Category Archives: Core

Bring Your Personal Best to the Table Every Day!!

March 4, 2014 Kim 75 Comments

I combined my 44 and the challenge of the day for Angela’s Happy Fit March Challenge. The goal today was a max plank hold and I decided to have some fun with it. I used 2 of my small wobble balls to set up the plank –

I let the timer run while I did my 44 which was to stay in plank and alternate lifting my legs –

The hard part was trying to keep my body still when I lifted and lowered my legs. I counted a right and left lift as 1 rep. Counting my reps made the time pass quicker than just trying to hold plank!!!

I decided to spend some time with Jillian Michaels this morning – Extreme Shed & Shred! I did both parts (Level 1 & 2) of this workout to get just over an hour of hard work!! This workout was a fun mix of kickboxing, yoga holds, plyo, HIIT, a few moves using weights – Fun Stuff!!!

During the workout today, Jillian said something that I really liked. She said, “Bring your personal best to the table every day.”

First, I love that she put the emphasis on personal best because we shouldn’t compare what we do to anyone else!!! As long as we are striving to be the best form of ourselves that we can be then that is good enough!!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a very competitive person but I think that the biggest competitions I will ever have involve beating myself!!! Sure, when I do race, I want to win but I know I’m not a world class runner and will never win every race. However, I can continually work to be the best that I can be!!!

The other thing about that quote that I like is the every day part. Some days and some tasks it is easier to just put in a half effort but the only person we are hurting is ourselves!!

Today is another day of cleaning and setting up for an event over at our venue and it would be easy to just do a half-ass job but then I would look around and know that I hadn’t done my personal best and I wouldn’t have the sense of satisfaction that comes from doing the best I can no matter the job!!!

Do you do your personal best everyday no matter how small or big the task?

Happy Tuesday!!!

Kim

Butt, Cardio, Core, Fitness, Hamstrings

Being Fancy and a Much Needed Lazy Day

March 2, 2014 Kim 60 Comments

Today I did a fun 44. A little balance work and a little hopping – perfect. I did a single leg dead lift (slowly) then brought my knee in and hopped before repeating.

And, after I did 44 with my right leg I switched and did another set of 44 with my left leg.

Last night Chris and I did something that we don’t do very often – we got all Fancy for the Dining Out (military “prom.”).

It was fun to get dressed up but I’m glad we don’t do it every day!!! Chris’ mess dress (what he’s wearing) is actually the same one he wore when we got married almost 18 years ago!

It was a fun night! We didn’t stay out late because of the nasty weather that had been predicted. Thankfully even though the roads were slick when we came home, we got home before the heavier stuff came down.

We didn’t get the 6+ inches of snow that was forecast but we got lots of ice – we could hear the ice pellets hitting the deck and house for a long time last night. I’m sure it is super slick out now since it is only 3 degrees.

The good news about the weather – yesterday at drill (besides working at the base full time, one weekend a month, Chris has drill), they decided to cancel for today!!! And, Hunter’s special cello practice for today has been rescheduled so today turned into a completely open day.

I’m so excited that we got this “bonus” lazy day – we all needed it. Chris and I didn’t even get up till after 8:00 – that hasn’t happened in months!!! And my plans for the day are pretty minimal!! I think I will make a big pot of soup or chili for dinner and then a whole lot of nothing!!!

The perfect lazy day – no need to leave the house for anything and my whole family is safe inside with me – true bliss!!!

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

A Fun Challenge for March

March 1, 2014 Kim 37 Comments

Today’s 44 was a hard one!! I used 1 of the small wobble balls and did a side plank with a knee in.

Just holding the side plank was hard with the added challenge of the wobble ball.

And because I’m trying to take my own picture it is hard to tell but I actually did a little crunch every time I brought my knee in.

Of course, I had to switch sides and do 44 more. I tried about 10 times to take pictures but they are all even blurrier than the ones above so there is no need to show them!

Angela @ Happy Fit Mama set up a fun challenge for the month of March. I wan’t sure if I was going to try this one or not but the more I looked at it the more fun I decided it would be. It is the HappyFitMarch Challenge (fun little play on her blog name!!)

I started today with a run. I ended up running 5 miles and I used my first mile which was actually my slowest for the challenge today –

(Nice sweat mark blurring the screen!!)

5 miles (at 1.5% incline) in 34:51 so it ended up being under 7:00 minutes/mile – kind of nice since lately I have been focusing more on distance and less on speed.

I’m a little sad that this is another busy Saturday – Chris has drill this weekend, I’m fixing to run Hunter around for a special cello practice and bow (cello bow) shopping. Tonight Chris and I have a formal to attend – gotta get all fancied up!!!

And, don’t forget the predicted snow for the weekend!!! They have already been saying that there will be cancellations tomorrow and Monday!! I can hardly wait.

Are you expecting more snow this weekend? Are you as happy about it as I am?

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

BOSU, Core, Fitness

Favorite Things

February 27, 2014 Kim 55 Comments

Today’s 44 used one of my favorite pieces of equipment –

I did a bicycle crunch while trying to stay balanced on the BOSU.

Umm….this was hard!! I wobbled, nearly fell off many times, touched my feet to the ground….but I did manage to get 44 crunches to each side.

I did another favorite workout today – Les Mills Combat – Combat 60 Live, Ultimate Warriors Workout. This one is fun and because of the number of reps on some of the moves it is not only cardio but offers a nice toning workout, too. And, the time flies by!!!

BTW – this week for the February challenge with Taylor we are doing 50 push-ups and 50 lunges every day. I’m making my lunges walking lunges because I like them!!!

I say that some things are my favorites a LOT because I think I have tons of favorites. Today I thought I would share a few – this is pretty much an ever changing list!!

Drink: Water is what I drink the most (all day long!) but we all know I love my wine, too!

a favorite!!! Wine from Germany — a favorite!!!
Wine from Germany

Food: This one is hard – it changes and I don’t know that I could pick just one food as a favorite. Maybe pizza – pretty sure I could eat it almost every day (but I don’t!).

Candy: Gobstoppers!!

Song: Hard to pick one so I’m going with 2. Brown Eyed Girl and Toes (actually I like all of the songs by Zac Brown Band & Jimmy Buffet)

Season: SUMMER, duh!!!!

Sport to Watch: College basketball!! Almost time for some March Madness!

College Team: State:

Time of Day: Dinner with my family!!!

Shoes: This is another hard one. I love shoes and boots and sandals!!!

Computer Brand: I love my MacBook Air!!! And, iPad mini and iPhone. I don’t really love the Samsung (something) phone that I bought for our business phone – can’t figure it out!!!

Book: I love to read but I rarely re-read any books. The one book that I have read many times is from my childhood – Little Women.

Person: Well, there is no way I can pick just one!!!

What are some of your favorite things?

Happy Thursday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

Time to Make a Few Changes

February 25, 2014 Kim 60 Comments

Today I used one of my small wobble balls for the 44. I balanced on it –

Just sitting on this was a bit of a challenge!! While staying balanced on it, I did double leg raises.

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!!!

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 –

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.

Day With KT