Stretching Is not my Favorite!!

Today’s 43 turned into a lot more than just 43!!!  I did a 4-count squat:

  • squat and touch your knees
  • stand and reach hands overhead
  • squat and touch your shins
  • stand and reach hands overhead
  • squat and touch your toes
  • stand and reach hands overhead
  • squat and touch the floor
  • stand and reach hands overhead

Hmmm…after typing it out, maybe I should call it an 8-count squat!!!  

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU64vjCa_R8′]

I do lots of squats slow and controlled but today I decided to go with quick squats so that I could get my heart rate up a little and really maximize the burn from the squats – yep, that worked!!!  This was a fun 43 that turned into 172 total squats!!!

Screen shot 2013-06-08 at 9.19.00 AM

Another day of Insanity Asylum – Strength.  I think this is the 3rd time that I’ve done the strength workout in this program and I really can see some improvements!!!  One of the moves is a standing bent row/push-up pyramid – 1 row, 1 push-up, 2 rows, 2 push-ups……You see how many you can get in 2 minutes.  I used 12 pound dumbbells for this today and made it through 9 rows and 9 push-ups!!!!  (last time I almost finished the 8s – much better today!!!)  Since it is a standing row, you also get the added fun of jumping back into push-up position and then jumping up for the next set of rows (almost like doing a burpee!!!).

Screen shot 2013-06-08 at 9.18.40 AM

I also did the Relief DVD today.  This is 25 minutes of stretching!!!  I enjoy the first 5 minutes or so and then I just get bored with stretching.  (I did the whole thing because I know it is good for me and that my body needs it but…..YUCK!!!)  

At one point we did a standing straddle stretch and were supposed to put our elbows on the ground – Screen shot 2013-06-08 at 9.21.29 AM

Similar to the above but elbows instead of head – I thought my legs were stuck in the straddle position!!  Of course, Jordan just laughs at me and critiques my form!!!

I know that stretching is good for me and an important component in any fitness program.  And, I always include stretching in my boot camp classes.  But it is usually only a few minutes!!!  I have never really liked to stretch a lot but now I’m a bit older and need it more than ever!!

So, even though stretching isn’t my favorite thing to do and I prefer to stretch like this –Screen shot 2013-06-08 at 9.28.43 AMI will keep making myself spend time stretching!!!  Who knows, I might start enjoying it!!  Or maybe one day I will be able to do this – Screen shot 2013-06-08 at 9.32.08 AMOr not!!!!  WHY????

Do you like to stretch or is it something that you have to force yourself to spend time doing?

Happy Saturday!!

Kim