Category Archives: Core

Biceps, Butt, Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill, Triceps

Hug Your Loved Ones Tight

January 18, 2014 Kim 45 Comments

Today I did a 44 with a little bit of everything – balance work, core, glutes, biceps and triceps.

I used my wobble disc – and did a half squat –

While staying in this position I did bicep/tricep arms – alternating each arm –

left bicep - right tricep — left bicep – right tricep

left tricep - right bicep — left tricep – right bicep

I used 8 pound dumbbells and counted a bicep-tricep for each arm as 1 rep = my arms felt this for sure. (Especially since I did my 75 sec plank followed by 40 push-ups for the January core challenge right after this.)

I also ran again!!! Today I wanted to push the pace a little since I’ve been doing a lot of slower runs. I did 7 miles in 43:27 (6:12 pace) and then another 1.3 miles as my cool down.

Yesterday afternoon we learned that a family we know (one of Jordan’s good friends) lost a loved one suddenly on Thursday night. A police officer came to their house to tell them that their oldest son/brother had been in a car crash and did not make it (he was 24).

As a mom I have a hard time putting myself in that position and my heart breaks for the entire family.

I know that many people today are running in honor of Meg whose death should not have happened and is tragic on every level.

I am honored to dedicate my run this morning for her.

This morning we are going to a memorial service for some friends of ours (2 high school girls) whose dad lost his battle with cancer. I know that they would love to hug their dad just one more time.

Losing someone is always hard whether you had time to prepare because it was due to illness or the sudden unexpected tragedies that happen all around us. Living with regret is even worse.

Today make sure that you don’t have a reason to regret anything – enjoy every second and show your loved ones how very much they mean to you!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Shoulders

Thank You, Friends!!!!

January 15, 2014 Kim 68 Comments

Today was another resistance band move for the 44. The move is a twist and designed to work your core but because you have to hold the band up in front of you it also is a great shoulder burner!!!

Oh – I counted a full rotation (right-left-right) as 1 rep.

Because I’m trying to work through some of my workout DVDs that I don’t do very often – I pulled out one today that I haven’t done in years.
Shelly McDonald – Caribbean Workout – Abs, Buns & Thighs

This one is funny because it’s made up of 3 segments (I did all 3 for just over an hour long workout) but you can tell that each segment was a 30 minute TV workout at one point (obvious when they had a cut to commercial!). It is more old school aerobics (lots of grapevine, step touch, the pony….) but it is all worth it because of the views!!

It is filmed on location so I could sort-of pretend that I was on the beach enjoying views like this –

But now it’s back to reality and 19 degree temps outside!!! Oh, well it was nice for an hour!!!

First – thank you for so many kind words and shared experiences/situations to yesterday’s post about friendships!!!

Chris’ response yesterday was that I can’t let those failed friendships control me because it is a 2-way street and when the other party doesn’t make any effort to maintain or reconcile a friendship then there is nothing I can do.

The overwhelming response yesterday was the fact that effort should be made on both parts and I agree 100%!!

It is never fun to be the one making all of the effort in a relationship!!! I know that sometimes things just have to be let go – doesn’t ever make it easy though!!!

Anyway……

Even without knowing the entire back story I felt like many of you understood the situation perfectly – a lot of you because you have had a similar experience for which I’m very sorry because I know it is hard!!!

Happy Wednesday!!!

Kim

Cardio, Core, Fitness, Quad, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

My Biggest Failure – Friendships

January 14, 2014 Kim 119 Comments

Today I did a box plank jump that Taylor (Lifting Revolution) demoed (along with some other great moves I can’t wait to try!).

To do the move, get in plank with your feet on the box (or stool if you don’t have a box). Hop your feet down in front of the stool and back up.

Not gonna lie – this move sort of scared me. It took me several practice hops to feel like I had any sort of rhythm. Talk about a great all-over body move – TRY IT!!!

And – another running day!!! 1.5% incline – 8 miles – 59:51 plus 1 more mile nice and easy to cool down.

Sometimes I look at my life and wonder if I’m a complete failure at friendship!!!

The past few years have really made me question my ability to truly form relationships with others.

Chris has heard me question this characteristic a few times (way more often than he prefers probably!!).

I just can’t figure out why I seem to fail at friendships!!! I’m not talking about the acquaintance type of friendship but the close relationships – the type of friendship where there are no secrets and no need for pretending. The friendships that you think are the forever kind.

I have always been very independent and able to fend for myself so I’m not really a “needy” friend.

Sometimes I wonder if the fact that I don’t even have a functional relationship with my mom plays a role in the whole friendship thing.

I completely understand that people change over time but I also think that true friendship is stronger than those changes. However, I’ve learned (been told) otherwise in the past couple of years.

I don’t think friends have to talk every day or even every week – I think that true friends just pick up where they left off. Until one day they don’t.

This past fall has been a huge time of transition for me. I don’t know the first thing about owning a business and between trying to figure it out and keep it running (without hiring anyone), working out, blogging and most importantly, keeping up with my family, I haven’t done much with anyone and that has cost me at least one friendship.

I don’t really know what to do to change any of this. I just know that I feel completely inadequate as a true friend at this point in my life. Part of this is my own feeling and part of this is based on the demise of a friendship that I thought was one of those “till the end of time” ones.

Sorry that this is such a depressing post – just something that has been on my mind a lot lately!!!

Happy Tuesday!

Kim

Biceps, Core, Fitness, Quad, Running, Thighs, Treadmill

I’m Not Ready to Give Up

January 12, 2014 Kim 60 Comments

Today’s 44 was one that I saw Tara do (Family Sport Life). I didn’t totally master it but it was still very effective. To start, you balance yourself on a stability ball (knees on it) and then you do the actual move – bicep curls.

If you look closely you can see that I had to tap my toes (more than keep them up actually) to keep from falling on my face. I’m going to keep working on the balance aspect!!!

Besides working my biceps (10 pound dumbbells), this move was good for my core (balance) and my quads were burning by the end!!!!

And then I ran again – 2 days in a row!!! Yesterday I got in 6 miles and today I ran 6 at just under 8 minute/mile pace and did another 1.75 miles to cool down.

So, you might remember that back in October I attempted my first 50 mile race and it did not go well.

I made a lot of mistakes but I also learned a lot. And, way down deep I know that I can run a 50 (and maybe even a 100 miler!!!).

Yesterday morning I was scrolling through FaceBook and saw a post from the Heartland 100/50 (the race I did last year) saying that they are changing the 50 and making it a day race!!!! (Last year it was at night – pitch black on a rocky road, cold, lonely…….)

Then this happened –

In May, I’m going to try again to complete a 50 mile race!!!!

Actually I’m going to do more than try!!!! I’m going to take the things I learned last fall and apply them and this 50 mile race is going to be a great experience!!!!

In October, I wasn’t mentally tough enough to push through the pain and other factors that were involved.

This time, my head will be in the right place and there will be no giving up!!!

I’m excited to get another chance to fulfill my goal of competing in an ultra!!!!

Happy Sunday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

Sleep-Overs: Love Them or Hate Them?

January 11, 2014 Kim 52 Comments

Today I worked my core with the 44. I did side leg drops (a pilates move).

Start on your back with your legs at 90 degrees and knees glued together –

Slowly drop your legs to the right while keeping your upper body flat on the ground –

Bring your legs back up and slowly drop to the left –

This move is supposed to be slow and controlled and is a nice stretch for your core. After just a few back and forth reps you will start to feel this in your abs (especially in the obliques!).

I’m fixing to head down and hop on my treadmill – nothing major just a nice run to get my legs moving again after a few relatively low key days!! Trying to keep my mileage building!

Did you know that boys do sleep-overs, too? (They would never call it a slumber party or anything but…)

A typical male sleep-over involves food (lots of it), games (usually of the X-Box variety) and movies!! At least those are the things usually involved at our house.

I’m not a super fan!!! I love the boys to have their friends over but the sleep-over thing usually just results in OVER TIRED boys!!!!

Even when I was growing up I didn’t really like sleep-overs. I don’t think I ever had anyone sleep-over at my house (for a variety of reasons) but I didn’t really enjoy sleeping at other’s homes either.

I’ve mentioned a time (or 20) that I have sleep issues!!! I think sleep-overs only make it worse – something about the added responsibility maybe?! Even when my boys are at someone else’s house it makes my sleep worse. (I know – ISSUES!!!)

All that being said – our boys do still have sleep-overs – sometimes here and sometimes at other people’s homes. I just have to get over my many issues and deal!!!!

So, sleep-overs – do you love them or hate them?

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Day With KT