MOTIVATION

MOTIVATION.   I had thought that I was suitably motivated long before I purchased my fitbit.  As I so often am, I was wrong.

mo·ti·va·tion

ˌmōdəˈvāSH(ə)n/

noun

1. the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

   "The challenge of achieving ever higher numbers of 'steps' each day on my fitbit has been a motivational force to be increasingly active"

   synonyms:

   motive, motivating force, incentive, stimulus, stimulation, inspiration,inducement, incitement, spur, reason

MOTIVATION.  It is hard to believe that such motivation stems from a piece of electronic equipment that is about 2" in length.  Nevertheless, it is true.

MOTIVATION.   I am logging plenty of 'steps' by bicycling and working out on the elliptical machine.  The greatest increase in my activity level, has come from the motivation to log high numbers of steps each day.  I have increased my activity level by literally stepping, that is, walking.   The later summer weather has been perfect for some long walks.

My daughter has been a particularly good companion on a few of my walks - although I have also gone solo.  For example, last night, Saturday evening after dinner by fitbit had recorded 'only' 15000 steps.   My daughter and I took a long walk downtown and to Navy Pier and when we returned home my fitbit had recorded an additional 12000 steps.   These were 12000 steps that likely would never have occurred without the motivational desire of logging a maximum number of steps for the day.  Being active has been very rewarding and very fun.  I was a certified couch potato for many years - I prefer my lifestyle now.

Father/Daughter Navy Pier, Chicago 

An attempt at an 'artistic photo' taken during our late evening walk.
This is my daughter in silhouette in front of the lit up 'Apple' logo, unsurprisingly at the Apple Store.

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 Saturday MENU

breakfast   SteelCut Oateal, cheese omelette,  kale chips, apple     1057 calories
lunch         rice cakes, mango                                                             690 calories
dinner       Spinach Salad w/tomato, asparagus, corn, apples             402 calories
SNACK    KALE CRUNCH, RICE CAKES, MANGO                    830 calories

total calories consumed 2980 calories

calories burned

YMCA PRECOR elliptical machine 125 minutes              1702  calories

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SATURDAY NET CALORIES 1278 CALORIES

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Here are some more motivational ideas...

SNAP DECISION

Yesterday, I had to go back to my local APPLE STORE to pick up my MacBook Air which was starting to experience random shutdowns (and was not always so quick to start up again)  I should thank my computer for breaking down just two weeks BEFORE my 2-year warranty period was due to end.  It turns out that the LOGIC BOARD needed to be replaced.   I parked my car about two blocks from the store and passed a new business that I had never noticed before: SNAP KITCHEN.

This place looked interesting, so I made a SNAP DECISION to investigate.  This business is a Texas-based chain that has just entered the Chicago market.  They prepare foods daily that are both healthy and low calorie.

This is from the snapkitchen.com website:

About Us

Food you can feel good about.

Since 2010, we have worked hard to create a place for people to experience consciously crafted food that is both delicious and nutritious. We are dedicated to educating our guests and providing healthy, chef-driven creations prepared with the highest quality ingredients available. Our menu offers a wide selection of meals, snacks, and cold-pressed juices that are made fresh daily, portion controlled, and nutritionally balanced.  

The woman who approached me to offer guidance and answer my questions recommended that I try their most popular menu item.  So I did.

SNAP KITCHEN: Grass-fed BISON Quinoa "Hash" (400 CALORIES)

SNAP KITCHEN currently has locations in Texas and now Chicagoland (Illinois)  I am sure that I will be visiting again!   The food was very tasty

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 WEDNESDAY MENU

breakfast  Nori seaweed rice crackers, oats 'n honey granola bars                           710 calories
lunch        oat 'n honey granola bars                                                                          380 calories
dinner       SNAP KITCHEN bison, wasabi seaweed                                                780 calories
SNACK   WHOLE FOODS mango slices, 2 apples, coconut almond granola        540 calories

TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED   2410 CALORIES

calories burned

8:00AM  PROCOR EFX elliptical machine   65 MINUTES, 
                MACHINE SET TO MAXIMUM INCLINE, MAXIMUM RESISTANCE    826 calories
                                                                          

WEDNESDAY net calories  calories 1584 calories

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