Saturday Check-In

Good Afternoon and Happy Saturday!

I went for a walk today to earn a special award for National Park Day.  I needed to log a 1.6 km walk to earn my award.  It was a beautiful day with cool temps and sunshine and perfect conditions for getting in some activity.

It was a surprise to also earn my August Apple Watch Activity Challenge Award.

This took work and was by far the hardest goal I have had thus far.  It was rough.  The silver lining is that I completed it!  I logged 1,490 exercise minutes this month and some days I did extra activity to try and ensure I stayed ahead of the goal and gave myself the best chance to complete it.  I am thrilled to have completed it a few days early.

This August goal lit a fire under me and I’m committed to four more days of 30 minutes of activity so I will have completed a perfect month of closing all three Apple Watch Goals: Movement, Exercise, and Stand.  I didn’t set out to earn a perfect month but I am so glad I stayed the course and will soon close out August feeling very successful.

I had my annual appointment with the thyroid doctor.  I really love him and enjoy seeing him each year.  I keep telling him I’ll be under 200 pounds when I see him the following year and yet…it continues to elude me.  DOH!  Once again, I was not under 200 on the doctor scale.  I was really bummed out and am working to process those feeling.  It also makes me really nervous for my weigh-in on Tuesday.  I was thinking my gain from last week would drop off but now, I am just not sure.  It is frustrating and I am clinging to the positives as I wait for Tuesday.

Regardless of what the scale number says on Tuesday, that is the end of August and means I have completed 31 days of mindful activity and 11 days of earning blue dots.  I already feel successful and I still have four days to go!

Weekly WI: A Gain

Hello!  I failed to check in on Tuesday after my weekly weigh-in.  It has been go-go-go ever since.  I was ecstatic to see my gain under two pounds this week.  In honor of Pumpkin Spice Season, I picked the coffee cups.

Starbucks invited me to join them for Pumpkin Spice Season.  I feel so special…and I clearly spend a ton of money!

I am not letting it phase me and staying focused on my goal of earning blue dots each day until the end of August.  I am hoping it it temporary and will drop of next week.  I have started a weekly tracking for my countdown to Cruise Vacation.  The #1 goal is to bring that scale number back down.

Tuesday after my Virtual WW Workshop, I met two of my WW pals for a walk in the park.  I had a bite of lunch and then had to race hope to get ready for my 10-hour overtime shift.  Wednesday, I schedule my hair appointment for 9am, boy was I feeling the lack of sleep the last two days,  I attended a retirement party for one of our troopers and then took a much deserved nap.

I actually logged better and more constant sleep last week.  I would like that to also be a goal this week but so far Tuesday and Wednesday were not off to a good start.  After that, the rest of the week should be business as usual.

11 Days - 11 Blue Dots

I have been over-exercising and under-eating lately.  It is not a conscious decision and also not the way I prefer to work my program.  While I know I need to give myself more fuel, I went the opposite way this week and really did a number on points/food which has me -100+ in points this week.  ACK!  Not the way I was planning to swing this “fuel my body” pendulum.

We were supposed to get out of town for a few days.  When The Hubs and I both snagged an extra day off totaling four days in a row, I was really itching to travel somewhere.  You all now how crazy obsessive I have been (and still am) with the cruise industry as I wait another six weeks until our cruise.  It is more than that.  

Travel just makes me so happy and is the one time I can actually take a break from the stressors of life.  When I am on vacation:

• I don’t worry about getting called into work for sick coverage (although you have to be out of town to really feel like you can dodge that bullet.  If you are in town, they still find you).  
• I usually don’t track while on vacation so I can enjoy yummy food and drinks without the guilt of seeing high points.
• I get to spend quality time with The Hubs.
• I get to explore new places and fantasize about what it would be like to live there.

We ended up not going out of town which turned into a vacation from my WW program and oh so many points consumed.  UGH!!!  As I look ahead to October, I know that if I don’t bring the scale back down, I risk being over 200 pounds again.  That is a no-go in my book.  I need to hunker down, avoid social situations, and just stay focused on weight loss.  I am counting down my six working weeks until vacation and also telling myself to hang in there.  

As of Friday, and my return to work, there is 11 days left until the end of the month.  In addition to continuing to get in those exercise minutes for my Apple Watch August Activity Challenge, I am committed to earning a blue dot each day until the end of the month.  This is not the time to slack like I often do at end-of-month time.  It is the time to stay locked in on those goals, prepare healthy meals, balance temptations, and strive to get those blue dots each day.  I know success comes when I focus on those blue dots each day.

I CAN do this and I WILL do this!

My Apple Watch Owns Me

I have been exercising like it’s my part-time job lately. 

I had to put the Apple Watch on the charger late last night before it ran out of battery. I later saw that I was two minutes shy of breaking my current record of longest minutes in a workout. Well…not to let an award pass me by, it was 11:30pm, I got my watch off the charger, and I completed 5 minutes on my bike machine. 

Award earned!

It was a big activity day on Wednesday. I woke up earlier than necessary and with extra time, cool temp, and morning sunrise, I set out for a walk and a Polo chat with my gal pal Dawny. I also had plan to meet Phoenix to ride bikes along the Greenbelt after an on-line work training. Our ride was for over an hour and a lot of fun. Afterwards, we enjoyed some fancy cocktails at Bardenay in Eagle.

It is my very favorite beer season and I caved and bought a variety pack. Sam Adams Oktoberfest and Jack-O are both amazing! 

I’m enjoying my extra days off and now that The Hubs is also off work, we will get some quality time together. It’s going to be a very busy few weeks ahead with our staffing shortages at work. 

Slow & Steady Wins The Race

I peeked at the scale yesterday, which was a maintain.  Today’s weigh-in is a 0.6 pound loss.  I’ll take it!

I have been exercising a lot, maybe over-exercising a bit, with this August Apple Watch Goal.  It has been so hard to get the required exercise minutes in a day.

I have exercised each day of the month thus far, and I have closed each of my three Apple Watch circles each day.  I really want to continue towards a perfect month and I am going to stay committed getting in that movement each day.

I bought a bike peddler/elliptical machine for home.  We recently got one in our dispatch center for use under our consoles.  This has been the perfect way to get in some extra exercise minutes while I am watching TV or say a You Tube cruise video.  I have really enjoyed it and often times the time just flies by as long as you can zone out with your show.

The scale is coming down.  It might be at a turtle’s pace, but slow and steady still win the race.

Packing Lists & Pre-Packing

I shared earlier in the week that although I still have eight weeks to go until our cruise, I have started putting together my packinglist.  We will be checking our bags vs. the usual carry-on this trip as we are traveling with my parents.  I don’t want to over pack but I do like the idea of having a little more room since I am not 100% sure what to pack for an October cruise to Alaska.

Our prior Alaska cruise was in June of 2010.  I remember it was pretty cold on the ship deck due to the wind but we got very lucky on our port days.  The key to any type of travel, especially carry-on bags, is to dress in layers.  This allows you the most flexibility and also allows you pack less clothes.  When I am on a cruise ship, I know I’ll dress differently for at-sea days where we will be in doors all day vs. port days where we will be outside walking around. 

I really hope that we won’t have rain.  I think Summer is the rainy season and I’ll be keeping an eye on the weather as it gets closer.  I also heard it could snow.  I’ve been told by my friend Kelsey that used to live in Alaska to prepare for 40-50 degree temps and possible snow.  I plan to pack and umbrella and my hat/gloves/scarf.  Every time we travel, I pack my ScotEVest coat, which has been great for travel and for layering.  With it being October and the start of Fall, you bet I’ll be wearing my jeans, thermal/long sleeve shirt, and zip up fleece vest.  Fall is my very favorite time of year for hoodies, jeans, and tennis shoes!  I do also want to pack some nicer clothes for evening dinner/drinks/entertainment while on the ship.  I would like to pack a couple of nice sweaters, but again…packing room is key.  If you know me at all, you know I will be doing some practice packing before our trip.

In 2010, I bought a rain jacket in anticipation of our Alaska cruise you know…because of layering! 

 

In port at Victoria, BC

1st Cruise on Norwegian Pearl in Alaska

It is a size large and after I had regained 80 pounds, it just sat in my closet.  I never really needed a rain jacket so I never got rid of it.  Since I've lost 60 pounds, guess what fits again??  Okay, mostly fits!  It doesn’t zip but will work perfectly as an extra layer in case we have rain. 

And it is an NSV moment.

Weekly WI: Working Down The Mountain

I lost a pound this week as I slowly chip away at my July gain.  Up the hill…and back down the hill.

I earned an Apple Watch Activity Award a 7-day stretch of exercising.  I almost took the day off but after a Polo chat with my Gal Pal Dawny, I decided to take a walk on the treadmill.  I was pleasantly surprised to see a You Tube video from my favorite travel couple thus making the time fly by.  At the end of my workout, my award popped up.  Had I skipped my workout, I wouldn’t have completed my 7-day stretch.

I set out to earn seven blue dots this week and ended up earning five.  Progress, not perfection.

I am back to work starting Thursday so earning five blue dots will be really easy.  I’m going to try for six but I don’t fully know what is on the agenda later today.  I met Phoenix yesterday for happy hour and Habanero pizza, for Phe, I don’t do hot pizza!  This gin drink was ah-mazing!  I really enjoyed it and with 2 for 1 pricing for happy hour, it was a steal of a deal.

The pizza was also ah-mazing.  It was perfectly cooked and the crust was divine.  I didn’t snap a photo and sure which I had.  We went to Flying Pie and ordered the Constant Combo with white sauce.  OMG!  It was delicious.  I did not earn a blue dot today and I am starting my WW week off with a large chunk of my Weekly Smarts Points Allowance taking a hit.  They are there to be used and pizza and drinks are a good reason to use them.

NCL Encore - Tips Thus Far For The 2021 Alaska Cruise Season

The very first Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) cruise ship has officially left a U.S. port.  This is very exciting!

Photo credit Google

NCL Encore set sail out of Seattle to officially start the cruise season for Alaska, approximately 21 months after a global pandemic shut down the world.  This was a test cruise that carried industry partners and travel agents and only had one port of call which was Ketchikan.  This was also the first NCL ship to leave a U.S. port as other cruise partners have already been cursing out of Ft. Lauderdale for a few weeks.  It set sail yesterday carrying the first round of paid cruise passengers.

**I would like to take a moment to note that five cruise passengers from a Holland American cruise ship, while also docked in Ketchikan, were killed aboard a sea plane during an excursion.  The pilot and five passengers did not survive the crash.  This makes me so sad for all of the families involved and my heart goes out to all those that were affected by this tragic day.

One of many “travel couples” I have been following on You Tube and Instagram was aboard NCL Encore which has made me anxiously waiting some intel on what cruising on NCL is like post-pandemic.  (Are we even post-pandemic?  I honestly don’t want to think about it because it just depresses me).  They have posted one video thus far of embarkation day.  Thankyou EECC Travels for allowing me to vicariously be a part of your trip journey while I anxiously wait for my turn.

Here is what I have learned:

·       NCL requires 100% of cruise passengers and crew members on-board to be fully vaccinated.  They pride themselves on offering cruise passengers the best experience possible with the least amount of restrictions.  In order do this, they are taking the safety of their passengers very seriously.  You cannot board a NCL cruise without proper documentation you are fully vaccinated.  If you have any questions about this, reach out to a NCL representative.

·       After you arrive at the cruise pier, you are sent to a nearby hotel for a rapid COVID test.  You are swabbed and have to wait 20 minutes.  Once cleared, you can continue back to the pier to start your check-in.  I have managed to go 1.5 years without having a single COVID test, nose swab or other.  I plan to make it another eight weeks until our cruise with no COVID test.  Boy do I hope I pass the test when the time comes to board the cruise ship.

·       The muster drill takes place as soon as you board the ship.  Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Line are having passengers watch the muster drill video in their room.  At some point before the cruise ship sets sail, you are required to respond to your muster drill station to finish the process.  With NCL, you are sent a video of your muster drill ahead of time are sent to your muster drill station once you board to finish the process.

·       The buffet remains self-serve.  This had to have been the biggest shock when I watched EECC Travel’s You Tube video aboard NCL Encore.  I have been following their other You Tube adventures on both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines.  In each case, the buffet is still up and running but instead of self-serve, the staff serves you.  Either way does not make a difference in my decision to set sail again.  It was a pleasant surprise to see NCL is working hard to make the post-pandemic cruise life feel like nothing changed.

·       There will be entertainment.  NCL had provided us with information that entertainment on board may not be the Broadway shows one has come to expect.  I now have confirmation that the show Choir of Man is available during the current Alaska cruise season.  I am really excited to see this show.  I won’t know what other entertainment is available as this test cruise was not the typical 7-day cruise itinerary.  I am a little bit bummed that I don’t think I’ll be seeing Kinky Boots.  This just means I’ll have to book a return cruise on NCL Encore to be able to catch this show.

·       No masks! A HUGE benefit of a 100% vaccinated cruise coupled with COVID testing is that you do not have to wear a mask once you board the ship.  I will have to wait and see if it is required on transportation to/from the airport and on cruise excursions.  Hopefully I’ll find somebody to follow along for more tips in the weeks to come.

I have no idea how I am going to survive the next 8-weeks waiting for our Alaska Cruise Adventures to begin.  I have already started my packing list and I’ve been watching the weather.  I tell ya, I am full on crazy right now!  Get me on a ship ASAP. 

Follow along with EECC Travels on YouTube.  It is really fun to live vicariously through others and I learn so many great tips that way too.

Working On Staying Focused

Hello and Happy Friday!  It is my Monday and I am not quite ready to face the work week.  Ready or not, here is comes.

I was able to get in some activity this weekend although I am still behind in meeting my August Apple Watch Activity Challenge.  Tuesday, a few members of my WW group met at a local park to walk and catch up.  I loaded up my bike before I left the house so I could ride a few laps around the parking lot afterwards.  

Wednesday I got back into a weight routine with a quick Aaptiv audio workout.  It was tough and I wasn’t quite feeling it but I really need to cross train again and get back into shaping my body.  Thursday I met Emma for a bike ride in Kuna.  We rode around the greenbelt and then stopped into the coffee shop where Hailey works so we could say hello and enjoy a rest break before riding back to my sister’s house.

I’m being bit lazy today but eventually I will get on the treadmill and log some miles and exercise minutes.

My food this weekend as been so-so.  With a high point meal on Wednesday night and some alcohol Thursday, my weekly points are gone and I am in the negative.  I had not planned to have another Green Chili Margarita but I just couldn’t resist!  I am going to try and make some of my own green chili simple syrup with sugar substitute.

I’ve got a food plan in place and expect Friday through Monday to go well, stay on track, and earn those blue dots.  I really need to find my focus.  I am struggling a bit right now.  I will chose to look forward and make the rest of this week successful.

Weekly WI: Getting A Handle On The Gains

Good Morning.  I am awake way too early which seems to be the theme of the week.  I am really struggling with getting my mind to rest while sleeping.  I hope I turn a corner soon and settle back down.  I like when I am getting consistent sleep.  After my Virtual WW Meeting today, I am meeting a group of my WW friends to walk and chat in the park.  I am looking forward to it.

I had a small loss this week which means I didn’t have stopped the uptick on the scale.  Thank goodness!

I was glad to see that I was down.  I had forgotten that my scale number was in the 196s again and so I was feeling bummed when I first stepped on the scale.  Then I saw the dial tell me I had lost a small amount so all is good.  This is a good start to working at bringing the scale back down.

It was a good week of tracking and balancing several meals out, alcohol, and social situations.  I am really proud of how it all turned out and seeing it reflected on the scale really helps my motivation.

This week is pretty low key and should be easy to stay on track.  I have a few social situations in the new few days and then business as usual as I am on shift for a five-day stretch.  Let’s do this!!!

Hello August

It’s officially August.

I expect August to go just as fast as July and looking ahead, I know it will fly by in a flash.  I completed my July Apple Watch Goal a few days early thanks to all the activity/walking on Girls Weekend.

So now we look ahead at August and another very lofty goal.

I love that it congratulated me on my success last month and said, “let’s do it again this month.”  Apple Watch does not appear to know that last month’s activity took a lot of effort and having to log so many exercise minutes will make for another tough month.  I will continue to remind myself it doesn’t have to be a heart pumping workout each time and that I also can do a variety.  The main goal is to move and be mindful of extra movement when possible.

I am still hoping to see a loss come Tuesday.  I have two months until our next big vacation, assuming the Delta strain doesn’t cancel those plans.  I plan to focus on my weight loss goals and really start to hunker down.  After my 4.2 pound gain in July, I have a big chunk ahead of me.  I can do this!