No Resting Here

April 21, 2013 Kim 14 Comments

Some days I pick my 43 thinking it won’t be so hard and some days I am WRONG!!! Today was one of those days – the move was a version of the old windmill move/stretch. The goal was to work your obliques and a bit of arms/shoulders – Done!

Start with your legs wide, toes slightly pointed out and a weight in your right hand.

Reach down with your left hand to the outside of your left foot while reaching straight up with your right hand.

(Jordan said he can’t touch his toes – better work on his flexibility!!) After doing 43, or your # of reps, put the weight in your left hand and repeat.

I used an 8 pound dumbbell and it was hard (I think my shoulders are a little sore from yesterday’s TaeBo band work!).

This morning it is pretty nice here (although it has gotten cloudy in the last 30 minutes) so I decided to run outside. I only ran 3.5 miles (lots of hills!!) at just over 8:00 minutes/mile – I never really settled into the run today. My breathing was all over the place. Still, it was nice to be outside enjoying the fresh air and sunshine!!

I typically take Sunday off and I know I haven’t the past couple of weeks – starting Wednesday I will be taking a few days off (not from my 43 but the rest of my workouts) so I’m taking advantage of the days until then!!!

Now, I’m heading back outside to pull the weeds that have gotten out of control with all of the rain we’ve had lately – FUN TIMES!!!

Happy Sunday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

A Few Basic Facts

April 20, 2013 Kim 12 Comments

Today’s 43 was fun!! Just 2 simple parts: plank

then push back to a pike.

The work comes on the way back down to the plank – you have to really hold your core muscles tight to stop yourself so that you are level (no droopy butts here!!).

I tried to keep the movements nice and smooth – not super fast – so that I could get max benefit from this exercise. I timed this 43 and it took 2:38 to complete all the reps.

Definitely a move I recommend trying!!!

Then, I pulled out one of my old-school TaeBo DVDs. I did Total Body Fat Blaster and it was HARD. For this workout, you use bands that slip onto each foot. (I took out the 1 pound weights inside of mine and still struggled!)I’ve always enjoyed TaeBo and today was no exception. This workout was 55 minutes of cardio and toning all tied together. My arms are still shaking from all of the tension the bands provide!!

A friend had this on FB the other day and I thought it was too good not to share!!!

Some of the other “facts” I have learned over the years:

You can’t keep your eyes open when you sneeze.
If you do manage to sneeze with your eyes open, your eyeballs will pop out!
If you cross your eyes, they could get stuck in that position.
Almost all dust is actually human skin cells that have been shed.
It is not possible to tickle yourself no matter how ticklish you are.
You can’t hum when your nose is plugged.
Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis.

Do you know which of he above “facts” are real and which are myths?

Happy Saturday!!! (don’t you feel smarter or at least happier for reading the silly facts?!)

Kim

Recipes, Side Dish, Vegetables

Corn & Zucchini Side Dish

April 19, 2013 Kim 4 Comments

I’m trying to add more variety to our vegetable rotation and still keep them healthy yet tasty. This recipe was definitely on the tasty side!!!

4 slices bacon
2 zucchini, chopped
2 c frozen corn
1 small onion, chopped
pepper to taste
1/4 c shredded Colby/Monterrey cheese

In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from pan (onto paper-towel lined plate to absorb grease) and let cool.

Heat the bacon drippings over medium heat. Saute the zucchini, corn and onion until tender – about 10 minutes.

Season with pepper. Break bacon into small pieces and sprinkle onto veggies. Stir in cheese and serve.

I will make this one again for sure!!! Fan favorite!!

Chicken, Pasta, Recipes

Ceasar Chicken Orzo

April 19, 2013 Kim 1 Comment

Dinner tonight was quick, easy and delicious!!!

The main course was chicken and orzo with a little Ceasar dressing. Only a few ingredients:

diced, cooked chicken breasts
1 can chicken broth
1 c water
1 c uncooked orzo
about 3 T Ceasar dressing
pepper to taste

In a large skillet, heat the broth and water to boiling. Stir in the orzo and bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

Stir in dressing and chicken. Sprinkle with pepper.

Simmer about 5 minutes until heated throughout.

Enjoy!!!

Cardio, Fitness, Quad

Welcome Back Sunshine!!!

April 19, 2013 Kim 20 Comments

I’ve been singing this song in my head the past few days – guess it worked!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwOomEMSxC0′]

Today’s 43 was fun and quick!! I did a plie jump. Start in plie – jump up, touching heels together – back down to plie. Even just 10 of these will set your quads on fire!!! 43 will really have them singing!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW8t2p_7g5s’]

I did a new (to me) DVD today – Cross Training for Fitness. (This is a Gaiam workout.) Jessica Smith and Guillermo Gomez lead the 5 different sections. The entire workout is made up of 5 15 minute sections: Cardio Kickbox, Strength & Flexibility, Lower Body Balance, Core Power & Flow and Relax & Restore.

The Cardio Kickbox and Lower Body Balance both had lots of kicking and knee strikes. They were fairly quick paced and got my heart rate up some. The Strength & Flexibility section was great – body weight moves to really work on strength. I loved the mixture of standing and floor work in the Core Power & Flow section. I almost didn’t do the Relax & Restore segment but I’m glad I did – it was very calming!

I loved the variety in this workout. Also, I learned a couple of new moves that I’m sure I can turn into 43s in the future!!!

I’m so happy to see the sun again. It was warm in TX (close to 90) but I spent most of my time inside (hospital) so I didn’t get to fully enjoy the warmth. It has been rainy, cloudy, dreary and COLD since I got back to Kansas Monday night.

But today…..