Product Review- EatSmart Precision MaxView Digital Bathroom Scale.

I recently was contacted by EatSmart products to review their new Bathroom Scale, the Precision MaxView Digital Bathroom Scale, the newest scale in their line of products. It was good timing, since my old bathroom scale recently crapped out! I was debating whether or not I wanted to get another scale, honestly; It's easy to get really wrapped up in weight and numbers. That being said, I appreciate the ability to be able hop on a scale at home to check in and see both the progress I am making, and also to be able to get some perspective on those tough weeks.


That being said, the Precision Max is definitely a scale I would purchase, if I had not been sent one to review! It's really easy to use, and very simple. Basically, set-up involves putting in batteries (which it comes with) and letting the scale calibrate. You can set it to stone, kg, or lbs, which is nice for folks on the other side of "the pond".

The design is modern and clean, and it is a stable little guy, which is a unique feature for a scale. I've had several that rock to one side when you step onto it with just one foot. My husband actually commented "wow this is solid!", without my soliciting any input from him.

The large display is nice and it's backlit in blue, which is a little feature I like- most mornings I like to leave the lights off while I get ready, and now I can incorporate a weigh-in into my morning routine without flipping on the bathroom lights. The display is big enough to see without having to do any squinting down at my feet too!

It sells for $29.95 on Amazon, and I feel that's a fair and reasonable price for a new scale. EatSmart also has a variety of kitchen scales and other products which I'm excited to learn more about. If you're in the market for a new, nice & simple scale that's in your price range, take a look at the Precision MaxView- it's worth your while!

*I was sent a complimentary EatSmart Precision MaxView Scale to review, and keep. However, my opinion and review on the scale are solely my own honest feelings not influenced by EatSmart Products.

Fitness Assessment Results- March 2013!

Had another great fitness assessment last Wednesday! This was my 6 month check-in that I'd scheduled for myself, to see how I've been progressing overall since I started this most recent leg of my fitness journey in Sept of 2012. I decided to forego some of the usual tests (push-ups, Vo2 Max, Sit & Reach), because I've already done them twice in 6 months.

I'm excited to say that in 6 months I've made a LOT of progress:

Body Fat Percentage

September 2012 31.8%

March 2013 17.8% 

Hips Measurement

September 2012 40"

March 2013 34.6" 

Waist Measurement

September 2012 31"

March 2013 26.25"  

Weight in Lbs

September 2012 139

March 2013 109

I am really proud of how far I've come, and very happy with my results. I don't think I want to go much lower on my body fat %, actually. Although there are some "spots" that I'd like to loose some more fat, I am going to try to improve those areas (and my muscle definition overall) with weight training, vs. loosing more weight or fat. Also, (TMI alert) I haven't had my period for the last 2 months, so I am thinking I need to figure that out vs worrying about some impossible spot-toning. I'm set to have some tests @ my doctor's office next week. I figure that a perfect storm of back/neck problems, intense exercise routine, significant weight loss, lowered body fat, and greatly increased work stress and anxiety might have something to do with it!

My dad and I! It was his birthday this week :)

As much as I can, I'm trying to address each one of those areas by making my life easier, more stress free, and treating myself well.

At any rate, I am headed into a weight maintenance phase, which is AWESOME! I will be focusing on my upcoming races, as well as building strength with weight training, and I've upped my daily calorie intake from 1200 to 1400 over the last several weeks.

There's lots to look forward to, including my first 5 mile and 10K runs, my Girls on the Run team, a fun 5-year anniversary adventure coming up in May, just to name a few things. Life is crazy right now, but I'm thankful for everything I've got and I'm living it the best way I know how!

Reached my "target weight"; Now the real work begins!

Why Hello! :) I'm doing a very self-congratulatory post today, so sorry in advance! I want to re-cap my fitness journey so far, because Monday I reached an exciting milestone- my "goal weight". (Sound the trumpets!)

When I started this journey back in 2010, I weighed 145 lbs, which was my highest recorded weight. As a 5' 0" shortie, that's a fair amount of extra fat, or at least it was on me!

This is me in Dec of 2010, folks.

After 2 years of trying out different exercise programs, and slowly loosing and gaining back 8 lbs (through P90X, gym memberships, yoga videos, etc.), something finally clicked in my brain; in Sept of 2012 I was ready to ACTUALLY make a change. I joined my local Community College's gym this past September, got a fitness assessment, and started working out 5-6 days a week, for a total of 300-400 minutes per week, as well as truly monitoring my calories here on MPF, on a 1200/per day routine. I set some goals, both weight related and otherwise, and set to achieving them!

These past 5 months have been life changing! I've started doing heavier weight lifting, I lost 26.7 lbs, and my body fat percentage went from 31.4% to 20.2%! I started clean eating, I completed a Whole30 program, I've run 3 5ks, I'm now training for a half marathon. While the weight loss is awesome, and the new clothes are great, THE BEST result of all these changes is that fitness and healthy eating are my lifestyle now.

This lifestyle is easy(ish) to maintain because of YOU! My #runchat buddies, my fellow crazy runners doing 13 races in 2013, my friends at work, who have been really supportive as well and great gym buddies, my dad, who is a constant fitness inspiration, and my husband, who has made me feel great at whatever weight!

I know now that I'm not finished! Just because I reached some number on a scale does not mean that I get to quit eating healthy and stop going to the gym or that I don't have room for improvement, greater success, or to challenge myself!

My plans to keep myself motivated this year:

• I'm running 13 races in 2013, including 5 5ks, 3 10ks, a Mini-Tri and at least 1 Half Marathon!
• I'm working on building my strength by doing the Strong Lifts program- today for my workout I'll be able to squat 105 lbs and deadlift 110 lbs- my exact body weight now! 
• I'm hoping to get my 5k time down to under 26 minutes! My first 5k time in 2008 was 38 minutes, and this past Nov my time was 29:42. 
• Continuing to blog here about my fitness journey, so I can share with others, give back some of the support I've received and remind myself of how far I've come!

SO after rambling on- THANK YOU, friends and family, both IRL and virtual, for your support now and into the future! Also for those of you still struggling, know that it's possible to achieve your goals and redefine yourself! See you out there- at the gym, on the track, on the road :)

Staying Motivated AFTER Weight loss

I'm at a VERY exciting point in my continual fitness journey- a point where I am almost at my "target weight"! To even call it that might not be accurate- my target weight is less of a weight I've always dreamed of being and essentially a weight that I think is healthy and manageable for my age, height, gender, size, and fitness level.

One lesson of the many I've learned on this journey is that I am hugely motivated by goals. If I don't have defined goals, it ain't happening. On the other hand, if I have clear, SMART goals, I can amaze myself with what is possible! So as I'm heading down towards this magical "target weight", I've started a new list of Health & Fitness Goals for my new, weight-maintenance world. I'll be turning my focus from weight loss to strength and muscle development, flexibility, and improved athletic performance.

Process goals

Work out 6 x a week for 60 minutes

Incorporate the following workouts into schedule:

• 2 short runs (between 2.5 and 5 miles)
• 1 long run (6-10 miles)
• 3 45 minute weight sessions (2 Strong Lifts x week)
• 1 yoga class
• 1 Spin class

Up calorie intake to 1450/day + extra workout calories 

Maintain weight at 110 lbs +/- 2 lbs

Fitness Goals

Body fat percentage: 

• 20% by 3/7/13
• 16% by 6/7/2013

Improve run times (by 12/31/2013)

• 5k time: under 26 minutes
• 10k time: under 50 minutes
• Complete a Half Marathon in under 2 hours 

13 in 2013 Challenge (by 12/31/2013)

•  Complete 13 fitness events in 2013 (see my list of events on the right)!
  

Pull-ups (by 12/31/2013)

• Do 10 consecutive pull-ups!

Strong Lifts: (by 3/7/13)

• Bench Press- 65lbs
• Overhead Press- 60 lbs
• Deadlift- 100 lbs
• Row- 80 lbs
• Squat- 100 lbs

Health/Nutrition Goals 

Eat Clean(er)

• 6-8 servings Vegetables/day
• 2-3 servings of protein/day from:
•  sustainable meat & eggs
• legumes
• nut butters
• cottage cheese/greek yogurt
•  2-3 servings of Fruits/day
• 2-3 servings of Whole grains/day
• Chocolate in moderation (2-3 servings per week)

• Avoid:
• Refined/enriched grain items 
• Milk and cheese (not including cottage cheese/greek yogurt)
• Added sugars, although prioritizing honey & maple syrup as sweeteners when applicable

Share:  
Have you gotten to a place of weight maintenance? If so, what goals keep you inspired and motivated?