Day 43 - back in the gym

Last Thursday I went back to the gym. It has been way too long. I loved it.

I have been a member for just over 6 years and still clearly recall the trepidation of joining and being overweight. For a time it was like I was invisible but last week I was welcomed back like a long lost friend. It is a truly satisfying feeling to work hard and heaven forbid sweat.

I am still restricted to cardio as the rotator cuff has not healed totally but anything is better than nothing.

My challenge for 2013 is to find a balance between all or nothing. It can be done.

Day 38 - Weigh in Day

Well a hectic two weeks and life is about to return to normal. I forgot to check in last week and fortunately it wasn't because I had a gain. For the second week in a row I stayed the same weight. Eating things like this may have had something to do with it.

This week was very busy with all sorts of Xmas functions. Food not on the plan was consumed but in moderation. What is pleasing is that I had a loss of 0.4kgs for the week. I think it may have had something to do with these:-

My blood alcohol concentration must be zero so my alcohol consumption was really down. Yesterday I was surprised by several people urging me to have a drink. Their logic was that I would be fine in a couple of hours. I'm not willing to take any risks at all. I hear all the stories at work from people saying I thought I would be OK to drive.

So the plan for this week. Get back on track with my eating. In the main that means cutting out unnecessary snacks. I also want to work on my water consumption and exercise.

Design Wall Monday

Well its been a while. I lost my sewing mojo and it is slowly coming back. This morning I finally finished my first Album block. It's a BOM through my LQS. The blocks are big - 16" finished. I look forward to getting the next one completed over the Xmas break.

Day 24 - Weigh in day

This last week has been all over the shop. The Xmas season was always going to be a challenge. My weight remained the same and I'm happy with that.

The downhill slide started last week when I had this:-

No regrets however as it tasted delicious. So no excuses and another big week coming up. Weighing the same for the next two weeks will rate as a success for me.

Day 17 - Weigh in Day

Loss for this week is a kilo which brings my total weight loss to 4 kgs. Starting to find a rhythm with the meals and working out what works for both of us.

Last night on my walk I pushed myself and worked up a sweat. I had forgotten that feeling you get when you exercise hard. Love it and will continue to push myself this week.

Week 2 - 12WBT

This week was definitely easier and fortunately not a piece of mountain bread in sight. Laurie is still struggling a little. This week the issue was cost. We never worry about our food cost, we get what we want, so it came as a surprise. I actually believe food is costing us less with the cut down on our meat intake. He is still cooking the meals I want and making adjustments so I am sure he will get there in the end.

Favourite lunch this week:-

Salmon with beetroot and carrot salad and spinach leaves.

 Laurie's favourite meal was this meat pie.

Best breakfast of the week buttermilk pancakes.

Dinner tonight was veal with a mushroom sauce. The quantity of meat we consumed was significantly lower than 2 week ago and was not crumbed and cooked in oil. I was however obsessing about potato so had one boiled. It was lovely with some cracked black pepper and the sauce.

My walking needs some work. I am not doing it often enough but that will come. This week I'm looking forward to sandwiches with real bread.

Day 10 - Weigh in Day

First full week and the loss is a kilo. I am happy with that number. I ate out twice during the week. Also I made modifications to keep both Laurie and I happy. Total weight loss is now 3 kilos.

I was somewhat surprised by the amount of negative talk on the forums. I ended up thinking a loss is a loss and if it wasn't as much as you had hoped for it is probably down to you.

One thing I will need to be mindful of for the future is I let my food go a bit haywire today. Putting it down to a positive first thing in the morning and then relaxing a little too much. Not the end of the world though I just need to be a little more aware.

Day 9 - 12WBT

I was really looking forward to breakfast today, Sounded delicious, yoghurt, apple and strawberry with Granola  It looked pretty all served up.

Then I tasted it. Oh dear. It tasted like sugar in a bowl. The apple and strawberry was a puree and I gagged on every mouthful. I think I managed almost half. I then went back to my old faithful of a slice of toast. I will try it again but the fruit component will be different or missing all together next time.

Day 8 - 12WBT

Second week here I come. First week was fine but I think Laurie really struggled this week with our nightly meals. Truth be told I am also missing my rice.

Dinner tonight was a departure from the program but the calories which I roughly worked out weren't bad. I also made sure that my snacks were at the low end of the calorie count.

So here it is in all its glory - Coconut rice with smoked trout.

Recipe was in this months Delicious magazine.

My moment to celebrate today - no chips from the bowl at work. Yeah.

Metallic taste getting better. Apparently a side effect of a high protein / low carb diet.

Day 6 - 12WBT

Today was a total departure from the program. A birthday lunch long in the planning and I was going to enjoy myself.

Breakfast all week has been two slices of toast so today I had only one.

Lunch was at the Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay a wonderful seafood restaurant. I had a pomegranate cocktail, purely for its fruit content I promise. I may also have consumed several glasses of wine.  Entrée was 6 varieties of oyster. It was really interesting to taste the difference in flavours as they arranged them to come down the east coast. Looking at the calorie count just now there were more calories in the entrée than I am now eating most meals.

My main was a lovely piece of trevally with prawns, potato and sage. One side was this wonderful asparagus dish

The asparagus was perfectly cooked and topped with crumbs and a soft egg. Heaven on a plate. Chips were also ordered and enjoyed.

None of us felt the need for dessert so we finished the meal with coffee and a little treat.

So did I eat differently that I would have without the program. The answer is yes. I would normally have had more bread and chips seeing how I love my carbs. I wanted but didn't need another piece of the bread. Savoured the one piece and it was enough.

Dinner tonight was a salad with no protein. I'm not hungry so that is good. I would enjoy a piece of fruit however so will get some tomorrow.

Finished the day with a longer walk than normal. So all good except for that weird taste in my mouth that still hasn't gone away.

12WBT - Weigh in day

Wednesday is weigh in day. Seemed silly to be doing it today when I only did my starting weight on Sunday. Loss for the three days was 2 kilos. I know mostly fluid but it did bring a smile to my face.

Dinner tonight was a staple modified. Chicken kebab with vegetables and rice. To make it healthier Laurie used spray instead of oil, we cut our protein portion down and I ate more vegies. The hardest part for me was the rice. I normally have almost a bowl full. Love the stuff. tonight two tablespoons.

The weird taste thing in my mouth continues.

12WBT - Day 2

Danger, danger. Laurie is a good guy we all know that. However sometimes his kindness is not of the helpful kind. Tonight he had a surprise for me. Only problem it was food. If it had been chocolates I may have succumbed. So what was dangled in front of me to tempt I hear you ask. Berliner, yes you read that right. I love the stuff and our deli slices it to order so it is always fresh with no dried out bits. It's still in the fridge and he will have it for lunch tomorrow. We did however have the conversation about why food is no longer an appropriate surprise.

So how was the food today. Breakfast and lunch were the same as yesterday so no surprises there. Dinner was these Thai fish cakes.

Surprisingly good. I changed the salad up, bean sprouts and carrot did not do it for me. We will make this again. We're going to try it without the coriander next time as Laurie is not a fan.

Snacking was better for me today. I had both the morning and afternoon covered. However I had not expected to still be at work till 6:00 pm so I did hit the chip bowl at 5:45 when the noises from my stomach were becoming overwhelming.

Strange taste in my mouth is still there. Hoe it goes away soon.

12WBT - Day one

First up I won't be posting everyday. When I start something new I find it helps me if  I take time at the end of day for reflection. Time to think about what worked, what didn't. This is my journey and I know that the ability to look back from time to time can be an excellent motivator.

So how was day 1. Hard. I have finished dinner and to be honest while not ravenously hungry I need something more. Today has taught me I need to have healthy snacks available. I hit the wall at 3pm and had a small packet of chips. Less than a 100 calories but lots more smart choices out there. So some shopping on the agenda tomorrow.

The food was mostly good. I had toast for breakfast which is my usual start to the day. Today however no butter. Mixing up breakfast will be something I work on in the coming weeks.

Lunch was a wrap made with Mountain bread.

 I have to say the bread didn't rock my boat but I will keep with it for a week or two to see if I get used to it.

Dinner was heavily modified. It was meant to be vegetarian but we added some chicken tenderloin. Laurie marinated it during the day and then used a griddle pan to cook it. Lovely. The couscous salad was much better than I expected. Dressing was a bit too lemony for my liking but I will fiddle with the proportions in the future.

I have managed to drink 1 1/2 litres of water, Not bad when normally I drink none.

Walking is my exercise for the moment and the rain tonight has put a stop to that thought. Not a huge concern as I will just do more later in the week.

Last thing I have noticed is a strange taste in my mouth. Not unpleasant just different. May just be the change of diet. Time will tell.

Michelle Bridges 12WBT

Today is the day before I kick off on the Michelle Bridges 12 week Body Transformation. I am going to blog about the program as my journal.

First up in keeping it honest I will say I will not be following her program religiously. I need somewhere to start and I like lots of what she does but not everything.

For this to work I need Laurie on board. That means meals need to be something we will both eat. Dinner on the first night is a couscous salad with char grilled eggplant and capsicum. Not the meal I will be eating for two reasons. Firstly neither of us are eggplant fans. Secondly if the first dinner has no meat Laurie will get tired of it very quickly. So I've modified the meal. We will add some marinated chicken tenderloins and have the couscous without the added char-grilled vegetables.

I also need to modify the exercise plan significantly. My rotator cuff has still not healed and I am not allowed to consider the gym till the New Year. So I will be walking initially and will probably add a swim in about a month. Some exercise is better than nothing at all which is what I am doing most days at the moment.

So Michelle would say I am already setting up for failure. I don't believe so but in 12 weeks time I will know if there is a difference.

My goal is a realistic 10 kilos. I have a social life and will be keeping it. Sometimes when I am out I will be able to make sensible choices, sometimes I won't. All I know is I want this to be the life changer so here I go.

Before pictures in a dress that shows all the lumps and bumps. here's to the start of their disappearance.

Design Wall Monday

I've been busy with lots of things that don't involve sewing. I have however made some progress on my Trip Around the World. The first quarter is half done. I need to get moving on it as it is due at the quilters December 1st.

So what been keeping me busy, Amongst other things at 50 I am finally learning to drive. I am making very slow progress but everyone tells me I am being too hard on myself. I have the car, now to get my licence.

Design Wall Monday

Not a lot of progress here in the last week. Both my leader/ender projects do however have another row added.

My focus has been Honey. She has astounded the vets with how well she has bounced back from her injuries. Stitches out and another check up on Thursday.

A busy week ahead so I am predicting some progress on my projects this week. Always happy with progress no matter how small it is.

Design Wall Monday

One of the benefits of working the way I do is that some weeks I make recordable progress on a number of projects. It may only be a new block or joining some pieces together but it acts as motivation for me to get to the next step. Can't explain it as in most other areas of my life are process orientated to reach my goals as soon as possible. I have learnt to accept it is how I do things and take my joy in the little steps along the way.

So what I have been working on this week. First up another hexagon flower block is finished. My total is now 3 of the 64 required.

A number of people have commented in the past on this block and its construction. Most thought it was English paper pieced. It's not. Sue Ross an Australian quilt designer has these great perspex templates made for a number of her projects.

I also finished another giant hexagon flower and added it to the 2 already made. The beauty of this one is that there are only 10 full blocks and then some fillers.. Of all my current hand projects I'm guessing this will be the first finished.

Some progress made on my flying geese quilt. I have started to sew them together and this little pile represents 16 of the 97 needed.

I also started a trip around the world - as you do.

Lastly progress on my bow tie leader/ender quilt. I am in love with it and need to restrain myself from making it my primary project.

I don't have high expectations for much being done in the coming week. Our gorgeous Honey was bitten by an Alsatian yesterday. Initially the vet thought there was no organ damage. Unfortunately when she had surgery today her bowel was damaged and needed to be re-sectioned. Her pancreas is also enlarged and will need to be watched. She is in safe hands and hopefully we can visit tomorrow.

Design Wall Monday

Just a quick post as I have finished my first unit in my Mary Tollman quilt. The hexagons are 5/8" and for something so small they sure do take a while to complete.

This link takes you too Brigette's facebook page and you can see a photo of her quilt to date.

Lots of time has been spent in the garden. Worth it when I am rewarded with beauty like this.

Design Wall Monday

The sunshine has continued this week so lots of time spent outdoors enjoying it. We are supposed to have a few more warm days and then return to colder days again.

I made a little progress on the flying geese this week but nothing worth taking a photo of.

My French mosaic has progressed a little. I added the red diamonds to join them into a circle. The simple injection of a little red has added so much to the pattern already.

Design Wall Monday

First post in two weeks and alas little progress to show. I did manage another of my giant flannel hexagons. In the foreground you can see a completed small hexagon flower for another quilt.

Why so little progress you asked. Well for the last two weeks we have had unseasonably warm weather. I'm not complaining as I have been out and about enjoying it. I know it will soon be cold again. My daffodils have bloomed and withered before spring has even begun. I do still however have some tulips with the promise of more to come.

For Stephanie

Gidday.

Mademoiselle Fraise has arrived and  is settling in nicely. She quite likes the Teddy Bear Magnolia and promises to share more of her adventures from this side of the world. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity.

Design Wall Monday

Another week gone and more bits and pieces done. First up a giant hexagon. The sides measure 10". Till this week I hadn't looked at the instructions to see the finished size. It will 3 x 3 metres - in a word huge. Still each flower doesn't take long to complete so it will be done in this lifetime.

Next  a row added to my 5/8" hexagon diamond. One of the reasons I love Bridget's classes so much is her eclectic fabric choices. This one started with a reproduction print, the next two borders are quite contemporary and then back to a reproduction. The last border on this diamond is lime green. Watch this space to see how the look changes yet again.

The pile of flying geese continue to grow and here are some of the sewn together. The light one does not look so out of place in real life. I stopped making units so I could get more geese made so I get a good spread of colour throughout the quilt.

Some bow tie blocks - my current leader/ender project.

Lastly I cut and pieced some blocks for a long overdue quilt. The recipient has asked for purple and grey. It will be my major project once the flying geese quilt is finished.

If you want to see what others have been up to head on over to Judy's.

Design Wall Monday

The tear in my rotator cuff is beginning to heal so I managed a little sewing.

First up finished the last of the first ring of hexagon flowers for my French Mosaic Quilt. Next up on this one is some red joiner pieces.

Another octagon flower was completed so that's two finished.

Last up I made these flying geese units. Over a 100 in this picture. I need 186 more but who's counting.

So progress made on three tops. This is the year of enjoying the journey so I'm happy with what has been done this week. Pop on over to Judy's to see what others have been up to.

Design Wall Monday

A little bit of progress on two projects this week. First up one completed and one almost done hexagon for French Mosaic. You can see other WIP's  here. Mine will eventually be very close to the original.

I've also been covering some 5/8" hexagons for a quilt with Brigitte. No idea where she is going with this but I love her designs and know she has a plan and it will be lovely. See examples of her and her students work here.

Progress was definitely hindered this last week because of a fall I took. My left arm has some tendon damage and I think I will have to bite the bullet and see a physio this week. Over the weekend I planted over 50 new plants - including this beautiful camillia. Not conducive to aiding the healing process but good for the soul.

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

Design Wall Monday

I haven't really participated in Judy's design wall Monday this year as I seem to be accomplishing very little. I have decided that doesn't matter and have resolved to post whatever I have got done through the week. I flip projects on a regular basis but I'm hoping the challenge of having something new to show each week will motivate me.

First up this week my first completed octagon flower. I am making this in a class with Sue Ross. A gazillion more to go.

I also worked on Isaac's flying geese quilt. 3 of 61 blocks complete and at least another 100 flying geese units ready to sew into blocks.

I want this quilt finished before his brother or sister is born. The due date is December 6 so completely doable.