Category Archives: Butt

It’s Time to Stop Trying to be Accepted

August 11, 2013 Kim 32 Comments

Today’s 43 was one of my favorite kinds – a combo move!!! This one worked my lower body, upper body and core (balance) – it was awesome!!!

I did a side lunge –

and then pushed off my right foot to a knee lift with a shoulder press –

press to right knee up with shoulder press

After completing 43 on my right side, I had to switch sides!!

By the end I was really feeling this move. I used a 10 pound dumbbell and my shoulders were burning plus I was breathing hard since I combined upper and lower body.

I decided to take the day off from working out – I’m hoping to get in a couple of long runs this next week so I need to rest my legs a little.

Last night we went to church (it’s been awhile!) and the message was really good!! The main point was that we don’t have to try so hard to be accepted because we have already been accepted just the way we are!!

What a freeing thought to know that we are fine as we are and don’t have to try to fit any set mold or preconceived idea of what we “should” be. I think it is easy to becomes so focused on trying to be the person that we think others want us to be that we lose sight of who we really are.

We need to remember that what we do, what we wear, where we live – none of those things are what really matter. The person that we are is what matters and what makes us special!!!

And, because we are accepted for who we are, we need to accept others. Everyone is worth love, kindness and respect!!!

A simple friendly gesture can go a long way in helping someone around us feel accepted! The majority of people want to feel accepted by others and sometimes a little kindness and respect on our part is all it takes to help them.

When we truly respect other people it is obvious in the way we treat them!

This was a powerful lesson for me and one that I plan to remember every day! There have been many times when I have felt that I had to do something to be accepted but really I just need to be me and treat ALL those around me with respect, kindness and love.

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Thighs

Early, On Time, Late – Which Are You?

August 4, 2013 Kim 35 Comments

Today I used a stability ball again for my 43 –

I decided to really work my hips because any time I add in more running, my hips need some extra strength work!!

I started off on one knee while leaning on the ball. I raised my other leg straight out to the side –

Then, I pulled my leg in so that my knee hit the ball and extended it again for 1 rep.

After finishing 43 my hip was feeling a good burn for sure and I still had to switch sides. The other side was much harder because the first hip was on fire!!!

My 50 mile race is just over 2 months away and in addition to running to prepare, I need to make sure that my joints (especially my hips) are as strong as possible!!!

For the rest of my workout, I did Turbo Jam – Fat Blaster. This is an interval based workout and is great for really getting a great workout in a short amount of time (30 minutes). The funny thing is that because the Turbo Jam DVDs came out in 2007, they just refer to the workout as intervals instead of HIIT which it is. I can’t remember when everyone started talking about HIIT workouts but they have been around for much longer than the actual name has!!!

“To be early is to be on time,
To be on time is to be late,
To be late is to be left.”

I saw the quote above in the band handbook yesterday when Jordan and I were going through it – I love it!!!

I have always been one of those people who likes to be a few minutes early to events. When I met Chris, he liked to be WAY early to places. Between us, we are rarely ever late because we are super anal like that!!!

Chris is one of those people who hardly ever gets stressed or upset but I saw it happen on our recent Florida trip. The day we were going to Daryl’s retirement ceremony we had to drive across the bay to McDill Air Force Base. We knew that it was about an hour drive so we planned to leave 1.5 hours before it started. Well, we left a few minutes late – no big deal since we had a cushion. Then, 10 minutes into the drive Chris realized he didn’t have his military ID with him – even in his uniform we wouldn’t have been able to get on base without the ID. We went back to get it and just like that we were down to 1 hour.

It was a long stressful hour because Chris was freaking out (for him, not really the same as a freak-out by me!!) the whole time and mad at himself for being in the situation to begin with. We ended up getting into the building where the ceremony was taking place about 5 minutes late – BUT…..they hadn’t started!!! There were some problems at the gate with several people that were trying to get on base for the retirement so they were waiting!!! Everything worked out and Chris’ stress disappeared!!!

So, the big lesson for me out of that experience – always build a bigger time cushion ~~so that Chris doesn’t get stressed!!!~~ to prevent stress and allow for all unforeseen events and mistakes that might occur!!

Does being late cause you stress? Do you like to get places early or right on time?

And, just for fun, you can see how completely different my boys are!!

Jordan in white Hunter in brights — Jordan in white
Hunter in brights

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Biceps, Butt, Core, Fitness, Quad, Shoulders

Jordan

August 3, 2013 Kim 31 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a move that worked my entire body!! I used my stability ball and a pair of 12 pound dumbbells and did a squat with a bicep curl to a shoulder press. Here are the steps:

From the starting position, the right leg will squat while the left leg pushes the ball out to the side.

Stand while pulling left leg back in to body – curl weights and press overhead.

By adding the side leg movement, I was able to get my heart rate up while working on my balance (always good for the core!).

Of course, I couldn’t let my left leg be left out!!!

2 sets of 43 – my shoulders were on fire by the time I finished all those presses!!!

Today was the 3rd and final day of the “Stronger by the Minute” workout this week. I’m enjoying this little 6 week challenge series with Taylor because the idea of repeating the same workout 3 times in a week and trying to improve each time is right up my alley!! I love the self-competition!!!

From the first time completing this week’s workout until today, I improved each time on all 3 circuits – 2 of the circuits I was able to improve by over a full round!!!

The third circuit consists of 4 different burpees (all HARD), with 5 reps of each – as many rounds as possible in 6 minutes. 6 minutes doesn’t seem like much until you spend the entire 6 minutes doing burpees!!!! Today I did 56 burpees in that time!!!

Most of the time when you see Jordan, you see his great smile!!!

My firstborn is fixing to be in high school (and he can drive!) and I could not be more proud of him!!! He is a young man who truly cares about everyone around him!!

Things like school talent shows cause him stress because he feels bad for the kids who perform that really aren’t that good. While his buddies or other kids in the audience are snickering he totally empathizes with the person on stage!! He is the same way when we watch any of the singing/talent shows at home – instead of laughing, he feels bad for them!

He goes out of his way to make sure that everyone around him is happy or content. If there are limited chairs somewhere, he is usually the first to offer his chair. When his friends are trying to decide what to do he is content to let them decide – he is agreeable to just about anything.

Even though he isn’t the guy trying to have his way all the time, he is very much his own person. If you know Jordan personally (or have read my blog for awhile) you know that Jordan wears all white every day!! His standard “uniform” consists of white Nike shorts and white Nike T-shirt (plus white Nikes). I just restocked (in a bigger size) his white wardrobe for next year – took numerous stores and some driving but well worth the time!!! I love the fact that he is unique and content to be different!!!

This summer, Jordan has pretty much taken over cleaning up after every meal. Not because we told him he has to – he just likes it!!! Pretty amazing!

I know that I’m a little biased but I think that Jordan is an incredible young man!! It is truly one of the biggest joys of my life to watch him grow up. I know these next 4 years are going to fly by and I intend to treasure every minute that I can with my sweet boy!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Squats

Real Life vs Vacation Life

August 2, 2013 Kim

I’m being featured over at Jennifer’s blog Wine to Weightlifting today!!! She has a really great blog and does Friday spotlights – check it out if you get a chance!!

Today for my 43 I did squats with my barbell (20 pounds). Instead of just doing a standard squat, I stayed in the squat position the entire time –

From the squat position, I alternated lifting my right leg and holding it up –

I put my right leg down (staying in a squat position still) and lifted my left leg and held it:

I counted a right leg up and left leg up as one rep – my quads were burning (and I was breathing HARD) by the time I finished all 43.

And, today I did something I rarely do – I repeated yesterday’s workout. I’m trying to get in all 3 rounds of Taylor’s weekly challenge after a late start this week. It was HARD today because I’m so sore from yesterday. Pretty sure the combat push-ups are what did it, or maybe the million burpees, or……

Anyway, even being sore, I was able to get more reps in all 3 circuits today. I hope I can increase again when I do the 3rd round tomorrow!

Yesterday was our first day home in almost 2 weeks and it was non-stop!!! Chris had to work – big drill weekend to get ready for.

I got both boys enrolled for the new school year. It is funny here – we have to enroll on-line and then you go up to the school and go through lines to take care of the rest of it. I now officially have a 7th grader and a freshman!!!

Jordan started band camp yesterday and will have that every day from now until school starts (August 13).

We went shopping for Hunter’s school supplies – thankfully we only had to go to Target for everything!!

New shoes for both boys (and I might have gotten another pair of tennis shoes, too!!!).

Orthodontist appointment for Hunter.

Pretty sure that I could do with another vacation!!!

I miss my "office" view!! — I miss my “office” view!!

I guess there is nothing like a day of reality to make you appreciate the peace of vacation even more!!!

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Biceps, Butt, Fitness, Thighs

Even Adults Need a Time-Out Sometimes!!

August 1, 2013 Kim 38 Comments

Today for my 43, I wanted to do something with weights since I haven’t in awhile. I did a bicep curl and plie squat at the same time – basic moves but it felt good!!

I used 12 pound dumbbells and that was a challenge by the last 10 or so!!!

Today I finally did the first round of this week’s challenge workout with Taylor. This one is 3 circuits – as many reps as possible during the time. Circuit 1 – 10 minutes, circuit 2 – 8 minutes and circuit 3 – 6 minutes. It was pretty challenging (especially circuit 3 which was 4 different burpees – 5 reps each for the whole time and yes, 6 minutes is a long time to do nothing but burpees!!!).

Since it is already Thursday and I’m just now starting this week’s workout, I will do it the next 2 days also!! I like to space things better but you do what you have to do!!!

If you have kids, work with kids or read anything about kids then I’m sure you have heard of the “Time-Out” concept. When our boys were younger, we didn’t call it time-out but they did have something similar on occasion.

Last night by the time we got home and unloaded the car, I needed to be put in time-out. I was CRANKY!!!I was tired of being cooped up and ready to not be around anyone (especially my family) for a few minutes!! I know that sounds harsh but give me a break – we just spent 2 straight days in the car for 22 hours!!! Plus, I still had to unpack (cause I hate to leave it – I have issues!) and figure out something for dinner.

I was going to try to get to the grocery store and, of course, Chris wanted to go with me. What?! We just spent the last 2 days together non-stop, I think I will go alone!!! (See, cranky!! Usually I like it when Chris and I run errands together.)

Chris ended up pouring me a glass of wine and running to the store for a few things by himself!!

So, not a true “time-out”but good for everyone. I enjoyed a few minutes to myself and we still had a much healthier dinner than the past few days on the road! Plus, I quit snapping at everyone.