Category Archives: Core

Core, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill, Uncategorized

I Have a Secret to Share

January 6, 2014 Kim 111 Comments

Today for my 44 I used my step(s) and did some decline plank jacks!

The set-up with the steps –

I put my feet on the taller of the 2 (it is 8″) and my hands on the other (6″).

I “jacked” my feet off and on x 44. This was a fun way to do a plank hold and get my heart rate up!!!

Hard to take pictures while holding a 1 arm plank but you get the idea!!!

I’m trying to increase my mileage (without being too crazy!) so I ran again today. Just putting in miles – trying to learn to run slow (I tend to get impatient) and not so hard because I know that is the best way to be able to run more often (for me!).

My secret –

I keep reading about body image and people who want to make changes in their diets and exercise habits to change their bodies (which is completely fine!).

But, I can say in all honesty that I really do like my body just the way it is.

And, you know what? It has nothing to do with having a six pack – I know I have one somewhere, I just keep it safely covered up. It has nothing to do with a perfect butt – mine will never be the super cute shape. Basically there isn’t any of me that is perfect.

And when you really think about it, we all have a different definition of the “perfect” body anyway. Some people think that perfect is super skinny, some like curves and some (me) prefer strong!!!

I love my body because it is strong and healthy and lets me do the things I love.

I ask it to let me run 5 fast miles and my legs manage to pick up the pace and kick it into gear. Some days I really push by body and ask it to run more than 40 miles and it will usually somehow find a way to get it done.

There are days that I think there is no possible way I will be able to accomplish everything I need to but somehow my body finds a way to make it happen.

I love my body because it allowed me to have 2 babies who are now closer to men than babies!!!

There are still nights where I look in the mirror before bed and think, “time to make a change.” (I know that Chris is nodding his head right now because he is the one who hears that on occasion!!!)

But on most days – I love the body that I’ve been given and that I have worked hard to make as strong and healthy as possible!!!

Do you love your body for the things it allows you to do every single day?

Happy Monday!!! Ha Happy Monday!!! It was supposed to be back to school but they cancelled all of the area schools last night due to extreme cold, blowing snow and icy roads. So, the boys can help me finish putting up the Christmas stuff!!! (I know they are excited!)

Kim

Butt, Core, Fitness, Plyo, Running, Treadmill

One Kind Act Is Worth More than 100 Acts Done out of Resentment

January 4, 2014 Kim 48 Comments

Last night I asked Hunter for some suggestions for today’s 44. He came up with one and it was rough!!! I’m not really sure what to call it – HARD?

The move consists of a jump in the air – roll (fall, whatever) back – crunch – pop up (hardest part for me!) – jump – repeat x 44!!!

I asked Hunter if he would do the demo and he agreed even though he had already taken a shower (so sweet!).

I decided to get in another run today. Since I ran nice and easy yesterday, I bumped it up today.
1.5% incline – 5 miles in 30:52 (then some easy miles!)

The other night at dinner I told Chris and the boys that I was going to try to make kindness a bigger part of my daily life.

I decided that for the month of January (and hopefully longer), I would try to make a purposeful effort to do something kind each day.

I know it’s only been a few days but in that short time I’ve discovered something – the act of kindness is all about the attitude!

Yesterday’s act of kindness was something that I would have done anyway but by changing my attitude and wanting to do something kind I actually enjoyed it so much more than if I had just done it and felt resentful for having to do it at all!!

I think that I’m going to enjoy being more purposeful about seeking out ways to be kind and I can already tell that this is one of those things that is going to make my life that much happier!!!

There are many times that I do things but resent it the entire time – my hope is that by choosing to look at some of these things as an act of kindness the resentment will fade and it will become more natural for me to look for ways to be kind!!!

I think that in the big picture I am the one who will benefit the most from choice to try and perform more acts of kindness!!!

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

Well, the Break Is Over but There Is Still Plenty to Enjoy!!!

January 3, 2014 Kim 78 Comments

Today for my 44 I worked my abs! I didn’t think the move would end up being much of a challenge but I was wrong!! I did a scissor move with my legs while keeping my head and shoulders off the floor.

ready to start - I like to lay in the sun like a cat! — ready to start – I like to lay in the sun like a cat!

right leg down - crunch to left — right leg down – crunch to left

I counted dropping my right leg then left as 1 rep and did this in a fairly slow controlled way. The hard part was keeping my shoulders lifted, legs up and straight(ish).

I also ran again – a total of 5 miles at a nice easy pace (on my treadmill because it is cold)!!!

The boys have been out of school for 2 weeks and I decided to give myself a break for most of that time, too. Now we are down to the final weekend and then we get back to our regularly scheduled programs!!!

OK – it was a little more than 15 minutes but it sure went by in a hurry!!! It has been so nice to ditch the alarm clock and just take care of the things that have to be done but let everything else go for a short time.

I’m actually thinking that a couple days like this built into every ~~week~~ month would be a really good thing – days spent hanging out, playing games, eating snacks and left-overs and just enjoying life!

Oh, well – I really like my normal life, too. I like the routine and am always happy to have my workout (and daily post) done by 7:30 instead of just starting to get up and around at that time!!

So, we will enjoy these next few days (I even convinced the boys to come with me today when I go clean the venue for tomorrow night’s event!!!) and be thankful that we were able to relax and regroup as long as we did!!!

And, instead of living for the next break, I plan to live each day to the fullest and enjoy all of the little things (like cleaning!!!) as much as possible!! Plus, I’m sure that a day spent cleaning and ironing will help me get in plenty of steps!!!

Do you ever find yourself just putting in time until the next big thing – break, holiday, vacation, etc?

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

2014: New Year with New Opportunities

January 1, 2014 Kim 77 Comments

Today I did a crunch with a punch for my 44. A pretty basic move but clasping my hands and punching between my legs forced me to come up higher on the crunch part.

This was a fairly simple move but I always need to work my core!!

(Yes, we still have up our Christmas trees – we always leave them up through New Year’s!!! I will undecorate this weekend.)

I’m fixing to head down and hop on my treadmill for a nice easy run to kick off the new year. This has been a tradition of mine for years – even last year when I had a stress fracture in my hip I broke the no-running rule and ran on January 1!!!

I don’t do New Year’s resolutions – they don’t work for me.

However, I do have a list of things that I want to try in the new year. This list will probably grow as the year goes on but a few of the things include:

1. Quinoa – I have seen so many tasty looking recipes for this that I am finally going to try it!!!

2. Spaghetti Squash – This is something else that I have never had (don’t be shocked!) and plan to try out this year.

3. FitBit – I had a special offer savings at Best Buy and a couple of gift cards so I ended up getting a FitBit Force this week for $2.44 (can’t beat that!!). I’m going to try tracking my daily activity and sleep patterns. In the past 2 days I have already seen how inactive I am – gonna work on that.

4. Reconnecting – This past fall I have done a horrible job staying in touch with many of my friends and I am going to make more effort this year to stay connected!

5. Experimenting – I love making new recipes but they are often just a variation of something I already make. This year I want to be more adventurous in the kitchen. One year I tried cooking from other countries and I’m going to bring that back!!!

6. Growing our Business – I’ve had 4 months now to get my feet wet as a business owner. Now ~~I think~~ I’m ready to try to expand the business.

7. Living every day to the fullest!!! Above all, I want this year to be enjoyed. I want to spend time with my boys and Chris having fun and appreciating all of the little things that come along every day!

I’m looking forward to 2014 and everything that this new year has to offer. I’m hoping it will be fun of new adventures for all of us!

Happy Wednesday and Happy 2014!!!

Kim

BOSU, Core, Fitness, Plank

Favorite Traditions

December 29, 2013 Kim 59 Comments

Today’s 44 was another plank variation – using my BOSU!!! I flipped the BOSU over and did a plank with my toes on it. Then I alternated stepping my feet off and back on.

My arms were shaking by the time I finished all 44 reps – between holding plank (2:10) and the balance challenge from using the BOSU upside down – this was tough!!!

I know that everyone develops their own traditions over the years – some are passed down from generation to generation and others are new. I thought today I would share a few of our favorite Christmas traditions.

1. Since we have trees in every room, we use the tree in our down-stairs living room to put presents under.

sometimes the presents go around more than under

2. We open presents on Christmas Eve and we always just do 1 at a time. I like doing it this way because we can actually watch everyone opening their gifts and take time to really appreciate all of them!

Hunter's big gift this year was a keyboard!! — Hunter’s big gift this year was a keyboard!!

I might be as excited about this one as Hunter!!! Maybe I can learn to play again, too!

Jordan is into all thing Medieval – like weapons!

Jordan with 3-D glasses – nice!!! Funny, no pictures of me – I have the camera(s)!!!

3. On Christmas Eve we use our raclette grill and have a fun contest! We all cook shrimp, chicken and steak and vote on the winner in each category and the over-all. It is fun to make different seasonings and marinades.

There are times that Hunter will put some of each seasoning in his mixture – fun times!!!

Jordan and Chris were the top winners this year. I didn’t get a single vote!!

4. On Christmas morning, we get to check our stockings!! We always have stockings in our upstairs living room.

This tradition has changed as the boys have gotten older. Now they get dressed first (notice how Hunter went with red & green?!) and I’m wearing my sweaty running stuff because I had already gotten in almost 6 miles! Still a fun tradition!!

5. We always have Reindeer Bread for breakfast after stockings!