Oh Boy...It's Been A Rollercoaster

Hello and Happy Easter Sunday!

 

We celebrated our Easter with a family brunch yesterday at Chuck A Rama.  I love that place and the breakfast offerings were good.  I had wished I didn’t eat as much so I could enjoy lunch when it came out.  Maybe another time.

 

Upon our return from New Mexico, I checked in on the scale to an unpleasant large gain of 2.4 pounds.  My heath score also took a BIG dive.

 

I have not been as on plan as I had originally planned.  My health score came back up…

 

…and back down.

 

I also celebrated 100 days of tracking!

 

My April Apple Watch Fitness goal is to walk at least 5 minutes three times this month.  I love this goal but it feels as if it is screaming at me…MOVE YOUR BODY! 

 

I had CPM class on Thursday and Friday where I wore my tennis shoes, packed my dress shoes, turned on the watch and walked every chance I had.  The goal has been met but I do plan to continue moving my body this month.

 

We are in a bit of limbo headed back to New Mexico this week for my father-in-law’s 90^th birthday.  We had planned this trip before we got ill.  Upon our return, it is time to really get back to the healthy habits that have made me successful.  Our next cruise vacation is in 130 days.  I had better get moving!

Good Mood Items

A member shared on Monday night an analogy about a table: Why when one table leg is wobbly, do we feel the need to make the other three wobbly too?

When one Weight Watchers Pilar is not strong, why do we need to weaken the other three Pilars?

I’ve been thinking about that a lot this week and as of Tuesday morning, I have straightened my Activity Pilar with daily walks, either on the treadmill or outside when the weather is decent.

It has really helped my mood.  

I find I can easily get depressed this time of year.  My counselor and I talked about healthy coping strategies and when you practice these on a regular basis, when needed, you are more likely to turn to the healthy behaviors vs. the unhealthy ones as they are a part of your normal routine.  

I decided I needed to get a pedicure!  This time of year I don’t were sandals so I don’t often paint my toes.  When I think of something that makes me happy, seeing my ruby red chrome nail polish makes me smile.  The day I visited Wynn, my go-to-gal, I wore sandals around the house looking at my toes all day.  It is the little things that can put some brightness in a dull season.

I have to say the Christmas lights are a nice addition too.  While the weather can feel dull, leading up to the festive BIG day, I love seeing all the lights. 

I must continue to find the good-mood items and practice them daily!

The 2025 Colonel Challenge Comes To An End

I wanted to share the stats the amazing stats from our 2025 Colonel’s PT Challenge.  Each year I debate if I should join the challenge and WOW…look at these results.

 

Over the course of the 10-week challenge the group:

·       Completed 6189.43 aerobic and high intensity training hours

·       Ran 11,256.43 miles

·       Biked 8958.3 miles

·       Swam 82.02 miles

·       Lifted 62,439,808 pounds

·       Completed 606,712 repetitions of sit-ups and pushups

 

To put some of this in perspective, we could have run from LA to New York 4.5 times with the amount of run miles you logged. We could have taken a nice bike ride from Boise to Anchorage, AK 3.3 times. With all the swim miles you could have made it to the bottom of the Mariana trench (the deepest in the ocean) 11.7 times. We moved the weight of 2,401 school buses. We completed enough aerobic and high intensity training hours to cover 257 days. Plus 606,712 repetitions of anything is just a lot!

 

When you get a different perspective, you can see how all activity adds up, even the small amounts.

Weekly WI: Welcome To The 40s Club

I had my annual physical yesterday.  That means I left with a long list of other doctor’s appointments to make.  Welcome to your 40s.  It’s not for the faint at heart!

I am about to wrap up my weekend.  I am not really ready for the work week. Next weekend we have some fun on the agenda to I just need to get through four full shifts and two overtime shifts.  

I was up slightly on the scale at home this week but ended the month with a loss.  I am down 4 pounds in two months, which is where I set my goal for the year…to lose 2 pounds a month.  

Sometimes I wish it was faster but I know I am still enjoying the foods I love, and counting to build a consistent tracking and exercise routine.

The Colonel’s PT Challenge is about to wrap up with just a few days left.  I am doing well on my goals but need to make sure I keep focused.

I have been using my EGYM extra membership 2-3 times a week and after six sessions it switched up my exercise routine which was a nice surprise today.  I am hoping the muscle building will help me feel better in my clothes and help me burn more calories at rest.

Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday has always had a special significance, not because I’m an actual football fan.  I was a Chicago Bears fan…well I guess I am a new a Chicago Bears fan.  This wasn’t their year.  The reason I think fondly of the day is because 17 years ago, I bought my wedding dress on Super Bowl Sunday.  I know the day is a rotating date, but I always remember this moment.  We had a Super Bowl party at work today.

 

It has been a busy week with commitments at the Nampa Lodge and when I say busy, I mean it was busy!  We served 109 people on Friday night dinner for prime rib.  Holy Cow!  I was sweating and although I didn’t log any actual activity, I sure did get my steps in that night.

I am over the halfway mark of the Colonel’s PT Challenge.  I’ve logged 16.38 hours and walked 14.2 miles.

 

My activity consisted of indoor walks, visits to the gym for High Fitness and my new EGYM membership, and the floor elliptical during work hours.  I spent one morning shoveling snow before work when we got 4-5 inches. 

Weekly WI: EGYM

Good afternoon and Happy Wednesday.  I am working an overtime shift today, which has been a very busy morning.  I can see the sun is shining so maybe I can get out for a walk after and move my body.

 

I had a consolation at the gym yesterday for the new EGYM concept.  You meet with a trainer and set up each of the 11 weight machines to your comfort level and the amount of weight based on your strength test.  When you scan your id bracelet, the machine atomically adjusts to your specification.  There is a $10 extra monthly fee on top of my membership, but I am hopeful they will expand the machines. 

What I didn’t except during the consultation was all your metrics calculated.  My bio-age for strength is that of a 72-year-old.  I’m not sure if that is a positive attribute or a negative one.   I just turned 45.  I guess time will tell as I build strength, tone, and muscle.

 

My Weekly WI was a loss at the scale.  Whew.  I was hopeful last week was just temporary and worked hard at accomplishing my goals and staying on track.

 

I am feeling a little blah when it comes to exercise lately and just not wanting to workout.  I took a couple days of rest and had day where I didn’t quite meet my activity goals.  Those days happen.  I am doing my best to jump back in and plan to use my new EGYM membership three times a week.

2025 Colonel’s PT Challenge

 The 2025 Colonel’s PT Challenge is in full force, and I’ve been working hard towards my goal of 30 hours of activity in 10 weeks. 

 

I have completed 32.5 % of my goal and walked 9.58 miles. 

 

My activity consists of walking on the treadmill, walking on the indoor track at the gym, using the floor elliptical at work and home, and attending fitness classes.  I’ve been going to two classes I’ve not been to in a while, Core Focus is a 30-minute workout that gives you a nice all over body workout in a good amount of time.  I really despise 60-minutes gym classes.  The other class is High Fitness which is your old-style aerobics.  I really love aerobics.  This class is 45-minutes which is also an acceptable amount of time.

 

It feels good to be more consistent with activity.  This week’s tracking has been going well and eating meals at home sure does help.  I am anxious to get on the scale Tuesday but am thinking I should be down.  It would be so nice to end the month lower than I started!  I also must complete my official employee weigh-in for January.  It will be up because I have not checked in since before our December cruise.  But that is okay because I know I am making progress and it will soon show on the official scale too.

Weekly WI: A Surprising Loss

Good Afternoon.

(yawn)

 

I’m tired today.  I volunteered at the Elks for bingo last night and didn’t get done until after 10pm.  It was an early wakeup call this morning for my overtime shift.  But we had fun!

 

Last week’s Idaho State Elks Association Summer Convention was a huge success.  It was also a ton of work and really exhausting.  I walked a ton Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as each day were over 12-hours long.

 

Despite feeling like I’d have a gain, I lost 1.4 pounds this week.  That was a pleasant surprise!

 

I tried to keep my food in check, but it was just too hard being at the lodge all day.  I should have planned some snacks and since I didn’t, late night hamburgers were consumed one of the late nights.  I felt sick to my stomach on Friday after the luau dinner and ended up not feeling well most of Saturday which also threw off my food.  Even more reason I was very happy with my loss this week.

 

I have acquired my grandpa’s electric tricycle, which made its inaugural trek to the grocery store.  I can carry so many items now that I have this large basket on back.  I brought home a watermelon!

 

It took a little bit of work and help from Kenyon to get it running but I’m so glad we did.  What a special treat to be able to use his bike.  I love it!

The 10-Week Colonel’s PT Challenge Has Come To An End

 The 10-week Colonel’s PT Challenge has come to an end.  Here are the results of the last two weeks.

 

 

February 25 – Glorious outdoor walk before our weather turned on us.  I logged 22 minutes and 1.16 miles.

 

February 27 – 20-minute treadmill walk for 0.84 miles., 20 sit-ups, and 20 push-ups.

 

February 28 - 60-minute gym class and 25 push-ups.

 

February 29 - 28-minute treadmill walk and 20 sit-ups.

 

March 01, 02, and 03 were BUSY and I did not have time to squeeze in any activity.  Even when I thought I could, the winter weather wreaked havoc on us making work insanely busy.

 

 

I found my grove again and just celebrated a 7-day activity stretch.

 

March 04 – 30-minute bike/elliptical workout.

 

March 05 – 20-minutes treadmill for 0.92 miles, 10-minute bike elliptical workout, 20 sit-ups, 30 push-ups.

 

March 06 - 22-minute treadmill walk for 1.02 miles with an incline, 20 sit-ups, and 15 push-ups.

 

March 07 - 50-minute outdoor walk for 2.56 miles.

 

March 08 – Today, I had to get creative!  20-minute treadmill walk for 0.86 miles, 9 minutes on the big electric console bicycle at work, and 15 minutes bike/elliptical workout.

March 09 - 35 minutes bike/elliptical workout.

 

We still have until March 11, and I plan to do my weight-in on Monday to log my results.  When the challenge started out, I was hopeful I’d lose 5% of my weight but that won’t be the case.  Bummer.  I will keep working on bringing the scale down!

 

I surpassed my aerobic goal and let the sit-ups/push-ups lapse a bit.  Maybe next year…may not!

Colonel's PT Challenge: Week 8

Happy Saturday to you!!

 

I am in better spirits today than I have been for a good portion of the week.  I received some rough feedback last Friday at work and I let that put me into a downward spiral of emotions.  I’ve had a week to “unpack” it all and process so I’m feeling better.

 

I didn’t post a Weekly WI, which was a maintain.  I am taking that as a win, but it is hard not to be down on myself.  I’ve been working this week on 100% tracking and ramping up the activity.  We have been blessed with beautiful sunshine weather which makes me wish Spring was closer.

 

February 18 – 30-minute treadmill walk for 1.5 miles.

February 19 – No activity.

February 20 – No activity.

February 21 – 60-minute cardio strength class, where I completed 70 push-ups during the class.

February 22 – 30-minute walk at the YMCA indoor track for 1.5 miles.

February 23 – 33-mile outdoor walk in the GLORIOUS sunshine for 1.59 miles, 10 sit-ups, and 10 push-ups.

February 24 – 30-minute bike/elliptical machine.

 

Aerobic / High Intensity - 86% completed.

Sit-ups / Push-ups – 38.9% completed.

 

I have two weeks to go!

Colonel's PT Challenge: Catching Up

How the heck did I get so far behind on reporting in for the Colonel’s Challenge?  Week 3 was my last recap and that was January 20.  What is happening?!?  Welp, here is the recap of the last few weeks.

 

 

January 21 - 30-minute treadmill walk for 1 mile, 40 push-ups, and 20 sit-ups 

 

January 22 - 10 sit-ups and 20 push-ups.  Somedays even if I’m not able to get in activity, I’ve been trying to get in a few sit-ups and push-ups.

 

January 23 - No activity.

 

January 24 – I was able to get to the gym for my favorite 60-minute strength and cardio class, 20 sit-ups, 30 push-ups. 

 

January 25 – I lasted only 30 minutes of TRX and functional kettlebells at the gym.  I was really sore from Jim’s class the day before so I bowed out and walked in the indoor track for 22 minutes and 1 mile.  I also completed 20 sit-ups and 50 push-ups. 

 

January 26 - 30 minutes on the elliptical/bike.

January 27 - Travel Day steps…lots of steps.  I am counting 55 minutes and 2 miles.

 

Traveling to Nashville/Knoxville for a work conference posed some challenges in getting in daily activity so I used walking/steps to log some and made a commit one day to wake up early and hit the hotel gym.  The rest of the days I started my activity tracker every time we walked to/from the hotel and the convention center.

  

January 28 – I hit up the treadmill at the hotel gym for 20 minutes and .92 miles.  I also completed 30 sit-ups, and 10 push-ups.  My co-worker and I logged lots of steps walking downtown.  I counted 57 minutes and 2 miles.

 

January 29 – Combined workouts of 40 minutes walking for a total of 1.41 miles, 10 sit-ups and 10 push-ups.

 

January 30 – Combined workout of 30 minutes walking for a total of 1.3 miles.

 

January 31 – Combined workout of 18 minutes of walking and 0.7 miles.

 

February 01 – Travel Day steps.  I counted 31 minutes and 2 miles.

 

February 02 – No activity.

 

February 03 – No activity.

 

I came home from the training exhausted and with a head cold so getting in activity has been difficult.  I am feeling better and plan to ramp it back up.

 

February 04 - 20 sit-ups and 20 push-ups.

 

February 05 - No activity.

 

February 06 – I had the MOST fun at a 60-minute HITT workout with a local group called KegFit.  We worked out in the back room of Barbarian Brewery and afterwards, had a recovery beer in the taproom.  It was a blast and I met so many great people and I’d loved to do this again.  I also completed 20 sit-ups and 30 push-ups. 

 

February 07 - No activity.

 

February 08 - 30 minutes on the bike/elliptical. 

 

February 09 - 30 minutes on the bike/elliptical. 

 

February 10 - 30 minutes on the bike/elliptical. 

 

Whew.  Sorry to leave you hanging.  We are all caught up now!  I have four weeks to go.