Month: January 2016

Working Out January 2016

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The month of January is almost over – it seems like this month went by very fast to me.  I have now completed three full weeks of the Hammer and Chisel workout program and started week 4 yesterday.  So far I am really liking the program and seeing good results.

Hammer and Chisel dvd's, booklet and containers

The workouts are classified as Hammer workouts or Chisel workouts.  Basically you alternate one day of a Hammer workout with Sagi and the next day a Chisel workout with Autumn.  I am not sure which workout I like the best so far.  I do know that Total Body Hammer, Hammer Conditioning and Total Body Chisel are probably my top three picks as of now.  Most of the workouts involve heavy weights at some point in the workout but there are a couple that do not require any weights.  I also bought the Deluxe workout dvd’s and this week, week 4, some of those are being incorporated into the workout as an option if you have them.  It is nice to change it up a bit.

Total Body Chisel Workout Week 3 Kimberlees Korner

Hammer Conditioning Workout Week 2 Kimberlees Korner

The workouts are all pretty much an intermediate level form of exercise.  They range in time from 26 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the workout.  Some days you add on one of the 10 minute ab workouts after completing the workout for that day – there is a 10 minute Ab Hammer and a 10 minute Ab Chisel workout on each dvd.

There are some great motivational quotes and sayings throughout all the workouts from Autumn and Sagi.    One of them from Hammer Plyo workout from Sagi is “Pain is Temporary.”  Hammer Plyo is a very intense workout and the quote fits the workout – it is tough but the pain is temporary and the results are worth the effort.  Another one from Sagi and Total Body Hammer is “Never Ever Give Up.”  A quote from Autumn that I really like is “No one ever got chiseled by sitting on their butt.”  This is so true – if you want to get in shape and feel better about yourself you are going to have to put in the effort and time and workout – do something every day to become a healthier person.  She also talks in one of the workouts how you have to choose your “hard.”  Working out every day is hard but so is being overweight and unhappy about your health – you pick your “hard.”

Grapefruit Sharp Juice
Grapefruit Sharp Juice – juice 3 grapefruits, 2 lemons, 2 limes

I have also been trying to use my juicer at least once or twice a week to help me get more fruits and vegetables in my diet.  With Hammer and Chisel there is an eating plan you follow and for my plan, plan B, I need to have 4 vegetables a day and 3 fruits.  The program comes with the containers to measure your food – as seen in the photo above at the beginning of the post.  You really begin to understand portion control and see how much you should be eating per serving whether it is protein, carbs, vegetables, fruits or condiments and dressings.  I think that by using the containers and following the eating plan pretty closely the past month plus using the workouts six days a week I have been able to lose inches around my hips and thighs – so far I have lost one inch from each area (hips and thighs) in just one month.

One of the other benefits of the workouts is how much stronger I am getting and I notice I am starting to be able to go up in my weights for some of the exercises.  I am looking forward to another month of Hammer and Chisel for February and to see my end results.

What workout are you currently doing?  Let me know by leaving a reply.

-Kimberlee

New Knitting Projects and Yarns

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Happy 2016!  A new year – time for some new knitting projects, new yarns and lots of new ideas.

I recently purchased some really nice sock yarn from a shop on etsy called The Queens Ransome.  This shop has some really great sock yarns and one ball should make one pair of socks.  You can click on the highlighted text to take you to the shop and view the yarns.  Below are the yarns I purchased.

sock yarn from the queens ransome

I fell in love with the yarn at the top – the red, black and gray – which is called Zombie yarn – I like the name, too.  I have started knitting a pair of socks with that yarn.

knitted sock with Zombie yarn and new yarn bowl

 

So far that is the progress on my Spiral Tube Sockwhich is a free pattern from Patons that I have had for years, but it is still available if you click on the link of highlighted text.  I actually tried to knit socks about five or six years ago and gave up when I got one sock about halfway done.  I got to the heel area and didn’t quite get all the directions for the heel turn and everything.  Well, this pair of socks does not have that part since they are spiral knit so I am starting with this pattern and will work my way to the other with the heel turn.  I am determined to master knitting socks – a goal for 2016.

Sock yarn also makes beautiful shawls.  Since I have 4 balls of it I may use one for a spring shawl.

pottery yarn bowl

I also wanted to share this beautiful new pottery yarn bowl I received as a gift from my oldest son for Christmas.  I have been wanting one of these for a while – there are many to choose from on etsy – so I messaged him a couple I would like for Christmas and he picked out this one.  I love the design and the colors – he picked a great one from the Red Hot Pottery shop.

I have also been working on some new designs for hats, headbands and cowls.  A new sweater design is also coming to life.

new hat pattern coming soon from Kimberlees Korner

The above is one hat I have finished for a new pattern and I am making another version for the same pattern.  When I have the other version complete I will be adding the pattern to my shops.  This hat is knit in the round so there are no seams.

Scallop Knit Lace Cowl Design from Kimberlees Korner

The cowl above is another one of my new designs, it is knit in gradient colors – 3 shades and also knit in the round on circular needles.   I had a lot of fun designing this and plan to release the pattern this month – so be sure to check my etsy, craftsy and ravelry shops.

What projects are you currently working on for January?  Let me know by leaving a reply.

-Kimberlee