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.

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Lessons Learned from my Biggest Role Model

March 24, 2014 Kim 130 Comments

OK – this feels wrong to start a post and not begin with my 44 but I’m going to try. On the weekend I will share the entire week of Daily 44s.

Mema's 80th birthday party — Mema’s 80th birthday party

For most of my life I was super blessed with the best role model any girl could ever wish for – my grandma (Mema).

this is how my grandparents posed most of the time — this is how my grandparents “posed” most of the time

My grandmother taught me early on how much fun shopping was. She was an expert shopper! During all of that shopping she showed compassion to many people. No one was ever “beneath” Mema – she treated everyone equally and fairly!!

Mema believed that a woman should always be “put together” and that meant – dressed nicely, hair done and LIPSTICK. I have probably let her down in this area a lot – I love to be in workout wear and often skip makeup all together!!

even when she lost her sight she still looked at Poppa

Mema was very SOCIAL!!! She would talk to anyone and everyone about the most personal things. Many times I remember thinking that the lady at the Bealls counter or the cashier at the Chinese restaurant didn’t need to know quite so much about me but….

Poppa's 94th birthday — Poppa’s 94th birthday

Mema taught me how to be a “worker.” I spent many summers with my grandparents and I worked! I helped in the garden, did chores around the house and worked in the kitchen. Mema cooked like Paula Deen before anyone knew who Paula Deen was. If a little butter was good, a lot of butter was better!!! There was never a bad dish at my grandmothers!!

Even though we worked hard, we also rested. Every day after lunch we all would find a nice spot and nap (them) or read (me) for 30 minutes – I loved that time!

My grandparents together taught me what true love is. I don’t think I ever heard either one of them say a cross word at or about the other. I know they didn’t always agree about things but they knew what was important – LOVE!!!

May 25, 1996 a few special words right before my wedding — May 25, 1996
a few special words right before my wedding

Mema always had time for her family. I think that family was truly the most important thing in her world and we always knew it!!! I talked to Mema at least once a week from the time I went to college until the very end of her life.

Mema loved her great grandkids. I know that even though she understood why we lived in Kansas, she always hated that we were so far away. I hope that my boys had enough time with Mema and Poppa to know how very special they both were!!!

Mema couldn't see much by this time but she was still studying Hunter!! — Mema couldn’t see much by this time but she was still studying Hunter!!

Mema taught me that you didn’t have to be musical to appreciate good music. I think I got my musical ability from her (none!!) but I still love to listen to music. She would have loved hearing the boys play their instruments!!

listening even when she couldn't see — listening even when she couldn’t see

In the last few years of her life, Mema taught me so many lessons!! She taught me that no matter how hard life becomes and no matter what comes your way, you just have to stay strong in your faith.

I feel sure that Mema was making sure Poppa was "eating right" (her way!) — I feel sure that Mema was making sure Poppa was “eating right” (her way!)

I think that Mema is the one who taught me the art of making sure that people do things the “right” way!!! She was good at convincing Poppa to eat certain things or not eat them. I think really it all just goes back to the complete love they had for each other!!

Mema and Poppa loved to travel and went to many places and many different countries over the years. Even with traveling though, Mema taught me that home was always the best place to be. I still feel that way!!

this picture was after Mema had bypass surgery - I went down for a week to help take care of her — this picture was after Mema had bypass surgery – I went down for a week to help take care of her

Losing her sight was hard!! (She had macular degeneration.) I know that it frustrated her to not be able to see her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Yet, she rarely complained. In fact, I don’t think I ever really heard her complain even during the last 2 years when I know that she was unhappy because she wanted to be home with Poppa instead of in a nursing home.

always joy!!

I remember watching Mema open a gift and be able to figure out what it was even without seeing it!!!

Even in the nursing home, Mema tried to show her family a good time. It wasn’t quite the entertaining that she used to do. That is another thing she taught me – how to be a good host. She was an incredible hostess and nothing made her happier than having a large group of friends and/or family to feed and entertain!!

I was fortunate to have Mema in my life as many years as I did. I was 41 when she died. (February 6, 2011) Thankfully, I was able to go down in late January of 2011 and then I went down again in early February.

I spent the last 2 days and nights of Mema’s life with her and held her hand when she took her very last breath. I applied some of the lessons she had taught me over the years and just let her know how very much I loved her and always would!!!

2001 (Sam & Stacy's wedding) — 2001 (Sam & Stacy’s wedding)

I have missed my grandma every day for just over 3 years. Today would have been her 88th birthday!!! Happy Birthday, Mema – I will always love you!!!

I hope that at the end of my life I can look back and be able to know that I made Mema proud!!!

Who is your biggest role model?
What lessons did you learn from them?

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Boot Camp

Gotta Work the Legs!!

March 23, 2014 Kim 24 Comments

Who doesn’t want strong toned legs? I think, if we are honest, we all want to have legs that are powerful enough to carry us all over the place and strong enough that we can do anything we want!!

Having strong legs takes work!!!

So much more fun doing lunges outside on vacation when you can hear the surf!!!

This is a workout designed to leave your legs burning!!! Go through the entire thing once and if you aren’t feeling it yet do a 2nd (and even 3rd) round!!!

One time through will be a total of 30 burpees. If you can handle 3 rounds you will rock out 90 burpees!!!

If you need an extra challenge you can always hold dumbbells for all of the moves (even the jumping ones!!).

Back, Biceps, Cardio, Core, Fitness, Hamstrings, Plyo, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

Daily Moves 3/16 – 3/22

March 22, 2014 Kim 44 Comments

It might take me awhile to figure out how I want to do my Daily 44s since I’m not posting every day!!

Sunday 3/16 – 44 Squat thrust with 4 plank jacks

No other workout – Sunday is usually my day off if I take one for the week.

Monday 3/17 – 44 seated row with band

I ran 11 miles in 88:07 followed by an easy cool down mile.

Tuesday 3/18 – 44 windshield wipers with bender ball. This move is awesome for your entire core!!!

I counted a right – left as 1 rep. Not gonna lie – this move was hard for me!! I guess my core/obliques need more work!!!

Another long run (trying to get used to running on tired legs!) – 12 miles in 95:36 followed by 2 easy miles.

Wednesday 3/19 – 44 hammer curls while standing on wobble balls.

I used 10 pound dumbbells which was about as heavy as I could handle for that many reps.

I pulled out another DVD that I haven’t done in a long time – Shape Sculpt Your Abs. I did the entire 60 minutes plus the 12 minute bonus. I like that even though the title implies that it is just an Ab workout, it is really a full body workout!!!

Thursday 3/20 – 44 side lying hip abductions. This move was thanks to Nellie (Brooklyn Active Mama) and her Weekly Wednesday Workout. I have done a move similar before but this one had a slight variation – when you lift your leg, you pull it slightly back.

It didn’t take very many of these to feel it in my hip and outer thighs!!! And, you know I don’t want to be unbalanced so I flipped over and did 44 more!

I also got in my 3rd run of the week. 8 miles in 62:13 followed by 1.6 miles nice and easy!!!

Friday 3/21 – 44 Jefferson Dead Lifts. This move was brand new to me and I liked it OK since I like to find new things to try for my daily moves but I’m not sure I would do it regularly. I saw it on Tamara’s (Fitknitchick) Facebook page the other night and thought it would be fun!

You can see in the picture that the grip is different from a standard grip with one hand facing out and the other in.

I decided that since it seemed like one side was working a little differently I should flip around and do another set of 44 the other way.

I think that I prefer the straight leg dead lift to really target my hamstrings and butt!!

I did a new workout that I just won from Kim (BusyBod) “Thanks, Kim!!!” – The MashUP Conditioning DVD. This workout was intense!!! The idea is to work the entire body in a short time (longer if you combine segments). Each 15 minute segment consists of 3 parts – 5 minutes of strength based moves (also some agility involved). This is 5 moves for 1 minute each!

The next section was HIIT – 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off for 5 minutes. I’ve never done HIIT with that long of a rest but it was kind of nice.

The final 5 minutes was the mind/body connection – 5 primarily core moves for 1 minute each and you were encouraged to stretch as needed.

I did 2 (there are 7 total) of the Tempo segments for a 30 minute intense workout!!

Saturday 3/22 – 44 jump squats onto wobble balls. You know I’m loving my wobble balls and this was a fun way to do some jump squats!!!

I tried flipping them over and really working my balance but after nearly twisting my ankle twice I decided that it was challenging enough the way I did it!!!

And, I ran again this morning!!! 8 miles in 56:52 plus 2.2 easy miles. Today for the HappyFitMarch challenge we were supposed to run a mile and compare it to the past 3 Saturdays. I used my 8th mile today (I’ve been using my first mile which is never my fastest!) – 6:00 for the final mile.

Overall, it was a great week of 44s and working out!! I ran 4 out of 7 days for a total of 31 miles plus 6.8 easy miles.

Did you do any new moves or workouts this week?

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Hamstrings

One of Those Days

March 21, 2014 Kim 94 Comments

Today for my 44 I tried a new to me move that Fitknitchick (Tamara) shared on her Facebook page. It is called a Jefferson Deadlift and it really is different.

My version looked something like this –

And, because it seems like one leg works harder in the stance, I did 2 sets of 44 so I could work the other side equally hard.

Yesterday was one of “those” days. Do you know the kind I’m talking about? Not a horrible day, just a day that everything (and I really mean EVERYTHING) irritated me.

* pictures for my daily 44 – not the way I would have done them
* 9.6 miles – actually this went OK and I caught up on some of my reality shows
* no shower, just change into dry workout stuff to go clean the venue
* still no gas in my car!!!
* Chris & Hunter went with me to clean and set-up but that pretty much just got on my nerves because I had to tell them what and how to do things (because it should be done my way – right?!)
* noticed more floor issues – I’m sure it’s still related to flood (OK – not really a flood, just a LOT of water)

* call from a guy who gave us a bid for some work that was double what his estimate had been (and he is a talker!!)
* a bride who wants to book our venue but she wants me to give her several hours for free
* loud talkers at dinner (the boys) and there was some spitting involved (I might have taken my plate and drink out of the room for a bit)
* my bracket is already a mess and the tournament barely started!!

See, nothing major. Actually, most of it comes down to the fact that I like things to go my way and not much did yesterday.

Oh, by the way…Wednesday night I met a friend for dinner and this happened –

So I pretty much failed on giving up wine (and everything else) for Lent. I made it 2 weeks!!! (EPIC FAIL!)

It’s a new day and I am going to try and not be so cranky – it is Fun Friday after all!!!

Anyone else have days that you just feel cranky all day for now real reason?

Happy Friday!!

Kim

Biceps, Fitness, Uncategorized

Learning to Let Go

March 19, 2014 Kim 108 Comments

Today for my 44 I used my wobble balls –

While standing on the balls, I did hammer curls.

This was hard to maintain my balance but I liked the extra challenge!!! (I used 10 pound dumbbells which was almost too heavy for 44 reps – I stopped at 24 for a few seconds to stretch!)

I’m still trying to decide if I should still share my 44 on the days I do post or just wait and include all of them in my weekly wrap – gonna take me a while to figure out exactly how to make this work!

Just know, whether I share them each day or just once a week, I’m still doing a daily 44!!! Not ready to give up that part of daily activity – I figure I can make it to 50 at least!!

Last week, I had to realize that my boys are growing up and I won’t have them around that much longer. :Cry-Out:

While Jordan was off in Los Angeles having a great time –

I was home thinking about the fact that in just over 3 years (which I know will fly by!!) he will be leaving home and starting life on his own!!!

I started thinking that the best thing I can do in times like a big trip away or some of the other things that will come along in the next few years is to show how much I love him by letting go and supporting him as he spreads his wings!!!

Whether he is posing with some of the Princesses at Disney (this is the only one he took a picture with because she is a Samuri!) or being goofy with his friends, I have to trust that the training we have done up to this point is enough and that he will make good choices!!

The more I think about it, when we have kids, we start letting go in small ways from the beginning and continue to let go a little more and a little more until one day…

I’m thankful that I’m not quite to that day but I know it will come SOON and I need to start preparing myself mentally!!

Maybe I could pull a Jordan…When Jordan was just over 2.5 years old, he was the ring bearer in Sam & Stacy’s (my younger brother and awesome sis-in-law) wedding. After the ceremony, when Sam & Stacy were fixing to leave, everyone had a white balloon to release when they drove away. They left, and Jordan was so proud –