Insanity and Fitbit

Saturday, April 06, 2013

I took my 2nd Insanity class today at the gym I belong to - and I love it! The first time I was a little unsure of some of the transitions and exercises. Today, I pushed a little more and I feel it already. Love the energy in the class. For now it's being scheduled as introductions for the membership to sign up and get interested. I can't wait for it to go on their regular schedule at the end of the month.

I'm still thinking of getting a Fitbit or something similar. Thanks to my SP Friends who have given me feedback. Throwing it out there again to the blog-land to see if I can get any more info.

* Do you have a fitbit? Something different but similar?
* How long have you had it?
* What do you like? Not like?
* How often do you use it?

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HOLLYS_NEW_LIFE 4/7/2013 11:48AM

Sorry, I don't have a fit bit or anything like it. Glad you like insanity, it's a bit TOO insane for me, lol! Report Inappropriate Comment

KCHRISTY6 4/6/2013 9:20PM

I don't know if you're sold on the Fitbit or not, but I have the BodyMedia band and I love it. I love all of the data and the graphs that it provides (sleep hours, steps taken, exercise minutes, etc.) and it's so cool the way the fitness minutes sync with SP. The only downside is when wearing short sleeved shirts people ask what the heck is on my arm. It is a bit more expensive than the Fitbit as well, so I don't know if that matters or not. Report Inappropriate Comment

CBLENS 4/6/2013 8:43PM

Can't wait to see what others say, may invest in one took. Hope your weekend is fantastic! Report Inappropriate Comment

CANDEE412 4/6/2013 6:43PM

I am curious too as it would be worth to have Report Inappropriate Comment

To Fitbit or not to Fitbit?

Saturday, March 30, 2013

I've been thinking about getting a Fitbit but not sure if it's really worth it once the "novelty" has worn off -- and I'm not sure which one would be best. I like the features that are described on the website for the new one being released in May, but is it really worth it? Would the other ones be sufficient?

So, I'm looking for Fitbit feedback. Pros/cons, suggested versions, and/or other suggestions. Max I can spend is around the $100 range for something like this. (It will be a gift to myself for Mother's Day and I want a bike too.) If you have one, how long have you had one? How often do you wear it? Etc....

Let me know what you think....

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CBLENS 4/1/2013 2:37PM

I'm waiting for the bracelet one to come out & see what others say about it. Let us know what you decide. Report Inappropriate Comment

KTTAYLOR21 3/30/2013 10:25PM

I've been thinking about getting some type of heart rate monitor. Haven't done much research but wondered about the fitbit as well. Glad you posted this and will keep an eye out on the feedback. Report Inappropriate Comment

ADARKARA 3/30/2013 5:11PM

I wear mine every day. I use it to make sure I'm getting enough steps in during the day, and because it connects directly with SparkPeople. I have the ultra, and I wear it on the center of my bra. I would say it's made me much more aware of how little I move sometimes, and encouraged me to move more. I don't, however, wear it when I'm purposefully exercising, unless it's just walking, as it sometimes doesn't register the calories burned correctly during taebo or cardio. =) I got it as a gift but if I had paid for it myself I would have thought it worth it. The only thing I was annoyed with is they tell you it tracks your sleep, but you have to pay extra for the full sleep analysis, or it just tells you how many times you wake up, which to me seems kinda useless. Hope that helps! Report Inappropriate Comment

GODDREAMDIVA1 3/30/2013 5:11PM

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Loosely on Track

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

About a 1 1/2 years ago I had this great momentum, push, energy, and drive. I ate really well, exercised daily, and tracked it all. Lost all kinds of weight, was feeling really good and enjoying it all. Not sure where it all slowed down or changed... kind of tired of trying to figure it out. Not going to try to explain it to myself, or anyone really, anymore. Done apologizing to myself. Done trying to re-create it. It won't happen because I'm trying TOO hard. I've lost the focus of the process and have been only focusing on the RESULT. So, I decided, I'm not going to try so hard.

Part of my problem before was that I didn't have balance for some other things I enjoyed, and for my family. I was pretty centered only on the food/exercise part of healthy and not the WHOLE ME. I guess I went to the other extreme. Either way... not going there again.

So, I've been doing what I can, when I can. Not punishing myself... or trying not to punish myself... about it when I don't. Doing something small is better than nothing at all. The gym once or twice a week - walks with my husband. HealthIER meals but not bland boring meals that will make me miss other foods. Moderation. The extra pounds will come off, slowly maybe but they will. As long as I'm moving in the right direction... I will get there. Just going to stay loosely on track for a while keeping the process as my goal.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TKLBRIDGET 3/17/2013 8:49PM

I think you'll go far with your great attitude! Report Inappropriate Comment

CBLENS 3/17/2013 7:22PM

Sounds perfectly in line, especially as the great energy to push ones self weans. Just doing the small steps is better than none at all. You are being very realistic. I wish you continued success as you move forward. Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNMACP0212 3/13/2013 11:26PM

Persistence not perfection is something I've heard at WW meetings. There's a lot of truth to that. Your attitude is great--you'll get there again. Report Inappropriate Comment

EWL978 3/13/2013 11:19PM

Sounds like a good plan....life is too short to get aggravated and you're right to know that!! Keep on keeping on.... and enjoy!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Hyperthinking about my food

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Lately I have noticed that I am hyper-thinking about my food. Once I'm up and functioning in the morning (2 cups of coffee, some email, Sparkpeople and Facebook in that order), it's time for breakfast. I have to wait an hour after I take my morning thyroid medication, and that usually works out well because I'm not really hungry as soon as I roll out of bed.

But once I have decided on my breakfast, and packed my snack & lunch for the office, I can't stop thinking about it. The last few days have been bad! I keep thinking about my snack and trying to pace myself to wait until at least 10am. I'm not always hungry, I just can't stop thinking about it. Same thing for lunch. If I'm truly hungry I will just go ahead and eat - I get headaches if I wait to long.
But, I'm not talking about ignoring my hunger pains. My food isn't all that fab either (though today's leftover ravioli soup was pretty tasty). I just have it in my head to eat. I think I'm bored. (Um, yeah... I'm at work...) and a little fixated on what I'm eating and watching the clock. I just want to eat. No good reason. Now that lunch is over and my snack is gone. I'm thinking about dinner. Ugh!

I was thinking better meal planning would help. But maybe not - my meals are planned through the day for the most part and all I am doing is looking forward to the next one. I know what I'm having for snack & lunch and I just want to eat it.

Not a very healthy relationship with my food right now. Any suggestions? Words of wisdom? Encouragement? Kick in the pants?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HAKAPES 3/6/2013 5:41PM

Interesting thought. If I look at my current day, for me, it's also a difficulty. If I prepare some food ahead, I'm thinking about it. Same as you, not hungry, just thinking about it. Maybe this is why I didn't really get on a planned-meal regime. Did you find any solutions? I tend to hide things in the kitchen, and make them more difficult to access. Report Inappropriate Comment

CBLENS 2/6/2013 7:31PM

Hey, I take Synthroid and have to wait eat breakfast too. Agreed the planning for meals is important, unfortunately I haven't gotten there yet. Still get up and then think okay I need to be good so where do I go from here. Breakfast is easy but lunch is difficult for me. Can you take a walk when you are feeling like you want to eat at work or maybe get involved with something else that will take your mind elsewhere. There are lots of others is the same position. When I was making dinner tonight I swear I smelled brownies when I opened the microwave. Had to ask my husband if he had made something. That will be tomorrows blog. Still trying to get the brownie crave to leave me. Report Inappropriate Comment

Love the Spark Friends in my Head

Friday, February 01, 2013

I had a pretty un-sparky week this week. I didn't track everything and managed to give myself excuses to stay out of the gym or do anything at home. I know I ate more than I should have, and made a couple of (a few?) poor choices. ( On the upside, I did drink my water.) I stayed on the perimeter of Spark People - mostly because I knew (know) that it would make me think about my decisions and choices. But finally yesterday I did update my status lamenting (whining - you just couldn't hear it) about my week. That's all it took. A couple of my spark friends responded with comments, encouraging me and reassuring me.

So, this morning I planned to get to the gym for a workout and Zumba. I was going to do it... my Spark Friends had encouraged me.

But then the little talks/arguments inside my head started happening. They sound like... "But I have so much laundry. I need to go to the store. When am I ever going to get to Target? I really should clean the bathrooms before I leave the house." Do you have them? I've got myself almost excused from my plans - really I just wanted to be lazy. I sit down at my laptop almost convinced I'm just staying home when I get a Spark People email. From a Spark Friend. She sent me a Goodie with some encouragement. Now, SHE is in my head shushing (is that a word?) the other little voices into quiet submission. My Spark Friends believe in me and will be proud of me I tell myself...

So, I close the laptop and head to the gym.

You are invited to be in my head encouraging me along all the time and you are welcome to have me in yours.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CBLENS 2/2/2013 2:08PM

Yes, great blog, and everyone has days, week(s) like this. And it is people like you and the other "Sparks" who get you through it. Next week will be better! Oh and I got some cara cara oranges, they are good. Comment edited on: 2/2/2013 2:10:04 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

LESLIES537 2/1/2013 6:00PM

Go Shaunie, GO!! Report Inappropriate Comment

IBSHAUN 2/1/2013 4:19PM

Back Lisa! You are often in my head. Report Inappropriate Comment

LILLYPILLY24 2/1/2013 3:47PM

Oh Shaunie, this is a great blog - and reminds us of the responsibility we have toward each other. As we come here and open ourselves, and as we listen in as others open up too; as we invite others in - and accept the invitation in by others ... we then have a role to play. I'm SO glad you had that friend send you that goodie and message! I thank you for being that friend to me. I've had a similar week - hanging on by my fingernails in the biggest loser competition; making little good decisions in the midst of little bad ones, instead of being full-0n. It is what it is. I'm glad you worked out this morning. I'm glad you're reaching out. Bless you! (((hugs))) Report Inappropriate Comment