Today’s 43  really tested one of my weakest areas – shoulders!  Plus, I sat on my stability ball while doing the 43 so that gave me a little bit of core work!!!

The actual move was sort-of totally old school – arm circles!!  I sat on the stability ball and held a dumbbell in each hand (I used 5 pound dumbbells today) with my arms fully extended to the sides.  Then, I did 43 circles to the front and another 43 to the back.  The circle part wasn’t really bad – the challenge came from holding my arms at shoulder height and keeping them fully extended the entire time.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giIxWpjlfA0′]

(for the demo I just did 5 and 5 – those didn’t count as part of the true 43)

I decided to take a little Pilates break today and do a different non-weight bearing work-out.  I did a Bender Ball work-out. You do traditional core moves using this little ball:

I know that tomorrow I will feel this in every part of my core!!!

I decided that I was on a roll (ha-ha – I entertain myself sometime!) with core and shoulders today so I thought it would be fun to see how long I could hold plank.  (I know some of y’all can hold it a long time!!!) I got in position with my, iPhone right under my face, and hit start.   I lasted for ……3 minutes!!!  I know that is the longest I have ever held plank at one time – not sure if I want to try to go longer or not – maybe next time I will hold plank on my elbows instead of with my arms fully extended! (or maybe I won’t let my competitive nature take over and push me to try and go longer & longer & longer….hmmm)

Time to go get my nails done! (I know – completely frivolous and unnecessary but it makes me happy!!!)

This afternoon I get to help in the library at Hunter’s school – my favorite!!!

Happy 12-12-12!!!

Kim