The Power of ONE

July 9, 2013 Kim 37 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a move that I knew was going to be included in my workout (with over 150 reps!!!) – I figured that an extra 43 would be good for me – sometimes I’m sort-of ~~stupid~~ crazy like that!!!

I used my barbell –

and did squats.

get ready - once again eyes closed to prep!! — get ready – once again eyes closed to prep!!

And, just to show that I really do know to put all my weight in my butt (even though the picture above looks like I’m tilting forward) –

I prefer doing the pictures before I work out (when I’m a little fresher!!) but today these were after my 43 squats and after my workout so my legs were shot!!!

I did Body Pump – Pump Revolution which is almost an hour of lifting (high reps!). There was a second when I first got up that I thought about doing the workout as planned but using lighter weights. However, I decided that doesn’t help me accomplish what I’m trying to achieve which is to get stronger. So, I pushed myself with heavy weights and now I’m glad I did!!

Today was also Beach Boot Camp – the workout was fun and different – it was partly inspired by my love of Turbo Fire and partly inspired by the current month (July!!). I just included 7 moves (since July is the 7th month) that we did for 13 reps (2013!!) and then we repeated the circuit. We only made it through 5 sets today (appointments for some) but the goal would be 7 sets!!

When Jordan and I left the swim beach after the workout (he has gone to all of the beach boot camps except 1 – last Friday because he was wiped out after a late night of fireworks Thursday night), I told him I was a little bummed that only 1 person (besides he and I) came to workout this morning. His response –

Not gonna lie – it was a proud moment for me!!! Not because of the workout but because he has the wisdom as a 14 year-old to realize that making a difference in the life of one person is just as important as making a difference in the lives of 100s of people!!!

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in thinking that I need to try and get more people to come to boot camp or in trying to grow my blog that I forget what really matters.

Boot camp is just something that I thought would be fun this summer (and it has been!!). What I didn’t realize when I started was how much I would enjoy the days that Jordan goes with me and participates in my class!!

So, even if I only have a few people in some classes (I know that lots of people are on vacation and 6 am is just too early for some to get up in the summer!!) – Boot Camp has been a huge success because it has been good for Jordan (and for me!!).

And, I know that my blog won’t ever affect that many people but if even just one person feels better after reading my blog than I am happy!!! (Occasionally that person is me, because the act of writing things down makes me feel better sometimes.)

So, no matter how many people you come in contact with during the day, remember that making one person smile or feel better about themselves is enough!!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Kim

Cardio, Chest, Core, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

My Favorite Way to Cook

July 8, 2013 Kim 52 Comments

I decided it was time for another burpee variation for the 43 today. I’m still working on the awesome list of 30 burpees that Taylor @ Lifting Revolution shared awhile back. Today I did a burpee with a lateral jump over a step – FUN TIMES!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQT6e33BNuM’]

6:00 am boot camp was fun – we did the Move It, Move It workout (all legs!!) from Friday because I knew that none of the people who came Friday would be here this morning. It was HUMID – we were drenched by the end of the workout.

I decided to run on my treadmill instead of outside because I knew that I would be sucking air thanks to the mugginess. I ran at 1.5% incline – 5 miles 31:34 + 1 mile super easy for a cool down.

Irving Naxon – anyone know who he is? He developed the “all-purpose” cooker which was bought by The Rival Company in 1970 and reintroduced in 1971 as the Crock Pot.

I think the Crock Pot is truly my favorite kitchen appliance!!! I use one of my crock pots at least once a week and often as many as 3 times a week. There have been many meals that I have 2 crock pots full of stuff!!!

Any day that I have evening plans I try to get dinner into the crock pot in the morning. Such a great feeling to know that dinner (at least part of it) is already done!!!

I’m pretty sure that I’ve already shared my love of cookbooks before.

In my collection, I have a whole shelf devoted to crock pot/slow cooker cook books. My favorites are from the Fix-It-and-Forget-It series.

One of the great things about using a crock pot is there is really no need for a recipe. The thing that I do the most is put a cut of meat (ribs, round steak, roast, brisket, chicken breasts, pork roast, turkey breasts, even a whole chicken) with a rub and/or a sauce of some sort and let it cook all day. Super easy and by the end of the day we have a very tender piece of meat!

In the fall and winter I make all kinds of soups and chili in the crock pot. In the summer, I love to use the crock pot to keep the kitchen from heating up!!

I even take one of my crock pots with me on some of our longer trips (when we stay places with a kitchen) so that we don’t have to eat out every meal and I don’t have to spend any time really cooking.

Do you use a crock pot very often? What is your favorite recipe in the crock pot?

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Snap Judgements

July 7, 2013 Kim 1 Comment

Today’s 43 was all about working my obliques. I did an oblique crunch with an arm reach and an extended leg (confused? watch the demo)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6eqIFeESQ4′]

I counted a right and left crunch as 1 rep so a total of 86 crunches!!

I decided to go with a fun workout today because I’m SORE (must be from the heavy lifting yesterday)!! I did Turbo Jam – Cardio Party 2. I’ve said many times – I love to work out with Chalean!!! The workouts are always fast paced and so much fun that they go quickly!!

I think at different times we have all formed snap judgements about other people (or even about things) and I’m sure that we have all been on the other end and been the person judged.

Years ago, I was interviewing for a teaching job. The job was as an 8th grade science teacher and I really wanted to work at that particular school. The principal and the head of the science department were both involved in the interview. The guy that was the head of the science department was completely against hiring me for 1 reason –

I was also going to be a coach (7th & 8th girls volleyball, basketball & track). The minute he found out that I was a coach he was ready to end the interview. I explained to both of them that I became a teacher first and would have taught even if I didn’t coach.

I got the job and after about a month, this same teacher came to me and apologized for automatically assuming that I wouldn’t be a good teacher since I was a coach!

That experience has always stuck with me because I was judged by someone who didn’t know anything about me. I try to remember how I felt and not make the same mistakes.

Sometimes our snap judgements cause us to miss out on some really great things.

I’ve known many people who won’t even try avocados or guacamole because they don’t like the color and the way it looks. They are truly missing out on something wonderful just because they are judging the taste by the color.

Often we judge people by what they drive or the clothes they wear but we don’t know the background on how they got that vehicle or where their clothes came from.

It’s so easy to make a little comment – look how overgrown their yard is – why don’t they do anything about it? But, without knowing the story – they might have a loved one fighting for their life in the hospital, or they might have lost their job and ended up working 3 different jobs to make ends meet – we really shouldn’t be so quick to judge!
So, my goal is to try and stop making snap judgements about anything – new products, food, and especially other people. Just like I sometimes tell my boys – You can’t say you don’t like something if you’ve never tried it!!! And, I shouldn’t say (or think) unkind things about people without knowing their story!

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Boot Camp

Move It, Move It – Legs, Legs, Legs

July 6, 2013 Kim 8 Comments

This workout will leave your legs shaking – it is great!!!

Lunges and squats of all different types will have you feeling toned and strong by the end. The key here is to make sure that you are using good form during all the squats and lunges – keep your weight back in your butt on the squats and your body centered while lunging.

If you need a challenge after completing this workout – find a set of stairs and run up/walk down 10x!!!