New toy!!!

I promise to post a recipe or two later this week....but for now, I wanted to tell everyone (or at least, my one faithful reader) about my new toy! Mr. X got me the Basis fitness band for my birthday!

I have had a FitBit Flex for awhile now, and while I liked it there were a few frustrating things about it. First off, the Flex had a very limited display and I would continually be looking at my wrist for the time. It also really only tracks steps. So each CrossFit class I would take off the FitBit, put on my heart rate monitor, then switch back at the end of class and manually enter the calorie burn. Not the end of the world, but kind of silly.

I started researching other fitness bands - debating moving up to the new FitBit Force, or getting something different - when I came across the Basis. The Basis counts steps, monitors sleep and estimates calorie burn just like the other trackers, but additionally it has sensors to capture your heart rate, perspiration and skin temperatures. This should lead to a more detailed level of information about your lifestyle.

The watch syncs directly with most Android and all iPhones, and the phone interface is pretty quick and easy to use. You can also access your stats online, and the statistics you can see are pretty mind-blowing.

You can see throughout the day when your heart rate changes, the steps you take, the calories you are burning, skin temperature and perspiration changes. Additionally the Basis can sense when you are walking, running or biking and keeps track of the amount of time you have done each activity.

The Basis also automatically detects when you are sleeping and can monitor the difference between light sleep, REM and deep sleep - and gives you a sleep score based on the amount of time you spend on each sleep cycle.

As opposed to goals, which is how the FitBit interface works, the Basis focuses on habits. You can chose from a variety of habits depending on what works for you. As you succeed in one habit you earn points that allows you to unlock your next habit. It starts out just having you wear the Basis for 12 hours at a time, this was really easy for me since I was used to wearing the FitBit. I also added an afternoon lap, because I know I tend to sit too long at work in the afternoon. Once I succeed at both of these habits I will be able to add more.  

I kind of like the habits - it is a bit more motivating to complete a habit if I am able to unlock more, as opposed to the goal of the FitBit. Although I will miss the excitement of my FitBit lighting up and vibrating when I made my calorie burn goal for the day! 

I wore the Basis to CrossFit for the first time tonight, since the Basis does not constantly monitor your heart rate in the same way a training Garmin watch would (for example), it definitely was slightly off on my measurements during my workout. So far, this would be my only complaint about the product. I did find that if I wore it slightly higher up on my wrist it seems to get better measurements. I also emailed their customer support and suggested they allow you to force a heart rate check by pushing a button. I know it never picked up my max heart rate during my workout because it just didn't happen to check at that point....it would have been nice to force it to check here and there during my workout. But it still gave me some great readings, and a better overall view of my activity during the day than the FitBit ever did. 

The Basis is also lacking a silent alarm feature, which I really liked in the FitBit. It also does not currently sync with sites such as My Fitness Pal, which is a little disappointing. Hopefully this is something that can add eventually. Then again, it is easy enough, if I decide to count calories again, to do the math in my head based on the calorie burn the Basis has for the day...

Overall I am excited to continue to use my new toy....and see if it pushes me to make slight improvements to my lifestyle. 

Sleep or run?

I know we have all done it. Set our alarm for 6:30 a.m. with the best of intentions for that early morning run, then hit snooze through the hour you set aside to work out.

As I was hitting snooze this morning, my mind (in my waking moments) contemplated the various articles I have been reading lately debating the health benefits of the dilemma between sleep and exercise.

The information has been around for awhile (2004), but it seems to be all over the place recently. Research has shown that sleep deprivation could actually be one contributing factor behind the obesity epidemic. (Obviously overeating and under-exercising are contributing factors as well -- so this is not an excuse to sleep all the time).

According to various studies, including one done at the University of Chicago, when the body has less sleep it produces higher levels of Ghrelin, the hormone released by the stomach that signals hunger. A sleep deprived body also releases less Leptin, a hormone released by fat cells that indicates fullness and an energy balance in the body. When these two hormones are imbalanced it signals a lack of available energy, compounded by lack of rest, this leads to consistent hunger. There is also some research that the release of melatonin increases during sleep, which in turn increases the leptin levels in insulin -- decreasing your appetite while you sleep. In studies, people suffering from lack of sleep ate up to 1,000+ calories in snacks alone during the day (versus 800+ calories for those with sufficient sleep). Additionally, the hormones that are triggered by sleep deprivation cause you to crave richer foods, things like pasta, cake and ice cream.

All this said, we know sleep is extremely important to the human body. It allows us to function properly, makes our immune system stronger, allows our brain to work faster, just to mention a few. The benefits of sleep are extensive. However, there are also benefits to exercise. I think in the long run, all this really leaves me with is a little less guilt when I hit snooze instead of jumping out of bed to jog...

And....we're back...

I had all but given up on my blog -- considering that I tell no one about it and therefore no one reads it -- but my hubbie (who I also had not told about my blog) discovered my blog and made me feel guilty for giving up so quickly.

This story came about in three parts. The original conversation went like this:
Me: I think I might start a blog, it will give me a chance to write about something that is not work...what do you think?
Hubbie: As long as I don't have to read it.

Now, in hubbie's defense he immediately, when this conversation was repeated to him after he discovered that I did in fact start a blog, stated that he was joking. That of course he wanted to read my blog! The second part of the story went something like this.

Friend: Almost everyone has a blog these days -- there is a blog about everything!
Me: (somewhat sheepishly) even I have a blog...
Hubbie: Wait, what?!?! You have a blog? Why didn't you tell me?
Me: I did! And you said you never wanted to read it!
Hubbie: Wow. I was joking!!!
Friend: What is it about?
Me: Healthy living and such.
Hubbie: Who reads it?
Me: Well....no one really, I have one follower, it is my best friend KP...but I haven't really told any one else it exists...
Hubbie: Yeah...not even me!

So, just over the weekend the fact that I had a blog came up once again. And I, at that point, admitted that I hadn't written anything in awhile, so I didn't really blog. The final conversation that brought me back:
Hubbie: Well how long has it been?
Me: I don't know...like two weeks?
Hubbie: Oh yeah, that is so long...so you are just going to give up?

Cue guilt. And here I am.

So after that obnoxious story, let me tell you what I made for dinner last night! Fingerling Potato-Leek Hash with Swiss Chard and Eggs. It was delicious! We received swiss chard and leek in our Farmhouse box, and this recipe appeared in my life simultaneously via Cooking Light. Despite the fact that it claims to take over an hour to make, it only took me about 45 minutes. I halved the recipe because Hubbie was out last night and it was only me, and I brought the leftovers for lunch today. Mmm...mmm...

Cooking Light. Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr, Leigh Ann Ross

I have also been keeping up (somewhat) regularly with the morning Boot Camp, I really like the trainer I work with and overall have been impressed with Boot Camp U.  It is less than an individual personal trainer, but the class is so small I still feel like I get tons of individual attention.

And now for my moment of bragging...I ran a 10K this past Sunday! The Statesman Cap10K here in Austin:

Hubbie ran too, he did the timed division - I did the "fun" run portion. I have never ran more than a 5K before. My goal was 1:30 (sounds horrible!!!) considering I did no training, and again, have never run that much. I did the race in 1:23 and some seconds...I am extremely proud of myself. It was difficult. The last two miles were really hard -- and by the last mile there was more walking than jogging -- but I finished. And I proved to myself that I can do it. My goal now is to train for next year, and get a better time!

Really it is just the pride of completely something that seemed that daunting to me. It really makes me realize if I set my mind to it -- I can do anything.

Sniffle...sniffle...sneeze...sniffle....

You guessed it! I had a cold. And on my birthday. BOO! Needless to say, the cold kept me away from boot camp this week, and the birthday kept me on the path-more-often-traveled of cupcakes, cookies and Tiramisu.

But it is time to jump right back on that wagon! I am going back to boot camp tomorrow morning. I am still a little sniffly, but I am sure I will survive. And I am beginning a new program: Lose It. For those of you with fancy-schmancy iPhones, there is an app....for those of us with fancy-schmancy Droids, or other phones, who don't get the addiction to products with apples on them....there is not an app. BUT you can still use the program online. And hopefully they will come up with apps for other phones soon.

I am also looking forward to receiving our Farmhouse box today, and planning healthy meals for next week. I actually feel more settled and in-control when I plan our meals for the week...

Hopefully this will start my weekend off, and therefore next week off, right!

Bootcamp day one: success!

So this morning started the first morning of the four-weeks of bootcamp that I have paid for so far. I hope to do four months total. It will be three days a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Originally I was just worried about getting out of bed and getting there on time. I did that this morning with no problem, but when I felt winded after just the warm-up I got a little more nervous.

Overall...it was actually really great! We did a jogging/moving warm-up, and then circuits. So you would jog from station to station - doing abs, arms...basically every body part (which I am sure I will notice intensely tomorrow when every body part is sore). I had a really hard time with some of the upper-body work outs (various push-ups and pull-ups) but that isn't surprising considering that is not where my strength lies. I think I will get better each week (at least I hope so)!

I know this first week or two will be tough, and I am sure I will be sore. But I think I will feel great if I just keep up with it! Not only that, but I know that my workout for the day is done! That is a great feeling, no struggling with myself about going to the gym when I really want to go home.

I am not going to push it too hard these first couple weeks, but my hope is that I will begin running on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Either way - bootcamp day one was very successful!

Boot camp!

I am starting a boot camp on Monday! I have been thinking about either a boot camp or personal trainer for awhile now. The latter is really pricey, so I looked into boot camps and I signed up with Boot Camp U Austin - which a couple people I know have gone to in the past. The first session is four weeks long. I am really hoping this will be a great jump start, since I have had a really hard time maintaining any consistency with my workouts. It is every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7am (yikes!).

I have always wanted to be a morning workout person - the concept sounds so appealing, wake-up, immediately do your work out...and that is it! The rest of the day is yours! But I am really, really not a morning person. I am hoping that since I paid for, and signed up for, this boot camp, that I will be able to drag myself out of bed. And who knows! Maybe this will turn me into a morning work out person from now on! Although four weeks isn't quite long enough to change into a habit...if I like the camp I plan to sign up for three more months. So it definitely has the potential of becoming a habit!

I am excited! Now I just have to get to bed early Sunday night...

Brrrrrrr......

This week has been CRAZY cold in Texas! Especially for Texas!!!!

So a couple updates. First off, I have decided to stop blogging about what I am eating every day. I still keep my own personal records, but really...who wants to read that?!?! I will, however, continue to blog about certain light recipes or creations that I find to be particularly tasty - I already have a couple from this week.

I have not had the best week sticking to my schedule, but this time it is out of my hands. So...Monday night I went for a run. Outside. It was amazing! The weather was perfect and I had a really great run. I changed up my route some to stay on better lit streets (it still gets dark early-ish) but did about 3 miles, with A LOT of hills. I was very proud of myself at the end. I finished off the run with some squats and other leg work (and yes, I was sore the next day!).

Tuesday I rushed out of work early to go to my spin class. As a side note, let me mention that the temperature dropped during the night Monday night. And after an icy slush storm (that of course, did NOT stick, meaning we did not get an ice day from work) the temperature was in the 30s. So I rush to spin class and arrive about 5 minutes early...and there was not a single open bike! The class was packed! But I did not give up and go home. In fact, I did a good elliptical machine work out and then some abs and arms work on my own! It was a great workout and again, yesterday, I could feel the results with a little soreness.

Yesterday went a bit down hill. Texas had rolling blackouts due to the storm, which included, at times, the area around my gym AND my office. We were sent home from work early and my gym shut down due to no power. And, sorry, I am a Texas girl. No way in hell I am running when it is 22 degrees outside. So I went home and made a delicious (albeit not the healthiest) Guinness Lamb Stew.

I am hoping the power stays on today, but I already plan to go to the gym closer to my house and fore go spin class. As much as I want to go - they are predicting snow starting late in the afternoon/early evening. Again, I am a Texas girl - I don't know how to drive in snow and I don't want to learn in a crash course. Not to mention that no one else here knows how to drive in snow either. SO....the closer to my house I can be the safer I probably am. I plan to do the treadmill or elliptical and then some arms and abs. It should be a good workout.

My ten week challenge isn't turning out as successfully as I hoped. But it is keeping me motivated to keep trying. In the meantime, I have already come up with my next ten week challenge...but more on that later.

Feelin' Good Again...

I have had a very productive weekend, but the most exciting part is that I am feeling better! As Robert Earl Keen so elegantly states: "It feels so good feelin' good again."

I am eager to jump back into the challenge. I feel that my body is back up to strength and I have managed to do many physical chores this weekend (including cleaning the garage, which may not sound like much...but you haven't seen our garage!). I will still go a little easy the first few days back - but tomorrow I plan to jog after work and Tuesday I will be back on the spin bike. Hopefully I won't experience any set-backs!

Now for some BBQ chicken, corn and baked beans - a great Sunday in Texas where it feels like Spring today!

Tentative excitment

I think my spell may finally be coming to an end. Although, I thought that Monday; Tuesday it was back. With a vengeance. Tuesday I thought I was feeling better. Sure, I had to take a couple Motrin...but just two during the day. But Tuesday night - WHAM. It was the worst night of all. The pain was excruciating - ok, now I feel like I am exaggerating, but it was bad. I took three Motrin, but I wasn't quick enough and the pain took it's sweet time subsiding. I believe Tuesday night was one of the worst nights this run. But yesterday I did ok. I started feeling a little puny after some house work, I did not make the mistake of Tuesday - I downed three Motrin as quick as possible. Now today seems to be ok. So I am tentatively excited that I am coming through the other side of this spell.

It is beautiful outside today. I am hoping I can make it home and go for a walk after work outside. This sounds more pleasant than an easy elliptical machine work out. But if it needs to be an elliptical work out so be it. I am still taking it slow - being cautious with my body. I certainly don't want to slip back into the spell. I maintain my tentative excitement that I may be getting back on track...to what will soon be an 8-week challenge...

On a side note, I thought Quinoa-stuffed bell pepper I made last night was delicious. I had a leftover for lunch today. Here is the recipe, I modified the one I stole it from:

Heat one TBSP olive oil over medium high heat in a saucepan. Add 1 cup quinoa. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes. Then add 1 cup chicken broth and 1/2 cup (or so) water. Bring to a boil. Cook until liquid is absorbed.

In the meantime, chop 1/4 - 1/2 red onion and 4-5 cloves of garlic (depending on your love for the garlic). Cut two red bell peppers in half. Place the pepper halves in a oven safe dish (I used a square glass pyrex dish). Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix the quinoa with the red onion and garlic in a bowl. Add in some grated mozzarella cheese. Drizzle olive oil and red wine vinegar in the mixture. Add salt, pepper and other spices to your liking (I used ground red pepper, because I like things spicy!).

Spoon the mixture into the red bell peppers and top with more mozzarella cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese has browned a bit.

Eat! Yum! Maybe I will start taking pictures of my food. Then I can be one of THOSE blogs! Actually, I am serious. I like those blogs.

Eager to get back on the horse...

so to speak. Last night was a good night, food wise. The spicy shrimp bowl was delicious (and I plan to eat leftovers for lunch). I also read a huge chunk of my book and made it over 6 hours before I had to take more motrin. However, I did have to take more motrin...and another dose while I slept. And will likely take another dose here shortly. Which, if I am really listening to my body, likely means that it isn't ready to start working out again yet. My ankle/foot is still swelling and getting sore and I am still occasionally running fevers. My doctors both recommended taking it easy until this "episode" has passed (which is their recommendation for any "episode"). I have an option of treating it with a different regimen of medication, which I may do if it doesn't improve - but they prefer I give it another day or two. So I will wait. Part of being healthy is listening to your body. And obviously I really wanted to challenge myself over the next ten weeks, but I don't want to hurt myself. I am able to space the motrin out a little more each day, hopefully this is a sign my body is recovering. Perhaps, if the weather warms I can try to go for a few short walks - keeping me close to home in case the pain flares up.

In the meantime, I will continue to eat healthy and shy away from the alcohol. Tonight I plan to (finally) make the beef and bell pepper stir fry, and I have already been brainstorming dishes for tomorrow night. My hubby's little brother (who also visited us this week) brought us some special family BBQ sauce, so I am thinking of healthy ways to make a meal with that (perhaps chicken). I also want to play with my brand new Kitchen-aid stand mixer...so I may have to whip up some bread or cookies Sunday. But don't you worry - I will only sample the products and deliver the remainder faithfully to my co-workers. Everyone wins!

Hopefully I can get back to working out soon. Tuesday's spin class felt SO amazing - even the sore abs and legs after felt good. Just to be that active felt great. It is frustrating to now have to take it so easy. But this too shall pass - and I will get right back on that horse (or in this case, spin bike).

Spin class #1!

I went back to spin class last night (yay me!). Although I used to frequent the Thursday classes (granted that was over a year ago) I only went to the Tuesday class once back then. This is because the first (and only) time I went to the Tuesday class the instructor turned off the lights and played classical music. Weird. And not the way to pump me up for a work out - and spin is definitely a work out. So - with a little trepidation (and running a little late) I grab the last bike in the spin room. Lucky for me Tuesday either has a new instructor (very, very possible over a year later) or she was just in a strange mood that one Tuesday. The instructor played great music (including some Florence and the Machine) and worked us hard. Spin is always a great work out. The first 15 minutes feel like the longest 15 minutes of my life....I find myself looking at the clock wondering why time is standing still. But after those first 15 minutes - the rest of the workout always flies by. The intervals sweep away the time and this instructor was great at adding in some "cycling recovery" (as she called it).

After spinning we did a bit of core work, and it was hard! Side planks, crunches and push ups. The push ups annoyed me a bit because I had planned to do some push ups today- c'est la vie - I guess now they are done and I don't have to do more push ups until my workout Friday! My arms are sore today, and if I keep up spinning I may need some bike shorts - but all in all, a great first day of my ten day challenge!