Category Archives: Core

Resistance Bands or Weights?

November 18, 2013 Kim 87 Comments

Today for my 44 I did a slight variation on the standard burpee – sumo burpees. The main difference is your feet are in sumo position (out wide) at the beginning of the move and when you jump back up.

I was sucking air big-time at the end of this 44!!!

I pulled out an oldie today – TaeBo – Total Body Fat Blaster. This workout uses the TaeBo bands – It is about an hour of very fast-paced moving – lots of cardio plus some serious resistance training with the bands. My shoulders were screaming about half-way through this workout!!!

While I was struggling with some of the moves this morning I started thinking about the differences between working out with bands and weights.

Bands: lightweight, portable, great for travel, constant tension

Weights: heavy, not portable, gravity will take over if you aren’t careful

Don’t get me wrong – I love lifting weights!!! But in workouts like the TaeBo one that I did today where it is non-stop and fast paced, the bands are a great way to really push your muscles to the point of fatigue (especially your shoulders!!!).

I have no plans to get rid of any of our weights but if you are just starting to build a home-gym and want a way to do some resistance training bands are a great investment. Plus, they don’t take up any space!!!

So – what are your thoughts – bands or weights? Both? Neither?

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Quad, Shoulders, Triceps

Sweat – It Does My Body Good!!!

November 17, 2013 Kim 37 Comments

Today’s 44 was another challenge – I loved it!!! I did a crab hold with opposite toe touches.

The above sequence made up 1 rep. 44 of these had my arms shaking and my quads burning!!!

I also did a Turbo Fire workout – Fire 30. I love all of the workouts with Chalean and even this short 30 minute workout is a good one!!!

While I was working out today I could feel myself settle into to my happy place because I was finally working out again (first time since Monday!)!!!

I spend most of my life being cold so I don’t sweat EXCEPT when I workout!! And then

I SWEAT!!!

And working up a good sweat is pretty much my favorite way to start any day. It makes me feel strong and healthy and alive!!!

The days that I don’t get a good sweat going are the days that I feel like I left out something important.

But, today, all is right in my world again!!!!!

Does working up a good sweat make you happy?

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Chest, Core, Fitness, Shoulders

500 Posts!!!

November 16, 2013 Kim 68 Comments

Today’s 44 was a super fun move!!! I got it from the super cute Allie @ VitaTrain4Life. Allie is tough and she made this move look easy but it was hard!!! She actually included this move in an entire ab workout – Allie’s Abs – I should probably do the entire video for a 44 – maybe then my abs would look more like hers!!!

Anyway, the move – 4 mountain climbers and a push-up x 44!!!

I realized the other day that my published posts were getting close to 500 and TODAY is the day that I’m publishing my 500th post!!!

I have actually only blogged for 427 consecutive days (365 days of 43 and 62 days of 44) but along the way I’ve done posts with recipes, boot camps, some workout reviews and even a few random fun posts!!!

To celebrate my 500th post I thought I would share a few of my favorite posts.

My very first post ever was on my birthday in 2012 when I turned 43 – I had absolutely no clue what I was doing but I’m so glad I decided to give blogging a try!

Because we all know by now that I love a nice ~~bottle~~ ~~glass~~ bottle of wine, this post about German wine makes me smile!!! (Except I’m down to only a couple of bottles left – not cool!!)

Some of the pictures we took in our attempt to get a good one for our Christmas card last year were super entertaining – mostly thanks to Jordan!!! Actually, it’s about time for me to think about this year’s family picture – better get on that!!!

I have to share my all-time favorite drink – The Educated Cosmo – just saying the name makes me happy!!!

I love to try new recipes and only have a few stand-by dishes that I go back to over and over. The sad thing when I try something new and we all like it, months down the road Chris or one of the boys will ask me to make such-and-such again – ummm……I have no idea how I made it on that day!!! Last February I tried a new crock pot soup and we all loved it – Chicken and Rice Gumbo Soup. I figured that by putting my recipe on here I would be able to go back to it!!!

I think that my favorite boot camp workout that I did this summer was Tabata Boot Camp – super fun way to get in a great workout!

And, I can’t do a list of my favorite posts without listing some of my favorite blogs and blog friends!!! The only problem with that list is it’s a couple months old and I’ve added in a few more favorites since then!!!

I have other favorites but I figure that I’ve been self-indulgent enough for one day!!!

Feel free to link up one of your favorite posts from your site in the comments – such a great way to catch up on any that we might have missed out on!!

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

I Need a Boot Camp Alternative!!!

November 14, 2013 Kim 66 Comments

Today I used my Bender Ball –

and did sit-ups for my 44.

I like doing full sit-ups on occasion as opposed to just crunches and having the ball behind my back is a great time to really extend my range.

So now that the weather is getting colder, I don’t think my boot campers want to work out in the garage anymore but I don’t really have any other options.

I sent out a text last night to see if anyone was coming and they all said the same thing –
Too Cold

On Tuesday morning it was only 17 degrees and I don’t think yesterday morning started much better. Today actually wasn’t awful –

So, I need a new plan or we will have to cancel boot camp until the weather is nicer!!!

I know that lots of y’all run outside in arctic weather but you know I don’t do cold weather.

I would hibernate for the winter if that were an option but since it’s not I just try to avoid the cold as much as possible!!!

Bring on the heat and sun and I will definitely be outside!!!

Do you like to be outside (working out or whatever) in the cold?

Happy Thursday – try to stay warm!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

I Choose Happiness!!!

November 13, 2013 Kim 81 Comments

Today’s 44 is one that Josie @ Yum Yucky demoed the other day. It is called a living plank and it is fun!!!

Start in plank with a kettlebell (you could use a dumbbell) above your head. With your right hand, move the KB down near your thighs. Use your left hand and return the KB to the start = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3Xd89TPqBQ’]

Try this for a new way to spice up your plank. The last few reps were hard – I had to work hard to lift the KB and not drag it!

Yesterday I wrote a post full of griping and complaining and then proceeded to let myself be in a major funk all day!

Today, I choose to be happy and share some happy things.

Saturday – Wrestling Tournament:

waiting - lots & lots of waiting — waiting – lots & lots of waiting

I don’t totally get all that goes along with wrestling – it is new to me – but Hunter had 3 matches on Saturday – he lost his first then came back to win his 2nd which sent him to the consolation round. He won that match by pinning his opponent!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5VMlstalXk’]

3rd place in his category at his very first tournament!!

Sunday – Jordan’s Birthday:

For several years now, Hunter has been trying to get Jordan to give him 5!

come on - give me 5 — come on – give me 5

Sunday – Cello Group Concert:

This concert was Hunter’s cello group, a clarinet group and a flute group – all were great. The cellos ended the program with a version of William Tell’s Overture – it was awesome!!

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

Monday – Veteran’s Day: