A brother (not mentioning names, of course!) was involved. Any questions?? Pin It
Thursday, April 22, 2010
My Shout Out to the BodyBugg
Basically, I am just so excited about this cool little gadget I got that I had to share it with you. It's called the Bodybugg and this thing is amazing!!! Pricey (I got mine off of ebay at a very reduced price) but so worth every penny! You wear a band with a sensor around your upper left arm. There is a wrist watch that goes with it where you get an up-to-the-minute read-out. It tracks the calories you burn, the steps you take (with accuracy, unlike many pedometers), activity duration and the time. If you want to glance back at yesterday's readings to try to push yourself to exceed them, you just hit a button on the wrist watch and there you have it! Awesome!
With your purchase you receive a free trial of the online program. Mine is for one full year. And you can do even more on the website. You sync your Bodybugg to the program and it calculates graphs for you. This enables you to see your calorie burn versus calorie intake (if you input your food for the day), it calculates your burn/intake deficit, it will track your weight and measurements and it even will show you exactly how many calories you burned during a certain duration. When you first register the Bugg, you can put in your goals. This helps determine what you should aim for as far a calorie deficit. For me, I shoot for a 1000 calorie deficit each day. Which means I need to burn 1000 more calories than I consume. Simple. And it works. The weight comes off and the motivation to keep going is strapped to my arm!
Now I love to exercise. Sure, I go through my slumps where I sort of fall off and put on a few pounds. But generally speaking, fitness is just a part of daily life. But this thing keeps me accountable. I am extremely visual, so to see the calorie count plain as day like that gives me that push to keep moving. Even simple stuff like settling for a parking spot further away from the entrance of the grocery store burns a few more calories. While I drop the few pounds that I set my mind to, I have worked out in the morning and evening. But even though I enjoy it, there are still nights where I just don't feel like doing anything beyond housework. You can sync the band to the website and see your projected calorie burn for the remainder of the day if you stay sedentary. So I can make an educated decision. Takes the guess work out.
Gonna be honest...I'm not loving the food consumption tracking part of the online program. It isn't real user friendly. So I use MyFitnessPal.com for tracking my calories eaten. This means that the Bodybugg website can't calculate my deficit for me, but I have basic math skills to help me do that quickly on my own. :)
Anyway, whether you have five pounds to lose or 100 or more, this little device can simplify that process for you. I've had mine for about 6 weeks and I am still as fully in love with it as I was on day one. And something so beautiful needed to be shared!!! Pin It
With your purchase you receive a free trial of the online program. Mine is for one full year. And you can do even more on the website. You sync your Bodybugg to the program and it calculates graphs for you. This enables you to see your calorie burn versus calorie intake (if you input your food for the day), it calculates your burn/intake deficit, it will track your weight and measurements and it even will show you exactly how many calories you burned during a certain duration. When you first register the Bugg, you can put in your goals. This helps determine what you should aim for as far a calorie deficit. For me, I shoot for a 1000 calorie deficit each day. Which means I need to burn 1000 more calories than I consume. Simple. And it works. The weight comes off and the motivation to keep going is strapped to my arm!
Now I love to exercise. Sure, I go through my slumps where I sort of fall off and put on a few pounds. But generally speaking, fitness is just a part of daily life. But this thing keeps me accountable. I am extremely visual, so to see the calorie count plain as day like that gives me that push to keep moving. Even simple stuff like settling for a parking spot further away from the entrance of the grocery store burns a few more calories. While I drop the few pounds that I set my mind to, I have worked out in the morning and evening. But even though I enjoy it, there are still nights where I just don't feel like doing anything beyond housework. You can sync the band to the website and see your projected calorie burn for the remainder of the day if you stay sedentary. So I can make an educated decision. Takes the guess work out.
Gonna be honest...I'm not loving the food consumption tracking part of the online program. It isn't real user friendly. So I use MyFitnessPal.com for tracking my calories eaten. This means that the Bodybugg website can't calculate my deficit for me, but I have basic math skills to help me do that quickly on my own. :)
Anyway, whether you have five pounds to lose or 100 or more, this little device can simplify that process for you. I've had mine for about 6 weeks and I am still as fully in love with it as I was on day one. And something so beautiful needed to be shared!!! Pin It
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
"Day of Reckoning"
So yesterday was Parent / Teacher conference day. Report cards are handed out during these meetings. I was actually feeling a little stressed about the whole thing. Big surprise, right? Me, stressed??!! As I was walking from my van into the school one of Micah's classmates parents' were also going in. The dad looked at me and said, "It's the day of reckoning, huh?". I thought it was well stated!
Anyway, Catesby and I both went in to meet with the teachers. And I think we both left there feeling pretty darn good. Micah missed straight A's by one B+. This is huge for a boy that entered school for the first time this year and tested way below his age group. He has adapted to the classroom setting and really applied himself to his work and has made big progress. He was so happy to learn his grades and is determined to bring that B+ up to an A for the final quarter. He's got some very proud parents!
Alex and Hannah both got excellent marks. It's interesting to learn that they are such very different students. Alex comes by learning pretty naturally. It isn't necessary for him to work too awful hard to make good marks. Learning to slow down and really put his full effort into his work is our next goal. Hannah has to try harder. She's a great student who puts her heart into her work. Reading doesn't come to her quite as easily and she has to focus hard on her phonics rules. It was considered at the beginning of the year having her repeat kindergarten. She was on the younger end of the spectrum in her class, and things were just coming slower to her. Her teacher let us know last night that there is no doubt she has caught up! Thrilling to hear!!
Nikolas struggles with dyslexia. And this is hard. It's hard on him, obviously. It's also very hard to watch him struggle so. He wants to be "normal". He wants to learn like the other kids. But that isn't the way he was made. Accepting that is the hard part. And then determining that he isn't going to let it stop him is the next step. The thing is, this boy is incredibly bright. Witty. Funny. Creative. I could go on and on. Once we get passed this hurdle, we'll all be so relieved...but nobody more than Nik himself. I think this year has brought with it huge change for him, and good things are happening. I think this whole thing is just a good lesson on the value of hard work as well as learning to be patient and waiting on God's timing!
I'm thankful for a school with teachers who are willing to invest the extra time and energy in their students to help them reach their full potential! Pin It
Anyway, Catesby and I both went in to meet with the teachers. And I think we both left there feeling pretty darn good. Micah missed straight A's by one B+. This is huge for a boy that entered school for the first time this year and tested way below his age group. He has adapted to the classroom setting and really applied himself to his work and has made big progress. He was so happy to learn his grades and is determined to bring that B+ up to an A for the final quarter. He's got some very proud parents!
Alex and Hannah both got excellent marks. It's interesting to learn that they are such very different students. Alex comes by learning pretty naturally. It isn't necessary for him to work too awful hard to make good marks. Learning to slow down and really put his full effort into his work is our next goal. Hannah has to try harder. She's a great student who puts her heart into her work. Reading doesn't come to her quite as easily and she has to focus hard on her phonics rules. It was considered at the beginning of the year having her repeat kindergarten. She was on the younger end of the spectrum in her class, and things were just coming slower to her. Her teacher let us know last night that there is no doubt she has caught up! Thrilling to hear!!
Nikolas struggles with dyslexia. And this is hard. It's hard on him, obviously. It's also very hard to watch him struggle so. He wants to be "normal". He wants to learn like the other kids. But that isn't the way he was made. Accepting that is the hard part. And then determining that he isn't going to let it stop him is the next step. The thing is, this boy is incredibly bright. Witty. Funny. Creative. I could go on and on. Once we get passed this hurdle, we'll all be so relieved...but nobody more than Nik himself. I think this year has brought with it huge change for him, and good things are happening. I think this whole thing is just a good lesson on the value of hard work as well as learning to be patient and waiting on God's timing!
I'm thankful for a school with teachers who are willing to invest the extra time and energy in their students to help them reach their full potential! Pin It
Friday, April 2, 2010
Moving Forward . . . Brace Yourself
When life hands you what you don't see coming, it's easy to lose your bearings. Actually, it can knock you right on your backside. It takes awhile to realize exactly what hit you and how much damage accompanied the blow. And even once you figure that much out, you have to keep slogging along trying to figure out where that leaves you now. My situation is not unique. In one way or another, to a greater or lesser degree, it happens to everyone at some point in life. That transient moment. The one where you find yourself forced to stretch and grow. How we handle it . . . now that is the unique part.
For me, I have delved deep into my feelings. My experiences. My heartache and anger. I've even caused plenty of my own. And when I came out the other side, I found that for me to grow, I really needed to move on. To not dwell on what is done, but to try to ensure that what is yet undone is done better. You know what I mean? Maybe not, but that is okay!
What shocks people is that I am moving on with my life. Have I made mistakes along the way? Absolutely. And I'm sure I'll continue to stumble. But I am testing the waters and finding things (and people) that truly bring me happiness. I am slowly finding peace. For some that may seem odd. Or out of place. "You were a married woman, after all. You were blessed with 5 beautiful children. How can you so easily move on and feel okay about it?" This is a question that I know so many have and I really can't answer. All I know is what is real. And I also know that I did my grieving of my marriage slowly over most of a decade. It wasn't something I was verbal about, so to anyone else it probably seems sudden. I assure you, it wasn't. My kids' daddy is a great person full of potential. He is traveling the roughest road of his life to this point. It is my prayer that it only gets better. My hearts breaks for him. "If that's so then why not make it work?" you might ask. And there is an answer to that question, though I believe it should rightly remain between he and I. And of course, God.
As for moving on, that is the part I have struggled with being open about. It goes right back to my fear of people's opinion of me. Something I really want to learn to let go of. I can't do anything about it anyway, so it is just a waste of my mental and emotional energy. And I need every ounce of energy I can muster! I am currently in a relationship. There I said it. And yes, it was painful! I am already shrinking under the perceived thoughts and judgment of others. However, it is necessary to stop trying to hide what is reality.
He is a good, huge-hearted man. Once you chip away a bit of his somewhat hard exterior, there is a treasure inside. A guy who has known his share of heartache and struggle, but is determined that God isn't finished with him yet. It's a growing process, but some people just bring out the good in you and encourage you to reach higher. He is one of those people. Someone that makes me want to be better. Pushes me to keep trying till I get it right. I've been sitting in one place, not really advancing in my spiritual journey, for far too long. It's time to move!
So now that it's out (well, those in close proximity to me already knew, but even then I'm pretty closed off about it) I feel a bit better. Like I have just confessed a really huge secret and the burden has been lifted. Certainly, people have questions. Concerns for the kids. Concerns for my ex-husband. And I share those concerns. More than you can imagine. I can say that my kids have found a friend, but not a replacement for their very own Daddy. They are beyond blessed to have a father that loves them to the utmost. That is not something that children in intact homes can always boast of. Never, ever will I try or allow that relationship to be broken. But I can honestly say, there is a mutual enjoyment of each others company that is very healthy. They each respect the unspoken bounds. And my kids are always happy for attention!
Now, I'm off to enjoy this amazing spring day!!!! Pin It
For me, I have delved deep into my feelings. My experiences. My heartache and anger. I've even caused plenty of my own. And when I came out the other side, I found that for me to grow, I really needed to move on. To not dwell on what is done, but to try to ensure that what is yet undone is done better. You know what I mean? Maybe not, but that is okay!
What shocks people is that I am moving on with my life. Have I made mistakes along the way? Absolutely. And I'm sure I'll continue to stumble. But I am testing the waters and finding things (and people) that truly bring me happiness. I am slowly finding peace. For some that may seem odd. Or out of place. "You were a married woman, after all. You were blessed with 5 beautiful children. How can you so easily move on and feel okay about it?" This is a question that I know so many have and I really can't answer. All I know is what is real. And I also know that I did my grieving of my marriage slowly over most of a decade. It wasn't something I was verbal about, so to anyone else it probably seems sudden. I assure you, it wasn't. My kids' daddy is a great person full of potential. He is traveling the roughest road of his life to this point. It is my prayer that it only gets better. My hearts breaks for him. "If that's so then why not make it work?" you might ask. And there is an answer to that question, though I believe it should rightly remain between he and I. And of course, God.
As for moving on, that is the part I have struggled with being open about. It goes right back to my fear of people's opinion of me. Something I really want to learn to let go of. I can't do anything about it anyway, so it is just a waste of my mental and emotional energy. And I need every ounce of energy I can muster! I am currently in a relationship. There I said it. And yes, it was painful! I am already shrinking under the perceived thoughts and judgment of others. However, it is necessary to stop trying to hide what is reality.
He is a good, huge-hearted man. Once you chip away a bit of his somewhat hard exterior, there is a treasure inside. A guy who has known his share of heartache and struggle, but is determined that God isn't finished with him yet. It's a growing process, but some people just bring out the good in you and encourage you to reach higher. He is one of those people. Someone that makes me want to be better. Pushes me to keep trying till I get it right. I've been sitting in one place, not really advancing in my spiritual journey, for far too long. It's time to move!
So now that it's out (well, those in close proximity to me already knew, but even then I'm pretty closed off about it) I feel a bit better. Like I have just confessed a really huge secret and the burden has been lifted. Certainly, people have questions. Concerns for the kids. Concerns for my ex-husband. And I share those concerns. More than you can imagine. I can say that my kids have found a friend, but not a replacement for their very own Daddy. They are beyond blessed to have a father that loves them to the utmost. That is not something that children in intact homes can always boast of. Never, ever will I try or allow that relationship to be broken. But I can honestly say, there is a mutual enjoyment of each others company that is very healthy. They each respect the unspoken bounds. And my kids are always happy for attention!
Now, I'm off to enjoy this amazing spring day!!!! Pin It
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