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.
Today’s 44 was fun!! I did a squat with a bonus. When I squatted, I touched my dumbbells (just 5 pounds) to the floor then jumped up and pushed my dumbbells over head!!
Talk about getting your heart rate way up there really quickly!!!
I did a DVD from a series that I love and haven’t done much lately – Jari Love Get Ripped and Get Extremely Ripped. Today I did Get Extremely Ripped Lean Body. I did the 30 minute complete lean body section and a 30 minute body rock section. By the end, I felt like I had worked every muscle group in my body – AWESOME!!!
Ever have one of those days where nothing is wrong but you just aren’t completely happy for some reason?!
That’s sort of how I feel – could be the layer of snow/ice/whatever on the ground and the cold temps – but I’m just in a bit of a funk! So, I decided to find some fun eCards because they always make me laugh!
That’s what the song says anyway!!!
This might happen on occasion – you would think that we are old enough to learn this lesson but…..
Trying not to be the cloud today!
Very true even though I probably woke up and looked at the clock myself 5 minutes earlier!!
HaHa!
I’m going to try adding the cape – I think it will make me feel more productive!!
Actually I don’t wish it would snow but I’m pretty much guaranteed to complain every time it does!
For real!! And piling your stuff on top of mine on the belt isn’t the solution either!!!
I know that a lot of parents can relate to this one!
These are so much more fun than listening to me ramble!! And, after I get back from the school drop-off I think I will hop on my treadmill for a run before moving on with the day!
What is your cure on those days when you wake up in a bit of a funk?
Today I used one of my small wobble balls for the 44. I balanced on it –
lifting up so you can see it
Just sitting on this was a bit of a challenge!! While staying balanced on it, I did double leg raises.
startup
You can’t even tell that the wobble ball is under me in the pictures but it is and I promise it adds to the challenge!!!
Today was a run day!!! 8 miles in 63:12 with 1.5% incline
I’m planning to run again tomorrow – rare for me to run back to back but I’m thinking it will be OK!!!
So, I know I won’t ever be perfect but I do need to make a few changes.
I think I’ve talked before about the fact that we try to eat healthy most of the time but I love chips, Cheetos and several other empty calorie items. And, I know I haven’t made any secret about the fact that I love my evening cocktail!!!
Cosmo
But lately, I feel like my appetite has been out of control. Last night within 30 minutes of dinner (where I ate more than enough!) I was starving!!
I think that I need to play around with the amount of protein I get because I’m not sure that I always take in enough. I know that over the weekend I had minimal protein which might explain how hungry I was yesterday.
I can also tell that I have put on a little weight around my middle and I want to get rid of that –
after run
Sort of hard to see clearly from this angle but trust me, it’s there.
So, nothing major but I figure I need to make a few changes now and see if it helps. I realize that each year I will have to work a little harder to maintain the shape I want and there are always things that I’m not willing to give up completely (potato chips & WINE!) but I can scale back on some of the things that I love and try some new things.
Do you ever feel the need to make some small changes in your eating to maintain the size/shape you want to be?
Happy Tuesday!!
Kim
BTW – this is just me being real about myself. I’m not comparing myself or size to anyone because what works for some isn’t necessarily right for me. I just know what makes me feel my best and I want to try to stay at that point.
Today’s 44 was another multi-move exercise!!! I started in a lunge –
ready
Staying in a partial lunge the entire time, I did a row –
row
and then I opened to a fly.
fly
After completing 44 with my right arm, I had to switch and do 44 more with my left arm.
2nd siderowfly
I used an 8 pound dumbbell which was a challenging weight by the end!!!
I decided to do another forgotten DVD today – TaeBo Amped – Express Sculpt. The amped workouts use this cool stick or “amplifier” –
The amplifier can be used in the shortened form or extended to look like this –
extended
This workout was 45 minutes and it isn’t very cardio heavy (not like most TaeBo workouts) but using the amplifier is a great way to really make your shoulders burn!!
Yesterday I was in Ft. Worth, TX to watch my sister-in-law, Stacy, run her first marathon.
Start – Between the half, full and ultra which all started at the same time, there were about 30,000 runners and all I can say is – WOW!!! The start was actually pretty well organized with 8 corrals. I was in a great position right at the corner for the first turn (about 100 m in).
Stacy and her running partner in matching orange tops
So, Stacy and her running partner, Anna are looking fresh and ready for the race here.
After the start, I coordinated with Sam (Stacy’s husband/my brother) and he picked me up so that we could get to our first view point.
Mile 4 – the runners were still in one huge pack at this point and it was hard to pick out Stacy but we did see her!!
Mile 4 – stopping to say hi to Hays & Isabel
I think that it was a nice place to stop for a second since they were half-way up a long hill!!! Both Stacy and Anna were still smiling at this point – all good!!
From here, we had to figure out our next view point (and feed the kids!!). Getting from place to place was a challenge since so many roads were blocked off.
Mile 10 – this was the point where the half marathon runners were being directed to stay to the right and it was still very crowded. This time, I managed a picture before they got all the way to us!
still smiling
Anna had enough of the long sleeves so she handed her shirt over to me when they passed.
After we cheered for them and many others, we let the kids explore the water gardens for a bit and then headed to our next view point.
Mile 15.8 – This was a fun wait!! There were some other people cheering for runners and we had a great time yelling for people. Hays and Isabel decided to encourage runners here.
so fun!!
This might have been the first time I cried during the day – it was so amazing to watch the runners switch over so that they could give the kids “5.” Stacy and Anna were still running strong and seemed to be doing well when we saw them.
One lady had a huge fan group here and when she came into sight and saw them she did a cartwheel – awesome!!! I watched another lady stop and hug her baby before continuing on – so many emotions watching all these runners!
Mile 20 – I think that mile 20 was my favorite spot!! (and sadly, the only one where I didn’t take any pictures) We were at this spot for close to 30 minutes and I had a great time cheering for all the runners. At this point, they either looked really strong or completely over the whole thing!
The funny thing about getting to watch and cheer – so many people said thanks for coming out and encouraging them – I don’t think they realized how incredible the experience was for me as a spectator!!!
Mile 26 – Sam, Hays and Isabel found a view point so that they could see Stacy cross the finish line but I went further out. I was close to the 26 mile point (so they still had to run those long last 0.2 miles) and make one final turn.
I think I was here for over 45 minutes and this was by far the most emotional part of the entire day for me. Watching so many runners realize how close they were to completing the marathon – for some their first and for others one of many – but all were happy!!
I saw runners crying, spectators running with them. Some runners were jubilant and others were just gutting out that last little bit but all had one thing in common – they were marathoners!
almost done!!!
Tired but excited and so close to completing their very first marathon!!!
I didn’t see them actually cross the line but I heard the announcer as he read their names!!!
Marathon Finishers!!
WooHoo!!! Watching the race was an awesome experience and I’m so happy for Stacy (and Anna).
I wasn’t totally prepared for the emotional experience that it would be for me. I always thought that I was OK with not actually racing a marathon – now I’m not so sure.
Congrats, Stacy! I’m so proud of you!!!
By the time I got home last night I was completely exhausted and felt like I had crammed at least a week into Saturday and Sunday but I would do it all again!!!
This morning I worked my inner thighs with the 44. This was a nice move for a rest day!!!
(BTW – Chris took the pictures for me on Friday night since I would be in a hotel this morning.)
I laid on my back with my legs up in the air, toes pointed out –
ready
From this position, I just brought my legs together with my feet crossed –
right foot in front
Returned to the start position –
here again
Then crossed my legs with my left foot in front –
left leg in front
See why I said it was nice for a rest day? Even though I counted a rep as a right cross and a left cross, this move was relaxing!! The key is to squeeze your legs together on the cross part and have control on the open part!!!
Because it is and I spent more of the night awake than sleeping, my brain is in a fog this morning!
I’m leaving at 5:30 to take Stacy and her running partner to the start of the marathon (that way their families with small kids don’t have to leave quite as early). Can’t wait to cheer for them as they run!!
Thankfully that picture was from a previous year and I don’t think it will be as cold!! It is already over 50 here on the way to a high of 72.
Yesterday when I got to the hotel it was 77 degrees!! I knew there was a reason that I am still a Texas girl at heart!! Walking around with no coat in February is a large chunk of why Texas is my favorite!!!
OK – enough babbling – I have a marathon to get to!
Today’s 44 was a fairly simple move. Plie calf raises while holding your arms straight out (I held 5 pound dumbbells for this).
plie positionlift onto toes
I tried to hold each calf raise for about 2 seconds – lots of wobbling!! And my arms were burning my the end!!!
I did a quick 4 mile run (1.5% incline – 26:36) and my 100 jumping lunges. The workout had to be short because I have to hit the road!!!
Surprises – I think that everyone has different thoughts on whether or not they like them or hate them. And, I guess it depends on whether it’s a good surprise or a bad surprise!
Today I’m planning to surprise one of my very favorite people and I can’t wait!!! I’m making a super quick trip to Texas (driving down today and home tomorrow) – about 15 hours of driving for this surprise.
My sister-in-law, Stacy
Stacy
is running her first marathon on Sunday in Ft. Worth. Last fall I thought about running this weekend, too. I was going to run the 50K (31 miles) instead of the actual marathon.
However, the more I thought about it, the more I decided that this weekend was Stacy’s!!! I talked to her earlier in the week and told her I wasn’t going to run after all (and she thinks that I’m not coming because of that!!!).
Going down just to watch and support Stacy will be much better!!! This way instead of thinking about my race and not even getting to see her, I will be there to support her 100%!!
Now, I just need to find a cowbell! Shouldn’t be too hard on the drive today!!!
Do you like surprises or would you rather know in advance what’s coming up?
That’s what the song says anyway!!!
This might happen on occasion – you would think that we are old enough to learn this lesson but…..
Trying not to be the cloud today!
Very true even though I probably woke up and looked at the clock myself 5 minutes earlier!!
HaHa!
I’m going to try adding the cape – I think it will make me feel more productive!!
Actually I don’t wish it would snow but I’m pretty much guaranteed to complain every time it does!
For real!! And piling your stuff on top of mine on the belt isn’t the solution either!!!
I know that a lot of parents can relate to this one!
