My Journey With Health And Fitness – A New Hobby

It was quite warm when I left to walk to the fitness centre at 4:15am. I was pretty sweaty by time I got there as I was walking at a good clip. It was high intensity strength training today and when I was doing my last set of exercises one of the other ladies noted it was really hot. I lamented that I was not looking forward to walking home and she offered to give me a ride since she goes right by my street. I thanked her but noted I’m taking a break for a few days so I had to get in at least 15km today and I have done so.

When I went to Mexico in April I took a craft project with me, diamond painting. Now if you are not familiar with diamond painting think paint by numbers using little beads. You have a pattern with number and letters on it and you use a ‘pen’ to place the corresponding bead on the picture (the background of the pattern is sticky so the bead adheres to it). The first one I did was coasters with colourful Christmas gnomes as the pattern. Each of the 8 coasters were different. I had such a good time decorating those coasters that I had to order 2 new sets which my husband brought down for me to complete. Now I should note that during the pandemic I had started a big pattern of 2 wolves but hadn’t enjoyed doing diamond painting. That pattern ended up at the condo but I hadn’t touched it in the 4 years it has been there.

So what changed? A couple of things. First, the coasters are quick to do. I can finish one coaster in a couple hours. Secondly, I didn’t like the wolves as the pattern had so many beads that were dark. That meant they were really difficult to place on the pattern and at times it was hard to distinguish the numbers and letters. But guess what? Once I had finished all of the coaster sets I finished that big pattern as well. And so by time I had left Mexico I had finished 3 sets of coasters (Christmas gnomes, coffee gnomes and humming birds) as well as the wolves.

Once I got home I immediately ordered more coasters to do but I also learned there are all sorts of accessories I could get for my diamond painting. So far I have bought a full kit which comes with almost everything I need including little containers for the beads, lables for those containers and most importantly various pens that allow you to place 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 beads at one time. I also bought a roller which allows you to press the beads firmly into the sticky surface. Finally, I got a finishing coating that helps to permanently secure the beads. Oh and the next trip to Mexiso I am taking 3 large patterns, a humming bird and 2 different sea turtles. I don’t know what I am doing with all of these once they are finished but it will keep me occupied.

I’m really enjoying this new hobby as I find it quite relaxing. I like seeing the progress as I go along and I have noticed that I am more strategic in which bead number I am going to do next which is making it go even faster. It also lets me clear my head which given my crazy schedule is really helpful. I think I am going to keep doing this for a while.

Just a heads up, there won’t be a post Saturday as I am heading up to do some work at the trailer for the next few days.