Hooray for 4-Day Weekends!!!

It is parent/teacher conference time so the boys are out of school today and tomorrow – Yippee!!! I figured since they were home, they could be part of my 43!!

Today I decided to let my 43 be my only work-out so I wanted to do something that I felt like gave me a little toning and a little cardio.  I decided to make loops through the house. I started at the bottom of one staircase, walked up (14 steps), walked through to the other staircase (about 18-19 steps), down the steps (14 steps) then through to return to base of first set of steps (23-24 steps).  After each loop I jumped up and did a mini pull-up on this fun bar:

Pull-up Bar

It was a nice 43/work-out for an easy day.  The boys each did their age in loops, too.

Jordan doing 13 loops!

Look how tall he is!!!  He did his loops much faster but I did have 30 more than him!  :Wink:

Hunter doing 11 loops!!

Hunter really raced through his.  I think he was disappointed when he realized that I was adding in the pull-up each time and he hadn’t done that part – maybe he will do some pull-ups later.

Now we are ready to do enjoy our day!!!

Kim

Push-Ups and a New Look

I like to do some form of push-ups every week for one of  43s  because I want to build up to the point were I can do LOTS of push-ups!!!

Today I did a basic push-up

Push-up (to T-stand)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to a T-stand (on the T-stand I alternated sides).

T-Stand (from push-up)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did 43 total push-ups so 22 T-stands on the right side and 21 on the left side.  I kept my push-ups slow to provide extra resistance and then held each T-stand for a 2-count.

After my 43 I wasn’t really motivated to lift weight so I did part of a new work-out. It is one of the 10 Minutes Solution DVDs (which I love!!!) – Ultimate Boot Camp with Jessica Smith.  I did 2 sections:  Fat fighting skills & drills (cardio) and Six pack ab attack.  Then I decided I was ready to hit the weights!! Today started week 3 of Chalean Extreme Burn Circuit.  I’m happy that I got in my weights after all!

I don’t know if you can tell from the pictures above but last night was hair night and I decided it was time for a fall look – back to brunette with some red streaks!!!

I’m spending the afternoon volunteering at Hunter’s school and I think this morning I will bake something for the boys.  I’m not really a baker (I love to cook!) but the cloudy, cooler weather just makes it seem like the thing to do (and the house will smell great!!).

Enjoy your Wednesday!!!

Kim

A Month of 43s!!

Today marks my first month of completing a 43 a day and blogging about it.  It has become something I really look forward to it.  I like the extra variety that it has brought to my work-outs.

For my 43 today I did a running step.  I used this step.

14″ double step (the Transfirmer)

The step is part of The Firm work-out equipment. It is called a Transfirmer.  The great thing about this step is that it is  2 steps in one – an 8″ step and a 6″ step.  I used both parts today for a total of 14″.  To do the 43:  start with right foot on the step and “run” with left (like a repeater – touching the ground each time) for a count of 5. Switch sides and repeat.  I did 43 on each leg by alternating legs.  Also, really pump your arms to get your heart rate up!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MIiZUOZT8U’]

The rest of my work-out was on the treadmill.  I ran 7 miles in 43:32 then did 2.5 at an easier pace.  (I don’t know if I have ever said this but when I run on the treadmill I always set the incline to at least 1.5 because it is a little more like running on the road.)

I’m off to enjoy this gorgeous fall day!

I love fall!

Kim

 

 

Needles – Ugh!!

I’ve been working on being positive since I got up today – I’m a little stressed because I have to get a filling in my gum/root today.  Not a big fan of needles in my mouth! :Cry-Out:  I keep telling myself – “It’s no big deal.”  See if that helps this afternoon!!!

I had a hard time deciding on the 43 for the day because ALL of my muscles were sore from yesterday’s circuit 43!  I love that kind of “pain”!!!!  For the 43 I ended up doing double leg drops with a band around my ankles.  Great ab and thigh work-out!!!

Double Leg Drops with Band

I started with my legs straight up, pulling apart against the band, feet flexed.  I dropped my legs for a 2-count and held them for a 2-count, as low as I could without arching my back, then raised them on a 2-count.  Abs were screaming by the end!!!

Today was another lifting day – Chalean Extreme Burn Circuit 3.  This one focuses on the shoulders and calves.  One of the great things with this program – all of the exercises usually have both an upper body and lower body aspect.  Double the benefit in less time!!!

Hope you have a fun Monday!

Kim

Does everyone dread dental work or am I just a wimp?

Garage Circuit

I love circuit training.  It is such an effective way to work-out.  Plus, the possibilities are endless!!!

Today I did a circuit in my garage for my 43.  (Actually, it was my entire work-out!)

Here is the circuit:

  • Jump rope x 5
  • Squat – hold 5 count
  • Dumbbell front raise to side, down, raise and move back to front (like a T) x 5
  • Alt side kicks x 5 each way
  • Standing oblique crunches – slow and controlled x 5 each side
  • Calf raises

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8RIGrFhVtU’]

I did make a change for my 43 from the demo.  I did the calf raises at the same time as the dumbbell move so I went up on my toes when I raised the dumbbells to the front and stayed up until I lowered them back in front.  I figured that way I worked multiple muscle groups and actually had to hold the calf raises longer.

It took me 56:35 to complete 43 times through the circuit.  The only time I stopped was to make tally marks after every 5 sets so that I didn’t lose count.

A great thing about doing the circuit in my garage was this spectacular view:

View from my garage!

Happy Sunday!

Kim

 

Fitness – Food – Fun