A Ginormous Thank-You to All Teachers!!!!!

November 7, 2012 Kim

First off, the 43 today was a plank with an alternate shoulder touch.

Plank with alternate shoulder touch — Plank – Alternate shoulder touch

I counted 1 rep as touching my right hand to my left shoulder and then my left hand to my right shoulder. It ended up being quite a long time to hold plank – especially since most of the time was just on one arm. I had to squeeze my butt really hard to keep from rocking when I picked up each arm. I set myself up so that I could look over and see my reflection so I could occasionally check on my form. Overall – a great 43!

The rest of my work-out was Chalean Extreme (Beach Body) Push Circuit 3. (chest and back today)

I have to say that I think we should all take every opportunity we have to thank the teachers we know. They work HARD!!!! Yesterday I spent the day teaching 1st grade and I barely had time to pee (which wasn’t a huge deal since I didn’t have time to refill my water!). I came home at the end of the day – right after I put all of my little friends on the bus – looking like this

Screen shot 2012-11-07 at 7.15.46 AM — Exhausted!!!

Truly, I was more tired at the end of the day yesterday than I was the other day after I ran 10 miles in just over an hour!!! And…I didn’t even have to get the room ready for the next day, do lesson plans, grade papers……

So – THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE HARD-WORKING, DEDICATED TEACHERS!!! You are very much appreciated!

Happy Wednesday!

Kim

Chest, Fitness, Squats

No Matter What…

November 6, 2012 Kim 1 Comment

Another day, another 43 to share!!! Today was a squat with a chest fly. To get the most out of the squat – I squatted, then flyed, then stood.

Hunter in squat — Hunter – Squat then fly

Pretty good form, Hunter!!! (I took these pictures yesterday since today was another early morning work-out!!)

Hunter - squat with fly — Hunter – Squat with Fly

Hunter did more of a lateral raise but, hopefully, you get the idea!!! Stay in your squat while you complete the upper body movement.

As far as 43s go, this one was not too hard. I only used 8 pound dumbbells and I really should have upped it to 10 to challenge myself more.

After the 43 I did Les Mills Pump (Beach Body) Combat DVD. Always a fun work-out!!!

Last night Chris and I were talking about people who just get by or do the minimum to complete a task (sort of like me taking it easy with the 8 pounds this morning). One trait that we have really tried to instill in our boys is to ALWAYS do your best – no matter what you are doing. It’s why even when I pick some ridiculously hard 43 I make myself finish all of the reps – or if I have to make an adjustment, I own up to it!

Blah, blah, blah…..Not really sure what brought all that on!! Oh well, always do your best!!!

So, today I’m going to sub 1st grade all day – WooHoo!!!

Just thought I would show that I really do wear real clothes!

Have a great day!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Running, Shoulders

Running – My Favorite!!!

November 5, 2012 Kim

Today’s 43 was a double – upper and lower body parts all in one fun move! I did a curtsy lunge with a front raise. The front raise was a killer!!! (I used an 8 pound dumbbell for all 43).

Curtsy lunge w/front raise — Ready – Curtsy lunge with front raise

Start with all of your weight on the front leg (in the heel) and the dumbbell (if you want to use one) in the same hand – right & right or left & left.

Curtsy lunge with front raise — Curtsy Lunge & front raise

Lunge back and to side while lifting arm in front. Lower arm as you push off of front heel to return to start. I did 43 on my right side and then 43 on the left side.

The really funny thing about my 43 and the rest of my work-out….same muscle groups – Good Times!!! I did Chalean Extreme ( Beach Body) Push Circuit 2 – all shoulders and lunges!!! The happy news – I actually lifted 17.5 pound dumbbells on all of the different overhead shoulder presses today. That is my record!!! The reason I can do the 1/2 pound increment is I use these weights (Bowflex).

Bowflex Weights — Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells

They can adjust from 5 pounds to 52.5 pounds – a true space saver!!!

After lifting I decided to run again today. I rarely run 2 days in a row anymore because of injury issues. However, I’m having a test later today (still on my problem hip) so I probably won’t run again until I learn the results of the test.

I ran a 5K. It was pretty good – should have started faster!!!

5K – 17:48

Happy Monday!!!

Kim

Chicken, Recipes

Roast Chicken with Lemon and Herbs

November 4, 2012 Kim

1 chicken, about 3 pounds
1 lemon, halved
thyme
rosemary
bay leaf
minced garlic
2 T butter, softened
chicken stock
salt & pepper

Start by brining your chicken – it’s a little extra work but so worth it when you are biting into moist, white chicken meat!!!! I just put my chicken in a large bowl and mixed about 3/4 c salt with cold water. Cover the chicken with water. Put bowl in refrigerator. Today I only had it in the brine about 3 or 4 hours. Make sure you rinse the chicken REALLY well before you cook so that it isn’t a just salt block!!!!

Preheat oven to 400. (I used an electric roaster – but you still preheat!) Season the chicken with salt & pepper. In a small bowl, mix the juice of half the lemon, thyme, rosemary and garlic. Place the bay leaf and the lemon half inside the chicken. Pour juice mixture into the cavity. Rub 1 T of the butter all over the chicken. Squeeze other half of lemon juice on top. Put lemon half and 2nd T of butter inside chicken. Pour a little chicken stock over bird.

Roast until temperature of chicken is at least 165 (some people say 180 – your call) and the juices of the chicken run clear. Let chicken rest about 10-15 minutes before carving.

It was sooooo moist!!! No left-overs here!

Fitness, Push-Ups, Running

Bonus Hour – Awesome!!

November 4, 2012 Kim

I like the fall time change because I love the extra hour to sleep! I’m sure tonight at dinner when it is already dark I will have other thoughts! Oh well – I’m just happy it is sunny and fairly warm today!!

This morning I realized that it has been awhile since I did some type of push-up for my 43 so I decided to do something about that!! I put a medicine ball under my feet

Push-ups with Medicine Ball — Feet on Medicine Ball Push-Ups

and did my push-ups, all 43of them!!! Here is a lovely shot of the down part of the push-up:

Push-Ups on Medicine Ball — Come on – push!!!

They were tough!! I’m pretty sure my face was bright red but I eeked out all 43!

After the push-ups I ran. 10 miles in 63:48 – WooHoo!!!

Yesterday, Chris was the MC for a friend’s retirement from the Guard. I had to get a couple of pictures because as much as I love him in his flight suit, I love to see him all dressed up!!!