BodyBugg: The First Week

31 May By

I’ve been using my BodyBugg for seven days now, so I thought I would share how it has been going. Let’s rewind to day one…at the beginning the software asks you a whole series of questions to get an idea of your body type, eating habits, and fitness level. Then you enter your height and weight (there is also an option to put in all of your body measurements, which I havent gotten around to taking and entering yet). You then set a goal (gain weight, lose weight, get fitter). Based on all the information you input into the system, and how fast you want to reach your goal, BodyBugg sets a calorie burn, and intake, level for each day. Basically, the BodyBugg is based on the good ol’ fashioned idea that you have to burn more calories every day than you take in to lose weight. You have a certain calorie deficit you should be aiming for on a daily basis.

I wear the arm band all day everyday (except for sleeping and in the shower).  It tracks my movement, heart rate, sweat level, and temperature as I sit at my desk, workout, do laundry, or lounge on the couch. I log all of my food manually into the phone app or my computer.

My (pink) BodyBugg

So far it has been amazing. It’s so cool to see how many calories I am actually burning during various workouts. My calorie intake goal for each day has also been eye-opening. I’ve learned that when you are conscious about what you eat, you can stretch those calories pretty far. I am more conscious than ever of portion size.

You definitely have to figure out what your priorities are. I’ve been able to enjoy one or two cocktails (ok, three) over the weekend by simply eating reasonably throughout the day. Has it been a cake walk the whole time? No, there were a few days at the start that I felt very hungry in between meals. I had to learn what to eat, and when to eat, to maximize every calorie I was consuming.

Have I lost weight? Definitely (I’m not going to do an official weigh-in till the end of week two). Mostly I feel so much better and that’s what’s most important to me (remember healthy > skinny).

Each night I do a data dump from the arm band onto my computer and it tells me what my stats for the day are.

Check it out some of my days so far…

Day 3 – Saturday, May 26

Activity – P90X Plyometrics (burned up to 10 cal/min)

Consumed 1,512 calories, Burned 2,488 calories

Day 4 – Sunday, May 27

Activity – 3.5 mile run, 10 min/mile pace (hilly and 80 degrees, burned up to 12.8 cal/min)

Consumed 1,318 calories, Burned 2,652 calories

Day 6 – Wednesday, May 30 (shown on iPhone app)

Activity – Lunch time walk, 45 minute circuit workout (jump rope, strength training, calisthenics)

Consumed 1,377 calories, Burned 2,262 calories

So far this has been just what I needed to kick-start a healthy lifestyle recharge. I already had the workout part down and now BodyBugg has shown me the path to getting the eating part right as well. No, I’m not doing public weigh-ins, and I don’t have a consultant to answer to, but I have to face the one person I want to disappoint the least…myself.

One week down!

Updated…
Week 2
Week 3

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Hump Day Happiness

30 May By

And just like that it’s Wednesday already. The benefits of a Monday off are many!

Here’s some things bringing me happiness on this Wednesday, I hope they bring you some too!

I love vegetables and I’ve heard people talk about how amazing roasted brussel sprouts are for a long time. I’ve just never gotten around to actually making them. Now that I have thrown some major fuel on my healthy-living fire (thank you BodyBugg, more on this tomorrow!!), I figured it was finally time to get my hands on some sprouts! After washing and trimming them I cut the sprouts in half. I mixed them in big bowl with two tablespoons of olive oil, some sea salt and pepper. I placed them out on a cookie sheet and roasted them at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes (till brown and crispy). They were delicious and so filling!

***

 This weekend my fabulously hip, Santa Monica-residing sister is back on the East Coast for a wedding, which means sister reunion!!

***

The Potomac with downtown DC and the Washington Monument off in the distance

My BodyBugg also has me rethinking my normal sit-at-my-desk-and-do-nothing-lunches. I’m taking advantage of my lunch break, getting out of the office, and taking in some sunshine and fresh air with a leisurely walk. It’s been hot, but it feels good to stretch my legs and get the blood flowing. Plus, I get to take in this beautiful scenery.

 

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The Mayonnaise Jar

29 May By

One of my former middle school teachers posted this on Facebook (thanks Mr. Lord!). I just loved it (I’m a big fan of a good metaphor) and thought I’d share it here.

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee…

A professor stood before his philosophy class
And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
Them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open
Areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively
Filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.
‘Now,’ said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things – family,
Children, health, Friends, and
Favorite passions -
Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained,
Your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else –The small stuff.
‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’
He continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So…
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
‘Take care of the golf balls first –
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities.
The rest is just sand.’

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled.
‘I’m glad you asked’.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.’

I found this especially poignant after Memorial Day, a time when we remember those who’s lives were cut too short. So, go take care of your golf balls.

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Happy Memorial Day

28 May By

In between BBQ’s and beers take a moment to remember why today isn’t just a nice day off from work.

Thank you to everyone who has served this country, especially those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. You are all truly heroes.

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Salt Air

25 May By

Memorial Day weekend starts today (hooray)! It seems all anyone can talk/think about is the beach and I am no exception! Sadly, I am not actually going to the beach this weekend, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dream of my toes in the sand and the salt air in my hair. If I put on my Jimmy Buffett Pandora station, and close my eyes, it’s almost like I’m there…

Growing up I spent 12 consecutive summers going to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I’ve been to a lot of beaches all over the world (Mexico, Florida, Greece, Italy and California), but nothing can replace my love for, and sentimental attachment to, the OBX. It’s still one of my favorite places on earth. I think a trip back is definitely in order!

Does it get any better than this?

Source: google.com via Briana on Pinterest

To all of you heading to the beach this weekend…I hate you…I mean…have a great time!

Happy Holiday Weekend to all!

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Hump Day Happiness (and Inspiration)

23 May By

Here’s something brining me happiness (and inspiration) on this Wednesday, I hope it brings you some too!

via

It’s that time of year when a whole new class of young graduates joins the work force. Hopes are high and futures seem bright, but first, you have to make it through the actual graduation. Often a key-note speaker is someone you have never heard of, some intellectual somebody, or a big muckety-muck (I was blessed with a witty, and self-deprecating, Bob Costas, who was wonderfully entertaining). So I was surprised, and delighted, to see that Tufts University invited former Navy SEAL Eric Greitens to address the class of 2012. How wonderful to see a top-tier university honor a military veteran with the chance to do a commencement address. Even better was Greitens message to graduates of selflessness and service:

“What kind of service can I provide? What kind of positive difference can I make in the lives of others?’ If you work every day to live an answer to that question, then you will be stronger.“

My favorite part of the speech was when he said:

“The best definition I have ever heard of a vocation is that it’s the place where your great joy meets the world’s great need. … We need all of you to find your vocation. To develop your joys, your passions, and to match them to the world’s great needs.”

A great lesson (and reminder) for new, and past, graduates alike!

 

 

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Workout Wednesday: Plates

23 May By

This workout post is not about the kind of plate you use to eat. This post is about the kind of plates you use to offset all the eating (oh, am I the only one who works out  partially so I can eat delicious stuff?).

They looks something like this:

These weights are most often used in conjunction with machines and benches, but there are a lot of great ways to use them on their own.

I usually use a 25 pound plate.

Upper Body:

  • Hold the plate with both hands in front of your chest. Bring the weight in a clockwise rotation around your head and back to start. Move slowly and controlled. Do 12 reps. Switch directions and do 12 more. Works arms, shoulders, and chest!

Abs:

  • Hold the plate in your right hand. Bend your torso as far as you can (without moving hips or feet) to the right. Repeat 15 times then switch sides.
  • Lie on an ab bench that’s adjusted so your legs are above your head. Hug the plate to your chest as you do crunches. Do sets of 20.
  • Sit back on your tailbone and balance with feet in the air. Hold the plate in front of your chest and slowly rotate to the right and then the left. This is one rep. Do 10-20.

Cardio:

  • Hold the plate while doing any variety of cardio exercises including running stairs
  • Hold the plate while doing hopscotch-type jumping patterns. To make it more difficult, lift the plate up, and down, over your head as you jump.

Full body plate weight circuit:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gff-w53LOjk]

How do you use plate weights?

Have a happy workout!

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Food is Joy

22 May By

Today, I am linking up with one of my very best blogger friends, Sarah from Notice the Dirt. She has started a new “Food is Joy” series that is meant to remind us all that food is not the enemy. In her words “I want women to stop battling their plates over calories and start delighting in the way food fuels us, sates us, comforts us.  And I want all of this because we’ll never be healthy eaters if food is our nemesis.”

Notice the Dirt

I have a volatile love/hate relationship with food. Man, it sure tastes good, but the guilt I often feel after eating is depressing and exhausting. I forget what it’s like to just appreciate food and not over-analyze every bite.

So here goes, my attempt to remember that food is delicious, nourishing, and most definitely a source of joy.

This week’s prompt is your favorite food. As crazy as it sounds for a food lover, my favorite is salad. No, I’m not just saying this to seem “healthy,” I really, truly could eat a great salad every day (during B’s deployments it’s not uncommon for me to make the same salad for dinner 10 days in a row).

When I lived in Rome, there was a little Snack Bar (what they sometimes call a cafe) down the street from where I went to class. They would make the most amazing salads to order. It’s here that I learned the art of mediterranean salad making. A little bit of butter lettuce, some arugula, cucumber, artichoke, and a few chunks of fresh mozzarella. Top it all off with a dash of olive oil, a pinch of salt and perfecto!

These days, I make my salad with whatever I have handy, but my current favorite combination is:

{Spring mix lettuce, arugula, grape tomatoes, and red onion}

{Cucumber and red cabbage}

{Feta cheese, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and it’s ready to go}

Buon appetito!

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Last Weekend I…

21 May By

…reenforced my love of baseball with a(nother) trip to Nationals Park. The Orioles won in extra innings, making it that much sweeter.

Sweet seats

…learned that someone still knows their way around a beer pong table (that someone is me). It’s fun to play college student for a night once in a while.

…planted more flowers in our front yard. Yes, more flowers and yes, I am slowly becoming my mother. I just couldn’t resist the Dahlia bulbs on sale at Lowe’s.

…soaked up every second I could of the beautiful weather. Between planting flowers, doing my new fave circuit workout, and enjoying a birthday BBQ at our neighbors, this girl got her fill of vitamin D.

Beautiful Sunday evening

…picked up some new neon Nikes for the gym. They add some fun pizzaz to my generally black workout attire.

Lululemon Power Crops and new neon Nikes

All and all a pretty lovely weekend…only four days to the next one (but who’s counting)!

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(B and B) + P = 3

17 May By

I’m really bad at math, but I’ve got this equation down pat! I’ve really been so happy lately with our little family of three. That’s me, B, and Princess Penny of course. Life just seems right.

Content as can be, just us three.

I couldn’t be more excited, however, to become an Auntie for the first time (calm down Mom and Dad, neither lil sis has something to tell you)! One of my dearest friends is preggo! She’s the first of my ladies to hop on the mommy train and it’s been so fun to live vicariously through her. I hope I can be an honorary aunt/free babysitter!

I get to ooh and ahh over adorable stuff like this (without actually having to be pregnant myself!)…

I’m not sure what it is about onesies that makes my heart melt, but they are so darn cute!

 

Dear HEP,

I’m so excited for you, and can’t wait to meet your little bundle of joy in November!

XOXO

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