Monthly Archives: December 2012

Back, Fitness

Don’t Quit!!!

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Today was the first time since I started my quest of completing a 43 every day  this year that I almost didn’t do one.  However, I decided that it didn’t have to be super hard  – it just needed to be!!!

So, the 43 today (Yeah!!!! there was one!) was a lateral raise while laying face-down on a stability ball. I just used 5 pound dumbbells for this move.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfpBJikZC48′]

The main thing I focused on during the 43 was trying not to jerk my arms up and to use control when lowering them.

Yesterday after the fun family photo shoot, (more great pictures on the family page)

I like this one!

Jordan decided that he would make dinner.  He had plans to concoct a unique creation (beef, ketchup, honey, barbecue sauce, Italian seasonings, lettuce, tomatoes,scrambled eggs and who knows what else were mentioned) cooked in some crazy manner.  He and Chris worked together in the kitchen (I was banned) and I truly thought they were making Jordan’s stuff because of the conversations I could hear.

When they called me in, they actually had a baked spaghetti dish (very tasty!!).  However, Jordan did make up a new dessert:

Jordan’s Creation

Not sure if it has a name but it was pretty good.  He mixed blackberry pomegranate yogurt, some sugar, some graham cracker crumbs, some craisins, granola and honey to make the above treat!  Maybe he will be the next Bobby Flay or Gordon Ramsey!!!

Happy Sunday!  I’m excited because I’m going to see the Nutcracker with some friends later this afternoon – should be fun!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Quad, Thighs

Family Picture Day – Fun Times!!

This morning when I picked my 43, I really wanted to do something that would work my legs but it still had to be non-weight bearing.  I finally came up with a good 43 and even sitting here typing my legs are still feeling the burn – Ultimate Success!!!

I used a couple of 8 pound medicine balls for the move.  One of them I just held over my head the whole time just to add a little extra and to make sure that I didn’t try to cheat on the move by pushing off with my hands!  I started like this:

Squeeze Hard!!!

I’m just sitting on a flat stool and have the medicine ball between my knees – just holding it in place took some major effort.  Then I lifted my legs straight up (knees still bent at this point).

Squeeze and Lift

The final part of this move was to extend my legs – this was the hard part and I had to lean back a little (I figure that’s OK – I could work my core some, too!!!).

Extend and Hold

I tried to keep complete control as I reversed the move (pretty sure that a couple of the reps I just sort-of dropped my legs – oops!!).  43 – worked my legs today!!!!

Today we are going to take our annual family picture for our Christmas card.  This is always an ordeal experience to be forgotten that requires a drink (on my part) in the true joy of the Christmas season (thats what we are going with).  Jordan typically wears white Nike shorts and a white Nike T-shirt every day of the year (summer & winter) so the fact that he has to put on something different never goes over well.  Then the timer on the camera and smiles and eyes (open preferably) and poses and locations and…..Anyway, I hope we get some good shots (of tequila, maybe!) later today!!

Today is a foggy, cool day – perfect for hanging out at home as a family (and taking pictures!!!).

Foggy (view from kitchen deck)

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Do you take family pictures every year?  Is it an ordeal?  Any creative ideas for FUN family pictures?

Back, Core, Fitness

LaLaLaLaLaLaLaaaaa

WooHoo!!!  Fun Friday started off with a great 43!!  I did a Roll & Reach!

  • Start facedown with arms and legs extended. (Every time I was in this position, I did a little Superman lift.)
  • Roll over left shoulder and immediately do a V-sit reaching fingers to toes.
  • Drop back down and roll over right shoulder – Superman again.
  • Reverse moves back to start.
The above is 1 rep.  43 was no joke!!!
[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt2zlXdEPjc’]
I made the demo yesterday and this morning I added on to the move from the video.  In the demo, I just did the V-sit and then rolled back to the start.  This morning I decided that was far too easy for the 43 so I added the extra steps listed above!  Much better!
I did Pick Your Spot Pilates again this morning – Belly, Butt & Thighs.  I feel sure that I will be a Pilates expert at the end of the next 8 weeks!!! (or maybe just sick of pilates – who knows?)
Goofy grin
Last night we went to Hunter’s orchestra concert at school (6th grade orchestra!!!).  It was a very nice program – you can definitely hear and see the improvement from last year’s programs!!!
Hunter on the cello

I really do like the sound of the cello and Hunter is getting quite good!

Today I get to test my musical ability (or complete lack there-of!).  I’m subbing in the music room!!  Sort-of comical because I have less than zero sense of rhythm, pitch or anything else needed in music.  (Good thing I already know that the plan is to show a video of some sort today – hope it is a good one!!!)

Happy Fun Friday!

Kim

Chest, Fitness, Triceps

Attitude Adjustment

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Today’s 43 was really fun!  I wasn’t sure if it would be good or not but I liked it!

I laid on my back with a medicine ball.  The first set of 43 I used an 8 pound ball then I decided to do a second set of 43 with a 9 pound ball.  I started with the ball in both hands and my arms pulled down tight to my body then tossed the ball straight up (over my chest) with my arms fully extended.  I caught the ball (surprisingly!!!) and lowered all the way down before repeating.  I tried to keep a quick pace so that it would exhaust my arms/chest.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uinq69gFhPQ’]

Thanks to Hunter for doing the demo!  By the 3rd toss he was getting it in the right spot!!

So I spent the past couple of days being in a funk and wallowing in the fact that I can’t do the things I want to – run, jump, walk….

Yesterday I decided that I was being ridiculous and still in control over my happiness.  I’m just going to make the best of my current situation and look at this as an opportunity for my body to get some rest that otherwise would NEVER happen!!!  I’m going to look for creative ways to get in some conditioning while still following most of the Dr.’s rules!

Above all – I’m going to continue to enjoy my life and stop being a Negative Nancy!!!!

This afternoon I’m back in the classroom – 5th grade!!!

Tonight is one of Hunter’s orchestra concerts!!!  WooHoo!!

Happy Thursday!

Kim

Workout Programs

Chalean Extreme

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I thought since I have done A LOT of different programs and I mention them on here I would start doing a little review about some of them for y’all.( I will also try to include where you could purchase them if I know that information.)  It will be a work in progress for awhile so hang in there and keep checking backI!

Chalean Extreme (available through Beach Body)     – Weights

Chalean Extreme
Chalean Extreme DVDs

It has 6 DVDs + an audio CD.

  1. Burn Basics, Band Basics and Healthy Eats & Kitchen Makeover – these just tell about the program, demo how to use bands/tubing instead of weights and help out with kitchen/food tips
  2. Burn Circuit 1,2,3 – During this phase you use a weight that you can perform  10-12 reps of each exercise.  The exercises work  upper and lower body at the same time.     Burn Circuit 1 – 36 min – abs, chest, upper back                                                           Burn Circuit 2 – 38min – biceps, triceps, back                                                               Burn Circuit 3 – 32 min – shoulders, calves, deltoids
  3. Push Circuit 1,2,3 – During this phase use a weight that you can perform 6-8 reps of each exercise.  These exercises only work one muscle group at a time.                       Push Circuit 1 – 33 min – biceps, lower body, triceps                                                   Push Circuit 2 – 35 min – shoulders, lower body, deltoids                                           Push Circuit 3 – 35 min – lower body, back, chest
  4. Lean Circuit 1,2,3 – During this phase you will perform 12 reps of each exercise and will be coming upper, lower and core for most of the moves.                                       Lean Circuit 1 – 44 min – biceps, triceps                                                                    Lean Circuit 2 – 39 min – deltoids, back                                                                  Lean Circuit 3 – 39 min – shoulders, chest
  5. Burn It Off – 27 min – Intervals                                                                               Recharge – 21 min – Yoga inspired stretching                                                           Bonus: Fat Blaster (from Turbo Jam) – 30 min
  6. Burn Intervals – 42 min – This alternates cardio moves and toning with light weights     Ab Burner – 10:30 min – abs and core                                                                       Extreme Abs – 16:30 min – abs and core
The CD is a motivational CD (I have never actually listened to it).

This is a program I am currently doing.  I followed the guide the first time I did it but this time I’m not since I’m not adding in the extra days.(from DVDs 5 & 6) I just try to lift at least 3x/week and then I will do each phase for at least 4 weeks. I love how much this program pushes me to lift heavier weights than I used to even attempt.

Chalean is always so much fun to work-out with!!  She has MANY great tips and ways to make sure that you get the most out of every move. I highly recommend this program!!!