Category Archives: Butt

Random Thoughts During a Wednesday Morning Drive

July 31, 2013 Kim 48 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a move that I should be doing much more frequently – the Clam. This move is great for your butt and hips and requires no equipment.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QTG8AOJ9wA’]

Obviously that isn’t me in the video – I just used a video from YouTube because I was too tired last night when we got to the hotel to make a demo. I really did do the move this morning, though – 43 right side and 43 left side.

This is one of those moves that is all about control – it should be a slow movement and even though you might not feel anything for the first few, after about 10 you will definitely feel this one!!!

And, because we are still driving today (only about 8 hours left!!) I didn’t do anything else. I will be ready to get back to my normal workout routine for sure!!

#1 I’m loving the WiFi Hotspot for the long drive – today it is a weak signal and very slow so I’m skipping pictures because it is taking WAY TOO LONG!!

#2 The drive home is going by quicker than the drive to Florida – HOORAY!!!

#3 Traveling is much easier now that the boys are older – they actually sleep some in the car and they are old enough to entertain themselves (even though sometimes that means hours of one of them saying the same thing over & over & over & over & over…..)

#4 I’m ready to start cooking again – looking through recipes and trying new things!!!

#5 Truck drivers aren’t always the most considerate – I can’t count how many times one has pulled out in front of us to pass a truck or 3 and there is really no need other than it is a great way to slow us down!!

#6 I’m glad that the rain and cooler temps that have taken over the midwest for the past week or so didn’t affect us in Florida!!

#7 Sad that I need a blanket in the car!!

#8 Traveling with 3 boys means that sometimes the car stinks!!

#9 Pretty sure next time we go anywhere over an 8-10 hour drive we will FLY!!!

#10 I CAN’T WAIT TO BE HOME!!! As great as our vacation was and as much as I love the beach, there is no place better than home!!!

What are your random thoughts today?

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Hamstrings, Squats

Life Isn’t Always Sunshine but I Love it Anyway

July 28, 2013 Kim 43 Comments

Today’s 43 was one that I’ve never tried but need to do more often. It was a front wall squat. I need lots more practice because I can’t go down very far without toppling over.

Start with your toes against the wall –

(you can barely see me – the bright light worked against the picture but too late now!!)

Slide down into a squat keeping your knees and hands against (or near) the wall –

You can tell from the picture (barely) that I couldn’t even get down to 90 degrees – so a good 43 but one that definitely needs work! I liked the fact that performing this type of squat added in a balance challenge!

And, because we actually slept in a little, I decided to keep my workout inside because the humidity is killing me when I run here. I did Turbo Fire – Sculpt 30. This was a great workout today since I haven’t gotten much strength work this week!! You use the Turbo Fire band

for a full body strength workout!!

For the past week, it has been easy to love life – because we’ve been at the beach (2 more days!!!)! And, I’m pretty sure that by now it is a well established fact that the beach is my true HAPPY PLACE!!!

However, in my “real life” back home in Kansas, life isn’t always sunny!! There are days that look a lot like this –

And, some days are just kind of drippy!However, I can finally say that no matter what the weather and other circumstances that come along – I LOVE MY LIFE!!!

That hasn’t always been the case! In high school, I think I just existed. I loved running track and I enjoyed school but the rest of it was just something to be survived.

College was 4 years of fun even though I worked hard to maintain a track and academic scholarship and then added in a job my senior year. But, I still wasn’t completely at peace with myself.

I spent a number of years trying to find happiness through other people instead of looking for it inside of myself.

I thought that the people I surrounded myself and hung out with controlled my happiness.

I even struggled when we had kids – I thought that being a Mom should make me happy all the time – that kids meant sunshine 100% of the time!!!

So, it has taken 43 years to finally get to the point where I am completely content during the sunny times and the not so sunny times.

And, as long as I know that there is always time at the beach to look forward to, my life is full of sunshine!!

Do you love your life in all types of weather or just during the sunny/happy times?

Happy Sunday!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Lunges, Quad

Sleep: It’s Optional

July 26, 2013 Kim 52 Comments

Today’s 43 was an angle lunge. That is exactly what it sounds like – a lunge at an angle.

Start with feet together –

Lunge right leg to the right front angle –

right lunge – don’t forget to close your eyes

Quickly step right foot back and then lunge left leg to the left front angle –

I counted a right and left lunge as 1 rep so it was 43 lunges per leg. By moving quickly back and forth, I also got my heart rate up while doing these!

I thought about running but with the sand workouts lately, my Achilles is really sore so I will wait on that. Instead I did Les Mills Combat – Combat 45 – one of my all time favorite workouts!!!

So, I had already decided before we came on vacation that I was going to give myself permission to sleep in while we were here. At home I’m always up ~~at the butt crack of dawn~~ by 5:15 (often earlier) so I came here planning to really make up for lost sleep.

However, since we have been in Florida I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten even less sleep than I do at home!!

At home I have
However, since we’ve been here that has gone out the window (literally since we are outside all the time!)!!

It has been fun to be up past 10 pm (yep we are old and in bed by 10 almost every night!)!! We have set out on the deck and listened to the waves while catching up with friends – it has been awesome!!

The only problem is that I haven’t really been able to sleep in that much – by 7 we are usually up and going! Add that to the fact that I spend several hours in the middle of the night awake –

So, I have just decided that sleep is completely optional!!!

But who needs sleep when I can see this?

Even without much sleep being at the beach is very relaxing! My true happy place!!

Where is your happy place?
Do you sleep better or worse on vacation?

Happy Friday!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Running, Squats

Sometimes we Indulge – Sometimes we Overindulge – Looking for Moderation

July 22, 2013 Kim 53 Comments

Today’s 43 was a play on one that Nellie featured for one of her Weekly Wednesday workouts. She showed a split squat with a side kick this past week. I don’t have my step here but we have stairs!!!

I stood on the 2nd step and did a squat then pushed up into a side leg raise. Not gonna lie, about 15 in I started wishing that I had used the bottom step – oh, well gotta make up for yesterday!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmz70luvMZw’]

Even though I only did 1 side for the demo, you know I had to do 43 with the other leg – I just didn’t want to film my backside!!! This move was great for burning out my quads and my hips!!!

After that I headed outside to take advantage of the beauty all around me!! I ran 4 miles (8:37 pace) and walked an easy 1/4 mile cool down. It wasn’t too hot yet (around 80) but it was muggy – I was dripping with in the first 5 minutes!!!

I’m one of those people who doesn’t ever completely deny myself things. If I want a piece of candy,I usually go ahead and have it.

When I go shopping, I might come home with

Sometimes I even buy stuff that we really need!! (Pretty much I love to shop!!)

And, we all know that I enjoy an evening

So, I don’t really have a problem with indulging in things! However, I know my personality and I also know that if I’m not careful I can easily overindulge.

I may have consumed more than 1 candy bar in a setting before. I might have shopped all day and bought a ton of stuff that we don’t really need. And, on very rare occasions, I might have more cocktails than I should.

Each time that I overindulge, whether it is with food, shopping, cocktails, sometimes even with working out, I remember why it is so important to practice moderation in all things. I don’t beat myself up, I just remind myself – I try to practice moderation on a daily basis. Sometimes I overdo certain things (like feeling the need to run 5 hours!!!) but overall I try to live a life of moderation in all things!!!

Do you ever overindulge? Do you beat yourself up or just remind yourself of why moderation is the key?

This week I plan to indulge (possibly over-indulge) in the beach and sleeping (very rare for me to not get up early anymore but I’m going to try and catch up)!!

Happy Monday!!! I’m off to the beach!!

Kim

Butt, Calves, Core, Fitness, Foam Roller, Hamstrings

Ways to Stay Entertained on a Car Trip

July 19, 2013 Kim 39 Comments

Today’s 43 was one of those that was much harder than I thought it was going to be when I decided to do it. I used a foam roller –

and did a single leg glute lift.

(BTW – I didn’t really do these barefoot – I just had Jordan take the pictures for me last night because I knew that no one would be up at 5 am this morning!) So, from the bridge position, I just lifted my hips and lowered them – 43 times!!

And, of course I couldn’t just do one leg!!!

Supporting myself with one leg is always a bit of a challenge but supporting myself with one leg on the foam roller was no joke. My calves actually cramped up before I completed all 43 lifts!!!

Today was my 3rd (and final) round of The Lucky – the workout that I’ve been doing this week as part of Taylor’s challenge! This workout was made up of 3 circuits with 3 moves each. To complete a circuit, you do each of the 3 moves for 20 seconds, then 40 seconds, then 1 minute. Finish with 5 final reps of each move and then 1 burnout move of 50 reps.

You count the # of reps every time through and track them. I’m happy to say that I improved each day!!! I wasn’t sure that I would today but – BOOM – nailed it!!!

As of 7:00 AM this morning we are on vacation!! The only downside is to get to the destination (Bradenton Beach, FL – near Tampa) we have 20-24 hours in the car!!! (Chris thought is would be fun to drive this time – guess who voted against that plan?) So, we are driving (and driving and driving and….)!!

Unless you are the driver (which I actually prefer), it is mandatory to have something to do to pass the MANY hours!! We will entertain each other but I also brought a few things to keep myself busy!

We bought this cool little thing called a WiFi Hotspot (we went with the Verizon brand from Best Buy) so that I could have internet access on the road.

It’s pretty cool – just activate it (we just did a 1 month plan), plug it into a USB and – Voila!!! I can still blog!!! My little set-up –

And, yes, I’m in the back seat!! Jordan likes the front and I don’t really care where I sit if I’m not driving!!!

I also have a whole bag full of entertainment – iPad, Nook, several magazines, trivia books and logic puzzles to quiz the boys with!

If Hunter and I get bored, we can watch a movie on my laptop (I just picked up 42 the other day and can’t wait to see it!).

Other forms of car entertainment – Turner style!!

* see how many different state license plates we can find (and yes, I’m keeping a list)
* ABC game (no less than 500 times!)
* the boys like to sleep (or pretend to be asleep)
* take 100s of pictures of each other (documenting the day!)
* music trivia – see who can name the artist of the song first
* play word games – rhyming words, starts with, memory games
* car bingo
* who can find _______ first (things like an RV with a bicycle on the back, a bright yellow pick-up, a horse…..)
* snacks – when the boys are bored they decide it is snack time

I’m sure that we will come up with other fun things (cause, you know, we have plenty of time!!).

What are your favorite ways to stay entertained or to keep the family entertained during a long car trip?

Happy Fun Friday!!! (I’m hoping our day is full of fun on the road!)

Kim

Day With KT