All posts by Kim

I am a 44 year old wife, mom and athlete. I started running in high school and have loved it ever since. As I got older, I had to stop running every day so I added in weight training and all sorts of fun work-outs like Insanity, P90X and Turbo Fire. I'm a certified personal trainer and I love all aspects of fitness.

Back, Core, Fitness, Shoulders

Exercise: Fun or Dreaded?

February 25, 2013 Kim 14 Comments

Today’s 43 really made me push myself!! I did plank rows – which means I stayed in the plank position while I did 43 rows with each arm (for a total of 86 rows)!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A631XqSoj4′]

I wanted to maximize the core work so I tried to keep my body as still as possible during the rows – not easy!!! (but done)

Today was Combat 60 Live – Ultimate Warrior (fun, fun, fun!!!) which is part of the Les Mills Combat program. I sort-of wish that particular work-out was even longer than an hour – so much fun and yet when I finish I always know that I have gotten a great work-out!

I’m forcing myself to take a week or two off of running to see if my Achilles will heal up. I have had Achilles problems (not that kind of Achilles!!!) since grad school and my days of heavy road racing – it comes and goes but usually if I will give it a bit of a break I can push on through!

I tried a quick new work-out today – LOVED it!!! I did work-out #1 on Zuzana’s (from BodyRock) new DVD series.

10 burpees (touch your stomach to the ground each time then jump into the air at the top)
10 tuck jumps
10 burpees
20 jumping lunges
10 burpees
30 kick ups (start in crab position & kick legs up – one right & one left = 1)
10 burpees
40 jack kicks (jack your feet out then in, kick leg high to the side – alt. legs)
10 burpees
10 burpees

Next time I think I will set my own timer – I stuck with Zuzana today but I had some down time and I would rather push the whole time!! Either way – less than 10 minutes to a great work-out!

Do you enjoy your work-outs or are they just something to be endured so you can check it off the list?

People that know me know I love to exercise. I don’t know if I’ve ever said I “have” to work out. Usually, if I have a day where I feel like that, it means I need a day off!!

But, I’ve had many people say, “I wish I liked to work out like you do.” Why??? Don’t work-out like me if you hate it!! Find something that YOU like!

Anytime someone tells me they wished they liked to run or lift weights, I always ask them what they do like to do. If it’s not something you like then it will just be work!!! I don’t ever swim for exercise because I hate swimming (I think the pool or lake should just be used to cool off while tanning). If that were to be my work-out I would dread every second of it and it wouldn’t benefit me much at all.

I always feel bad when I can tell someone is going to the gym just because they feel like they “should.” Even with my boys, I would love them to be runners but I don’t think they really enjoy it – no problem, but find something you like and do it!!

I know that MizFit is a big advocate for making fitness fun – she calls it Playout (instead of workout – get it?). I love her approach to making it FUN!!!

So, any of you who dread your work-out times, maybe it’s time to make a change! Make it fun so you will enjoy it (or at least not dread it!!).

Happy Monday!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Thighs

Proud Mama / Proud Wife

February 24, 2013 Kim 10 Comments

The 43 today was super “simple” but very effective!!! I started on all 4s (hands & knees) then extended my right leg out to the side for leg circles. I did 43 small circles to the front and another set of 43 circles to the back. Then, I had to switch to my left side (OUCH!!!) and repeat the front & back circles!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3NKad4MjFw’]

No equipment required – just find a small amount of space and start circling!

Today is a rest day (other than leg circles & my daily wall-sits). And, about those wall-sits, ~~I think~~ I will be happy when February is over!! :happy:

Actually, I’m fortunate because I have 2 boys that call me Mom!!

I am proud of both of my boys every day but sometimes I am completely overwhelmed with pride. Yesterday, Jordan participated in History Day for his school.

History Day Display - my sweet boy/man — History Day Display – my sweet boy/man

This is not for an assignment – just “extra” stuff. It requires a lot of outside research and time to put everything together. Jordan was willing to spend the time and put together a really great presentation!

Jordan didn’t place but it doesn’t matter – my heart is overflowing with pride!!! (His friend John, won the category that he participated in and will advance to the State competition later in the spring! Congrats, John!!)

And…look who is on the front page of the Topeka Capital Journal today!!!

Chris, looking so serious! (He is on the left.) Here is a better picture (I just snapped the one above from the actual paper).

What a cutie!!

And, even though I didn’t put anything in here about Hunter, I’m equally proud of him!!

Happy Sunday – gonna go enjoy my crew!!!

Kim

Crock Pot, Recipes, Soup

Chicken & Rice Gumbo Soup

February 23, 2013 Kim 2 Comments

I have never made Gumbo before but I thought it would be fun to try some! Cold and snowy outside – warm, filling soup inside!!!

I looked at lots of recipes and then sort-of combined and deleted the things that we like/don’t care for!

Chicken & Rice Gumbo Soup

diced, chicken breasts (I use the precut, precooked bags – cause I’m all about convenience!)
package of smoked sausage, sliced
4 carrot sticks, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes
4 soup cans water
2 T chicken bouillon granules
dried thyme (I just shook some in)
1 package frozen cut okra
hot cooked rice (I made 3 cups in the rice cooker)

Mix all ingredients except okra and rice in crock pot.

Cover and cook on low 7 hours(ish).

Stir in okra during the last hour. (I just dumped the frozen stuff right in!)

Spoon rice into bowl and top with gumbo. If you want it spicy, by all means add hot sauce. (We did not.) I toasted up some French bread so we would have a crusty bread to dip into the soup – so good!!!

As Chris said – “This was a homey & hearty meal.”

Cardio, Fitness

Exciting News!!!

February 23, 2013 Kim 6 Comments

Today I used my TransFirmer for the 43 but I set it up a little differently:

I did a little mini-step workout! Fun times! I started behind the angled step and did an L-step off the left side, a 3 count repeater knee, an L-step off the back and then did the same thing off the other side for 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQtg1yTOmgY’]

I tried to step high onto the incline during the repeater to make it a little more challenging. This was a fun 43 to really get my heart pumping.

Today was Les Mills Combat HIIT Plyo. 30 minutes of jumping lunges, jump squats, burpees and so many more “fun” moves! I love how intense it is but I’m glad this is only a 30 minute program – don’t think I could last for much longer!

Wait for it…….

I finally started a Day with KT Facebook page! It only took me 5 1/2 months!! Feel free to “like” my page – hopefully I will be able to improve the layout soon. (OK – so it really isn’t super big news but…)

Also, Hunter completed his first full M100 yesterday!! Usually he does 1 set of each of the 3 exercises (30 total moves). Soon he will want to challenge me to another M500 – UGH!!! Way to work, Hunter!!

Gotta get 6 more wall-sits to hit 23 (1 minute each) today and then head off to History Day for Jordan.

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Biceps, Fitness

Snow Day Fun

February 22, 2013 Kim 10 Comments

Today is another snow day for the boys!!! Chris had to go to work (but not until 10:00am which is much better than his normal 6:00am show time!).

I decided to give my legs a break on the 43 today and hit my arms. I did a cross body hammer curl (biceps). I alternated arms and counted 1 right arm curl and 1 left arm curl as 1 rep so it was really 86!!

You can see that it is a simple move – I tried to go slowly and focus on the entire movement for maximum benefit! (I used 10 pound dumbbells.)

I guess I’m checking out my massive bicep?! (Pictures aren’t very close up because this hair growing business isn’t working out that well!! I’ve resorted to just pulling my bangs back in the most lovely fashion so they stay off my face when I work out!)

Today I also did my newest favorite workout from Les Mills Combat – Combat 60 Live, Ultimate Warrior. This one totally kicks my tail!!! Love it!

Then I decided to pull out another old favorite – Ab Ripper X (from P90X). I already know that by Sunday my entire core will ache!! This is a short work-out (16 minutes) and it includes 11 different core exercise – 25 of each except the last 1 has 50. It’s a true delight!!!

I know lots of people spend snow days outside playing in the snow – ~~idiots~~ crazy! I have a strict snow day policy – I don’t leave the house!!! I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned it, but I hate snow and cold!!! Usually the boys go out and romp around in the snow but yesterday they didn’t for some reason.

Our snow day included:

Jordan & I worked for several hours on his History Day board (it is for Saturday so good thing we had a snow day to get it done!!). It was fun working with him and helping him put it together!!
Hunter spent time perfecting his Rubik skills!
Hunter’s Rubik collection

3. Chris spent a couple hours shoveling 10″ of snow off the driveway – yuck! (and somehow I didn’t get a picture – boo!)

4. Jordan also fit in some time for his epic Lego battles! I love that he has such a vivid imagination still. He even makes videos of the lego stuff – who knows? Maybe one day he will be a film maker?? Actually he plans to be a History Professor (Ancient History).

5. Hunter also had a battle scene:

I’m not sure when we will finally get rid of all of the stuffed animals! Hunter (and his friends when they come over) still enjoys them (for battles!) – funny!

So, how does your family spend a snow day (or 2)?

Oh – Good news!!! Today is National Margarita Day!!! What a great thing for Fun Friday!