I LOVE MY FITBIT!
Because My Sailor loves me, we pooled together some pennies and I got a Fitbit Ultra!
It's RARE that I want a "gadget", but this was one of them! The Fitbit is a wireless activity monitor that can sync w/ MyFitnessPal, that I'm already a member of. It tracks the quality of your sleep and your steps (running, stairs, walking) throughout the day. The online program also helps you reach your fitness goals by helping you track your calories in vs calories burned. Of course, if you eat 1000 calories a day, and make them all Snickers bars, you won't lose weight even if you walk a ton. So I am still control of putting good quality fuel in my body. But I've been maintaining my weight for a while now (about 2 months) so I'm due for a big loss soon! The sleep monitoring function is great too. Most people who are obese suffer form insomnia as well. For example, last night I was in bed for about 8 hours, but only got 3 hours of quality sleep! Yikes! I wonder if that will change when we're on the road... I hope so! A break might be just what I need to get some more rest! We're going on vacation soon, and I plan in wearing it and syncing it everyday. After all, there are no vacations from a healthy lifestyle, because a healthy lifestyle includes healthy vacations!
Which brings me to - I LOVE THAT WE'RE GOING ON VACATION in TWO DAYS! There is still so much to do between now and then. 24 hours of work, plus finding time to pack and write up instructions for our new dog sitter. I need to make a trip to the bank, and pack for two completely different climates. Our first stop is Michigan (brrr!) and then we get to Orlando (yeah! Disneyworld here we come!). While I am really looking forward to getting a tour of My Sailor's hometown, meeting his family and friends, I'm also loving that we're working in some ways to steal some moments for us. We'll also hopefully be able to meet up with Lou Mongello (editor of Celebrations Press, the Disneyworld fan magazine I write a column for, and creator of WDWRadio) for a bit in Disneyworld. When I grow up (er, down), I want to be Lou Mongello. Check out his podcast if you haven't already.
Now on to a few things I think I don't love.
24 hours of work before vacation, in 2 days. Now don't get me wrong. I'm grateful for my job and to be employed. I created this beast I'm riding on, so it is what it is. But I wish vacation started TODAY and lasted even longer! Then again, who doesn't?!
Easily offended folks - I have a LONG fuse. It takes a good recurring behavior to really get my goat most of the time. I can put up with anything for a while. Over the past few weeks, I've seen lots of lists of "What never to say to a military wife" go around the internet. In case you've never seen them (and I didn't see them until I got involved in the military community), they read something like this:
1. "Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?"
2. "I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it."
3. "At least he's not in Iraq."
4. "Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc.?"
5. "What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he is gone?"
6. "How much longer does he have until he can get out?"
7. "This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it."
8. "My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through."
9. "Wow you must miss him?"
10. "Where is he exactly? Where is that?"
11. "Well he signed up for it, so it's his fault whatever happens over there."
12. "Don't you miss sex? I couldn't do it!"
13. "Well in my opinion...."
14. "OH, that's horrible...I'm so sorry!"
Honestly, the only one that offends me is #12 because my sex life is no one's business. If a good friend asked me, I might be open about it but other than that, none of these 'offend' me. Sure, we ALL say silly things to try to connect with other people. When I was first married, it was "When are you having kids?" Sounds like a "normal" thing to ask, right? When you think about it, it's actually deeply personal. I was never 'offended' by it - just mildly annoyed. Now that I'm in my 30's I understand a bit more, and compassion doesn't come hard. I understand that they are trying to connect with me, get to know me, and don't mean to be inconsiderate. I'm always hopeful that these lists are ment in good humor more than anything else. Reading it over, I think they can all be answered by "Yes, I miss him. Yes, he's a my hero. Yes, he's worth waiting for. It's not a lifestyle for everyone. Yes, I'm grateful he's not in any obvious line of fire. If he has to do his job, there probably won't be anything to come home to."
So I'd like to end on 2 "love" notes.
I love that my blogger friends and fellow Team Voicers FINISHED THE PRINCESS 1/2 MARATHON this last weekend! Way to go Amanda and Jonathon! You inspire me!
I love that people actually appreciate My Sailor. I don't get a "thank you" for being a certified coder. When I hear from a fan of my writing, it makes me glow for a day or two. (Celebrations Press readers - you're gonna LOVE the Big Thunder Mountain piece I picked up for an up coming issue! Keep your eyes peeled.) There aren't many jobs in life where strangers approach you, hug you, and thank you for doing your job. He doesn't get the sleep he deserves and sometimes, he doesn't even get the credit he deserves from me at home sometimes. So it's always a great reality check when someone says 'Thank you for putting your life on the line so I can live free.'
It's RARE that I want a "gadget", but this was one of them! The Fitbit is a wireless activity monitor that can sync w/ MyFitnessPal, that I'm already a member of. It tracks the quality of your sleep and your steps (running, stairs, walking) throughout the day. The online program also helps you reach your fitness goals by helping you track your calories in vs calories burned. Of course, if you eat 1000 calories a day, and make them all Snickers bars, you won't lose weight even if you walk a ton. So I am still control of putting good quality fuel in my body. But I've been maintaining my weight for a while now (about 2 months) so I'm due for a big loss soon! The sleep monitoring function is great too. Most people who are obese suffer form insomnia as well. For example, last night I was in bed for about 8 hours, but only got 3 hours of quality sleep! Yikes! I wonder if that will change when we're on the road... I hope so! A break might be just what I need to get some more rest! We're going on vacation soon, and I plan in wearing it and syncing it everyday. After all, there are no vacations from a healthy lifestyle, because a healthy lifestyle includes healthy vacations!
Which brings me to - I LOVE THAT WE'RE GOING ON VACATION in TWO DAYS! There is still so much to do between now and then. 24 hours of work, plus finding time to pack and write up instructions for our new dog sitter. I need to make a trip to the bank, and pack for two completely different climates. Our first stop is Michigan (brrr!) and then we get to Orlando (yeah! Disneyworld here we come!). While I am really looking forward to getting a tour of My Sailor's hometown, meeting his family and friends, I'm also loving that we're working in some ways to steal some moments for us. We'll also hopefully be able to meet up with Lou Mongello (editor of Celebrations Press, the Disneyworld fan magazine I write a column for, and creator of WDWRadio) for a bit in Disneyworld. When I grow up (er, down), I want to be Lou Mongello. Check out his podcast if you haven't already.
Now on to a few things I think I don't love.
24 hours of work before vacation, in 2 days. Now don't get me wrong. I'm grateful for my job and to be employed. I created this beast I'm riding on, so it is what it is. But I wish vacation started TODAY and lasted even longer! Then again, who doesn't?!
Easily offended folks - I have a LONG fuse. It takes a good recurring behavior to really get my goat most of the time. I can put up with anything for a while. Over the past few weeks, I've seen lots of lists of "What never to say to a military wife" go around the internet. In case you've never seen them (and I didn't see them until I got involved in the military community), they read something like this:
1. "Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?"
2. "I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it."
3. "At least he's not in Iraq."
4. "Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc.?"
5. "What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he is gone?"
6. "How much longer does he have until he can get out?"
7. "This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it."
8. "My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through."
9. "Wow you must miss him?"
10. "Where is he exactly? Where is that?"
11. "Well he signed up for it, so it's his fault whatever happens over there."
12. "Don't you miss sex? I couldn't do it!"
13. "Well in my opinion...."
14. "OH, that's horrible...I'm so sorry!"
Honestly, the only one that offends me is #12 because my sex life is no one's business. If a good friend asked me, I might be open about it but other than that, none of these 'offend' me. Sure, we ALL say silly things to try to connect with other people. When I was first married, it was "When are you having kids?" Sounds like a "normal" thing to ask, right? When you think about it, it's actually deeply personal. I was never 'offended' by it - just mildly annoyed. Now that I'm in my 30's I understand a bit more, and compassion doesn't come hard. I understand that they are trying to connect with me, get to know me, and don't mean to be inconsiderate. I'm always hopeful that these lists are ment in good humor more than anything else. Reading it over, I think they can all be answered by "Yes, I miss him. Yes, he's a my hero. Yes, he's worth waiting for. It's not a lifestyle for everyone. Yes, I'm grateful he's not in any obvious line of fire. If he has to do his job, there probably won't be anything to come home to."
So I'd like to end on 2 "love" notes.
I love that my blogger friends and fellow Team Voicers FINISHED THE PRINCESS 1/2 MARATHON this last weekend! Way to go Amanda and Jonathon! You inspire me!
I love that people actually appreciate My Sailor. I don't get a "thank you" for being a certified coder. When I hear from a fan of my writing, it makes me glow for a day or two. (Celebrations Press readers - you're gonna LOVE the Big Thunder Mountain piece I picked up for an up coming issue! Keep your eyes peeled.) There aren't many jobs in life where strangers approach you, hug you, and thank you for doing your job. He doesn't get the sleep he deserves and sometimes, he doesn't even get the credit he deserves from me at home sometimes. So it's always a great reality check when someone says 'Thank you for putting your life on the line so I can live free.'
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The fitbit sounds like a fun gadget and helpful.
ReplyDeleteHave an amazing time on vacation!
Totally understand about work...About 90 hours three days prior to vacation on a huge project and work during vacation. So difficult to feel rested with all that. Like you I'm grateful for the fact that I have a job though!
Know that there are a lot of us that appreciate everything that your sailor does for us and you for living with the sacrifices. It does take a toll on both of you!
Thanks for the kudos - it was a successful race overall :)!