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.

Biceps, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

I AM A RUNNER AGAIN!!!!! (Finally!)

January 17, 2013 Kim 10 Comments

Since the 43 yesterday really worked my quads, I decided to work my arms (namely my biceps) today. I did my 43 version of the traditional Bicep 21s.

First, I did 43 bottom half bicep curls (just curl up to waist height). Then I did 43 top half curls (waist height to shoulder height curls). Finally, I did 43 full curls.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xQv5mOw5Pw’]

(Once again, the demo is just a sample – I only did 3 of each type of curl for the cute video!!!) You can see that I used a barbell instead of dumbbells today – this is my Body Pump bar and I added a 10 pound plate on each side. I thought I might have to drop down to 5 pounds to complete the reps but I was able to maintain my form with the 10s so I kept them!!!

Screen shot 2013-01-17 at 8.06.42 AM — stop here!

I noticed in the video that my bottom half curls look like they go past my waist – here is where I tried to stop them each time. (and also where I started and ended the top half curls)

My hip was feeling fine even after I ran Tuesday so I decided to go ahead and run again today. (It has been 6.5 weeks since the DR said nothing for 8 weeks – CLOSE ENOUGH!!!)

Today I ran 7 miles in 50:35 and then did an easy 2 to cool down. (On my treadmill all at 1.5% incline.) It feels so good to really run again!!! I know that I should back off and run easier but I just love the feeling of a good, hard, fast run!!! I have MISSED it!!! And now, once again – I AM A RUNNER!!! All is right with the world (at least my world!!!)!!

Running makes me as happy as being on the beach (it is a really close call, though!!!).

I heard the funniest story on the way home from taking Hunter to school. A teacher has sued a school board because she has a fear of children and had to quit her job after being transferred to a middle school. Story here. Very odd choice of professions for someone who has an intense fear of children!! People make me laugh sometimes!!!

Happy Wednesday!!! (I have the whole day to catch up on things -now that I’m done with my long-term sub job!!)

Kim

Fitness, Quad, Squats

WooHoo – Everyone’s Healthy!!!

January 16, 2013 Kim 2 Comments

Jordan went back to school- Yippee!! He said he was about 99% this morning so hopefully he will make it through the day and won’t have a relapse!!!

For my 43 I worked my quads (in a big way!!!). I did a sumo stomp!!

Oh, wait – that isn’t one of the pictures Hunter took (thankfully!!!).

Start in a squat –

Stick your butt back further - come on!! — Stick your butt back further – come on!!

Lift your right leg as high as you can (while staying in squat) and then lift your left leg to complete 1 rep. Continue for desired number of reps (43 for me).

Hunter - take the picture already - this is hard!!! — Hunter – take the picture already – this is hard!!!

And one more shot:

Yes - it is necessary to look like a dork!!! — Yes – it is necessary to look like a dork!!!

Even though I managed, yet again, to look like a total goof – the exercise was great!!! By holding the squat for 43 right leg lifts and 43 left leg lifts, my quads were a shaky, jelloy mess. (I’m not sure jelloy is a word – but you know what I mean!!!)

So, I wanted to work my legs even more (crazy!) so I did Les Mills Combat – Combat 45 Kata. Since I have done this work-out before, today I was able to really go hard-core with it!! That means lots of jumping kicks were involved!!! 45 minutes was over and done with before I knew it!!!

I’m actually a little sad – this afternoon is probably my last day working in the library! I have really enjoyed my time with the kids at the school (not Hunter’s school) I have been at. Plus, being a librarian or library aide is pretty great!!!

One more bit of library humor:

Happy Wednesday!!! Here’s to good health all around!!

Kim

Butt, Chest, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

Dumbbells & Balls & Combat & Treadmills – Oh My!!!

January 15, 2013 Kim 11 Comments

For my 43 today, I did a move similar to one that I saw on the Biggest Loser last week!!! It is one of those great exercises that uses lots of different muscle groups!! (my favorite kind of exercise!)

Start with your upper back/head on a stability ball and dumbbells in your hands (I used 8 pounds today). Do a chest press – stand – do a shoulder press- lay back down on ball and repeat.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dszS-yLSQ0′]

Loved this exercise – will definitely do it again!!!

After I took Hunter to school, I came back to the still sick Jordan and did the rest of my work-out. Today was HIIT Power with Les Mills Combat. This work-out is only 30 minutes but it is intense!!! (It also has 40ish burpees with push-ups and squat jumps or tuck jumps!!!) Fun times!!!

After I finished the Combat work-out I wanted to test my hip on the treadmill. I only ran 3 miles (+ 1 mile cool-down) but I felt good and pushed the last mile (even though I’m not supposed to!!!). Total for 3 miles – 20:34 – WooHoo!!! Happiness!!!

I can’t wait to start increasing my mileage!!!

Can you tell I’m enjoying my morning off? I got to sleep past 5:00 am and spend a little extra time working out – Yippee!!! I am just working afternoons for a couple of days so that the person who I have been working for can ease back in to her job (and I can ease on out).

I don’t know about where y’all live/work but here the flu and other illnesses are OUT OF CONTROL!!! Yesterday at the school I have been working at there were over 60 kids home sick (plus at least 10 staff members) That is about 15% of the school – YUCK!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Kim

Fitness, Push-Ups

Happy Monday!!!!

January 14, 2013 Kim 7 Comments

The 43 today was hard for me!!! I had to modify it in order to finish all 43 – but we all know that making a modification is better than sacrificing form!!!

The move – a push-up with a clap. (Now do you feel my pain?!) The push-up alone – great! Add in the clap – uh, what??? I did the first 13 on my toes and the next 30 on my knees. Still got to 43 and by dropping to my knees I was still able to perform a full push-up so I still consider it a success!!

Special guest for the video:

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2NQgcsrF_I’]

Thanks, Chris!!! (BTW – did you notice how many he did? 9!!! + 1 more after the video) He said, “No way am I doing 43!!!” Umm…that’s cause you’re 44 – get busy!!!! I think he left it at 10!!! 10 is much better than 0!!!

Today was another day of fun with Les Mills Combat!!! I did the Combat 30 work-out again. I’m really enjoying it now that I have done it a few times and know all the moves!!

After Combat I did something that I don’t do nearly enough of – a stretching DVD!!! I did the Turbo Fire Stretch and it felt good. I have a hard time making myself take the time to really stretch very often – I know I need it!! Gotta work on doing that much more frequently!!

More time stretching – on the list!!!

I saw this yesterday and thought it was appropriate (at least in my world)!!!

Gotta get ready to head to the library (might be my last full day!!!). Jordan will be home – still sick! Hopefully he will be much better when he gets up today – I’m sure the fact that he has had these

in the room with him will make a huge difference!!! (or not – but it can’t hurt, right?)

Happy Monday!

Kim

Circuit, Core, Fitness

Core Work – It’s Good for You!!!

January 13, 2013 Kim 5 Comments

Today I decided to do a circuit for my 43. I made this one up last night (while drinking a Cosmo) and I think it did the job of working all parts of my core!!!

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

I always look pissed off during my demos – not sure why!!! I’m probably thinking about the fact that I still have 43 of these to do!

Anyway – I did not rush this work-out because I wanted to feel each and every crunch!!! 43 times through the circuit = 215 of each of the different moves = 1935 total crunches!!! I think I might be sore tomorrow!!!

I hope y’all try the circuit – you could pick a more reasonable # of reps – like maybe 10!!!

A few random pictures from yesterday (just because I took them and now I want them on my blog!!!).

The poor ducks – it was in the 50s here most of the week. Yesterday that all changed – high of around 28 I think (same for today but at least the sun is shining!!!). The ducks looked frozen into the lake yesterday morning.

At one point yesterday afternoon, Hunter came upstairs with this on – just because, I guess!!! You never know when you might encounter a Renaissance type around here!

Hunter's Rubik collection — Hunter’s Rubik collection

This cracks me up – all together and all except the 6×6 cube solved! I think Hunter has plans to add more to his collection – everyone needs a new challenge.

Well, I’m done with the random stuff for now. Gotta go check on my sickie – Jordan is miserable!!!

Try out the core circuit and let me know what you think.

Happy Sunday!

Kim

Day With KT