15 Years Ago

November 10, 2013 Kim 56 Comments

Today I did a push-up (with a bonus) for my 44. After each push-up I lifted an arm & leg – I alternated the lifts and counted reps by the number of push-ups.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-481pFJj6w’]

The video is actually my final 4 reps – I was struggling a bit to keep my body level by this point.

15 years ago we went from being a married couple to a family of 3. Even though we had almost 9 months to prepare for his arrival, I had no idea what to expect and I was a nervous wreck!!!

In just a few minutes (hours actually) our lives changed forever in the very best way possible!!

I was beyond scared when we left the hospital but thankfully, Jordan was a very easy baby and kind to his newbie parents.

Everyday was a new experience and every year has gotten better and better.

15 years ago my life was enriched in every way possible and every day I feel truly blessed that Jordan calls me MOM!!!

Happy Birthday, Jordan!!!

Look how little they are - Jordan is about 5 here — Look how little they are – Jordan is about 5 here

fun in Hawaii

learning to do the yard — learning to mow the yard

in a cousin's wedding (Chris' niece) — in a cousin’s wedding (Chris’ niece)

again - trying to be tough — again – trying to be tough

Jordan's birthday is just 2 days before my Poppa's birthday (he would have turned 99 on Tuesday!!) — Jordan’s birthday is just 2 days before my Poppa’s birthday (he would have turned 99 on Tuesday!!)

dressed up for middle school band concert

showing how to do a push-up on the BOSU — showing how to do a push-up on the BOSO

freezing in the car because he has his side set to 60!!!

after orchestrating the huge fireworks display

first football game

still a goof – no matter how old

I know – lots of pictures but I’m proud of the young man that Jordan is becoming!!! And, it makes me happy to look back through random pictures and see that he is almost always smiling!!!

Happy Sunday!!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness

Painting vs Wrestling

November 9, 2013 Kim 44 Comments

I don’t have any pictures for my 44 today but it is super easy. I did 44 hops on my right leg and then 44 hops on my left – see? Nothing to it!!!

Today I will be at my first middle school wrestling tournament – ALL DAY LONG!!!

In a gym with 100s of 7th and 8th grade boys walking around in their sinlgets – I didn’t take a picture of Hunter when he tried his on the other night – I will try to get some pictures today (maybe). I thought he was talking about a running singlet – wasn’t prepared for the body suit action!

I’m not sure what to expect, maybe it will be like this –

Probably not!! I’m thinking I will be doing a lot of hanging out and waiting – good thing I have my Nook to take!!!

Chris can’t go because he is going to work more on the apartment – we worked all day yesterday (and Monday and…). He fixed all the broken things and I primed everything. Hopefully he can get a lot of the painting done today since we have people moving in next Friday!

We just found out Thursday that Hunter was going to the tournament today and at first I figured Chris would go (he wrestled in high school and thinks it’s awesome) but then I thought about painting all day again!!!!

Really I was holding out for Option 3!!!!! Just kidding! (sort of)

Which would you choose for the day (8am – 7 pm), painting or watching middle school wrestling?

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Core, Fitness

A Bit of Reality

November 8, 2013 Kim 67 Comments

Today’s 44 was all about the core!!! I don’t know if this move has a name – twisting leg extension oblique work – or something!!!

Start by lying on your back with your knees bent at 90 degrees.

Twist your knees to the right while keeping the rest of your body still.

Extend your legs and reach your left hand to your toes.

Bring your knees back to the center.

Twist your lower body to the left side.

Extend your legs and reach your right arm to your toes.

Return to the start and you have complete 1 rep!! Not gonna lie – I was dying by the last 10 or so – 44 is a lot some days!!! And – I do like to close my eyes when I work my abs sometimes!!!

I pulled out an old DVD – Quick Fix – Total Mix. The Quick Fix DVDs are similar to the 10 minute solution workouts but they have more options. They have 9 different 10 minute segments and you can combine them any way you like.

Today I did the following:

Abs Flex
Buns Toner
Arms & Legs Combo (using 8 pound dumbbells)
Abs Crunch
Buns Firmer
Leg Blaster

Overall this was a good workout. The only time my heart rate really went up was during the 2 sections with leg work. I like that in the 2 buns sections there are a few unique moves and the combination of moves is pretty good. The DVD seems old-school – almost like the Buns of Steel series!

Yesterday morning Chris and I went to a funeral for one of Chris’ close high school friend’s Dad.

I was talking to his friend’s wife and she said – “We’re getting old.”

It’s true!!! This year alone, we have been to numerous funerals for the parents of our friends. It is hard to believe that so many of our friends are the Patriarch/Matriarch of their families now!

I know that as we age, everyone else is also getting older but some days and experiences make the reality come up and smack you in the face!!!

And, I think that no matter how old you get, it is hard to lose your parents!!! Chris lost his Dad about 14 years ago and his Mom 7 years ago so at the age of 38 he no longer had a parent.

Wow – a bit much for a Friday – sorry, funerals always make me sort of reflective!!

Happy Friday!

Kim

BOSU, Butt, Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

Memory – Can you Remember what you Forgot?

November 7, 2013 Kim 74 Comments

I used my BOSU for the 44 again (such a fun piece of equipment!!). Today’s move was all about balance!!! I did jump squats.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym22a52AGWE’]

Just to say – the video was right after I finished running 10 miles and Jordan said I only got one chance – pretty shaky on those jumps!!! (That’s why I always do my 44 before the rest of my workout – more strength then!!)

So, the rest of the workout was running – 1.5% incline – 8 miles in 59:55 + 2 more miles at a nice easy pace. It’s been awhile since I’ve put in that many miles so it was nice to get a long run today!!!

Do you have a good memory?

I used to think I did – I never needed a grocery list, I could rattle off phone numbers, when I taught I knew all of the my student’s names (usually 100+) by the 2nd day.

Now it’s a completely different story!!! When I use something up in the kitchen I can’t even remember to write it on the list (which I have to have!!!).

One day I called someone and ended up leaving a message for them to call me back – I said the first 3 numbers of my phone # and went completely blank on the rest!!! Duh….

When the boys ask me about doing something later in the day or for the next day I usually tell them sure but they will need to remind me! (They don’t get that at all!!!)

I know that there are tricks for helping your memory but I can’t even remember what they are!!!

Yep – that’s pretty much how I feel most of the time. I have to write everything down (in my calendar!) or there is very little chance that I will remember.

I guess I better never misplace my calendar because I would never remember where I put it!!!

Do you struggle to remember simple things? Does it bug you?

I have to be honest – it causes me stress – good thing the stress doesn’t last long since I can’t remember what it is that’s bothering me!!!

Happy Thursday!

Kim

BOSU, Cardio, Core, Fitness, Shoulders

Exercise Is NOT One Size Fits All

November 6, 2013 Kim 78 Comments

Today’s 44 was fun!!! Kristen @ Stuft Mama demoed this super cool move yesterday and I knew that I had to give it a try. It is called – The Monkey.

Basically it is a cross body mountain climber using the

See why I had to try it?!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxBG2OW98hs’]

You can do this move without a BOSU if you don’t have one available.

Since I already had my BOSU out I decided to do a workout with it – I did BOSU Total Body Conditioning. It is a fun workout that mixes cardio, strength moves, balance training and core work. The biggest downside – it was only about 30 minutes.

So, I also did Les Mills Pump – Combat. This has been one of my favorite workouts from the very first time I tried it. It is 45 minutes worth of non-stop cardio in the form of kicking and punching. The time flies by and I always feel like I’ve gotten a great workout.

I’ve never really understood the concept of “one size fits all.” How is it even possible when we are all so different?!?!

I think that with exercise we really have to steer away from the idea that one size fits all.

Everyone needs to figure out what works for them and not do something just because it seems to be what everyone else is doing.

For the past few months I’ve tried a bit of an experiment with my working out and it hasn’t worked well for me. For a long time I have read about and observed many people who thrive on minimal amounts of time for working out.

Workouts like the 7 minute workout are everywhere these days!!! And, I truly love that type of workout!!!

However, for me, it isn’t enough!!!

This fall I made a conscious effort to try and cut down on my workout time – most days I have only spent 40-45 minutes total working out instead of the 1-2 hours that I used to spend.