FitBit

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that I was going to get a FitBit because I was interested to see what yet another device had to say about my lifestyle. I went with the FitBit Flex. And much to my husband's surprise, I chose the pink one. It was that or black, but you can buy different band colors.

I am happy to report that I am really enjoying it. I'm not using it to its full ability, but I don't need it for ALL of the bells and whistles. I have LoseIt and my heart rate monitor (which is this one) for the parts that I don't use in FitBit. I really just wanted the FitBit to tell me the things that those 2 things can't: how much I move on a normal day and how I'm sleeping. I like to look at the calories I've burned too, but don't put to much faith in it. I don't know how that part is calculated, but it's still a good reference I think.

 

 

You can set a goal for the number of steps in a day. Since I have an office job, I set mine for 6,000. I have hit 6,000 steps once, and it was on the Sunday we went to the RV show. I'm trying to reach the 6,000. I mean, I pee at least 6 times while I'm at work, I print everything on the printer that's not in my office. You can even have your FitBit alert you when you are halfway to your goal or once you've achieved it.

 

So far, the sleep part has been my favorite as it has really cleared some things up for me.

Now, this part only works if you are diligent about when you "Begin" and "End" your sleep. I begin once I'm done playing on my phone for the night or crawling back in bed after getting up to pee or tend to Tucker or Diesel, and I end before I even get out of bed for the bathroom, the dog, Tucker, or for the day. I mean, tracking my sleep was one of the two reasons I shelled out the money so I need to be serious about it. On the sleep page, there are two important parts. How long your sleep lasted and what you did during your sleep. The picture on the left is a typical night for me, except I usually get up at 5:30 and not 5. I think Tucker woke up early this day and we snoozed in the chair (which I didn't track). The picture on the left, well that is an reflection of the gift from God last night. Nearly 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Those little numbers under the start and end time are important, especially the ones in the parentheses. The 10 mins restless is pretty self explanatory, but Danny told me that the (#x) is the number of times you turned in the night. I'm still trying to figure out the total time part though. Last nights doesn't really add up, so I'm either bad at math or there is some magical equation they do to factor in your restless time. It really could be either.

Those are my thoughts on my FitBit. I really do love it. It's helped me figure out that I need to get off my ass more throughout the day and that my sleep leaves something to be desired most nights. Most moms of 13 month olds probably think the same thing, but at least I have evidence now.

Do you have a FitBit? Let me know and we can be friends!

 

 

 



Weigh-In Wednesday: 1/28/15

When I left off on Monday, I said I would be surprised if I wasn't in a boot by the end of the week. Well, I'm surprised.  The MRI did not show any stress fractures. While that's a huge relief, it's also frustrating. After 5 days of rest, my leg was feeling worse and hurting more often. I've been in this position before. From age 13 to about 18, I saw 6 doctors, 2 chiropractors, and one Amish doctor (clearly I was desperate for answers) to find an explanation about why I was having so much back pain. I eventually found the answer at the 6th doctor who discovered my tailbone didn't develop right and everything in my lower back is just kind of crowded. Hopefully this pain doesn't take 5 years and 6 doctors to figure out.

For right now, my plan is to start exercising again and get more calcium into my body. In my non-medical through Google only research opinion, I think my bone density has been compromised, leading me to this pain. A couple of things that lead to a loss of bone density (again, through my Internet research) are being on birth control and the absence of your period. That would be me. So, I went and bought some calcium + vitamin D supplements (calcium is fine and dandy, but needs vitamin D to absorb into the body) and will work on eating/drinking more calcium rich foods. And apparently drinking beer helps? Here's a shitty picture I sent to Danny yesterday from an article by Dr. Oz (so this is obviously true) about my discovery.

Okay, so onto Weigh-In Wednesday, where once again, I am surprised. I'm also going to reveal my Before & After pictures for T25!

Last Week: 160.2 lbs

This Week: 161.0 lbs

Change: +.8 lbs

I'm okay with this gain. It's understandable and expected. The last time I worked out was last Wednesday, I ate Buffalo Wild Wings and IHOP over the weekend, I devoured some movie theater popcorn, and I pretty much went over in calories every day. And I enjoyed every bite so I'm okay with the small gain.

Now, the pictures. I don't think there is a huge change between the before and after, but there is enough of one that I'm pleased. Also, please ignore my dirty bathroom mirror in the after pictures. Ain't nobody got time to clean with a teething, into-everything 13 month old. Before is on the left, after is on the right. My nice, labeled pictures won't upload.

 

My Starting Weight: 165.2 lbs

End Weight: 160.2 lbs

 

I didn't measure inches or anything like that. I'm happy with  my results. To be able to lose ANY weight through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years is an accomplishment.

That's all I have time for today. I was going to share what I'm doing now, but that will have to wait for next week. I started on my Pinterest workouts last night and I kicked my own ass. My legs are sore today!

Have a good Wednesday! :)

Weekend Recap

Having to be at the doctor first thing in the morning is really getting in the way of blogging. Better late than never I suppose!

Friday after work I got to spend some time in the kitchen making a nice dinner for my boys. It does me some good every once in a while to get in there, make a mess, and deliver a delicious meal. I love it. I made lasagna rolls and they were delicious!

 

Tucker approved!

Saturday was a fun day. Tucker and I had brunch with my BFF Shelby at IHOP. It was delicious. And it was good to see her since it had been about 6 weeks.

After lunch we ran some errands with my mom. Tucker got so spoiled by his Gigi. Go figure! His current obsession is brooms. Yep, the cleaning tool and I'm not exaggerated at all when I saw obsession. He has a pink and purple one because that's all our local Target had at the time. Well, my mom's Target had a red and green PUSH broom. When he saw it he dropped the book he was looking at and got the biggest smile on his face. In the cart it went. Well, actually in Tucker's hands it went. 

After we got home we ate dinner. I made a turkey burger for myself and it was delicious. 

Tucker went to bed shortly after dinner and I stayed up working on Danny's Valentine's Day gift from me. Its turning out pretty cute!

Sunday was a fun day. After church, I got a couple things around the house done before Danny and I went on a movie date. We dropped Tucker off at my mom's so we could go see American Sniper. If you haven't seen it yet, please go see it. It was incredible. It really sheds a light on what our brave men go through to protect our country. And it also shows what their whole family goes through. It was a really  powerful movie.

After the movie, we headed back home since the weather was getting bad. We had a baaaaad wing craving so we ordered Bdubs on the way home. It was so good even though it was a little cold from the drive home. 

After dinner we all played, watched tv and just lounged before Tucker put up a good bedtime fight. He's such a stubborn thing!

 

 

Now its time for a week of meetings and more resting of the leg. I had my MRI this morning and the weekend of "rest" brought more pain. I'm going to be surprised if I don't end up in a boot by the end of the week. Lovely.

Friday's Five

I'm late getting today's post up, but better late than never right! Plus, I hate missing out on the Five on Friday link up.

1. I spent the better part of my morning in the walk-in clinic at the orthopedic center. 3 hours and an x-ray later, I walked out with an appointment for an MRI on Monday and a little more confidence in my self-diagnosis... which is a stress fracture. The doctor didn't like a couple of things on my bones in my lower leg that he saw on the x-ray, so he wants to take a better look. Lovely. I can't help but be a little surprised that I have a bone issue. I mean, I do have an extra vertebrae (which is really not that uncommon), an extra bone in my foot, and my right hand had a weird thing go on with it when I was in high school. What's one more right? So, until I get the results of the MRI, which will hopefully be Wednesday, I am instructed to take it as easy as I can with a 13 month old. He said I could walk as long as it doesn't bother me, but it's like 35 degrees out and I don't own a working treadmill.

2. The good news is though that I FINISHED T25! I knew it wouldn't come without pain on Wednesday, but its done and over with. I plan on sharing my before and after pictures on Wednesday! As a preview, here are some before pictures.

3. My January challenge of no sweets is starting to become, well, a challenge.  I drive by the bakery here in town at least once a day and it makes me want a damn cake pop. I've only ever had one from there, but it was the best cake pop I've ever had. She just makes delicious cake. However, I've decided what I want my first sweet to be. These bad boys...

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars. (Recipe is HERE) I mean, I just gained 3 pounds looking at them, but I love cheesecake and I L-O-V-E peanut butter. I will be buying the ingredients on January 31st and making them on February 1st. And don't think I haven't planned my last treats before each new challenge begins and first treats before a challenge ends. Because I'll be picking up an order of hot pepper cheese cubes on my way home from getting the ingredients for the peanut butter cheesecake bars since February is fried foods and then March is dairy.
4. Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I've already figured out what I'm getting Danny, which will not be disclosed until the gift is given. And that could be any time between next weekend and the actual holiday. If you're new around here, I have a hard time waiting to give gifts. And so does Danny. Anyways, I'm having a hard time coming up with sometime to Danny from Tucker. My goal for the weekend is to get my gift to him done, and then work on Tucker's.

5. And we can't have a post without a picture of Tuck.  Can he stop looking like a 3 year old already? I swear, if I didn't know any better, I'd say he was headed off to preschool next year.

I hope you all have a good weekend. I've got a breakfast date with a friend, shopping with my mama and a movie with my husband on the agenda for this weekend. My house probably needs some TLC too.

Weigh-In Wednesday: 1/21/15

Happy Wednesday, everyone! It is indeed a happy Wednesday over here. I was more than pleased with what I saw on the scale this morning after last week's let down. So, let's get to it!

Last Week: 162.4 lbs

This Week: 160.2 lbs

Change: -2.2 lbs

A 2 pound weight loss! I was so happy when I saw that! That is what happens when you keep going and trust what you're doing. I'm finally back to where I was before Christmas rolled around. It took me a month to gain 3 pounds and then lose them. I'll take it.

T25 is coming to an end for me tonight. I didn't finish last night as I had originally hoped. My leg was really bothering me yesterday so I decided to take the night off.  The last workout (Speed 2.0) will, without a doubt, hurt. So, I didn't want to go into it already hurting. Hopefully taking ibuprofen throughout the day will help. I just need to get the damn thing done.  Once I am done with it, I am taking Thursday through Saturday off. I may start my in on my Pinterest workouts on Sunday. We'll have to see how things feel. If I don't feel better by Monday, I'm going to go to the doctor to get checked out.

The food area has been pretty good, except for Sunday while we were out and about. We had Arby's for lunch (beef n cheddar with fries. Fries weren't worth it, but that beef n cheddar was delish) then Mexican that night with my mom (shrimp tacos with an excessive amount of chips and queso). Those days are going to happen every once in a while. If I don't let them happen, then this whole thing won't last. I don't do well depriving myself of everything that is bad for me. I think that is why my monthly challenge of no sweets is going well. While I'm cutting one "bad" thing out, I am still able to indulge in other areas.  So next month while I won't be able to eat French fries or my beloved cheese cubes, I'll be able to have a little something sweet. I just like to eat. It might be a problem, but there are worse things.

That's pretty much all I've got for today. Hopefully next week I'll have a good report again!