Category Archives: Back

Back, Core, Fitness, Foam Roller, Hamstrings, Lunges, Plyo, Push-Ups, Running, Shoulders, Triceps

Fun with Workout Toys (4/5 – 4/11)

April 11, 2015 Kim 1 Comment

This week I used a variety of pieces of equipment and other workout “toys” for some of my moves – always fun to use items in different ways!!

Sunday 4/5 – 45 cross behind lunges (curtsey style) off of step – plyo move.

hop back to curtsey lunge with right leg

Push off and hop back to top.

I need to start incorporating more plyo moves into my workouts again!!!

Monday 4/6 – 45 double step – plank jack/tricep push-up.

I set my steps up end-to-end and put my feet on the taller one with my hands on the shorter one –

as you jump your feet back in go down into a push-up

This move was hard – the tricep push-up is what killed me!!!

I ran 10 miles (74:28) followed by an easy mile.

Tuesday 4/7 – 45 V-sit on vertical foam roller with open/close arms. This move is a variation of a move from Lindsay (Cotter Crunch) and her 3 New Core Moves – she did the move as a stationary move focusing on holding. I knew I couldn’t do 45 long holds so I adapted it.

start with arms out and legs out a little

This move might look easy but it was HARD!!!

I did Denise Austin’s Personal Training DVD – always a fun workout for the entire body!! I even did the stretching segment!!

Wednesday 4/8 – 45 hinged barbell pulls.

The key to this move was keeping everything still except the arms.

I only had time for 6 miles (44:17) followed by a cool down mile.

Thursday 4/9 – 45 side plank with a leg sweep front-back-front.

Move the top leg back to the front to complete the rep. This took longer than I expected – I had to pause a couple times before completing all 45 reps. And, then I had to flip over and do some more!

Bring that leg to the front to complete 1 rep! I guess I didn’t use any cool “toys” for this move – oops!!

I did Les Mills Combat – Ultimate Warriors – 60 minutes of fast paced punching and kicking!!!

Friday 4/10 – 45 shoulder presses with a chair. I was a slug and slept till 6:00 so I didn’t get my workout done early. I had my 3rd day of cleaning/set-up at the venue for the past 4 so I decided to do my 45 once I got to the venue.

I used one of our chairs – I held it in front of my chest with both hands (by the front legs) and pressed my arms overhead before lowering to a 90 degree bend. Sort of a fun way to work my shoulders!!

Saturday 4/11 – 45 sidearm triceps extensions.

Can you tell the pictures are after my run? I put my shirt back on for them since I’m not super happy with my abs these days.

I ran 10 miles (73:50) followed by 1.5 easy miles.

Do you like to experiment with new uses for standard equipment?
I like to use different pieces of equipment especially in new ways!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Back, BOSU, Butt, Core, Fitness, Lunges, Recovery, Resistance Bands, Running, Squats, Treadmill

Taking it Easy (3/8 – 3/14)

March 14, 2015 Kim 26 Comments

This week I took several days off because my legs were tired and I’m trying to rest some before next Saturday!

Sunday 3/8 – 45 sit-ups with my feet propped on the door.

Monday 3/9 – 45 rear leg lifts with band.

After one side has been worked over, it’s time to switch and hit the other side.

I did Turbo Jam – Lower Body Jam & Ab Jam – both fun workouts!!

Tuesday 3/10 – 45 reverse lunge to warrior 3.

I love how many muscles are involved in these 2 moves. And the balance challenge always makes me happy!!!

I did a 9 mile run in 68:35 followed by 1.2 easy miles.

Wednesday 3/11 – 45 crunches with a medicine ball toss (8 pound).

This was the start of taking a few days off since my legs felt tired. I still ended up with almost 20,000 steps after a day of cleaning and setting up at the venue.

Thursday 3/12 – 45 bent over tricep pulses.

An easy move on another day off (other than 8 hours on my feet while ironing table cloths).

Friday 3/13 – 45 pike and row on BOSU. This move is another one that Nellie (Brooklyn Active Mama) shared in her Weekly Wednesday Workout.

Wrap the band around your foot a couple times – I also ended up choking up on the band to have enough resistance.

pike your leg up and row (pull shoulder blades together)

This was a fun move because it worked so many muscle groups and had an incredible balance challenge!!!

ready to work the other side even though my abs are burning

Saturday 3/14 – 45 squats on a 30% inclined treadmill.

I really liked this move – and it was perfect since I had just finished my run!!!

have to work the other side - sorry for the backside view — have to work the other side – sorry for the backside view

(It’s been awhile since I did pictures with my shirt off but just keeping it real – back fat and all today!!!)

I did this move after running 5 miles – 36:54 followed by a nice easy mile.

4 days out of 7 off is a lot for me but I think it was time to rest!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Back, Calves, Core, Fitness, Plank, Recovery, Running, Shoulders, Squats, Treadmill

Heavy Running Week (1/18 – 1/24)

January 24, 2015 Kim 31 Comments

This week I more than doubled my total miles for the month – a mega long run will do that I guess!!

Sunday 1/18 – 45 arm lifts (elbows bent) to side while in elbow plank.

Return to plank –

I counted a right and left lift as one rep – this was HARD!!!

Monday 1/19 – 45 shoulder work – extend arms straight up in front – open them to the sides – lower – repeat. I only used 5 pound DB because my shoulders are weak!!!

Slowly lower the weights back down to complete the move.

This was a running day – 6 miles (47:10) + 2.1 easy miles. I wanted to see how much sweating would burn my face – it wasn’t too bad!!

Tuesday 1/20 – 45 plie – jump to squat – jump back to plie – stay low the entire time.

From plie, jump to get into a squat (point toes forward) –

Obviously I kept the squat fairly wide!!! From the squat – jump back to a plie position. Since you stay low the entire time, your legs will definitely start to feel the burn!!

I did a DVD that I hadn’t done in awhile – Jari Love’s Get Extremely Ripped 1000 Hardcore. This was about 70-75 minutes of hard work. I liked the mix of cardio and weights. Because Jari Love uses high reps for all moves, my heart rate stayed high the entire time!!!

Wednesday 1/21 – 45 miles of running!!!

This took 6 hours, 35 minutes, 18 seconds!! Normally I do this on my actual birthday but this year I figured as long as I did it while I was 45 it would count!

Thursday 1/22 – 45 single leg calf raises.

I thought this would be a nice stretch after Wednesday’s run. Ummm….it was hard to do 45!!! And, of course, I had to switch legs.

Friday 1/23 – 45 heel taps while in a prone position.

lift legs and squeeze (nice photo bomb – Jordan!!)

This is a great move for your lower back since you are working to keep your legs up the entire time!!!

Saturday 1/24 – 45 shin strengtheners.

lay on back - legs up - point toes — lay on back – legs up – point toes

I used to do this move a lot more to help prevent shin splints. You can also turn your toes out to the sides or in. Another option is to vary the speed that you use for this move.

I decided to do an easy workout to try and workout the residual soreness in my quads from the long run so I did – Fat Burning Pilates. I think that is was a good way to get a little movement today!!!

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Back, Butt, Core, Fitness, Hamstrings, Plank, Push-Ups, Resistance Bands, Running

Accepting Limitations (12/14 – 12/20)

December 20, 2014 Kim 61 Comments

Yesterday at physical therapy we talked some about limitations and accepting the fact that sometimes we never “get back” to the point we used to be. I told the therapist that I was not ready to give up on long runs or fast runs so I need to pursue this whole leg issue further. I will continue to do the strengthening moves and work on good alignment but I think it is time for the next step – visiting my orthopedic surgeon.

Sunday 12/14 – 45 torso and leg lifts while laying face down.

By holding my hands back instead of in front this changed the move and degree that I could raise. When I do a basic superman I never get quite as much lift!

Monday 12/15 – 45 side plank crunch (bring top knee in).

I liked this move!! And, of course, I had to flip over and do another set of 45.

I ran 9 miles – furthest run in awhile in 71:10 followed by 1.5 easy miles. I spent over an hour and a half on the treadmill which is a record these days.

Tuesday 12/16 – 45 burpees with plank jack push-up.

Yikes – I haven’t done many burpees or push-ups in awhile and this was tough!!!

After that I went with an easier workout – Burn & Firm Pilates.

Wednesday 12/17 – 45 overhead circles with medicine ball (8 pound).

I circled clockwise for 45 reps and then switched direction for another set –

This move is good for your core but I also felt it in my forearms later in the day!!!

I ran a slowish 5 miles – 43:27 followed by 3.5 easy miles. My leg was very achey after this run!!!

Thursday 12/18 – 45 double crosses (for core).

This was hard for me!!! I counted a right over left + a left over right as 1 rep.

I did one of my DVDs that has lots of 10 minute workouts – Quick Fix Toning. I did 6 sections for a nice full body hour workout.

Friday 12/19 – 45 leg lifts to back on a diagonal (a therapy move).

I’m really working on staying straight and not tilting my body on these moves while strengthening my hips.

I did an 8 mile run – 64:31 followed by an easy 1.5 miles.

Saturday 12/20 – 45 clams with a band. My therapist wants me to do clams more often but I told her I never really feel them – she said to use a small band – I definitely felt them today!!!

My hip was burning by the time I finished all 45!!! Then I flipped over to do more!

So, I’m struggling with the fact that even though I can run it might be making my leg worse – this week it has hurt a lot more than last week. I don’t want to do any permanent damage but I need to run!!!

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Back, Biceps, Butt, Core, Fitness, Treadmill

Something Is Better than Nothing

November 22, 2014 Kim 31 Comments

Basically this week has been one of very minimal workouts. But…I still did a 45 everyday!!!

Sunday 11/16 – 45 low duck walks.

So, this is a move I actually did while we were cleaning the apartment – the layer of filth was deep and after I scrubbed all the walls I duck walked the entire perimeter of the apartment cleaning the baseboards and floor line. (this ended up being way more than 45 duck walk steps!!!)

Can you see the dirt on the baseboard?!

Monday 11/17 – 45 roll-ups with one leg straight and one bent.

left leg out - ready to go — left leg out – ready to go

(keeping your hands under your back helps you remember to keep your back pressed to the floor!!)

This was a new (to me) move and I liked it!!!

Because I new that this was one of my last chances, for a few days, I tried to run. Didn’t happen. I walked 4.5 miles with a 9% incline after running 2 miles super slow.

Tuesday 11/18 – 45 single arm reverse curls to shoulder press while standing on upside down wobble balls.