Summer festivals, gardening, farmer’s markets, the beach, camping… so many things to do, instead of sewing.

So what can you do when you want to sew, but just can’t seem to get into the studio?

How about…

• Browse through the crafts section of your local library and see if there are some interesting sewing books to borrow.  Or your favorite book store, depending on your budget.
• Spend some time exploring different sewing blogs.  Seeing what everyone else is working on may inspire a spark in you.
• Go see an art exhibit – it doesn’t have to be fiber, but checking out creative work can be good for inspiration.
• Start sketching or drawing – but try and not judge what you produce.  Just draw like you did when you were a little kid.
• Browse through a fabric store and check out their new patterns and fabric.  You don’t need to spend a mint, but a little treat can be fun for perking up a tired fabric-aholic.
• Give yourself permission to take a sewing vacation!  When you’re ready to head back into the studio, you’ll be refreshed and relaxed.

image: Stock.xchg

Post from: Blisstree

Got The Summer Sewing Blahs?

While not a foolproof plan, the following 10 tips should help you on your journey to becoming healthier (and fitting into those jeans again):

1. Weigh daily. Studies show that dieters who weigh themselves daily lose more weight and keep it off longer than those who weigh intermittently – or not at all. The scale will keep you accountable.

2. Pick a diet plan – and stick to it. Whether it’s Atkins, Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, follow the plan as it’s written and don’t deviate. Cheating on the plan or “tweaking” it to include more things you like may lead to slower weight loss. The rules are there for a reason, so make sure to follow them.

3. Drink up! No, not alcohol – I’m talking about drinking your water! Not only will 8 glasses a day help keep you full, it will flush your liver of toxins and help it burn fat more efficiently.

4. Get creative. Make your meals more interesting by adding spices like red pepper and cinnamon, and garnishes like lemon zest. They don’t add any calories, and they can give food that extra kick.

5. Try weight-bearing exercise. After the age of 30, we gradually lose muscle, resulting in a slowed metabolism. At any age, lifting weights will boost fat loss. A pound of muscle burns 5 times as many calories as a pound of fat.

6. De-stress. The more stressed a person is, the more cortisol their body will produce, resulting in slowed weight loss and fat gain around the stomach. While it’s not possible to get rid of every stressor in life, techniques like meditation or yoga may help.

7. Get enough sleep. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Research shows that sleep deprivation makes us more likely to overeat due to increased feelings of hunger.

8. Control your portions. Portion control is key to losing weight. No matter what diet you’re on, you can’t eat an unlimited amount of food. If you’re not sure how much a serving size is, try using smaller plates or specially designed plates with portions marked out (try Portion Pals)

9. Reward yourself. Set milestones along the way and find something other than food that you can use to reward yourself – say, a new pair of jeans once you lose 20 pounds. Doing this will keep you motivated and make it more likely that you’ll stay on track.

10. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Remember – it’s just one aspect of your life. Don’t go so overboard that you continually ditch plans with friends and family to concentrate on your diet. To make it sustainable for the long haul, spend time on other projects and with people who make your life rich and rewarding – no matter what you weigh.

(Image from ers.usda.gov)

Claire

Post from: Blisstree

10 Ways To Lose Weight – And Keep It Off

I’ll admit that I’m not always “motivated” to do my exercise. Sometimes it seems like a huge chore and I really AM tired/busy/whatever. However, I always feel better after I’ve done it, so I try to make myself.

Exercise has some amazing health benefits. It improves cardiovascular fitness, can help prevent heart attacks and various cancers, and it can help you lose weight (although this is being challenged right now). (I know I’ve harped on this before – but it really is important!) So make time for exercise – you may even start to enjoy it.

Claire

(image from newsletter.wsu.edu)

Post from: Blisstree

What Keeps You From Exercising?