My 2 Cores

4 years ago, my husband and I had a fitness evaluation done at LifeTime Fitness. The experience was so horrible that I was actually teary-eyed in the car afterwards. My husband’s physical age was a few years younger than his actual age and I was physically almost 10 years older. Being physically older wasn’t a surprise, but the woman’s attitude during the evaluation made it all the more devastating. She was so positive and energetic when it came to my husband, but I received comments like “you’re too young to be that fat” and “you have no core.” Occasionally, she even cut some of my evaluations short. I didn’t think I was that bad. I was around 210 pounds, but I could still touch my toes (well, after my muscles warmed up and stretched a little).

Honestly, it was the comment about my core that really hurt. It wasn’t merely because it was the center of my body and completely weak, but it also touched on its more spiritual meaning. I doubt she meant it on that level, but it rang true all the same. I elected not to hire her as a personal trainer and instead took some yoga classes and ran on a treadmill from time to time. I also kept thinking about my core.

After discussing my knee pain (which, as it turns, out actually stems from my hips) with my chiropractor, I decided to add Pilates to my yoga regime in order to focus more on strengthening my core. Although I appreciated the instructor’s passion for Pilates, she was extremely rigid in her teaching. She would explain the movements then mention one modification. If I couldn’t do either of those, she simply ignored me. She rarely ever showed the class the movements, so it made it more difficult to know what to do. By the time I figured out the correct position and my muscles actually started to work, we had to move to the next position. There were moments when I felt as though I was accomplishing something but didn’t know quite what it was and certainly didn’t have the time to figure it out. Sadly, I left the classes all too often without working my core and feeling frustrated.

Fortunately, my physical core was becoming a little stronger due to the yoga classes. LifeTime had a range of classes focusing on the different styles of yoga.  Some were more of a cardio workout such as Hot Yoga while others focused more on balance or flexibility such as Vinyasa Flow or Hatha. All had an emphasis on fluid movements and breathing. I definitely loved the calmness that I felt after any of the classes.  For me, knowing the individual poses, the routine and how they flowed into one another was comforting.

The instructors never promoted the spirituality of their classes, but it was there for me. I know people often get an endorphin rush or a workout high, but this was different. The simple act of focusing on my breath and the fluid transitions between movements was transforming the center of my being—my core.  This was further emphasized when my husband and I started taking some private yoga classes. I was shocked at how enlightening/uplifting/releasing/de-stressing those sessions could be. There were moments of such strong releases for me that I almost cried. Most of these came towards the end of the session when we were to absorb our practice and slowly come back to our everyday life. That calmness and euphoria made me really believe that I could handle the stress of my job, live a healthier life, and be a better life partner. My husband was awesome at letting me stay in my little trance for a few minutes after those sessions instead of yanking me right back to reality.

Fast forward a few years… I lost some weight, my office moved, my work hours increased, we moved, I quit yoga, and I gained the weight back. Today both of my cores are weak again. Although I loved yoga and intend to start it again, I’m looking to Pilates to strengthen my physical core. And, if I’m lucky, maybe my spiritual one will find a little strength there as well.

I Never Knew Snakes Wore Barrettes

Well, I finished my first quilt of 2013. I must confess that I started this one in 2012, but the goal was to have 20 quilts completed this year, so I'm counting it. 

I did the miter corners on this one. I took a beginning quilting class a year ago and we covered binding, but it didn't really stick. The instructor was great, but she must have given me lots of little pointers that I didn't remember. I searched through a dozen YouTube videos and didn't find one that showed her method completely. All her parts were found but never the entire combination. Her methods were very similar to the ones described by Joelle Hoverson in Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts. Unfortunately, her 2 pictures weren't enough. Through trial and error I figured it out. Thank goodness for seam rippers!

Did you know quilting involved a ton of ironing? Well, it does. This includes making the binding. You actually iron each piece flat then iron all the seams open so that they won't bunch up and create a little too much bulk on the edges.  

You then fold in half the entire binding to make one long piece of fabric. I remember my instructor referring to this as a "snake." Not something I usually like to equate with quilting, but since this is a bug quilt, I'll go with it. Of course you need to iron the snake to make the edges crisp.

This gray fabric from Kona changes color with heat and starch. It freaked me out the first time because it is quite a drastic change. I would definitely try ironing a small sample  to make sure the change isn't permanent. 

After machine sewing the binding on one side, it's time to iron again. This time I ironed everything open so that it would make hand binding the back easier. To keep the binding down, I used binding clips. Cue the "I never knew snakes wore barrettes," comment from my witty husband. Whatever you want to call them, they are awesome. 

Here's the finished project that will hopefully make its way to England for a very special little boy. 

Everyone Has to Start Somewhere

This week I’m 205 pounds, 5’6 and a type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetic. That’s my start. I don’t foresee my height or my diabetes status changing in the near future. However, losing weight will help control the diabetes and may even make me look taller.

February 2013 Blueprint

I’m a beginner quilter. I enjoy making baby blankets because of their size and the fun fabrics. This year I’ll try to go a little bigger—toddler? lap?—and maybe even attempt a twin bed size quilt. No promises on that though. It’s not piecing the quilt top that is my biggest concern but the actual quilting of it. I've only done basic straight lined quilting and need to venture out more in that department.

There are 2 quilts that I need to finish this month: “Baby Bug” and “Texas Truck.” The first is almost complete. I just need to do the binding and figure out how to make a label. It’s a simple jellyroll on the diagonal. I predominately used Micheal Miller fabrics from Patty Sloniger’s Backyard Baby collection.

My goal was to create a soft looking quilt for a baby boy. However, upon completion I think it could equally be used for a girl if one was looking for something non-princessy. 

The main attraction for me in creating jelly roll quilts is the fact that I can do everything at once: quilt top, backing, and final quilting. Most people can finish it in a day. I, however, take more time due to my inexperience with binding. Even before adding the binding, I'm happy with the way it turned out. 

Hopefully next week, I’ll have a completed quilt to show you. 

Pain and Enjoyment

Like so many Americans, I make New Year’s resolutions and then fail to follow through.  For the past few years, I haven’t even bothered to make my own. I've actually piggy-backed off of friends and family from time to time. My right-handed cousin wanted to use her left hand more last year, so I gave that a try. It went simply “okay.” After a lengthy discussion with my husband, I decided this year that I needed to couple pain with enjoyment.

Yes, pain. Losing weight is painful—physically and emotionally. It’s more than just dieting and being sore after a workout. It’s looking at oneself in a mirror and saying this isn't me or more exactly, I don’t like this version of me. To change this version of me, I've decided to lose 20 pounds this year. I think it is an attainable goal but not an easy one.

My diet of choice is the Paleo diet.  I almost don’t want to do it because it’s trendy and following trends really isn't who I am. However, my husband is a passionate follower of this diet. And honestly, in the past when following it, I actually did feel better.  We already have a ton a Paleo-friendly cookbooks, so I don’t have any excuses. As we all know, excuses are a dieter’s worse enemy.

My choices in exercise are more limited due to previous injuries.  I've decided to try Pilates due to its low impact characteristics. Plus it’s convenient, for there is a studio within walking distance of my home. I am now going twice a week. I go to a group class and for a private session to learn how to modify some of the exercises and focus on my trouble areas. I’m amazed at how in tune I am with my body only after a month of work.  I will have to add more cardio into my routine though to actually lose the weight.

Now to add enjoyment. What do I like about me? What makes me happy? It was important for me to choose something that didn't require anyone else.  Last year I took a beginning quilting class and enjoyed the creativity and sense of accomplishment it provided. It made it an easy choice. Getting a new Baby Lock sewing machine from my husband at Christmas helped the decision making a little too.