Weekly Weigh-In #312 (171.7) Summer slips ...

I think I've given up a bit this summer. I have the "I'll start fresh in August" or "when school starts and I'm back on a schedule then I'll get back to it" mentality. This week, it was my wedding anniversary, and a state holiday (Hubs and boys off work).

NUMBERS: Official weight down a bit (-.8) but average was up (1.75) to 171.14. My 16:8 fasting was not happening this week, I think I achieved the full 16 hours without eating one time. Didn't hit my intake goals. Didn't have a deficit (over 2141). Intake average 2500. Burn average 2831. Only got a 3000+ burn one day. Step average 21685 with 41.82 logged miles.  Cardio minutes 672/993/917/1250 and I didn't get in any strength training.

STEPS: My steps were a bit crazy this week. On Saturday, I noticed my Versa jump 10k. No where in the internal record/graphs did it say where those steps supposedly took place. The number just jumped. On the detail report, it still showed the actual 11,913 steps, instead of the 21618 showing on the app main screen and on the device itself. No idea what is going on. Therefore, I added up my actual steps manually (there was one other day there was a slight difference too). My clipped Charge3 was counting really low this week too (I've noticed that devices seem to track more when clipped onto the pocket than placed tightly inside a pocket. Or tucked snugly in the bra.) My #2 was over 100k. A little lower for my #3 KGB. My dad is pretty consistent at just over 50k. #4 ... that's a pretty good showing for him, and he actually got some steps every day (which is not to say he wore it all day every day, but at least partially). Alas ... #5 didn't wear his Mon-Wed. He got a little over 20k for the rest of the week, but didn't sync (so I didn't get to see a weekly summary for him). He was a bit less active, as his heel has been hurting him. Resting it up after his big basketball week.

EXERCISE: I only got my hour of elliptical in one day this week. I still got on the elliptical for 20-40min four other days. Five days with two treadmill miles. Five Zumba classes. Not really exercise per se, but LOTS of ping pong. One bowling session. A little badminton. A walk in the mountains. Not bad to mix it up some. OTHER ACTIVITIES: Driving/grabbing groceries ... other shopping (shoes/duck/garden stuff). Lawn mowing and garden. Out to eat a couple of times, which isn't the norm for me. (I'd post the LifeCycle app visual, but it counts the week from Sunday-Monday, and that goofs up my Monday-Sunday schedule/review).  Here's the day by day ...

• Monday (0722) Awake early. Got in a couple elliptical sessions then headed to Zumba. Subbing for Kirsten today. Ran some errands after. Some ping pong and bowling with #4. Mowed the front lawn and got in two miles on the treadmill. Murphy Monday ... pizza with the family. 29789 steps. 3262 burn. 2500 intake. 
• Tuesday (0723) Zumba at the church to start the day. One elliptical session and two miles treadmill at home a little later on. Mowed the back lawn. 20642 steps. 2684 burn. 2100 intake. 
• Wednesday (0724) Utah holiday. I still hit Zumba w/MZL but it was a small class. Two elliptical sessions as well. A stop at the store on the way home ... always have to double check the receipt to make sure the sales/coupons come off correctly. They had NOT today and I had to go work it out with customer service. Hubs was off riding the Razor with friends, had a close call on a cliff. Hubs and I went out with the littles in the evening to Apollo Burger. 23747 steps. 2958 burn. 2800 intake. 
• Thursday (0725) Zumba with MZL, and I actually got in a full hour of elliptical! Two miles on the treadmill too. Ping pong and cookie baking. 26970 steps. 2990 burn. 2400 intake. 
• Friday (0726) Awake in the night. Off to Zumba, got in a treadmill time too. Ran a bunch of errands ... picking up sunglasses, CalRanch, Big5 and Smiths. Mowed the front and back lawn ... it's been growing a lot and I like it trim! Did some gardening too. #5 was off to a party with his Wolves. A little rain. Ping pong. 25468 steps. 3165 burn. 2500 intake. 
• Saturday (0727) One elliptical session, one time on the treadmill. #1 was over for some baking, then the guys took the Razor out for a ride. #4 and I still haven't even been in it. Had popcorn in the evening. 13988 steps. 2409 burn. 2400 intake. 
• Sunday (0728) Family outing today, although we were missing #1/wife and #3. Up the mountain, a walk around the lake (about a mile). Saw deer, ducks and groundhogs. Then brunch. Hubs ended up running to the model home to work on some stuff, then was home and asleep early. I got in some activities with the boys and caught up on computer stuff.  11188 steps. 2348 burn. 2800 intake. 

***What I Watched While Working Out *** I actually got a movie in this week. Took two days, Monday and Tuesday. "A Star Is Born" which was sad and hit and some hard things. Also into "Big Little Lies" season 2. Watched an episode of Mad Men upstairs with Hubs.

*** Five Featured Photos ***

 Anniversary roses ... the petals were playing the "he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me game" all on their own. Falling off left and right! 27 years.

Hot Zumba .. the temp is the smaller number... 81°

My hibiscus is blooming! Wish each bloom lasted longer!

Silver Lake Hike (walk)

 Lots of ping pong going on ...

Weekly Weigh-In #311 ... a day late and a couple pounds up

Ooooph ... not a good week. Some bad sleep, stress, busy days led to overeating and under-exercising. Still got my Zumba in, but not much beyond that.  Busy with basketball (a local tournament for two days, then #5 off to Vegas), cleaning out closets and restocking new clothes for #4. A new bed too. We started playing ping pong this week. Duck and garden stuff... HQ is doing better since being sequestered, although my peas and some other plants have suffered!

Not sure why there was such a large discrepancy between devices this week ... I did not some phantom steps on the versa, although no huge additions. The clipped Charge2 didn't seem to pick up as much, but I got lazy and didn't compare individual days/workouts to see where the differences happened.

#2 beat me in steps this week! 

As did a few friends (Sandra and Christa). 

#4 actually registered at just above 32k. He even had a 10k day. #5 was busy with basketball, which keeps him stepping, but not tracking (can't wear anything on your wrist during games). A local tournament Tues/Wed, then out of town traveling tournament for the rest of the week. I just had him leave his Fitbit home. Didn't want him to lose it.  Hopefully I can get those two better on board at some point. #1 wears an Apple watch ... I wish I could see how his steps stack up, but Apple doesn't sync w/Fitbit.

 

NUMBERS: Official weight up ... 1.8 pounds. Average up too (.46). Even though I had three days under calorie goal, I was still over for the week (2160). Average intake was 2243. Average burn 2637. No 3000+ burn or 30k days this week. Step average was 16798 with just 20.06 logged miles. Cardio minutes 451/664/554/870. No weights.

EXERCISE: Not sure what threw me off this week. I was on the go more than usual Tues/Wed, had some stuff going on with #4. Sleep was an issue, awake for hours in the night, sleeping in. No early exercise. I'm glad Zumba is such a habit, because I still got my five full classes in (and a little extra on my own).  Only on the elliptical one day this week. Twice on the treadmill.   

OTHER ACTIVITIES: #5 had a bunch of basketball ... I was there for four games and a practice this week. Driving was up a little because of that (5hrs). In addition to the usual grocery shopping (2hrs) there was other shopping (Nike,Ross,Lowes,DI,DT ... 2hrs) which is unusual for me. A few food runs (Dunford, LittleCaesars, Popeyes) too.  Lots of duck/garden stuff in addition to the usual lawn mowing. 

Here's the day by day ...

• Monday (0715) Awake in the night. Zumba w/Kirsten then a couple store stops. Took #5 over to the church for some basketball practice. #4 refused to come. I practiced Zumba. Got in two miles treadmill. 20944 steps. 2708 burn. 2100 intake. 
• Tuesday (0716) Another bad night, makes for a dragging morning. Zumba over at the church. Had a couple neighborhood ladies come. Then I dropped #5 off for a basketball practice at the high school. He'd been invited to play on a 7th grade team, hadn't ever played with these kids before. I ran some errands, DI and DT, was a little late picking him back up. Then, two games at Sport City. They won both games, but it took up pretty much the rest of the day. 17332 steps. 2752 burn. 1600 intake. 
• Wednesday (0718) Zumba w/MZL, then a stop at Sam'sClub and Walmart. Then off to games again. 1:30 and 5:00. They won both ... thus they won the championship (there were only four teams). Then I dropped #5 off as his Wolves team is heading to Vegas for a basketball tournament there. Mowed the front lawn. Hubs had a late work social. 20942 steps. 2850 burn. 1900 intake.
• Thursday (0719) Zumba w/MZL. Cleaning prep. Took #4 out to get him some new shirts. Hit the Nike store and Ross, then the bank and Popeyes. He and I played some ping pong.  Mowed the back lawn. Filled out FAFSA for #3 and bought a bigger bed for #4 (to be delivered tomorrow). 18714 steps. 2797 burn. 2300 intake. 
• Friday (0720) Wakeful night again. Zumba w/MZL, and that was it for exercise today. #4 and I got some ping pong in ... it does register on the Fitbit. #3 took #4 bowling, then they joined #2 and GF at the mall. Then a big waterfight in the front yard. I prepped #4's room for the bed, and we got it downstairs and set up. I'd washed all the sheets and ordered a new comforter set. #4 promptly tried it out. #2 installed a new "smart" hub in the kitchen and #3 was off bouncing for the evening. 16031 steps. 2633 burn. 1900 intake.
• Saturday (0721)Went down to my gym for a bit today. Half hour on the elliptical, two miles treadmill. Went through some video clips but didn't get the muvee finished up. Made cookies. 15091 steps. 2495 burn. 2400 intake. 
• Sunday (0722) Hubs and the two older boys were off to the lake. Hubs had prepped early, so it was a smooth send-off, and they said it was a near perfect lake day. #3 had the first and many farwells, and #5 finished off his last game and was on the road home. Didn't get in until late.  No official exercise, but #4 and I have been playing ping pong almost daily. 8527 steps. 2226 burn. 3500 intake. Oops. 

*** What I'm Watching While Working Out ***  As mentioned last week, I haven't started a new show that has grabbed me. Had a couple episodes of "Killing Eve" left, and I finished that (rave reviews, but just ehhh for me) and am almost done with the Amazon Original series "Hannah" (again, ehhh) and still haven't decided on a new series.

*** Five Featured Photos *** 

There's a duck in my bucket ... you can see a larger tub in the top right of the photo, not sure why my ducky girl decided to climb into the bucket. I pulled out my phone, hoping I could grab a picture before she got out. Then I watched to make sure she COULD get out (she did) ... I got GG to keep HQ company in the garden area this week (away from the mean/horny boy ducks!)  They ate all my pea plants though ... got a few of the tiny tomatoes as well.

 My #5 (#4 in this picture) playing with some kids he's never played with before for a quick, local tournament. They won though (out of four 7th grade teams).

 Water balloon fight. Welt on the back from a balloon thrown a little too hard! 

 #4 spreading out in his new bigger bed ...full size from a twin. 

Blackham Boys and K8 off to the mall, grabbing pretzel bites.

Weekly Weigh-In #310 (170.7) Ooops ...

Not a great week. Weight up a little. Exercise and Eating slipped up some.  I managed to hit all my goals on Tuesday, but the week was a struggle. Kid stress, $$ worries, ducky drama ... the summer schedule. My Motiv ring stopped working, and I got a stupid stye in my eye.

My steps stayed closer together this week, but I wasn't the only one with a lower step count this week. In past weeks, #2 (Cal) and #3 (KGB) have hit 100k ... but not today.  Per usual, the two littles didn't wear theirs most of the time.

NUMBERS: Official weight up .8, which as I was on the edge last week, pushed me over into thw 170s. Weight average was up a little too (.52).  As far as fasting, I only hit my 16 hours three of the seven days ... funny how my fasting days coincide with days I keep calories in check (four of the seven days). Only the smallest of deficits for the week (-113). Intake average 2171. Burn average 2682.  Two days with 3000+ burn. One 30k day. Step average 19636 with 41.58 logged miles.  Cardio minutes 642/817/772/1113 and 45 min w/Weights.

EXERCISE: Only achieved my hour of elliptical two days this week. Still hit the machine two additional days for a shorter length of time. Three days on the treadmill, one day with double duty. Five Zumba classes. One workout with weights.  OTHER ACTIVITIES: In addition to the regular activities (driving/grocery/mowing/ducks) I went bowling with the boys, went to a bridal shower and the family went out to eat (we/I don't do that very often).   Here's the Day by Day ...

• Monday (0708) Legs still sore from Saturday's 5k, but okay once I move around. Got in my hour of elliptical, and Zumba w/Kirsten. Errands after, post office and Maceys. Mowed the front lawn. Some ducky drama and stress. A stye in my eye, and my Motiv ring stopped working.  23049 steps. 2857 burn. 1900 intake. 
• Tuesday (0709) Busy day, and hit 30k. Up early to get in some elliptical, my full hour by end of day. Zumba over at the church. Two treadmill times, and weights. Stayed on my fast longer in the morning, and started early. Had a bridal shower for a neighborhood gal in the evening. Walked to/from it. 30068 steps. 3045 burn. 1600 intake. 
• Wednesday (0710) Dragging a bit today, seems common after weight day. Slept in, no early elliptical, although I got in half an hour by end of day. Zumba w/MZL. Grabbed groceries at Maceys. Hubs was off for some Razor riding in the afternoon/evening. Boys bought a new Mario game for the Switch. 19794 steps. 2653 burn. 1900 intake.
• Thursday (0711) Two 20min elliptical sessions today ... never made it down for my third one. I finished StrangerThingsS3 and didn't have another show right ready to motivate me. Zumba w/MZL and two miles treadmill. Took the boys bowling, and I bowled one game with them (got 117, beat them both!) Drove by 7-11 (free slurpee day) but there was no parking and wasn't worth fighting the crowd. Grabbed Popeyes. Aunt Olivia stopped by for a haircut housecall for #4. 27621 steps. 3086 burn. 2000 intake. 
• Friday (0712) Feeling a bit off. Slept in. Hungry in the morning, broke my fast early, before Zumba. Stopped at Smiths after class. Grilled some chicken for lunch, then made chicken pillows for dinner. Hubs took his work crew to the lake, they were back late. 15389 steps. 2645 burn. 2600 intake. 
• Saturday (0713) Not a good night for sleep ... but did get in a nap today. Hubs and the extended family planned on the lake today, but with weather and other complications, it was called off. I got the lawn mowed. Made corn dogs for lunch. #1 took #4 to a movie, then we all went out for pizza in the evening. 10663 steps. 2255 burn. 2300 intake. 
• Sunday (0714) Big family breakfast. Hit the treadmill for two miles.  #5 was off with friends (Lagoon and then hanging at the house). Pickup was an hour in the car round trip (dropping off one of the other boys too).   10871 steps. 2236 burn. 2900 intake. 

What I'm Watching While Working Out ... Finished up "StrangerThings" S3, and seriously, not having another show lined up to excite and motivate was just one of the reasons my exercise slipped up this week.  What shall I watch next?

Five Featured Photos ...

 I'm liking the two braids ... 

stays out of my face better during Zumba. 

 Stupid stye in my eye ... 

makeup does an okay job of covering up my lost lashes. 

 My bowling boys ... I actually won the first game!

... got to the 5pm mark by 10:30 in the morning. Zumba was hot, hot, hot! 

Family pizza time (missing a couple kids)

A Towering Trilogy - Thousandth Floor Series

I've read so many stories set in a far-off future. Many are post-apocalyptic. Others are set in space. This was neither. Just futuristic fun. It's New York, 2118. The book focuses on a group of teens (most living an extravagant day to day life) their relationships, and the mystery/tragedy set up at the very start in the prologue. "The higher you are, the further you fall" ...

I think the author did an amazing job of building this world ... in the future, I guess there was no place to go but UP. So interesting to see the social structure actually defined as physical levels. The lower stories being literally looked down upon. I loved all the imaginative tech that is just there as part of these kid's every day lives. The contacts in their eyes that can instantly connect them to data, the ear-tennas, the wrist modules to "flicker" and "ping" each other. So many tiny touches, a "hovercover" (basically a drone umbrella), packaging that folds itself up into an origami butterfly to float off to the nearest recycle bin. Bubbles of beverages (access with a straw), 4D scanning at the clothing store, marking all your measurements, clothes designed digitally and then quickly stitched to custom commands. And it all feels so natural, it all fits and flows, while keeping me interested and entertained.

The story shifts between a few POVs ... I thought even the names fit this futuristic setting. Averey, Atlas, Leda, Eris, Watt, Cord, V, Rylin ... and the characters were very diverse too, many different races. Quite casual talk of girlfriends having girlfriends, not making it a "LGBTQ" thing, just a simple storyline. Sex was pretty casual here in the future too ... teens are still hooking up. Reading other reviews, some are turned off by the relationship between Atlas and Avery, as they are technically siblings, even though not related by blood (he's adopted). I guess that didn't really bother me. I've seen it happen between step-"siblings" IRL. It is not viewed as positive or normal, it's something they are hiding, knowing people would be shocked by it (and those who find out about it are appalled). 

Book One starts with a prologue ... someone has fallen from the top of the tower. It takes quite a while before everything is revealed. In Book Two, there are continued repercussions for those involved. I thought Book Three was a good conclusion. Lots of twists and turns I wasn't expecting. I really wasn't sure how it was going to all wrap up.  

I listened to the audio editions, and the narrator was great. She is very young sounding, which of course matches the majority of the characters correctly. Good enunciation, inflection, pacing, voices ... just made the read even more enjoyable having it read so well.

I'll remember this series fondly. Interesting characters, ones we weren't sure if we were supposed to love or hate. Everyone had issues. No one was perfect ... even Avery (who was created as a "perfect" designer baby). Kudos to the author for her imagination!

Weekly Weigh-In #309 ... the 4th, Food and a 5k

This week was a little off. Just some stuff, making me not very motivated. Throw in the 4th of July holiday ... right there on the edge of 170 for weigh-in this morning.

My Versa went a little crazy a few days this week ... thus the difference of over 26k! I noticed it on Thursday (4th of July) when it showed almost 30k, when I'd really logged about half that (just Zumba and two miles treadmill for exercise, not a particularly active day). Looking closer at the daily details, the phantom steps didn't show up in the spikes or minutes of the day. There the correct count (16727) was listed. Fri/Sat/Sunday also had dependencies. Weird. I'll have to keep an eye on that.  #3 hit 100k and beat his brother. #5 came in behind Grandpa, just over 50k ... and that was NOT wearing his Fitbit a few days during the week.

 Fitbit Steps and Stats ...

NUMBERS: Official weight up 1.1, and average up even more, 2.3. Wasn't a good week for weight. Glad it didn't tip into the 170s.  Got my full fast in four days. Intake under goal just one day. Intake average 2329. Burn average 2658. No deficit this week, over by 1042.  Step average was 18717 with 40.87 logged miles. Cardio minutes 658/809/817/998.  EXERCISE: Was on the elliptical four days, but only achieved my full hour two of those days. Three days with treadmill time, one 5k jog. Still got all five Zumba classes in. No weights. Whoops.   OTHER ACTIVITIES: Driving was down, at about four hours. Grocery shopping down too. Duck stuff, yard work and mowing ... really not a lot else on the docket this week, even with the 4th holiday.  Here's the day by day ...

• Monday (0701)  Got in my hour of elliptical and Zumba w/Kirsten. No treadmill today. Mowed the lawn, front and back. I was running boys around. #4 was hanging with a friend, I dropped them off for some bowling in addition to hanging out at our house. Dropped #5 off at a friend's house, and they went to Lagoon. Some computer work. Kept calories in check. 24959 steps. 3044 burn. 1600 intake.
• Tuesday (0702) Slept in, didn't get in any elliptical before Zumba over at the church. Got some elliptical, but just a half hour for the day. Two miles treadmill. Not feeling motivated. #3 had some girls over filling water balloons. I dropped off the littles to go see a movie. Quick store stop on the way home. Hubs was very late getting home. 21963 steps. 2729 burn. 2500 intake.
• Wednesday (0703) Got my full hour of elliptical in today, and Zumba w/MZL. Noticed more egg evidence in the bushes. Another ducky had nested there. Stopped at Sam's for some groceries. Made chicken alfredo (#3 requested) and some chocolate chip cookies ... added red, white and blue M&Ms to make them festive. Sent some with #5, as I dropped him off for a sleepover with friends. #1 and wife came over and make taquitos for dinner.  23392 steps. 2937 burn. 2000 intake. 
• Thursday (0704)  4th of July. We didn't really have any plans, so I got up and went to Zumba w/MZL. Picked up #5, made waffles with all the extras for a family breakfast.  Hubs was off riding the razor for a big. The weather turned, cloudy and windy, with some rain and hail.  My Versa went a little nuts, showing almost double the steps I'd actually taken. I had done two miles on the treadmill, watching Stranger Things. Season 3 just came out. #5 has already binged it all. 15784 steps. 2785 burn. 2450 intake. 
• Friday (0705) Normal day for the guys. Hubs, #1 and #2 all had work. I went to Zumba w/MZL. Tried to get #4 to join me in the gym ... it didn't go over well. :(  I got in two miles on the treadmill and half hour of elliptical. Mowed the lawn. #5 had basketball practice. I stopped and grabbed the race packet after dropping him off ... even though no one in the family is planning on the race. #3 had friends over late ... they weren't really even being that noisy, but it kept me awake and I was SO tired. 26031 steps. 2956 burn. 2450 intake. 
• Saturday (0706) Race day. I got up and headed out. The past couple years we hadn't made the special trip to pick up the packet ... but it was nice having it already, especially as they had changed the course and there was a map showing it. Having my number already, I got there just in time to start. I had prepped my headphones and music, but I caught up with Carma and we jogged and chatted for the first couple miles. Then I turned the music on and jogged ahead for the finish. 34 minutes. Beat last year's time. No big breakfast today, but Hubs made hamburgers for an early lunch, then #1 made corndogs for dinner. He also made jello in a watermelon, and gelato. I made some Swig cookies. #5 had a game in Utah County. I dropped him off to catch a ride. He had a friend come home with him afterward and talked us into a sleepover here. Big mistake. Another late night with noise and me being super stressed and unable to sleep. 13564 steps. 2562 burn. 2400 intake.
• Sunday (0707) Made a big breakfast, but the sleepover friends left before. Quiet Sunday. Rest day for me. I was quite sore from the race. Legs super stiff, absolutely hobbled as I'd get up, although the legs would warm up and then I could walk fine. Big breakfast. Hubs and I finished up "Chernobyl" and both got a nap in during the day. 5157 steps. 1991 burn. 3000 intake. 

*** What I Was Watching While Working Out *** Finished up my CBS All Access and cancelled. I was able to get to the end of "One Dollar".  Started watching S3 of Stranger Things. Hubs and I finished up Chernobyl upstairs.

 *** Five Featured Photos ***

 Got a new big water bottle ... replacing my pink with gray/black.

The straw sucks ... which is a GOOD thing.

Wore red to Zumba on the 4th.

... adding colored M&Ms makes cookies patriotic too!

I also made copycat Swig cookies ... and there was tons of other stuff going on in the kitchen as well. Hubs made hamburgers and smoked a roast. #1 made corndogs (dipped and fried them), watermelon jello, gelato and cheesecake. Three big breakfasts this week too (waffles, pancakes and french toast).

#3 and many water balloons

... a little look at the garden/duck area

Love my stepping stones. New ones added a few weeks ago.

Didn't include the 5k photos, as they got their own blog post (here).

Family 5k ... Sans Family

 

A few years ago, my #4 was interested in running 5k races. While I know that the majority are fundraisers for good causes, they are a little pricey. Especially if we wanted to have the whole family participate. They I discovered a local race. More to give back to the community than to raise money. $10 got everyone in the family signed up. 

So in 2017, we ran our first Family 5k (2017) ... we'd actually had one back in 2013, but while everyone was there, not everyone was running (the two littles were very young and Hubs pushed them in a stroller, while #3 rode a scooter).  Last year in 2018, Hubs and #3 bailed, but we still had most of the Blackham Bunch.

This year? Everyone bailed on me.  I signed us all up, I picked up the packet pre-race. No one seemed excited about it. #4 fighting it the most. #1 said he was afraid he might die. #2 said he would if I really wanted him to. I gave up and figured I'd just do it myself. And I did. 

The previous two years, the course was multiple loops around the center of the park. This year, they changed that up and extended the course, around the entire park, through the middle, along the rodeo grounds and 2200 W past the rec center. I think I preferred the new course. Not repeating (and even possibly losing count, am I on lap 3 or 4?) ... not getting lapped, although that was part of the fun too. 

Although my family didn't make it, one of my Zumba friends did. I didn't see Carma at the start (I was running late and barely made it there for the start. It was a bigger crowd this year too, about 500 people) but caught up to her shortly into the course. We jogged and chatted the first couple miles. We'd both told each other that if either wanted to go on (or stop and walk) that we didn't have to stay together ... at about a mile left I felt like I had a little energy so I took off ahead, putting my music on.

I really struggle to "run" (jog) continually. I had stayed with Carma (she had her pace set, I might have walked earlier on without her pacing me), and only slowed a moment or two the last mile. Time was 35 minutes, beating my last year's time by a couple minutes.

You can see my HR go up as I sped up that last mile.

4853 steps for the 3+ miles. Longer jogging steps. 

This selfie was a little while after the race. After chatting with Carma and a couple other friends (one of #5's basketball families) and going home ... still quite the red face! Got my little medal, and Carma sent me a screen shot of the race results, and then they were posted online later. Still a bit confused on the official time vrs the "gun time" ... shouldn't they be different, especially as I did NOT start at the gun, but waited at the back of the pack (they had the high school cross country team and top finishers in that "front" position and asked the "slower" people to move to the back, which I was more than happy to do). MY time on my Fitbit showed 34 minutes, not the 35+ the official chip time said. 

I wonder if my family will do it with me next year ...

The green shirts this year weren't my favorite. Really liked the red in 2017, loved the navy in 2018. No finish goodie bag (loved the lip balm in last year's bag, still using it, as we had several with more of the family participating). This year, we got some nice reusable mesh produce bags. I'll have to remember to bring them to the supermarket to use instead of the plastic bags.  Still, as other years, very impressed with how they set everything up so well. I get so easily intimidated by crowds and chaos and cost ... I feel comfortable with this race.

Weekly Weigh-In #308 (168.8)

This week was a bit off. Definitely a summer schedule, with a bit of sleeping in (affects my early elliptical). A couple dental appointments for the boys, one which made me miss my Zumba. A big bruise on my leg, which I think impacted me a bit.

Steps and Stats

NUMBERS: Managed to keep weight about the same (up .4) but moved the average down (-2.5). Didn't have a deficit this week, about breaking even (33 over). Kept calories in check three days, but went way over on the weekend. Intake average was 2450. Burn average 2758. Two days with 3000+ burn, just one 30k day to start the week.  Step average 21884 with 45.81 logged miles. Cardio minutes 707/991/952/1407. No weights this week.

EXERCISE: Just two days with my full hour of elliptical, although I got a bit in three other days. Did better on the treadmill ... six days with treadmill time, two double duty days. Just four Zumba classes this week. No strength training.  OTHER ACTIVITIES: Driving was way down this week. Gardening was up. Appointments ... dentist two times, and #5 in for a haircut.  Here's the day by day ...

• Monday (0624) Started the week with a couple early elliptical sessions before heading to Zumba. At my building, with Kirsten teaching (me helping) while waiting out the floor refinishing at her chapel. Then I went back with the two littles, they shot hoops while I did some Zumba practice. Two treadmill times in, and my final elliptical session. Hubs had a charity event at work, then had little cousins over to build derby cars in the evening. 34757 steps. 3238 burn. 1650 intake. 
• Tuesday (0625) Not my usual productive Tuesday.  Slept in and didn't get in any gym time before heading over to the church for Zumba. Good class. Took #5 to the dentist. No cavities. Talked about braces. #5 then dropped his phone and it was dead. Luckily we had an extra around, so I spent a while getting it set-up for him. We swapped out the sim card and he's back up and running.  He went to help Dad with a derby ... and #3 had to run out a couple things they'd forgotten (projector and timer). Made #4 get started on some Driver'sEd stuff. Did get in 30min elliptical and one time on the treadmill. 22393 steps. 2749 burn. 1950 intake. 
• Wednesday (0626) Early up ... got a couple elliptical sessions in. Instead of Zumba, I took #4 to the dentist. Hated to miss, but hard to pass up an opening (otherwise had to wait until August). No cavities for him either. #3 and a friend were in the gym when we got back, so I mowed the lawn and did some yardwork. Later, got in my final elliptical session and a couple treadmill times. Hubs and #3 did a derby. 26098 steps. 2837 burn. 2400 intake. 
• Thursday (0627) Started the day with half hour of elliptical ... and that was it for the day. Zumba w/MZL, and then store stops on the way home. Sams/Walmart and Lowes. Got 15 bags of mulch. The boys helped unload them, then I worked in the yard for a few hours getting them laid out where I wanted them. My hands were brown! Cleaned up ... Hubs wasn't home yet, so I did a late treadmill walk. 28575 steps. 3224 burn. 1950 intake. 
• Friday (0628) No elliptical at all today. Straight to Zumba w/MZL. Stopped at Maceys on the way home, grabbing a few groceries. Two miles treadmill. Mowed the back lawn. 20361 steps. 2742 burn. 2700 intake. 
• Saturday (0629) Hubs bought a sprinkler timer. #2 installed it, while I worked on the rebate. Glad to have that working so I don't have to water manually all summer. Now it's automatic and app enabled! Hubs served up steak in the Sous Vide for dinner. Yummy. #1 made his gourmet brownies. Ate way too much. 11520 steps. 2298 burn. 3700 intake.
• Sunday (0630) Most of the family went waverunning up at Pineview today. #4 didn't want to go, and I stayed home with him. It was overcast, and started raining at our house shortly after they left (they were okay, mild temps but no rain. Some wind). I got 10min elliptical in. Made bread. Kitchen cleanup and laundry. The crew came back after a few hours. Low key evening. Hubs and I watched a couple episodes before bed.  9485 steps. 2217 burn. 2800 intake. 

What I'm Watching ...  Still playing around with CBS All Access while I have my free month. Did find a series that interested me enough to keep watching ... "One Dollar". Upstairs Hubs and I aren't watching much, but got in an episode of Mad Men and Chernobyl this week.  The boys got interested in "American Ninja Warrior" ...

Five Featured Photos ...

 A little basketball for the boys ...

A little Zumba practice for me.

Zumba is over and off to appointments ... face still red.

My son's gourmet brownies ...

  ... my bruised leg

 Most of the gang off for some weekend waverunning ...

June 2019

Well ... school is out and the summer schedule started. Sleeping in ... my mornings have been a bit lazy. My hour of early elliptical hasn't been happening. It's been a bit of a struggle to get it in my end of day. Not needing to get kids to/from school has also dropped driving hours ... although I added an hour of "driving" with #4, attempting to prep him for his learner's permit. #5 had a bunch of basketball, but they were tournaments I just sent him to, rather than attending myself (the crowds/chaos and cost) get to me. I did get to a few games. So far, summer has been pretty laid back. Nothing super exciting going on (I mean, #3 went skydiving and Hubs bought a Razor, but ...)

NUMBERS: Weight started at 164.9 and ended at 169.7. Doesn't look good, but the average actually went down a bit (167.19). High was 171.4 and low was 164.3.  Average intake was 2203. Average burn 2785. Monthly deficit was -4756.  Step average was 22084 with 216 logged miles. 662505 total steps.  Cardio minutes 707/991 with 190 minutes w/Weights.  A dozen days under calorie intake goal. 10 days with 3000+ burn. Just five 30k days.

EXERCISE:  Just fifteen days with my full hour of elliptical. Nine additional days had some elliptical in them. 20 days with treadmill time. Four of those days had double duty. 19 Zumba classes, with some extra on my own. Hit the weights five times during the month. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Lots of time in the yard getting the garden going. Mowing the lawn as well. Family time ... Father's Day gatherings and a wedding reception. A couple dental appointments for the boys (no cavities, yea! But braces incoming for #5, but that's still a few months out). Took #5 in for a haircut (#4 needed one but didn't go) and took the littles bowling.  A trip to Tepanyaki. Some shopping, mostly grocery and garden stuff.