This time last year I had lost right at twenty pounds and was getting more active. Things were rocking along nicely, even though I had wanted to lose more, I was feeling good and pretty content about it.
Then, of course, the pounds crept back and I am within just a few of gaining it all back.
sigh
In addition to vitamins and allergy medicine, I take prescription medications for migraines: Imitrex and a low-dose beta blocker.
While beta blockers are typically used for hypertension, that has not been an issue for me. Conversely, when the doctor first put me on the beta blocker, my blood pressure was on the low side of normal, typically around 90/60.
Yesterday it was 124/72.
For the first time in my life, I had a medical health care professional encourage diet and exercise.
He asked what had changed in the last year.
I told him I was more sedentary now because I am obsessed with knitting.
He laughed, then offered: "Perhaps, you can knit on a treadmill?"
Yeah. I guess there is that.
UPDATED: Looking on the bright side, if I were to lose weight and tone up, I would actually be a smaller size and require less yarn... Theoretically, sweaters for me would take less time, right?
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Knitting Fiend
Ok, I'm not a knitting fiend, but I have been knitting. I have proof!
This one is a Zitron Loft Color yarn - in a colorway I have dubbed "wild and crazy color" and which I used to complete another challenge scarf - Ms. Feisty her ownself challenged me to a "Foooour Hoooour" scarf. It took me 6 hours - I knit slow.
This is a Be Sweet boucle mohair yarn in colorway burgandy-brown but in the photo it looks pink - don't know why that is - that I turned into a scarf for an 8 year old. She loved it.
Lastly, I have begun a fun fur scarf in Lion Brand Fun Fur yarn - colorway Copacabana. :)
This one is a Zitron Loft Color yarn - in a colorway I have dubbed "wild and crazy color" and which I used to complete another challenge scarf - Ms. Feisty her ownself challenged me to a "Foooour Hoooour" scarf. It took me 6 hours - I knit slow.
This is a Be Sweet boucle mohair yarn in colorway burgandy-brown but in the photo it looks pink - don't know why that is - that I turned into a scarf for an 8 year old. She loved it.
Lastly, I have begun a fun fur scarf in Lion Brand Fun Fur yarn - colorway Copacabana. :)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Adopting a new approach
Don't laugh.
Seriously.
Do not laugh at me.
The WiP pile is under control. I started 2009 with a total of 9 works in progress. I just marked the oldest one off my list.
Yay!
Eight to go, and by the end of the week, I think a pair of socks will duly be dubbed: Pair I, January 2009.
Which means, of course, eleven more to go...in theory. I say "in theory" because I have modified my 2009 goals to give me a bit of wiggle room. I am aiming at offing 12 skeins of sock yarn this year. If that translates into 12 pairs of socks...WAHOOO! I just reserve the right to transform them into different forms.
However, I really desire to do more than just 12 skeins of sock yarn (or pairs of socks).
There are a number of sweaters, cardigans, hats, scarves, fingerless mitts, and wraps calling my name.
The new approach?
Well, instead of buying a bunch of yarn for a project in mind, I fully intend to test swatch the hell out of a ball of yarn to make absolutely certain it is appropriate for the task intended.
It is my hope this approach solves all manner of dilemma.
1. It will give me something new to play with at a subtantially reduced cost.
Instead of buying fifteen skeins for a pullover only to discover a) the color is not so great, b)the yarn makes sucky cables, or c) it itches, I will have only invested in one little ball.
2. Swatching is damned important.
3. This will give me a chance to test drive different kinds of yarn, particularly lower cost varieties (Elann, KnitPicks, etc.) that I have, heretofore, eyed skeptically. (I have actually been burned by one of the Elann yarns, so I am a little wary, although I have heard good things about KnitPicks and have two separate skeins on order to test drive.)
4. Swatching is almost like starting a new project without starting a new project. Read immediate gratification here.
5. Lest anyone think these single balls of yarn will go to waste, I intend to become the Queen of One Skein Wonders, after all, I already have three books on the subject.
Anyone with me?
Seriously.
Do not laugh at me.
The WiP pile is under control. I started 2009 with a total of 9 works in progress. I just marked the oldest one off my list.
Yay!
Eight to go, and by the end of the week, I think a pair of socks will duly be dubbed: Pair I, January 2009.
Which means, of course, eleven more to go...in theory. I say "in theory" because I have modified my 2009 goals to give me a bit of wiggle room. I am aiming at offing 12 skeins of sock yarn this year. If that translates into 12 pairs of socks...WAHOOO! I just reserve the right to transform them into different forms.
However, I really desire to do more than just 12 skeins of sock yarn (or pairs of socks).
There are a number of sweaters, cardigans, hats, scarves, fingerless mitts, and wraps calling my name.
The new approach?
Well, instead of buying a bunch of yarn for a project in mind, I fully intend to test swatch the hell out of a ball of yarn to make absolutely certain it is appropriate for the task intended.
It is my hope this approach solves all manner of dilemma.
1. It will give me something new to play with at a subtantially reduced cost.
Instead of buying fifteen skeins for a pullover only to discover a) the color is not so great, b)the yarn makes sucky cables, or c) it itches, I will have only invested in one little ball.
2. Swatching is damned important.
3. This will give me a chance to test drive different kinds of yarn, particularly lower cost varieties (Elann, KnitPicks, etc.) that I have, heretofore, eyed skeptically. (I have actually been burned by one of the Elann yarns, so I am a little wary, although I have heard good things about KnitPicks and have two separate skeins on order to test drive.)
4. Swatching is almost like starting a new project without starting a new project. Read immediate gratification here.
5. Lest anyone think these single balls of yarn will go to waste, I intend to become the Queen of One Skein Wonders, after all, I already have three books on the subject.
Anyone with me?
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