Scott cycles…

My Unsolicited Review of the Body Bugg #bodybuggtweet

As some of you may know, I’ve been using the BodyBugg for just over 4 weeks.  Many have asked me “Do you like it?”, “Does it work?” – well – here’ my story.  I’m sticking to it!

First – if you don’t know, the bugg is a small device you wear on the back of your left arm.  It’s light, comfortable and you really get used to it quickly.  All day long, as you go through the paces of your every day life – it keeps track of your motion, your skin temperature and your core heat release or something like that.  You can go read all about it – but in short – it keeps track of how many calories you burned through the day.  At the end of the day, you can view a graph that looks something like this:

Daily Activity Log

It gives you a standard time (mine is 5:00 am to 11:00) as that’s my typical day.  If you aren’t wearing the unit, you can tell it what you did and it will calculate all of your stuff based on your weight and the activity you did.  Form 12-5:30 ish, I was asleep.  I didn’t wear it so it says I burn 1.5 calories per minutes sleeping.  If I wear it, I get a little more credit for sleeping (1.8-2.1 calories per minute) but your arm can and will get itchy from wearing this thing 24×7.  They actually recommend NOT wearing it one hour a day (at least).  As you can see, I don’t burn many calories at work, but you can also see that during my lunch break – I did a nice eliptical workout.  The numbers on the bugg differ (greatly) from the fitness equipment – but more on accuracy later.   All of this data is transmitted to the computer by a little online java app (the provide).  It’s a pain on the Mac, but I can get it to work.  They also have a wireless uploader – but I have no experience with that.

One of the neat things – which can be done with any inexpensive pedometer as well – is your step count.  “Fitness experts often use the number of steps a person takes as an indication of their daily activity level.  The software set my goal at 10,000 – which is a lot, but at the same time – very achievable.  The bugg keeps track of this for you and you get a daily graph like this:

How Many Steps?

On any given day, if I don’t work out – I’m in the 7-8,000 range.  I’m trying to change that through simple lifestyle changes like parking in the back of the parking lot – much like the gangstas with their fancy hondas.

As you progress through the day, you REALLY have to keep your food log if you want this to work.  It’s tedious but it works much better if you do keep track of EVERYTHING.  Portions are key.  I’ve started to measure and weigh things and my weight loss is coming in pretty close to what the bodybugg would predict.  When I loosely guestimated everything – it wasn’t so close at all.

All of this comes together on a common section of the page that looks like this:

Core Screen

You will learn to hate that woman in her pink jacket – I don’t know why… but you will.  You can see my calories burned, how much I consumed and my deficit.  I can tell you – it may have been that I was making too big of a deficit or it may have been that I didn’t log my food correctly last week, but this week I kept the deficit right around 1000 calories and the math worked out.  (3500 caloris = 1 pound – my weight loss was VERY close to that equation).  How do I know this? when you look at the week – you get a graph like this:

Measurement Based Details

Based on the amount of weight I lost last week – over a 7 day period, I had an average deficit of 1500 calories a day.  In a week where I FOUGHT to be accurate in my food log – I came up with this as my “food log based deficit”.

From the Food Log

As you can see – I was really pretty close.  Honesty – measuring – and some self control helped out a lot!  Being honest with your food diary will also help you show things to other people as you can do a complete download of your food diary.  Here you go – this is what I ate!  Food Report

They provide a food plan and everything, but I have not used that yet so I really cant comment.  I do like the nutrional analysis that it comes with each day.

Nutritional Analysis

I could have picked a day I ate better to post this – but well – I’m being honest here.  I ate it it happens!  (check out the calcium… 1234 – that’s kinda funny!)  I realize I need to work on more protein.  I plan on discussing the protein/carb ratio with some people who have a clue – something I generally lack when it comes to that stuff.

You can also keep track of your overall progress.  I find this a little “lacking” but gets the point across – so I guess it’s not all bad!

Progress Information

Just a lot of space to show this information and the graph is weak at best!  Free applications like Calorie King and Calorie Count will blow this away:

Weight Loss Graph

So – what is all of this about?  Weight loss.  Why is this of ANY benefit?  I mean – weight loss is theoretically FREE!  Eat less, do more – lose weight.  Poppycock!  (I always wanted to use that in my blog).  As any of you who have ever battled with weight loss know,  it is a total mind game.  It sucks.  You want to eat as “comfort food” makes you feel comfortable but then you hate yourself for eating it.  You try to workout and think “Wow, I worked out, I can eat anything I want!” but really – you can’t, as you only burned a fraction of the calories the fitness equipment told you you burned.  It’s not easy – but the Body Bugg DOES HELP!   At least it helped me to understand things.  They claim it’s at least 90% accurate and I’m leaning towards believing them.

The downfall of the system would be a combined factor of cost and the work you have to do.  I got mind for $179 with a year subscription (a $99 value).  The standard one will set you back $199 – with 6 months.  You have to use their website which costs money.  I don’t have to worry about that for 49 weeks – but it is a cost.  The work – you have to log the food.  It’s a pain in the ass sometimes.  Then again, so is being fat.

So – let me break it down for you:

Pros:

• Reasonably accurate monitor of your calorie burn
• Comfortable
• Easy to use
• Almost invisible for me, women with sleeveless… well?
• Fun to use

Cons:

• Cost
• Tied to their software
• Finicky on the Mac
• Food diary is not as robust as others
• No instant feedback w/out $80 wrist unit
• It’s not water proof, only water resistant.  That scares me when the rain potential goes up.

Worthy of comment:

• You HAVE to keep a food log or it’s worthless – but accountability is key
• The software is hooked into Twitter, which helps find others using it if you have questions
• You “get” a training session which I hear is “more useful than expected” – but mine is not until next week.  It’s a 1 hour phone call.
• I’ve HEARD it can be flakey on a bicycle – I don’t have experience yet, but look to change that soon.

If you are willing to commit some time and focus to your food log.  If you want to know what your body is doing, this is a good tool.  If you aren’t going to keep your log up to date, you are probably better off getting a pedometer and counting steps (at least that’s what I think).

As Forest would say – That’s all I have to say about that!

Questions? comments? concerns?  You know where to find me.  I’d be happy to reply!

Mixed

First – a confession – I actually thought we were going to have our memorial service on Saturday – but it turns out we did it on Thursday.  Things went quite well…Everybody was sad.  We cried, we remembered how much we love that little fat fellow and put him to rest.  A sad day, but we know he is better off now.

Yesterday was Basketball day and what a day it was!  Derek continued to dominate on the defensive side of the game, throwing his hat out there on offense as well.  Hard to believe you would be on the edge of your seat for and 8 year old basketball game, but it was crazy!  They actually ended in a tie.  I kind of wish they went to overtime, but that’s not the Upward way.

Maxwell scored his first ever basket in a game.  This was huge.  He’s the youngest and the smallest kid on his team and he really wants to be big.  He got the ball and shot it.  It sat on the back of the basket, leaning on the backboard for about 3 minutes (probably seconds, but it seemed like a long time) and then it dropped in!  I was coaching the team (which if you know me, you know how scary/bad that is for the team) so I was right there!  The crowd all cheered… so did I!  He was so happy!

Sarah and I saw Invicitus.  Her review of the movie differs greatly from mine.  I liked it ok.  I agree it was a bit slow, but overall – a good movie.  Sarah could find no socially redeeming value in the movie.  I thought it was more of a sports movie – rather a history-ish movie about Nelson Mandella and the Rugby team.  I’d recommend it – but zero stars from Sarah.

That’s about it… Oh – and apparently only a few people think I look like John Malkovich – I don’t know.

A good day

Today has gone better than yesterday.  I’ve had my ups, I’ve had my downs – but you know what, it’s ok.  I’m sure tonight will be interesting.  Trying to guide Max and Derek though their grieving should be different, but we can handle it.

Saturday – we will have a memorial service for Tiger.  It’s a small service planned for our back 40… (behind the fence).  We will bury his collar and remember him a little bit.  All are invited… we will not be providing seating or anything fancy, dress is as you are   You know – come to think of it … Tiger was always happiest IN the backyard – I’m going to do it inside the fence.  There was nothing as funny as seeing a 20 pound cat with his belly swinging side to side running through tall grass thinking his clawless self was some sort of jungle cat!  Yes – Saturday, we will remember our favorite fat cat!

I was reminded, internally, how good a “drug” working out can be.  I don’t know all the exact details – but I know that when you work out, specifically when you work out hard, you release a lot of chemicals into your brain.  Endorphins are part of that chemical cocktail.  All of the stuff releases into your mellon and makes your brain work better, which makes you feel better!  I had a good workout today.  Not my hardest, fastest, longest… just a good session on the Eliptical machine.

Tomorrow will be running – most likely.  I’m enjoying the running as long as I do it every other day.  I’m just too big to slam down on my body over and over again.  I need a break.  I’m pondering trying to re-start MaxFit on Monday.  I really like that program, I just found the doctor to be pretty much a loser.  He may be the greatest in the world, but if you wont reply to emails sent directly to you – you are a loser.

Tomorrow – I weigh in.  Things are going well on that front – I’ve got a long way to go – but I’m ahead of the past couple of years (by a good margin).  I’d like to be a lot lighter for the PeachTree… That will help me pull my extra 5 minutes off the top!

Today was the best and the worst

Sometimes, being an adult, you have to make the hard decisions.  You have to make the choice of life or death.  In this particular case, I had to determine the destiny of my very good friend, Tiger Patton.  I specifically say “Tiger Patton” so nobody gets any wrong ideas and decides to make jokes.  I know a few people have – and they didn’t understand – so I’m not mad.  I’m sad for my loss.

I have to share how it all went down and then go to sleep… or try to.

I couldn’t decide.  Thousands of dollars in bills, less money but an unsure procedure, or euthanasia.  I prayed about it and wasn’t getting that smack in the face sign I wanted.  I needed help.  I asked to see Tiger again.  They brought him in.  He was miserable.  He was meo-owning that’s a cross between meowing and moaning.  I got him to sit on my lap and we were “talking”.  I was sad and petting him.  His hair was shedding.  His bladder was the size of a softball and almost as hard.  I said “Tiger, I don’t know what to do.  I don’t know if you will stay sick? I don’t know if you are strong enough to make it.”  I blubbered on for a minute and Tiger stood up and walked away, he sat down in the corner and looked at me in a happy way.  He was a beautiful cat, he looked at me and I knew – he was giving me the sign I asked for.

I wont go into all the details, but I stayed with him until it was over.  We got a cute little paw print and will keep that.

Now – I’m sad.  I’m relieved.  I know that a cat who was plagued with painful issues is now happy, he is no longer sick.  The support from my friend and family on the phone, email, text and facebook has been awesome.

Tiger, I love you!

Tiger - a wonderful friend!

A good week

Things are picking up at work, which is good.  I don’t like being idle, I don’t like not knowing what I am doing.  My team has been tasked with a new project – not really what I was hired for, but a good project that will give us all an opportunity to get to not only know each other – but also get to know some people around and above us in the organization.

As I mentioned the other day – I am working out again.  I’ve done well this week and think I’m actually in better shape than I thought.  I ran about 2.5 miles in the wood yesterday.  The thing is, I thought it was 2 miles… it took a long time, but then I found out it was 2.5.  I’m thinking I want to try to get up early tomorrow and get in a good trail run at Kennesaw Mountain before the rain, but “early” and “rain” are two problem words.  I’ll try!

Weigh in – i’m not going public with the number until the beginning of Feb – but I can tell you I weigh a considerable amount less than I did last Friday.  The BodyBugg can’t be given TOO much credit for it, but it is showing me a lot.  It does require some work on my part, but provides tangible feedback and helps me to understand what I’m eating, how much it “costs” and how much I am burning.  As long as I keep the burn ahead of the fuel, the weight will go down.

As sort of an ongoing review of the BodyBugg I will give a bit of feedback.  It’s VERY easy to use.  Charge it up and put it on.  It does the work.  The software it “comes” with is lame.  The content is good, the application gives you good information but it has several issues.  On one occurrence, I could not load my data from the bugg in FireFox, I had to use IE.  On the mac, you can load it using Safari – HOWEVER – you have to set it to 32 bit mode if you are running Snow Leopard.  It’s not a big deal – but they need to get on top of that.  Finally – after you load it in Safari – the browser basically craps it’s pants.  Not a huge deal, but it’s egg on the face of the product… I personally think they need to do something like MotionBased did – and have a component you can install that will pull the data and transmit it for you.  If they aren’t going to do that – i’m sure there are a bunch of competent java developers out there – they could fix this!  (The app is written in Java).  So far – I really enjoy the tool.   I look forward to getting results next week and seeing how it all shakes out.

It’s that time of year again

By now – my 3 blog fans have figured out that sometime in the winter (or spring) I get may big arse in gear.  I get angry about my weight gain from last year and go on the offensive.  This leads to a lot of posts about weight loss, progress, training, etc…. well.  It’s that time of year again!

The good news is – much like last year, I’m not starting off as heavy as I did the year before.  Additionally – I didn’t have the month long back injury in 2009 that I did in 2008.  I’m feeling a little bit better than I did last year after my first workout.  Part of that is less weight, part of that may be my MaxFit stuff I did not that long ago.  Regardless – I’m doing better and am lighter.

The first thing I need to do is lose weight, the second thing I need to do is get ready for my assault on the Peachtree Roadrace.  I’m in!  My goal for the year is to break an hour.  I ran for the first time yesterday and I plan on running all they way until July 4th.  Will I?  Who knows.  There are some other factors in life, like my addiction to 2 wheeled speed, that may affect my funky strided running career – but the goal exists and I plan on achieving it!

Many of you watch the Biggest Loser.  You know those little things they all wear on their arms? They are called the “BodyBugg”.  They track your caloric burn for the day.  That coupled with accurate caloric tracking can help somebody to figure out how many calories they NEED, how many they over ate or under ate.  I got a great deal on one (Costco – $179 w/1 year online access which is $20 cheaper and 6 months longer than other places).  I’m going to give it a try and see how it works.  I’m pretty excited.  It will show me how many calories per minutes I am burning all day long.  I don’t have the wrist watch option, so I just have to download later.

First public weigh in – 2/5/2010 – See you there!

A new beginning

As with every new year, we all have a new beginning.  In many ways, it’s just another day, in others – it’s a new year.  A chance to “start over” a chance to do things a little but different than we have in the past.  For me – it’s a bit more of a new beginning this year.  As most of you know – tomorrow I start a new job.  It’s exciting.  It’s new. It’s scary.  It’s weird.  I don’t know where I “sit”.  I don’t know any of my co-workers.  I have to learn new names, learn new systems, get on top of my game as fast as possible.  I have to learn who is the chatty cathy – who is the smart guy, who doesn’t talk, who come in early, who comes in late… I have to re-prove myself.  One side of me loves the challenge – the other wonders what it will take.  All of this stuff is rushing through my head – it’s crazy!

Tomorrow starts with an orientation then off to the new job.  It will be different, that is for sure!  I will get to go past my old building twice.  I think I will call Mowgli and test the phenomenon!

Sirius XM – you just cost yourself money – #FAIL

Sirius and XM – while being the same company, are operating completely separate from each other.  This is REALLY stupid and will, in my opinion end up costing them much money.

They now offer a cool product (I wont name it, as I don’t want google to think I said anything nice about it) but it allows you to use an iPhone or an iPod touch to control your Satellite radio.  Nice!  I would LOVE this for my car.  But here is the problem… I have a Sirius subscription – 1 lifetime, one monthly.  I could use XM or Sirius and be fine.  I don’t much care.  The thing is – with additional radios – on an existing plan, they are 1/2 price.  In order to use this XM device, I have to pony up double the money.  #FAIL!  You guys are in fact the same company.  Combine systems and get it over with.

On top of all of that – after speaking to representatives from both companies on the phone, I am certain their phone support is off shore.  It *ALMOST* makes me want to cancel my subscription – but … I do enjoy the music and lack of commercials.

This is public… forever!

Through the years, I have posted many things on the internet.  I’ve never posted anything on “internets”… there is only one internet.  (Sorry, i’ve been seeing even technical people use “the internets” lately, its incorrect.  There are intranets… but only one internet…. we digress!)  Over the years, I’ve vented, expressed great discontent with various products, services, people, situations and other oddities in life.  As a matter of fact, sometimes I don’t even recall exactly what I wrote.  I do sometimes us a personal filter and not post things I think might come back to “haunt me”.  This week, I realized how important that can be!

I was in the middle of a phone interview with a potential employer when an interesting question came up – “Why should this guy win a Darwin award?”  I was confused – and asked for some more information.  ”Could you give me a little more context on that question?”  There is a picture on your website – you asked if he should win a Darwin award.  Wow – ok – what did I write?  Thankfully, I do apply my personal filter to my blog – so I wasn’t too scared – but what is out there?

Well – I’ve scanned back almost a year, looking at the things I have written.  I don’t see anything I’m ashamed of.  The thing is – it’s right out there – on a daily basis.  Anybody can find it.  I’ve made sure I never complain about my customers at work, I’ve made sure I didn’t use profanity (well, excess profanity), I’ve kept it focussed on experiences in my life – and for that I was grateful.

Back in the day, if you did something – people might write a book about it and if somebody read the book – they might realize it was YOU!  Today – if you do something – and somebody writes about it, posts a picture, blogs, tweets are electronically stored and linked in so many places it will probably just about blow your mind!

You will not be “forgotten”….  While I didn’t get hurt by my actions – as I’ve done nothing wrong, they have been reviewed by people – I know this for fact!

Please do this for me! Please!

Well, not really for me, but for Track Cycling.  Please stop what the UCI and the IOC are doing to the sport I know and love.  While I don’t really fancy the individual pursuit, it is perhaps the most PURE endurance challenge in all of cycling.  I ask you – even if you don’t understand – PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/keepindividualpursuit/index.html

If you are fearful of signing this because you don’t understand – Contact me!  I will gladly explain it all to you.

This means a lot to me, and a lot to many people I know.

It only takes a second.  After you sign the petition – you will be asked to donate money – YOU DO NOT HAVE TO! That is something else – not required for the petition!

PLEASE!