Planning For Health & Fitness {Plan With Me)

Today, I wanted to talk a little bit about how I'm 'Planning for Health & Fitness'. I'm happily 'on the mend' from a series of illnesses and injuries and, am working towards some of my own health and fitness aims - rehabilitate shoulder, back and ankle following injury; eat more healthily to avoid illness; combat stress with exercise and run some races!

Coming back from illness or injury can be hard work, especially if you are more than aware of new limitations. It can be difficult to 'hold back' from working too hard, trying to reach the speed, distance, or euphoria of old times - and causing new issues!

So, to force myself to take things more slowly in the lead up to my first race, I'm working from a set schedule. You can see that I've trimmed the schedule down to fit in the Color Crush, simply folding it to the same width as the main inserts. I'm referring to the schedule each time I run, because it includes useful information about the speeds, distances or times that I should be running. 

I've also included each scheduled session in my calendar section - and I won't move them if I can avoid it, no matter how enticing the invitation! It's functional, rather than decorative at the moment, but I have my eye on the ridiculously cute Plan Fitness Stamps from The Sweet Stamp Shop. It would be perfect for my current mix of running, weights, walking, swimming and hot yoga! (I know that I don't *need* them, but I am considering them as a reward for completing my first month of training!)

Once I've completed a session, I'll tick it off on the schedule and in the calendar (for double satisfaction) and will include some brief notes on the session. I'm currently writing my session notes on Filofax 'Coloured Note Paper', but as I'm constantly writing out the same information (date, time, distance, speed, etc) I'm on the lookout for some fitness specific inserts. I might even consider making my own if I can't find something suitable!

I know that many of the people visiting have been considering their own set-up (or have been considering buying their first planner!) so if there's something specific that you would love to see me cover in the Plan With Me series, let me know!

One Binder To Bind Them All {Plan With Me}

I've received so many questions recently (via the blog and social media) about my new Color Crush Planner and how I intend to use it. So, I'm starting a new 'Plan With Me' series this morning - and each week, I'll be sharing ideas and tutorials for customising (and more importantly, utilising) your planner.

Whilst I am new to the 'Planning Community' I have never, ever been without a hard-copy diary (or, more recently, my little Filofax) and a stack of lists, usually scattered around my work space and on the backs of envelopes; in small notebooks and written into the corners of magazines!

Although I, usually, like to think that I'm organised I know that hunting down a list that's been lost in a stack of paperwork is counterproductive - as is procrastinating by writing another one! I am hopeful that, having 'one binder to bind them all 'will help me to remain focused on the task at hand!

I have a feeling that working out what to have where will be an ever-evolving process, but that's exactly why I love working in a binder system. It's changeable and that's absolutely wonderful for someone who becomes bored very easily.

In the meantime, I thought I would start with an overview of my set-up and then, over time, show the sections in a little more detail.

Inside Cover/Front Dashboard - 

For the moment, the left-hand side of the inside cover is housing the sticker sheet that came with the Color Crush, a couple of cute journalling cards from Sodalicious (sadly, the store has now closed) and some of the little Planner Clips that made with this month's Counterfeit Kit 'Planning For Perfection'. (I've been using the kit - almost exclusively - to set up this month.)

 

On the right-hand side, there's a customised dashboard (see my Stamped Planner Dashboard Tutorial) over-laying the first of the Color Crush sections 'Write It Down'. I've added a cute calendar card using the Amy Tan 'Stitched Felted Paper' that I had in my kit.

Isn't it beautiful? I love the fact that each little calendar is customisable. That's going to bring me a lot of happiness throughout 2016!

I'm keeping all of my lists in the 'Lists To Love' section. So far, I have a mix of inserts in there - Websters Pages 'Lists To Love', Filofax 'Coloured Note Paper' and some customised lists from the Dear Lizzy Serendipity Collection.

This is the section that I am currently using the most often (in fact, I haven't really been using the other standard sections) so I'll definitely be back to show this one off in more depth and will be mulling over options for each of the other sections 'Write It Down' 'Memory Keeping' and 'Staying Inspired'.

Calendar -

Having transferred from my trusted (but old and battered Filofax) I'm currently using my 'Academic Diary - Week On Two Pages' rather than the inserts which came with the Color Crush. This is the 'Calendar Overview' and I've added a small Stick On Gem for the birthday of each member of my family. I love the way it sparkles in the sunshine!

Having been adamant that I wouldn't start decorating the calendar section, I must confess that I've had a complete change of heart. It's so much fun - and it makes checking off exercise sessions and chores that much more cheerful!

I'm slowly, but surely, starting to work out how to customise my planner to suit my own needs so I hope you'll come back to visit as I share the progress! x

Stamped Planner Dashboard Tutorial {Counterfeit Challenge: January Challenge #3}

For January Challenge #3 at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge we are using repetitive stamping designs to create some interest in our designs (and, of course, to dust off some of those much neglected stamps!)

This month I've been busy using my Planning For Perfection Kit to personalise my Color Crush Planner and decided to add a customised dashboard to the front of my planner - as a way of reminding myself to take more photographs!

Adding a customised dashboard or divider is one of the simplest ways you can put your own stamp on a new planner (Oh my. Do you see what I did there? I am hysterical!) but it can be difficult to create a repeated design, even with a clear stamp, simply because it's difficult to keep the image well positioned.

Over time, I've tested some simple methods and have found one which works for me, even when I'm using block mounted stamps. My results are, of course, never perfect but I'm usually happy with them. And that's what counts, right?

You'll Need:

Acetate (transparency or clear dashboard)
Stazon Ink (or a similar, alcohol based ink)
Stamp(s)
Paper/Cardstock
Pencil
Ruler
Eraser
Single Hole Punch
Planner Clips

1. Choose a stamp set that looks awesome. Mine is the Selfie Stamp Set from Wilkinsons. (They outdid themselves on this cute stationary range. There are some really cute designs!)

2. Measure the mount block (not the stamped image) and, onto a clean sheet of paper, mark out the measurements. Ensure that the 'blocks' created fit within the lines.

3. Layer the acetate onto the paper sheet and ensure that it will not slide around whilst stamping, by adding a couple of clips to the sides, top or bottom.

 

4. Add ink to the stamp and stamp directly onto the acetate using the lines to position the stamp correctly. To ensure minimal smudging, right-handers should start in the top left-hand corner and work from left to right, moving downwards, to ensure minimal smudging. Left-handers may want to start in the top-right!

5. Leave the ink to air-dry for at least half an hour (to avoid smudging.) Once the ink is dry, remove the clips. You might need to fill in some blank spaces, if they were occupied by the clips!

6. Add holes to the acetate using a pre-punched divider/planner page as a template. Add to binder and then stand back and admire. 

Extra Tips & Techniques - 

1. To add stamped images to patterned papers and cardstocks (e.g. non-transparencies) draw the measured lines in very faintly with a pencil, then erase with a soft, smooth touch.

2. Repeated patterns look amazing with coloured inks, so try a mixed up look!

3. Practise stamping skills on transparency saved from old packaging before unleashing creativity on special projects.

4. You can re-use the measured lines with other stamps by choosing where to position them within the lines. (e.g. line up smaller stamps along the bottom-left lines.)

I'm slowly, but surely, starting to work out how to customise my planner to suit my own needs and - each Saturday - will be sharing more ideas and tutorials. I hope you'll come back to visit! In the meantime, make sure that you visit the Counterfeit Kit Challenge, where Leslie and Margie are sharing thier own takes on the challenge!