several episodes on a Sunday afternoon), and when season two aired, we got through it pretty quickly. 
• Jack Ryan: John was Jim, now he's Jack. I think I never really realized he was so tall while on "The Office", but I kept noticing it here. This had a lot of action and I liked it a lot, maybe more than Hubs. Would have been a good workout show (lots of adrenaline).  Hubs really did not care for the leading lady.
• Yellowstone: So this isn't an Amazon original, but we bought it off Amazon (thanks for the $1 credits when choosing super saver shipping, I had some saved up) based on rave reviews and recommendations. Ummmm ... we hated it! It started off okay. I liked the first episode and it seemed like it was off to a good start. But then ... I just hated all the characters. No one was likeable, the bad luck that some of the characters kept having over and over and over and over again was just too much to take. I was fairly miserable watching it, just this look of distaste on my face. We'd take a break, then give it a try again and end up shaking our heads. I like closure, so after Hubs called it quits, I finished it up downstairs. I think I'm less demanding downstairs, as I'm getting in double duty. Working out while watching, I don't feel like a show is a total waste of time the way I would if I was just laying around watching. Still ...not good. Ended abruptly, so I could have quit earlier, there was still no closure, except to say that I watched the whole first season.
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: This normally wouldn't be my pick for a workout show. A comedy. Very 1950s. Very Jewish. It IS full length (just under an hour) ... and I ended up loving it! Lots of laughter, some serious stuff too. The characters were very endearing. I'll be looking forward to season 2!

Weekly Weigh-In #287 (181.6)

 As January wrapped up, I did my monthly review and while I had seen the numbers throughout the month ... boy, it was a bad month weight-wise. Here, an entire week above 180. And it's definitely not only on the scale. The clothes, the mirror ... Things have still  been "off" this week, and some stress with packing/prep for the upcoming cruise. While I'm still not back to my old exercise habits, I improved a little this week. Still need to work on the eating.

NUMBERS: Weight is up again (.8), average up too (.64). That coincides with the numbers, with the intake (average 2843) vs burn (average 2739) there was an overage (4119) for the week. Only two days with a deficit, no days under 2000. One day with burn 3000+. No 30k days. Step average 19697 with 48.33 logged miles. Cardio minutes 680/800/853/1143 and guess what? I did one weight workout! It's been a while and I felt it for days afterward.  EXERCISE: Elliptical in 6 of the 7 days. Two days with my entire hour, the other five didn't quite get there. Three treadmill times, one day with double duty. Four Zumba classes. OTHER ACTIVITIES: One basketball game. A lunch date out. A meeting with the counselor at school.  Here's the day by day ...

• Monday (0128) Just 30min elliptical. Zumba w/Kirsten, and I did some additional on my own. Chicken Alfredo for dinner. #5 had basketball practice in the evening. Got the monthly bills paid. Blog post up. 20832 steps. 2671 burn. 2800 intake. 
• Tuesday (0129) Definitely the best day of the week for eating/exercise. Got my full hour of elliptical in. Taught Zumba over at the church. Two miles on the treadmill, and ... I did a WEIGHTS workout. Didn't quite keep calories under goal, but at least kept them in check. 27235 steps. 3147 burn. 2200 intake. 
• Wednesday (0130) Feeling sore from yesterday, made it harder to push through workouts today. Two 20min sessions on the elliptical, Zumba w/MZL and two miles treadmill. Quick stop at the store. Double school pickups, and a detour for pizza. Uber over on calories in. Some computer work, book reviews, blog post. 23636 steps. 2818 burn. 3300 intake. 
• Thursday (0131) Just a half hour of elliptical. Zumba w/ MZL. Stopped at Kohls to use a coupon expiring today. Two miles treadmill. A talk with the counselor after school for #4. Chicken tenders for dinner. 21493 steps. 2800 burn. 2800 intake. 
• Friday (0201) A half hour elliptical, two miles treadmill. Some computer stuff done, and family packing, they are leaving California/Cruise tomorrow. 14387 steps. 2334 burn. 3200 intake. 
• Saturday (0202) Final packing and Hubs and the boys were off. Lots of text updates from the during the day (vicarious vacation). I got in a couple elliptical sessions. #1 son called and took me out to lunch at Red Robin. Computer work ... end of month stuff, and photo organization. 12660 steps. 2399 burn. 3400 intake. 
• Sunday (0203) Got in my hour of elliptical, and an hour walk on the treadmill. #1 and wife came over for waffles. Superbowl Sunday. The boys said they were able to catch it on the boat. I didn't watch, not a football gal. 21634 steps. 2681 burn. 2200 intake. 

Five Featured Photos ...

 White out at the high school basketball game. #3 likes to dress for the theme!

The doesn't like to pose for pictures ... so this is what I got as he headed out Friday night. 

 The cruise crew ... I don't travel well, and this is the first cruise for the family. Hubs is a pretty good judge of what I can and cannot handle (anxiety, etc) so after this experience, we'll see if it's something I think I could join them on in the future. #1 son and wife also stayed homes (new jobs, no passport).

... on the airplane

... the hotel/boat (pre-cruise)

Aquarium

The guys are gone until Thursday ... so MY schedule is opened up. No driving kids to/from school, to/from practice, to basketball games, to friend's houses. No homework help or school stress. No waking kids up early ... I can sleep in. More time to exercise, if I want. No reason to over eat, if I'm not even making anything for anyone. We'll see what happens next week, and then the week after, back to the usual routine. Hopefully I can get back to MY usual routine (hour of elliptical early, etc ... I'd like to say improved eating, but that has NEVER been routine).

January 2019

 
January, a new year ... new years resolutions should make it a great month for eating and exercise. Um ... not for me. My food and fitness has been awful. Additionally there have been some sleep struggles, missing medication, issues with anxiety and depression. The schedule has been a bit shifted with a couple Mondays off school and planning for an upcoming family vacation. Excuses, excuses.

NUMBERS: Starting weight was 173.6. That was also the low. Ending weight was 181.9. That was also the high. That's up just over eight pounds :( And I can't even ask why, because crunching the numbers... average intake 2718, average burn 2522, in vs out equaled an overage of 20,398 calories.  Total steps for the month were 521,118 with 168.32 logged miles. Cardio minutes 2458/2678.  EXERCISE: I got on the elliptical 21 out of the 31 days. Got my full hour of elliptical in eight days, and under that the other 13. Eleven days with treadmill time, twice with double duty. 18 Zumba classes. Never hit the bike. Weights once.  OTHER ACTIVITIES: Driving, shopping, pretty much per usual. The youngest is playing on two basketball teams, three leagues. He'll often have three games a week. #3 generally has one, and #2 is playing in a men's league and churchball, but I haven't made it out to watch his. I need to. We had our annual New Year's family gathering at Uncle Clay's house. A followup appointment with the doctor for #4 and some time at school discussing things. Food runs for the occasional pizza, Popeyes and donuts.

*** What I'm Watching & Recent Reads ***

Moved off movies for a bit, didn't watch any in January. Down in the gym, I've been watching Power on the Starz channel (finished up seasons 2 and 3). Upstairs with Hubs, we've watched a few episodes of Mad Men (season 2) but they are few and far between.  LOTS of reading. Many audio ...

Weekly Weigh-in #286 (180.8)

 

Well ... there it is. Up into the 180s.  Bopped there on Tuesday, then back up over the weekend and for the official weigh-in. Monday was off schedule (no school) but I really have no other excuses, other than my attitude. And maybe medication.  I should get back on my thyroid meds, but haven't felt up to getting into the doctor for the prescription refill. Eating is still/always an issue. I got over 100k for the week though, and beat #2 ... his steps dropped. Some work weeks are more active than others for him.

NUMBERS: Official weight up 1.3 pounds. Average up too, 1.72 to 180.21. Intake average was 2629, average burn 2589, over 4233 for the week. Step average 16190 with 3172 logged miles. Cardio minutes 430/589/536/895. One steps 113329. Versa 108646. JenB3 106669. I've noticed the One logs more minutes as well as steps, when worn on the hip.   EXERCISE: Only got in my hour of elliptical one day this week. I did partial (30-40min) workouts four other days. Only one day with treadmill time. Just three Zumba classes this week. There was a little extra exercise in the form of snow shoveling.  OTHER ACTIVITIES: About the usual for driving and grocery shopping. Four basketball games. Here's a look at the day by day ...

• Monday (0121) No school today, MLK holiday. But no sleeping in ... #5 had a basketball tournament. I wasn't going, but still had to get him to carpool at 7:00. Hubs had slept in, so he dropped #5 off.  We'd been hit with snow and the roads were bad. #2 ended up getting stuck a couple times and coming back home. I didn't think I'd head out at all (I wimped out on Zumba) but #4 got invited to hang with friends, so I took him. Roads weren't bad by then. I'd let #2 take the Durango for his basketball game (better tires, 4xdrive) so #3 went to pick up #4 when needed. I got in two 20min elliptical sessions during the day, and did some shoveling. 14463 steps. 2474 burn. 2400 intake.  
• Tuesday (0122) Feels like a Monday. Got the kids off to school, then Zumba at the church. Got in my hour of elliptical today. Did some computer work. Made copy cat Swig cookies. 21729 steps. 2842 burn. 2100 intake. 
• Wednesday (0123) Just 30min of elliptical today. Zumba w/MZL. Spent some time in the kids bedrooms going through clothes, organizing. Double pickups after school. Detoured after Intramurals to drop one of #5's friends off home, and then again on the way to his basketball game to pick up a teammate. Intense game finishing up as we arrived. Our game was slow. #5 wasn't feeling well, a side cramp, hardly played the second half (but the team still got the win). We'd thought #5 had lost his Fitbit, but I asked his carpool if they had seen it, and it had fallen out in their car. Stopped for a Slurpee on the way home. 20847 steps. 2861 burn. 2700 intake. 
• Thursday (0124) Crazy hair day at Zumba. I just didn't wear my cap and put my bangs up in a little pony tail at the front of my head (kept them out of my eyes, which is my cap's usual job). Also a half hour of elliptical. Stopped at the grocery store on the way home from class. Cleaning day. Hubs hosted french dip at work. He and #4 did a derby in the evening. Brought home Chick-fil-a late. #2 had a basketball game over at the church. #3 had work, his only day this week! 21904 steps. 2839 burn. 3300 intake. 
• Friday (0125) Caught last night's "Grey's Anatomy" while on the elliptical. That was it for exercise. Some shopping steps grabbing groceries and getting them in and away. #4 texted from school saying he wasn't feeling well, so I went and picked him up. Back for #5 at the end of the day, then #5 off to practice. #3 was off to the high school basketball game (RWB theme). I was in bed early, couldn't keep my eyes open. 14842 steps. 2531 burn. 2600 intake.  
• Saturday (0126)  I'd made french toast for breakfast yesterday, did pancakes today. Hashbrown and sausage too. My brother stopped by to pick up some bricks (Hubs has the connect) then Hubs was off to a derby. Both #3 and #5 had basketball games at 4:00. I dropped #5 off for his and went to watch/video #3. Rushed back to catch #5's second game, then he had a third later that night. A stop at the library and Dominos pizza. Hubs also sous vide some steak. 11588 steps. 2314 burn. 3000 intake. 
• Sunday (0126) No exercise, but stayed busy, although I did get in a little nap. Made breakfast, prepped dinner. My DIL's b-day was yesterday, her dinner request today was Macaroni Rosa. Some cake, then games, then to bed. 7956 steps. 2265 burn. 2300 intake. 

Five Featured Photos ...

 Crazy Hair Day at Zumba on Thursday ... 

 Red, white and blue ... the boys cheer for you!

 My four favorite fitbit fellows ...

Happy Birthday to Sol

Family Games!

Weekly Weigh-In #285 (179.5)

Oy, even closer to that dreaded 180 mark. I just haven't been able to get back into my exercise routine, and eating has been awful. Not sure why I'm so hungry, and only craving crappy stuff all the time. And giving in and indulging. At least I did make over 100k for the week.

NUMBERS: Official weight up again. 1.1 to 179.5. Average weight up also (1.05 to 178.49). That lines up with the numbers, with an overage for the week of 4124, with average intake 2607, and average burn 2381. Only one day with 3000+ burn. No 30k days, no eating under 2000 (well, I kept it right there one day). Step average 14962 with 31.57 logged miles. Cardio minutes 498/462/539/748.   Total steps 104736 from the One. 103083 from the Charge2(clipped), 96355 from the Versa. As the One came in with higher steps than the "hipclip" ... I feel I should point out that I swapped spots this past week, wearing the one on the hip, and the Charge2 as my torso tracker. This again indicates to me that "where you wear it" plays a part in tracking!

#2 had a good week and beat me soundly ... as my brother pointed out again ;)

FAMILY FITBITS: Not sure where the other three boys ended up for weekly numbers, if they've been syncing or even wearing theirs. Both littles had gym last semester, but don't this semester. #5 doesn't wear his during his basketball games (can't wear anything on the wrist, and he doesn't want to clip it or strap to his ankle, as #2 does for his games) and forgot it for a couple practices and in fact, we can't even find it now. Lost. #3 forgot his a time or two (he came in at 65,145) and #4 ... he hasn't synced for weeks!

EXERCISE: I only achieved my hour of elliptical ONE day this past week. Three days I got a half our in. My schedule (and motivation) has been off, and if I don't get my elliptical in early, I don't get it in. Only two times on the treadmill ... one day was double duty. Four Zumba classes.   OTHER ACTIVITIES: There were six basketball games this week, I only made it to five (but the time before/after adds up to the extra hour on the graph). #5 had five games, and #3 had one. Two went into OT. Driving and grocery shopping as per usual, also a little other shopping. 

Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0114) The end of the quarter was Friday, so the kids were out of school today as the teachers finalized grades. So, I slept in. Needed the alarm to wake about 8:45! A little too late for Kirsten's 9:00 class, and it had been a while since I'd hit Southziders so I headed out there. Unfortunately, I didn't check email, saying class was canceled. I noticed about halfway there while stopped at a light. Turned around, stopped at Smiths on the way home, as we needed groceries. Ended up going over to the church with the littles, they played basketball while I went over some routines. So still got some Zumba in. One time on the treadmill. No practice for #5 tonight, and I should have gone to watch #2 play but the call of the shower and jammies was too coaxing. 15780 steps. 2248 burn. 2400 intake.
• Tuesday (0115) Got in my full hour of exercise (each) on elliptical, Zumba and treadmill, but still a little shy of 30k for the day. Should have done weights. Laundry, some computer work. Restocked Little Ceasars (the kids like having some on hand for leftovers) and made stroganoff for dinner. Kept calories in check at least. 27350 steps. 3047 burn. 2000 intake.  
• Wednesday (0116) Just half hour of elliptical in early ... and all day. Zumba w/MZL. Stopped to grab groceries after class. Double duty pickups after school. #5 had a double header in the evening with his Jags. Two tough teams, we lost both but #5 handled it fine. I was awake until midnight, takes some time to wind down after being out late.  Lots of treats, uber over on eating. 17402 steps. 2602 burn. 3200 intake. 
• Thursday (0117) Half hour of elliptical. Zumba w/MZL. Store stops on the way home. Cleaning day/Garbage day. Totally dreary, dark day. Rained all day. Brisket and some fresh rolls for dinner. Snickerdoodles for dessert. Hubs had a derby that he went to straight from work. 21117 steps. 2825 burn. 2300 intake. 
• Friday (0118) Just a half hour of elliptical today. Late start at the middle school, so I slept in. Ran a couple errands on the way home while I was out. Nicer day, still no sunshine, but the rain stopped and it wasn't freezing. I did some work out in the duck pen, let them wander the full yard for the afternoon. Found some worms for them. Single pickup after school. #5 had practice. Half hour of elliptical for exercise. 10904 steps. 2275 burn. 2900 intake.
• Saturday (0119) Good morning. Haircuts for the three littles. Basketball game for #3 into OT. A double header for #5 ...a win, then double OT ... then a 10:00 game in Lehi. National popcorn day. 6456 steps. 2139 burn. 2500 intake.
• Sunday (0120) Had to defrost the little fridge, luckily the weather was cooperative. French toast, hashbrowns and smoked bacon for breakfast. Hubs sous vide steak for dinner. Some games with the family. Blog update and other computer work. 5727 steps. 2058 burn. 3100 intake. 

*** What I'm Watching: I have NOT been watching movies ... I wonder if that has impacted my motivation some? I feel a bit of an obligation to finish a movie by the end of the day (although I have carried them over a time or two before), so I generally commit to two-hours of gym time. I've been enjoying "Power" on Starz, it's been keeping my interest. Upstairs with Hubs, we got a couple episodes of "Mad Men" in.

*** Five Featured Photos ***

 #2 sporting his Fitbit on his ankle  (for basketball games)

 #3 had a couple friends over for lunch. He made waffles. 

 Saturday (Jan19) is National Popcorn Day. 

We celebrated!

Cute brothers in matching Nike sweatshirts ... and much needed haircuts!

It can get a little cold down in my gym!