Working Out Week 10 of 2014

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The first week of March went by quickly.  This marks the 10th week of the year and week 9 of P90X3 for me.  This week the workouts changed again – some new ones were added that I had not done yet.  The new workouts really brought out the intensity in my opinion.  Below is the schedule for the past week:

  • Monday – Decelerator
  • Tuesday – MMX
  • Wednesday – Eccentric Lower
  • Thursday – X3 Yoga
  • Friday – Triometrics
  • Saturday – Eccentric Upper

Decelerator was one of the new workouts and it is quite a challenge.  It is a really good total body workout.  I really like a lot of the moves we did in this one, especially the superman-bow move (lower right photo).  My cat seemed to like this workout, too.

Decelerator wk9 P90X3 Kimberlees Korner

Another new workout in this weeks rotation was called Eccentric Lower.  This was mainly a lower body workout as it says in the name.  This workout uses dumbbells for a lot of the exercises.  I used 12 and 10 pounds and a 15 for one or two moves.   As I was doing this workout I didn’t really feel much – you only do 10 reps of a lot of the moves.  But, let me tell you that later that day and the next morning my whole upper thigh, glute and hip area told me that workout was changing my lower body for the better.

Eccentric Lower wk 9 Kimberlees Korner

I also did some of my Exhale Core Fusion workouts after the P90X3, just like last week.  This week I used a different dvd – the Pilates Plus.  The workouts I used were just 10 minutes sessions again:  Pure Core, Upper Body, Thighs & Glutes, Flat-Round Back-Core.  The Thigh & Glutes is one of my favorites on this dvd as it incorporates a lot of ab-core work and you can really feel it tone your waistline.  As seen in a couple of the photos below you kneel and lean back as far as you can then twist to the left and right – it sounds easier than it is, believe me.  The other move you continue to lean back and then tap your fist together about 8 or 10 times per side – thighs are burning the whole time and the waist is really getting a great workout.

 ECF Pilates Plus thighs&glutes Kimberlees Korner

I have also been breaking in some new training shoes this past week:

Sketchers Training Shoes Kimberlees Korner

The shoes are Sketchers Go Fit Cross Training shoes.  They recommend training shoes for workouts like P90X3.  I have been wearing Nike training shoes that I really love but they seem to be wearing down on the inside which seems to happen to me since I workout a lot.  I couldn’t find any Nike ones in my size the other day that I liked so I decided to try these.  So far I really like them and they are super light – great for plyo moves and a lot of jumping.  They are also comfortable to walk in.

I hope everyone has had a good first week of March.  I am hoping it will start to warm up soon – I am really tired of winter this year and ready for warmer temperatures.

Have a great week!

Kimberlee

St Patrick’s Day Lace Infinity Scarf

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Now that the Olympics are over it was time to move on to some other crochet and knitting projects.  St. Patricks Day is coming soon so I started this lace knit infinity scarf the last couple of days of watching the Olympics.  I finished it a few days ago and wanted to share it on my blog. St Pats Day Lace Knit Cowl from Kimberlees Korner

St Pats Lace Knit Infinity Scarf from Kimberlees Korner

I really like how my new design turned out.  The yarn I use is the Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn – a soft worsted weight yarn.  Both yarns are in the sparkle version so the green and the white both have metallic silver thread in the yarn – you can kind of see it in the close up photo below.   I only did a small amount of white since that is what I had leftover from making my Olympic projects.  I also like the length – it can be worn long as a stylish accessory or doubled for warmth.  Lace Knit Infinity Scarf in St Patricks Day colors Kimberlees Korner

The knitting stitch I used for this pattern reminds me of crochet.  I really like the openwork of the pattern.  I am currently designing another infinity scarf – cowl using the same pattern mixed with another stitch and I really like how it is turning out.  I will be sharing that on my blog soon so check back often to see what is new.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

Working Out Week 9 of 2014

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This last week of February has gone by so fast!  I can not believe it is now March.  This past week I completed week 8 of P90X3 and I also did a few extra workouts after my 30 minutes of P90X3 using one of my Exhale Core Fusion dvd’s.  I like those workouts because they are pilates-yoga based and are divided into 10 minute segments.  I did one segment each day this week after P90X3.  I really like how the Exhale Core Fusion tone your whole body – especially your abs and they give you a great stretch, too.

This week was transition week again for P90X3 so the workouts were as follows:

  • Monday – Isometrix
  • Tuesday – Dynamix
  • Wednesday – Accelerator
  • Thursday – Pilates X
  • Friday – Agility X
  • Saturday – Yoga

Isometrix and the Pilates are probably still my favorites for this week.  Below are the photos from those workouts:

Isometrix wk 8 P90X3

Pilates wk 8 P90X3

The Exhale Core Fusion dvd I used this past week was the Lean and Toned.  I did the following sessions:  Pretzel & Core – did this twice, Upper Body, Flat-Round Back (very hard ab and thigh workout) and Gluteal toner.  I have decided to try and start incorporating my Exhale Core Fusion workouts – since I have all of them – into my daily workout just for a 10 minute session.  These workouts really help tone your whole body.  Below are photos from the upper body session which is done with light weights.  Try doing the push ups with your hands forming a triangle underneath you – it is hard.ECF Upper Body workout Kimberlees Korner

This past week was also the start of another fitness challenge for me called Power of Vitality.  This challenge is through my husbands work and spouses are allowed to participate.  You receive points for your daily workouts and at the end of the challenge, which I forgot to check the specific date on, you get to go shopping with your points and possibly get something really nice depending on how many points you have.  I think it is great that his company is encouraging their employees and their families to get fit and lead a healthy life style.  The Power of Vitality website also has a lot of great health information and even healthy recipes.  I tried one this past week.  It was a rice dish made with brown rice, turmeric, coriander and sundried tomatoes.   I had it for lunch two different days and it was really good.

Brown Rice with Sundried Tomatoes

Brown Rice with turmeric, coriander and sundried tomatoes

I am also reading the new Tony Horton book The Big Picture – 11 Laws That Will Change Your Life.  I am now on Law 5 – I guess that would be chapter 5.  So far I really like the book and it has a lot of great advice.

Quote from Tony Horton book

I hope everyone had a great February and are looking forward to an even better March.  I am going to continue on with the P90X3 program and also try to do my Exhale Core Fusion dvd’s as a bonus workout.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

Top with Knit Lace Panel

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I recently designed this new shirt that has a lace knit panel insert on the front and back.  The idea for creating this was for two reasons.  One, this shirt was a little too small (tight) for me and Two, I really like this easy to knit lace stitch that I had recently used to create another project.Top with Knit Lace Panels from Kimberlees Korner

To make this you will need to know how to knit and how to use a sewing machine.

Supplies needed:

  • Size US 8 knitting needles
  • Worsted weight yarn that is washable – I used Hobby Lobby I Love this Yarn
  • T-shirt that is a little too snug or one size too small for you
  • Fabric scissors
  • Sewing machine
  • Sewing thread to match shirt

Step 1:  Using your fabric scissors cut up the center front and center back of shirt – use a tape measure or ruler to determine the center point.Cut shirt apart center front and back Kimberlees Korner

Step 2:  Knit your lace panels

Cast on 16 sts – knit the first row

Row 1:  *k2tog, yo, k2; rep from * across

Rep Row 1 for pattern – measure your front cut center line of shirt and when your knitted piece is close to that length knit 1 more row, then bind off.

Make another panel for the back following the same pattern above – note that the back section will be longer so you will need to measure that and knit this panel a little longer.Pin Lace panel to shirt placing shirt on top and panel on bottom Kimberlees Korner

Step 3:  When both your panels are knitted you will then pin them to the shirt front and back and using your sewing machine and a stitch length of approx. 3 stitch the shirt and panel together with the shirt laying on top of the panel – use the inner edge of you presser foot (see below)  as a guide for a seam allowance.  You will have to stitch down each side of the panel so you will stitch 4 different times.   Weave in the ends of the yarn when you are done – or you could do it before but I did mine at the end.Sewing knit panels to shirt using your sewing machine and straight stitch Kimberlees Korner

That’s it – all done.   Super simple and fun to wear.  The top can be worn as is or with a camisole or tank top underneath.  I have a tank top under mine that I found at Old Navy and it was the perfect red to match the shirt.   Top with Knit Lace Panel Kimberlees Korner

I am currently working on a short sleeve version for spring using a different lace stitch and I will be sharing that on my blog in March – so be sure to follow me via bloglovin, email or RSS feed for future updates.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

Working Out Week 8 of 2014

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This is the end of week 8 of 2014 and week 7 of the P90X3 program for me.  I am now more than halfway through the 90 days of workouts.  It has really gone by pretty fast.

This past week was the same workout schedule as the past 2 weeks.  I had to go a little easy at the beginning of this past week since my left knee started bothering me on Sunday.  I think I twisted it somehow during the CVX workout last Saturday.  Thankfully it feels better today.  I did CVX this morning but I did not push quite as hard on some of the pivot and twisting moves while using the weight.

On Tuesday was the Warrior workout.  I like this one – not as well as some of the others but it is an awesome total body workout.  I had to be careful with some parts of it and the jumping since my knee was really feeling it that day.

P90X3 warrior wk 7 Kimberlees Korner

Wednesday was Yoga day and I was really looking forward to that workout.  I thought it would help my knee feel better and I believe it did.  This gave it a break from the high intensity and provided some extra stretching.  I love yoga anyhow and this yoga workout has quickly become one of my favorite yoga workouts.  I think my cat really likes it too because he was around for most of this session.

Yoga wk 7 P90X3 www.kimberleeskorner.com/blog

I finally got around to embroidering a new workout T-shirt.  In some of the workouts Tony mentions that “Aging is for Idiots”  I decided I wanted that on a workout shirt.  I also wanted to put something on the back so I embroidered “Stay Fit    Stay Young” across the back.  Below is me wearing the shirt after the MMX workout on Thursday – the dark dots are sweat on the shirt.

Embroidered Tshirt from Kimberlees Korner

The photo below shows a close up of the embroidery:

Close up of Embroidery

This week will be week 8 of P90X3.  It is the transition week so not quite as intense as the past 3 weeks – it still is not easy but I really enjoy doing Isometrixs (one of my favorites), Dynamix and the Pilates workouts.  We will still do Yoga, too.

I will also be starting in a new fitness group this week with my husbands work.  It is called the Power of Vitality challenge.  I am still in my facebook fitness group, too.  I think being in a group really motivates you to exercise and stay accountable.

I hope everyone had a great week of working out.  Click on Leave a Reply and let me know what workouts you are currently doing and how they are going.

Have a great weekend!

Kimberlee

Deco Mesh Olympic Wreath

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As I mentioned the other day in my post, Crochet and Knitting Olympic Style, I have been on an Olympic craft spree lately.  This past weekend I created this really fun wreath from a wire wreath frame and deco mesh that I bought at Hobby Lobby.  This is the easiest project and can be made in less than an hour.

To make a wreath like this you will need:

  • 16 inch wire wreath frame
  • 1 roll 21 inch wide deco mesh
  • 1roll 5 1/2 inch wide deco mesh
  • 1 roll wire edge ribbon
  • pipe cleaners to match your deco mesh
  • scissorsSupplies needed to make deco mesh wreath Kimberlees Korner
  1. Wrap 21 inch deco mesh around frame using pipe cleaners to secure every 5 or 6 inches leaving the mesh kind of full to hide the pipe cleaners.  When you make it all the way around to the place where you started overlap the beginning a little and secure to the back the end – you will have to cut the deco meshMaking Deco Mesh Wreath Kimberlees KornerPipe Cleaners to secure Deco Mesh to wreath frame Kimberlees Korner
  2. Use the 5 1/2 inch wide deco mesh in between the previous wider layers – this layer I just secured at the beginning and end with pipe cleanrersWrap another layer around with 5 1/2 inch deco mesh
  3. Make a bow with your wire edge ribbon – (I am not the greatest bow maker so I am not going to tell you how to make your bow).  Secure bow to wreath using a pipe cleaner or some type of floral wireDeco Mesh Olympic Wreath Kimberlees Korner

That’s it – All Done!  Super EASY!  I really like how it turned out and I have had it up all week to show my Olympic spirit.  I will also be able to use it for other holidays like Memorial Day and 4th of July.    I have quite a bit of the deco mesh left so I figure I can use it to make another wreath or decorate my patio out back for the holidays I just mentioned.

I am thinking this deco mesh would also make a fun St. Patricks Day wreath.

I hope you enjoyed this short tutorial on how to make this fun wreath.  Please follow me via bloglovin, email or RSS to receive future updates on other craft and sewing projects.  The icons are in the sidebar.

Have a great day!Deco Mesh Olympic Wreath Kimberlees Korner

Kimberlee

Linking to:
The Olympics, Oh Link Picks Linky Party and Medal Ceremony with Learn Like A Mom, P is for Preschooler, This Ole Mom, and Mice in the Kitchen

Crochet and Knitting Olympic Style

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The opening ceremony of the Olympics in Sochi inspired me to get busy and crochet and knit some Team USA scarves.  I really liked the sweaters the USA team wore and I decided to design my own Olympic knitwear.

The first project I designed last week and crocheted every evening while watching the games was this Infinity Scarf.  I used a US K crochet hook so it worked up pretty fast.  The scarf is a multi color scarf using 3 different yarns.  It was a lot of fun to make.    I have already wore it a few times – although our weather in Texas has gotten kind of warm the last couple of days so I am glad I wore it last week.

Crochet Olympic Infinity Scarf www.kimberleeskorner.com/blog

This crochet Infinity Scarf can also be worn long – the above photo it is double wrapped.  I wore it to church the other day the long way since it was a little warmer that day.

Crochet Infinity Scarf Kimberlees Korner

The other scarf I designed is a knit version.  I knitted this one in a pretty feather and fan stitch.  It was fairly easy and I think it actually went faster than my crochet version – which is unusual because I think I crochet faster than I knit.  I used size US 10 needles for the knit version and again 3 colors of various yarns – 2 of them the same as the crochet version.    This too was a lot of fun to create.  It could also be made in other color combinations for various holidays or seasons.

Olympic Knit Scarf www.kimberleeskorner.com/blog

Knit Olympic Team USA scarf Kimberlees Korner

Both of these scarves are patterns I have designed and they will be coming soon to my etsy shop and to my craftsy pattern store.

I have been in Team USA creative mode and also made a really pretty wreath.  I will be posting that in the next couple of days with instructions on how to make it so be sure to subscribe to my blog via bloglovin, email or RSS by clicking on the icons in the sidebar.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

Working Out Week 7 of 2014

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I have now completed the 6th week of the 13 weeks of P90X3.   This week was the same schedule as last week.  I think from this 3 week rotation of workouts my favorites are Triometrics and MMX.  I still really like CVX as well but since that was a favorite in the first 3 weeks I wanted to pick a couple of new ones for the new round of workouts.

Triometrics is a leg burner for sure.  I mentioned on my facebook page the other day that it should be called Killer Legs.  This workout is definitely transforming my legs, hips and glutes.

Week 6 Triometrics Kimberlees Korner

MMX is the kickboxing – mixed martial arts workout that is a lot of fun.  Time flies when you are doing this one – it hardly even seems like 30 minutes.  This workout is a total body routine.  I am looking forward to doing it again in the coming week – week 7.

P90X3 week 6 MMX Kimberlees Korner

I have been trying to maintain eating a clean diet while doing this workout.  Actually I try and eat clean most of the time.  I did splurge a little this week with it being Valentines Day yesterday and I made some homemade chocolate peanut clusters for my family.  I ate 2 of them.   I feel like it is okay to have a treat a couple of times a week as long as it is in moderation and you limit how much you have.   I don’t think it is a good idea to deprive yourself of everything especially if you have been working really hard.

I have also been trying to take in more fiber.  I have been eating Bob’s Red Mill 7 grain hot cereal in the mornings.  That cereal is pretty good with a little honey and almond milk stirred into it.  I have also stirred in some honey and peanut butter with a little milk.  It is very satisfying and keeps you full for quite a while.   It has 6 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein per serving.  6 grams of fiber is 23% of your daily fiber.

My motivation quote this week was:

All About Attitude Kimberlees Korner

This week I also got Tony Horton’s new book that was just released last week.  It is called The Big Picture – 11 Laws That Will Change Your Life.  
I have not started reading it yet as I am currently reading three other books and I want to finish one of those first.  I have skimmed through it and it looks like an excellent book and I can’t wait to start it.  I am hoping to finish a book this weekend so I can start reading Tony’s book.   I will update more on the book in my weekly fitness post as I start reading it.  

So, how are your workouts going?  I would love to hear about them – just click on Leave a Reply and let me know.

Have a great weekend!

Kimberlee

Red Crochet Tunic

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This week has been filled with crochet projects.  I recently finished this crochet tunic design and figured today was a great day to share it since it is red and today is Valentines Day!

Red Crochet Tunic Happy Valentines Day www.kimberleeskorner.com/blog

This project took me a while to complete.  I think it was because I made it quite long and you have to crochet a front and a back.  The one side I got crocheted pretty fast but I kept putting the other side in my UFO (unfinished objects) pile and would work on other designs and ideas.  Once I finally finished both sides they sat there for a week waiting to be sewn together.  That is one of the things about making a garment – you have completed all the crochet or knitting and then you still have to sew the pieces together…

Well, I finally got the pieces sewn together and even wore it the other day to church with the black leggings I made a couple of months ago.  I really like how it looks with leggings or with jeans.  I am also thinking it will look good with a tank top or camisole underneath it for spring and summer.

I will eventually have this pattern available in my etsy shop and on craftsy.  I was so happy to get it finished I wanted to share it on my blog first.

Red Crochet Tunic Kimberlees Korner

What crochet or knitting projects have you recently completed?   Click on Leave a Reply and tell me about them.

Have a Happy Valentines Day!

Kimberlee

Crochet Cowl – Infinity Scarf

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I recently stumbled upon a facebook page called Frayed Knot by Jonna and learned about a crochet challenge.  The challenge is called the Design Wars Challenge .  The challenge is to create a crochet item using Red Heart With Love yarn.  I decided to design a new crochet pattern for a cowl, or infinity scarf, since I happen to have one skein of this yarn in a deep purple color.  Here is the design I will be entering in the challenge:

Crochet Design Wars challenge entry from Kimberlees Korner

I really like how my pattern turned out and it can be worn long or double wrapped for warmth.  Crochet Cowl from Kimberlees KornerThe yarn is a worsted weight acrylic yarn and very easy to work with.  I plan to have the pattern available soon in my etsy shop and on craftsy.  I was so excited about finishing it and  I wanted to get it entered in the challenge and share it here on my blog first.

This challenge is for the whole month of February and you can click on the link above to learn more about it if you are interested in entering.

What crochet or knitting projects are you currently working on?  I am crocheting a new infinity scarf that is in Olympic USA team colors.  I got inspired to make something red, white and blue after the opening ceremony and seeing their cool sweaters and hats that they wore.  I have been working on it the last few nights while watching the games.  I hope to have it done in the next few days and share it on my blog soon.  Be sure to subscribe to my blog via bloglovin, email or RSS to receive future posts.  You can find the icons in the sidebar.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee