Day 24

Today was a quick visit to the gym = work pressures crowding in. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill and covered 2.68 kms. Happy with that as I am pretty consistent with my distances each 15 minutes and if I had had 45 minutes that equates to just over 4 kms.

I don't think I have mentioned before that my 2IC is having lap banding surgery. D day for her is tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how we both track over the next 12 months. I think what she is doing is way harder than my decision to exercise daily so I wish her well.

Days 2 2 and 23

Day 22 was weights day. No problem there - I like lifting weights and managed to occupy myself easily for 35 minutes. Was going to do the bike as well - but we all know how much I love the bike don't we. Enough said I didn't do it.

Today was treadmill and yeah for me 4.06 kms. A barrier broken. A very happy camper am I. Onwards and upwards from here.

Design Wall Monday and Day 21

I was going to sew much of the day but Sydney put on a perfect Autumn day so sitting in the garden was much more preferable.

I did make some progress. The stripe fabric I cut the wrong last week has been replaced. I'm just over half finished. Imagine 6 rows as that is what the finished quilt has but I was feeling lazy so didn't peg them all up. I thought it was appropriate to take the photo in the garden since I spent most of the day there.



The design is from here if your interested.

Pop on over to Judy's to see what others have been up to this week.

In other monumental news today marks 21 days of continuous exercise. I managed 3.97 kms on the treadmill this morning. 4 km is beckoning me but remaining elusive thus far.

Using the stash and day 20

First week back at work and exercising every day have meant not a stitch of sewing has been done all week. Not on the machine or by hand. I miss it and hope to get some sewing done tomorrow. It's a public holiday here and I plan on sewing for a good part of the day.

To the report then:-

Week 17

Fabric used 0
Fabric used to date 12 metres

Goal for 2010 Use 100 metres

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

Hit the gym this afternoon after spending my usual time at work on a Sunday. Half an hour of weights and 3.18 kms on the bike. It can't be said I'm not consistent.

Days18 and 19

Another staff member was offered a job today taking the total number to six. In percentage terms we are so far ahead of the other offices in the state that I am proud but oh boy loosing them all is going to be hard.

Yesterday morning was my day with the personal trainer. Second last session with Dean and it nearly didn't happen as he was late. In the past I would have already stopped my warm up and would have just been standing around but the new me just kept going on the treadmill till he arrived.

I have settled on a new personal trainer and it is a woman. What has surprised me is that everyone who knows me has found this strange. They can't explain why and I certainly don't know. Watch this space to see how the fit is.

So 1/2 hour of weights and 10 minutes on the bike. It is still my nemesis and I only travelled 3.18 kms.

Last night went out for dinner and unwound a little too well. It really showed in the gym this morning as I only managed 3.77 kms on the treadmill. l
Lesson learned - I hope.

For those who have asked here is a current photo. Will post a new one each fortnight. I loose weight always from the top down and can already see some small changes in my face.

BTW it is 29 degrees in Sydney today. I love Indian summer!

Day 17

Just a quick post tonight. Gym this morning was 45 minutes on the treadmill. Distance travelled 3.98 kms. I'm happy with that as I will get to my first goal of 4 kms much sooner than I expected.

Day 16

Hard day at work today. 5 of my staff received promotions. While I am happy and excited for them 1/5 of my staff will be gone in the next couple of weeks.

It will have significant implications for my team dynamics and my workload will increase enormously - like I wasn't doing enough before.

My initial reaction was to ditch the gym why bother when I know in a couple of weeks I'll be exhausted everyday. Then the new me kicked in. I need a balance between work and life and I'm not going to compromise that. So off to the gym. 3.92 kms on the treadmill in 45 minutes. My best result to date so I'm a happy girl.

Using the stash, Design wall Monday and days 13 to 15

First up the stash usage for this week - a couple of days late.

Week 16

Fabric used 1 metre
Fabric used to date 12 metres

Goal for 2010 Use 100 metres

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

As to what's on my design wall this week. I had hoped for a finished top but cut this stripe the wrong way. Check back next week to see the finished top - as long as the new fabric has arrived.



Now for the gym report.

Day 13. 35 minutes weights followed by 10 minutes on the bike. Travelled 3.19 kms so a little bit of progress.

Day 14. 45 minutes on the treadmill. Distance walked 3.83 kms. Again progress and it was at night.

Day 15. 35 minutes of weights this morning.

WOW - 15 days of exercise. I've managed to impress myself. Only 350 days to go.

Weighed myself this morning and I have lost 1.4 kgs. Happy with that as I have not made any other changes.

Day 12

45 minutes on the treadmill this morning and I walked 3.79 kms. Slightly better than my benchmark so it shows progress is being made.

I also took some measurements this morning. I find them to be a much better guide to my progress than weight loss by itself.

Day 11

1/2 hour session with my trainer this morning. Mainly weights with a little bit of cardio. He pushed me hard this morning which is a good thing. Dean noticed that I was not getting as red as usual so another little sign of some progress.

The bad thing about this morning Dean is leaving the gym and I have to get a new trainer, It's always strange when you start working out with someone new. I think I'm going to try a girl this time.

Day 10

Indian summer continues but the nights definitely have a chill in the air. Cleo is making the most of it and found a spot in the sun this morning.



I'm back at work on Monday and for something completely different I'm loosing my voice again! I've had it back for 5 days so at least I remember how I sound when I'm OK.

Gym today was 45 minutes on the treadmill. Distance traveled was 3.69 kms. My theory of being much worse in the afternoon looks a little shakier now.

Day 9

I've talked about one of the reasons I have embarked on this regime is to get fitter. If I need an example of why this is necessary I need to look no further than our dog Molly - a strange analogy I will grant you.

Molly has a skin condition that necessitates the taking of steroids. This means she gains weight. Not the only explanation however as she is given far too many treats by us. She turned 7 last week and has bad arthritis. If I don't do something now I know similar problems are on my horizon.



Gym today was 30 minutes of weights and 10 minutes on the bike. Did 3.17 kms again. Both sessions were in the afternoon. Will be doing the bike on Friday morning so it will be interesting to see if my distance is better.

Day 8

Another glorious day of Indian summer here in Sydney. Sitting in the garden I noticed this one magnolia bloom that has decided to come out early to enjoy the sun.



Went to the gym after lunch today as the morning was spent at the funeral of a work colleague's father. He was only 57 - cancer is a cruel disease. 45 minutes on the treadmill today and total distance was 3.54 kms down on Sundays total. I have long suspected that I did better in the morning so will see if the trend continues. Will be interesting if it is true as I am definitely not a morning person.

Day 7

Gym this morning was weights and a 10 minute session on the bike. Have I told you how much I hate the bike. I am told it is good for my cardiovascular fitness so will persevere.

Benchmarking then for the bile 3.17 kilometers in 10 minutes.

One of the reasons I needed to get serious again was that I was finding my clothes were getting tighter. I have a rule as soon as something is too big it's thrown away so I have no bigger sized clothes to fall back on. Some have thought I was mad to throw out but looks like it will work the way I intended and be a motivator.

Using the stash

We're enjoying a glorious Indian summer here in Sydney. Even though it's warm my thoughts have turned to winter and I have started crocheting again. I seemed to master ripple crocheting last year and wanted to stretch myself a bit. I bought a pattern for a scarf - quite bizarre as I don't wear them - and have started on it. A few false starts but finally making some progress.


To the totals then:-

Weeks 15

Fabric used 3/4 metre
Fabric used to date 11 metres

Goal for 2010 Use 100 metres

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

Day 6

Hit the gym just after 9:00am this morning. Not bad for a Sunday. It was just me and my friend the treadmill again today for 45 minutes.

I am competitive by nature and enjoy competing against myself. Pushes me to try that little bit harder. So I am going to record how far I make it in 45 minutes - will be a good way of tracking progress. So in 45 minutes I walked 3.73 kilometers today. A way to go to where I was before but a benchmark.

365 days of exercise

I am a woman of ample proportions. Several years ago I took the plunge and joined a gym. I used my membership a lot that first year but have been sporadic in my usage since then.

I remember how much better I felt when exercising regularly so have decided that I need to get going again. I'm over feeling blah all the time so am determined to regain a level of fitness where I feel well.

Weight loss is not gong to be my measure of success. My body loves to rebel when I start exercising by gaining weight. Success will be measured in maintaining motivation and feeling better within myself. Weight loss won't hurt of course!

I'm going to post what I have done each day here as I feel it makes me accountable - if to no one but myself.

My 365 days started on Tuesday which was also my birthday so next year on my 49th birthday I should be feeling a whole lot better.

So everyday for the next year the goal is to exercise for at least 30 minutes per day.

Here's my progress so far:-

Day 1 Treadmill 33 minutes. Dropped a level on the program I use and still huffed and puffed most of the time. i couldn't even maintain the preset speed limits.

Day 2 Treadmill 33 minutes again feeling as bad as I did on day 1.

Day 3 Treadmill 38 minutes. Able to go a little longer but still lot of huffing and puffing.

Day 4 Session with Personal trainer. 30 minutes of weights and exercise to improve my strength and gain muscle mass. Dean finds me a challenge as I have rules about what I won't do - no lying on the ground looking like a beached whale for instance - but appreciates the fact that I always give 100%. Again had to drop weights but experience tells me I can get back to where I was pretty quickly.

Day 5 Treadmill 45 minutes. Still huffing and puffing and below the preset speeds but progress.

So there's my start. I'm looking forward to the rest of the year and the changes it will bring.

Using the stash

The dreaded cold still lingers and my voice is now no more than a whisper. On the upside however I started leave last Thursday so sleep is on the agenda for a few days at least. I have averaged 15 hours the last three day so hopefully the body will begin to recharge.

The only sewing going on has been basting background hexagons and a pile of 3/4 inch cream hexagons does not a pretty photo make.

To the totals then:-

Weeks 13 & 14

Fabric used 1/2
Fabric used to date 109 1/4 metres

Goal for 2010 Use 100 metres

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