On Friday, I got to sit in on the Portland Modern Quilt Guild's regular meeting, which had a presentation on the new MQG membership model by Alissa Haight Carlton as well as an amazing trunk show by Jacquie Gering. I adore Jacquie, and being the tall girl I am, she asked me to help Jen hold her quilts, which was so amazing. Being up close and personal with those quilts was just incredible. And hearing Jacquie speak about her quilts, gosh... I'm not sure I can put into words how hearing her speak and share her passion made me feel. Suffice it to say, it was something I won't forget for quite some time.
And I can't forget to mention Jamie...she lives in the Portland area and was kind enough to drive some of us about here and there. Her sense of direction caused quite a bit of laughter, the kind of laughter that nearly brings you to tears. I will never look at a bike lane quite the same way again, Jamie!! Thanks for the rides!
It was such a kick picking up my nametag and attaching a sneak peek of my book cover to it! It was positively surreal to talk to people and have them ask about my book. It made me kind of swallow my fear of talking about myself, and I had some great conversations with people as a result of that beautiful little conversation starter.
Speaking of my inability to talk about myself, there's something kind of big I've been up to that I haven't really shared here on my blog yet. Since the end of January, I've been on a bit of journey. A journey to become a healthier, fitter me. I've never been a thin person, other than when I was a young child. I've always been heavier, in part due to my love of baking and also because I've always despised exercising. But something happened to me in January. I decided I wanted to make a change. I didn't like what I saw in the mirror and the way that I felt. I've half-heartedly dieted over the years, but there's something different about this change I've been making. It's not a diet. It's a lifestyle change, as cheesy as it sounds. I'm not just changing the way I eat for now, I'm doing it forever. And it feels good. I started doing Weight Watchers first, and after seeing some good results in the first eight weeks, I added in some exercise, starting with the 30 Day Shred. I spent 29 days doing the 30 Day Shred
, and now I'm doing the Hip Hop Abs
video series, and having a shocking amount of fun with it. It doesn't feel like work when I constantly see the scale moving and feel my body changing. I'm usually a pretty private person, but sharing my successes and seeing the success and accountability of others on IG using the #sweatnsew hashtag is really inspiring and keeps me going. I'm talking about you, Terri and Becky! My journey is not yet over, but I'm halfway to my goal, which is a great feeling.This whole change in me made going to Market a really interesting experience - lots of people noticed that I looked different, which was both flattering and mildly mortifying at the same time. Sometimes I even have a hard time seeing a change in myself, so I thought I'd dig up some pictures from last Market to compare to pictures from this Market. Left side is last year, 40 pounds heavier, and right side is this year, with the lovely Cindy of Live a Colorful Life. Don't you love her gorgeous Little Folks raincoat?!?!
left: Spring Market 2012
right: Spring Market 2013 with Cindy/Live a Colorful Life
So, this is my last Spring Market post for this year. Next week, I'm planning to get back into my sewing room and start making a dent in my ridiculous wip list, starting with end-of-the-year teacher gifts! Are you making teacher gifts this year? What are you making? I'm still undecided, and running out of time! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!
Really nice post for lots of different reasons!
ReplyDeleteI love all your quilty work and I'm so encouraged by your weight loss and lifestyle change. I have a similar story and decided to make a change in March and today I'm down 10 pounds. I've seen the #sweatnsew and thought about joining in and I think I will now. :)
ReplyDeleteThe quilty community is great in so many ways.
Your hard work is paying off and it shows! Well done. Some friends went to Spring Market and I will be retired next year so I think I must make time to go - it looks like such fun!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your journey with us, your hard work is inspiring on many levels!
ReplyDeleteThat was a very nice post and you look really fantastic! :)
ReplyDeleteYou truly look very happy in both photos. Same person just more fit (and in an adorable polka dot sweater! although no Han Solo). I started the 30 day shred 4 days ago and feel good about working on myself for a few minutes every day. I don't need a 6-pack to feel good about myself but a little tone would be nice (and helpful for wrangling large quilts!). Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow, you look fantastic! I thought I had noticed a change! Keep up the great work! :)
ReplyDeleteLooking great!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the great progress you've made. Inspiring. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou look so great, Elizabeth! Congratulations! I need to check out the hip hop abs series...might be fun to add that to the mix!
ReplyDeleteExcellent work!!! keep up the good work and you will get there!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I had noticed a difference in the pictures but didn't say anything just in case what I was remembering from before was a less than flattering photo. :)
ReplyDeleteI love 30 Day Shred and Ripped in 30. Now I just need to dust them off and use them! :) My exercise became nonexistent last year after I got pregnant/sick but there is no excuse now that the baby is 8 months old. :) I know how much better I feel with more muscle and less fat.
You and Emily are inspiring!
I am so glad you had a good time at Market and were able to meet great people. Writing a book is a big deal - tons of work with little people in the house! - and I'm glad you got to share it with people.
Congratulations! That is fantastic!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring! You look wonderful, really a lot younger if you don't mind me saying so. Thanks for the market pics.
ReplyDeleteYes, you look fantastic! That motivates me.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, and once again you are an inspiration! Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow 40# is a big deal! Good job! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so nice, Elizabeth. And you look FABULOUS, by the way. It was so good to see you--even if only for a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteYou look wonderful, but I got distracted by Harrison Ford looking over your (old) shoulder xxx
ReplyDeleteYou look great, Elizabeth!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your book. :)
Congrats on the lifestyle change - you look fantastic - I still need the kick to make the same change...
ReplyDeleteGlad you got the chance to talk to all those people, and you look fab, congrats! I'm currently on day 7 of the Shred, and I'm down 7 lbs already combined with changing my diet to eating sensibly again, so if I could keep that up for the next 3 weeks I'd be a super happy bunny going on holiday! I suspect it will end up more likely as 15 lbs or so in total, but you never know ;o)
ReplyDeleteWow, you look great! Way to go :) love the raincoat too, very cute!
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing. And I admire you for doing 29 days of that Shred… I did 7 before I was so enraged and swearing at her for mocking me, I couldn't take it anymore! :-) I'm also kinda lazy exercise-wise…
ReplyDeleteThanks for inspiring me to do what you are doing....change of lifestyle diet. I lost 40 lbs and gained it back a year later....but you gave me hope to do it again and not gain it back this time around! I did the Hallelujah diet, vegan lifestyle - it cured so many ills...
ReplyDeleteGirl, you look wonderful!!! I know what it feels like to go through a change in lifestyle and the resulting weightloss! I have lost about 35 pounds now and am hoping for a little bit more. Keep it up, but I know I don't have to tell you that! You can FEEL the difference, right? Lightness in body, lightness in spirit!
ReplyDeleteGood luck and thank you for sharing!
Esther
ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com
esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot com
You look absolutely fabulous, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Elizabeth! It's nice to feel healthy!
ReplyDeleteYou look 'mahvalous darling'!! Seriously. I admire your stamina.
ReplyDeleteI can tell from your comments that you feel so much better with this new lifestyle you've adopted. Very motivating for me. You look great! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you!! I know about the happy/sad feeling with compliments after weight loss. You feel great that they noticed, but mortified that it is that noticeable! ;) Keep up the good work...I am on that journey now also.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your lifestyle change- we now have another reason to admire you!
ReplyDeleteYou looked awesome. I'm proud of all your hard work! I think you're amazing.
ReplyDeleteYou so obviously feel great, Elizabeth. You look wonderful and healthy - way to go!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you girl! Making forever changes is where I'm at too. It feels easier than a diet. You look great!!!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth you are such an inspiration! So proud of you and all of your accomplishments in 2013. I Can't wait to read that fancy book of yours when it's released.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your discipline - you inspire others!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to see your people pictures. I too have met Jacquie, when she was president of the Kansas City MQG, and Cindy is a friend of mine - such a sweetie! We're in the Mid-Century Modern Bee together. Congratulations to you on your weight loss!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your success! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous. Congrats on taking care of YOU. Lose it slowly and it will stay off!
ReplyDeleteI'm behind by 500+ blogs due to renovation and away-from-home vacation so I'm reading without commenting but I had to make an exception here -- you look fabulous! Congratulations! You are such an inspiration!
ReplyDelete