Day 55

In the gym by 9:00am this morning. I did 45 minutes on the treadmill and walked 4.23kms. I have always said I am using these blog posts as a tracker so went back today and looked for my first recorded distance over the same amount of time. Well on day 6 I walked 3.73km. So 49 days later I am walked half a km further in the same amount of time. Progress!

A new book and exercise

Thursday brought this visual feast in the mail.



I have read Jane's blog for some time so the book was a must have. I may never make anything out of it but Jane has delivered what I think is a fresh approach to looking at quilts. She shares her inspiration for each piece and I read it all - until 2:00am on the day it was delivered.

Now on to the exercise thing. A very strange week. Tuesday was 30 minutes on the treadmill for 2.79kms - everything felt fine.

Wednesday a session with Tamera and I'm liking her more and more each week. Having a female trainer for me is working as she seems to think differently from the boys so has me doing things I did not think were possible. As you all know I have an aversion to the floor but that did not stop her from incorporating lots of stretches into the workout - all performed whilst standing. And who would have thought I could do push-ups - well I can - they're called wall push-ups. Again standing up and fairly obviously using the wall rather than the floor. I have lots to learn and will continue to look forward to my sessions for a long time to come.

Thursday evening back on the treadmill for 30 minutes and 2.82kms.

Not so bad so far. Last night I was doing my usual 30 minutes on the treadmill. I started to huff and puff badly at about 3 minutes and from that time my heart rate just sky rocketed. I have no idea why and had to dramatically reduce my speed but I can tell you I have never felt so bad - not even when I first started out. I was breathless when I finished and it took about 20 minutes to get my breathing back under control. Hopefully a one off thing will know more in the morning when I try it again.

This morning was measurement day and again weird. Everything feels a tiny bit looser but the overall measurements were 3.5 cm bigger than a fortnight ago. Hopefully just the way I measured.

Off to the gym this morning for a 30 minute weight session and no ill effects. The best thing though was when a total stranger came up to me and said how much different I looked from when she last saw me several weeks ago. Now the weight loss and measurements mean this shouldn't have happened but you know what, I'll take it.

I always reward myself when something good likes this happens. Is it worth an I pad? Maybe!

Design Wall Monday, Using the Stash and Days 48 & 49

In the last couple of months I have managed to get work under control and found time to exercise. What I haven't been doing is sewing. This state of affairs has to stop as how can I not be doing something that gives me so much pleasure.

So a plan was hatched yesterday. Last year I saw a scrappy quilt on Kathie's blog that I fell in love with. It is really simple sewing and will use all repos. So every day I am going to cut at least one fabric strip and get it sewn on. Just a small start but hopefully enough to get my mojo back.

Here's the start.



Not much is it but watch this space.

To the stash then and another week with nil out.

Week 21

Fabric used 0
Fabric used to date 12 1/2 metres

Goal for 2010 Use 100 metres

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

Now for the exercise report. Yesterday was weights day and I always warm up for five minutes on the treadmill. At a really low speed my back started to spasm - never a good sign. However not to be deterred I completed my workout. Paid for it for the rest of the day but fortunately a massage today has helped considerably.

Took it a bit easier on the treadmill tonight 2.70kms in 30 minutes.

So 7 weeks of 30 minutes of exercise everyday. I'm feeling good.

Days 43 to 47

Day 43 was weigh-in day and it did not make me happy. I soon as I saw my body fat percentage had dropped again I knew the scales were going to register higher. They did - a gain of 0.6kgs in a fortnight. I know this is what happens but it is not easy to take when I have been working so hard.

So a new plan was hatched for the next fortnight. I'm going hard on the hills on the treadmill. Has a number of benefits - higher calorie burn and I believe it aids in my overall fitness. The weight report in two weeks time will show if this was a good idea or not.

So off to the gym after work with a new resolve and 2.67kms.

Wednesday is usually a day I work out in the morning but this week I had meeting. So an early evening session again for a total distance traveled of 2.72kms.

Thursday I was in the gym in the morning and while I had thought I was going to do some weights I just didn't feel up to it. So back on the treadmill to travel 2.75kms.

Friday was the first farewell for one of my staff. The rest leave next Friday. Deb gave me the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers. Here's just a glimpse.




Friday afternoon with Tamera. She works me hard but I enjoy it. Most enjoyable part of the workout realising I really did have abs. They may well be buried under layers of fat but she surely had them working. She is exploring things with me I haven't done before and while it's pushing me out of my comfort zone it's in a good way.

Woke up this morning with a little muscle fatigue but nothing like last week. 30 minutes on the treadmill for 2.81kms. Today was the first day I can say I felt comfortable walking at over 6kms an hour. Puts a smile on my face as tangible proof I am getting fitter.

As it's Saturday time for before and after photos.

Here's before



and here's after.



I can see some changes so I'm a happy camper. I know in the picture I don't look happy but that's because I hate having my photo taken!

Using the stash and days 40 to 42

Another week of no sewing so lets gets this over with quickly.

Week 20

Fabric used 0
Fabric used to date 12 1/2 metres

Goal for 2010 Use 100 metres

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

Now to what is making feeling good this week. I completed six weeks of exercise tonight. I'm happy with my accomplishment. It's a good start but still along way to go. Tomorrow is weigh in day and I am prepared for no weight loss. I have began to really know my body over the last few years and clothes are sitting differently on me. This always means my body fat has gone done but the weight hasn't. The new me can deal with it - I hope.

So what's been happening the last few days. First up on Saturday measurements. Total loss of 3 cm across chest, waist and hips. Movement down makes me happy. Then an early morning gym session and 2.73kms on the treadmill in 30 minutes.

Sunday was the hardest day so far. I was sick as a dog but managed to get to the gym and walked 2.63kms. Hard to do when you feel like throwing up. Not a pretty picture.

Today feeling slightly better and 2.73kms on the treadmill.

This week has turned into a gentle week overall and I think that's been a good thing. I need to make sure I don't burn out and the feelings of exhaustion are just about gone. So next week I plan to go hard. Oh and I may even make a real effort with food. Watch this space.

Days 36 to 39

I need to post tonight as I'm guessing I will be so sore tomorrow I will not be fit for anything! Today was the first day with my new trainer and WOW she worked me hard. I'm used to the boys asking my permission before they up the weights but no such niceties with Tamara. I think she is going to be a good fit. The most exciting thing to come out of the session - I can touch the floor. I had convinced myself it was impossible but all of a sudden I was doing it. So exercise for today was 30 minutes of weights.

Backtracking to Tuesday I did 31 minutes on the treadmill and covered 2.79kms

Wednesday was weights and 3.17kms on the bike.

Yesterday back on the treadmill for 30 minutes and 2.70kms.

Think of me in the morning when I am back on the treadmill and struggling to move.

Day 35

Yeah me 5 weeks done. I must admit I set my challenge but really had no idea how I would go. I now believe I have a real chance of success.

A quick 30 minutes on the treadmill today and traveled 2.67kms.