Design Wall Monday, Using the stash and days 119 to 126

A busy week again and little time for sewing. I did start a new project for a 21st birthday present - thankfully it's two years away. Hexagons for me are quite big , 1 1/2 inches so hopefully will come together quite quickly.

Of course this doesn't make for a great stash report but here it is.

Fabric used 1/4 metre
Fabric used to date 16 metres

Goal for 2010 Use 100 metres - will need to get moving.
 
Monday night and as usual I couldn't get away early. When I finally made the gym no treadmill available so I bit the bullet and rode the bike for 30 minutes. I have never been on a bike this long - not even as a child - and when I got off my bum was numb. Too much information I know! Anyhow 9.74 kms in 30 minutes.

Tuesday morning and a quick 30 minutes on the treadmill for 2.85 kms. The pain was tolerable but my toe nail has started to lift so I think it will come off completely soon.

Wednesday and a session with Dave. He is in love with multiple reps at the moment decreasing the weights and then upping them again each set. By the time I had finished my arms and shoulders were on fire. Finishing the session was not easy as I hurt heaps but finish I did.

Thursday and an afternoon session on the treadmill. 2.64kms in 30 minutes. I am trying a new regime for a couple of weeks.. I have been doing some research and I think I need to some days achieve a lower heart rate during the session. It would seem I have mainly been in the cardio zone when I should perhaps be aiming for the fat burning zone. Time will tell.

Friday morning and again 2.6kms in 30 minutes on the treadmill.

Saturday was weights day and while my muscles did burn it was not as bad as Wednesday thankfully. Without the trainer there I think you naturally protect yourself a little more.

Sunday and 45 minutes on the treadmill. 4.02 kms. I constantly fight myself as I think I should be going harder but I have to give the new regime a try.

Monday night and a snappy 30 minutes for 2.66kms.

Weigh in day tomorrow so will see if any discernible progress.

Days 114 to 118 and a new project

Good news is my toe is not broken or crushed. Just hurts like hell. I had considered briefly not exercising while I was injured but what's a little bit of pain - right.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday consisted of 15 minutes of sit ups morning and night. Not my favourite thing to do but it kept me moving.

Saturday morning I put shoes on for the first time and of course they were gym shoes! 30 minutes on the treadmill on a program down and I managed 2.85kms. I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt but no pain no gain.

This morning 40 minutes of weights. Interestingly my toe hurts more today - go figure.

While I was feeling sorry for myself I did indulge in a little bit of net surfing and this arrived in the mail.

It's a new pattern by Corliss of Threadbare. Inspiration came from an English Basket Quilt which I first saw here. Just lovely. Oh BTW did I tell you I have also started a much more faithful reproduction in my classes with Karen Cunningham. I do think I am mad.

Days 106 to 113 and then came tragedy

Tuesday morning and an early morning weights session. I was pleased with my progress. Manged to get through with no real problems.

Wednesday and a lunchtime session with Dave. His word of the day was super sets. My word of the day exhausted!

A tough day today. I should have been in the gym first  thing but instead found myself sitting n a neurologist's office. Not for me - my partner Laurie. He saw his doctor yesterday and there was a possibility he was having mini strokes. The  good news is no and apparently the dizzy spells he has been experiencing may be related to ear problems. Did you know there is a place called the Dizzy Clinic which actually works out why you have dizzy spells. Something for everyone these days.

Into the gym much later than I would have liked for 30 minutes on the treadmill to travel 2.79kms in 30 minutes. Friday morning would normally be a morning session but again tomorrow will be in the afternoon thanks to a morning meeting.

Friday afternoon and a snappy 30 minutes on the treadmill - 2.92kms. Celebrated with dinner out. I can exercise as much as I like but you still need a treat occasionally.

Saturday morning and 45 minutes on my favourite treadmill. 4.49 kms travelled. Looking back on day 6 in the same amount of time I only managed 3.72kms. A little over three months later and I can go almost .8km more. I am making progress.

Saturday afternoon and into my favourite clothes store as new stock was arriving. I had fallen in love with this dress and not only did it fit - I bought a size smaller than I did last time I bought this brand. Now for it to be warm enough to wear.

Sunday morning and in the gym at 8:45am which if you ask me is too early for a Sunday morning. Still it had to be done as we have plans later in the day. 1 hour of weights - including sit-ups. Already a bit stiff.

Monday afternoon and a quick 30 minutes on the treadmill for 2.79kms.

Today Tuesday and in the gym and warmed up  by 7:50am for my weights session. This is when tragedy struck. Moving a bench I dropped it on my left foot big toe. Metal and flesh do not play nicely together the pain was excruciating but I soldiered through. Then I took off my shoe. Not good - horribly swollen and already turning black.

I made it through the day at work and saw my doctor at 4:30pm. She was amazed that I had stayed at work and was still walking. A horrible procedure with lots of pain and blood and some of the pressure was relieved. The doctor is almost certain I have crushed a bone - I'm not convinced - so an x-ray in the morning. I am not allowed under any circumstances to go to the gym tomorrow and possibly for as little as a week going all the way up to  6 weeks. I'm devastated but certain I will be back sooner rather than later.

Design Wall Monday, Using the stash and days 99 to 105

Another tessellation block prepped today. I think it's number 11 and still not sure if I'm making 1 or 25. Need to measure my bed and make a decision at some time.

 Brigette Giblin designed this quilt and she has a new website with her patterns for sale. Early days yet but she is going to keep adding more. Check out the cute bag made with hexagons.

To the stash report then:-

Fabric used 1/2 metre
Fabric used to date 15 3/4metres

Goal for 2010 Use 100 metres - will need to get moving.

Head on over to Judy's to see how others are doing.

Tuesday morning and an early morning weight session. Took about 45 minutes. Was slightly easier than on the weekend. It was also weigh in day and the less said about that the better. Not a gram of movement in two weeks.

Wednesday marked day 100. I am slightly amazed that I have made it this far but confident I will reach my goal of 365 days. To mark the milestone I celebrated with 45 minutes on the treadmill. Travelled 4.48kms. I'm still being a bit hard on myself as I had unrealistic expectations of getting through level 5 today. Given that it was only my third attempt I think I need to get more realistic.

Thursday and a session with Dave. I think he learned a lot about me last week. He certainly pushed me harder and was not so reluctant to up weights. Every exercise today was a new one and they do say variety is the spice of life.

Dave definitely worked me hard yesterday as I have the aches to prove it. I normally do gym in the morning on a Friday but couldn't today. So an early evening session on one of the treadmills I don't like. Only managed 2.68kms in 30 minutes but at least I moved.

Saturday meant weights this week. My thighs still felt like they were on fire but I struggled through. 40 minutes of weights completed.

It was also measuring day and a loss of 6 cm overall. Explains the lack of weight loss as my body is obviously gaining muscle mass.

Sunday morning into the gym for treadmill. I was going to do 45 minutes but my right heel is giving me grief. Every time it hits the surface I experience shooting pain. I hope it's just a case of needing new shoes and nothing more serious. 30 minutes to travel 2.84kms.

Monday night and the end of week 15. 2.93kms in 30 minutes. Heel did not hurt as much today so I think it may be just some bruising.

Design Wall Monday, Using the Stash and Days 92 to 98

Monday and I have the start of a new quilt on the table. I want something new for my bed and think Kaffe and friends may be the ticket. Will  be a lot scrappier than it looks at the moment.

 To the stash report then:-

Fabric used 1 metre
Fabric used to date 15 1/4metres

Goal for 2010 Use 100 metres - will need to get moving.

Head on over to Judy's to see how others are doing.


Bright and early in the gym first thing last cold Tuesday morning. A snappy 30 minutes on the treadmill for 2.83kms. Have my first session with my new trainer tomorrow. Hope I can fight off this cold.

Wednesday and my first session with the new trainer  Always slightly awkward as you figure each other out. He has a slightly different take on things so will be interesting to see how I go for the next two months. He certainly made me sweat!

Thursday morning in the gym and I was so tired. My fault entirely as I had stayed up watching Pretty Woman. Doesn't matter how many times I have seen it still amuses me. 45 minutes on the treadmill and I completed level 4 staying within my heart rate limits. 4.33kms. Was the slow treadmill but I'll take the progress.

Another day and another goal met. 30 minutes on the treadmill and level 5 completed. 2.95kms. The next level keeps the speeds the same but makes the hills steeper so distance traveled will probably go down for a while.

This is a moment to smell the roses as last Friday I was complaining about my lack of progress. Two targets achieved in two days. Not bad.

Saturday afternoon in the gym for a weights session. I always do the same session as I did with the trainer. Dave has me doing step ups something I haven't done for three years. Whilst I may be able to walk further my stamina in walking effectively up and down a stair is no good. Did I mention that I am also holding 15lb barbells and lifting them over my head each time I step up?  Exhausting. I struggled through and completed my weight session in 45 minutes with a couple of add ons.

Sunday morning into the gym for 45 minutes on the treadmill. 4.47kms traveled. Had to lower the speed slightly for the last 15 minutes as I still haven't got enough endurance.

Monday afternoon and 45 minutes on the treadmill for 4.48ms. Very pleasing to me to do so well as it was a hard day at work and I am usually much worse in the afternoon.

Design Wall Monday, Using the Stash and day 91

Finally some sewing going on. Not a lot but I had to start somewhere. What got me going again  - a cute little hexagon of course.

Other bits and pieces worked on but no real progress - still I had to start somewhere. Finally seem to be working out how to fit it into my schedule.

To the stash report then:-

Fabric used 1/2 metres
Fabric used to date 14 1/4metres

Goal for 2010 Use 100 metres - will need to get moving.

Head on over to Judy's to see how others are doing.

Still haven't worked out how to get out of work at a reasonable time When I got to the gym every treadmill was being used. I thought I was going to have to do the dreaded bike for 30 minutes. Fortunately a treadmill became available after 10 minutes on the bike so a snappy 30 minutes on it to finish my workout. Bike 3.22kms and treadmill 2.94kms.

Days 84 to 90 and again some shopping.

Monday and back to work. It was also the coldest morning they say in 2 years but I bet it was 20! Hoped to get away from work before the sun went down but no go. Made the gym about 6:00pm and did 35 minutes of weights. I am now officially exhausted so it will be an early night for me.

Tuesday and my fortnightly weigh in day. I lost 1.2 kilos in the last fortnight. Happy enough with that. Average weight loss is still 300 grams. I know that equals sustainable weight loss so am all right with it.

Exercise today was a 1/2 hour walk home from work. Getting to the gym was not practical so an alternative needed to be found.

Wednesday night and a quick trip to the gym. I have the beginnings of a cold and it showed. My heart rate was all over the place. 2.79kms in 20 minutes.

Thursday and still not feeling 100%. 30 minutes on the treadmill for the same result as yesterday and I really pushed myself to accomplish that. Then for some strange reason I decided to get on the bike for 10 minutes. Still crap at it and only 3.17kms. 

 Friday was my last session for two months with Tamera who is heading off overseas. She worked me hard as usual. For the first time I was able to chest press 25lb barbells. Yeah me. Tamera also believes I am being too hard on myself re progress. It's happening and as long as I don't stall for a month I am to call it successful.


A cold Saturday morning and gym first up. 4.23kms in 45 minutes.


I then went fabric shopping  and may have gone a little overboard!

The new recololored Liberty's. I bought the last range and have used lots and think these will be just as usable.

Sunday morning was weights again and I may have overdone it a bit. I upped weights on 4 exercises and can feel it everywhere. I usually just up one weight so obviously haven't taken on board Tamera's message that I'm doing OK.