Category Archives: Core

Blogging: How Much Time Does it Really Take?

July 2, 2013 Kim 52 Comments

Today’s 43 was all about working my abs!!! I did a single leg climb.

Start by laying on your back with your left knee bent (the closer your foot is to your butt the harder) and your right leg extended (knees even). Crunch up and reach for your toes. If you can grab your toes – Awesome!!! If you have to “walk up your leg” – still good.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldhk1HE6bRw’]

You can see in the demo that I tried to get some straight touches and then I did some where I used my leg to “climb” up. After I did 43 with my right leg extended, I switched legs and did another set of 43. (and my abs are already a bit sore!)

I did a Reebok workout DVD (Bootcamp style) this morning. It was a good workout – just a mix of toning and cardio without being super intense – perfect before Beach Boot Camp.

At 7:15, Jordan and I went to the beach for boot camp. We did the workout with 7 mini workouts inside it (from yesterday). I really like this one. I told my boot campers that these were good if they wanted a short burst of activity – just pick one of the 5 minute drills and do it!

When I first started my blog (September 2012), I really had no idea what I was doing or getting into. Now, 10 months later, I have a little better grip on things except the time factor!!! There are days that I feel like I spend hours and hours blogging – between writing my posts, reading many incredible blogs every day and leaving comments on some, replying to comments on my blog – I sometimes feel like blogging has taken over my life!

I’ve grown to really enjoy blogging!!! But sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all of the other social media!Not gonna lie – I don’t even know what some of that stuff is – Ping, blippy, digg, (and many others)?????

Somedays when I’m going through my list, I wonder if I’m doing the right thing. I love reading many great blogs and I’ve learned so many things through all of these blogs. I also feel like I’ve “met” some really great people/bloggers!!

I know that Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and even Pinterest (+ many, many others) are all great online sources but I feel like I’m barely keeping up just on the blog end!

I don’t want my kids to think that I pick the computer over them and I also want to set a good example for them (I don’t want them on the computer, XBox, iPad….. all day either).

I told Jordan the other day when I was just “reading a few more blogs” that I really didn’t know when I started blogging that it would take so much time. But, I also enjoy blogging and if I’m going to continue, I want to do the best job I can. I think that the time I invest in reading other’s blogs and commenting helps make my own blog better.

At what point does it become “too much time” spent blogging?
Does anyone else ever struggle with this?

I’m pretty sure that if Chris came home and the house really was super clean, he might wonder what the deal was!!

Happy Tuesday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Plank, Running, Shoulders

Sometimes Technology Is Scary!

July 1, 2013 Kim 50 Comments

Today I did a move from Insanity Asylum for my 43. I used my super cool agility ladder

I like it more now that I'm not doing Insanity!! — I like it more now that I’m not doing Insanity!!

and did a moving plank with alternate shoulder taps. Down the length of the ladder and back = 1 rep. Before today, I had never done more than 6 in a row of these so 43 was brutal!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOasmK0Nquc’]

Besides the fact that I was in plank forever, I’m pretty sure I will have bruises on my shoulders from slapping them so many times!!! I don’t know why I thought that this would be a good 43 – it was fine for about 10 reps and then it was not fun anymore!!!

Now that we are back from our quick TX trip, I am back to teaching my early morning Boot Camps. Today we did a workout based on the idea of a WOD (from CrossFit) – except we did 7 different ones – for 5 minutes each! It was AWESOME!!! The 45 minutes went very quickly!

I decided to go for a run after boot camp because it was so nice out (about 62). This was probably the best run I’ve had in awhile!!! I was shooting for 8 minute miles – 3.5 miles in 28:10 (pretty close to pace!!) + 0.5 mile cool down. Considering that the entire run was full of hills, I feel good about this run – FINALLY!!!

I love lots of things about modern technology – iPhones, laptops, iPads, digital cameras, Skype, texting……

But, there are a few issues about all of the above that sort of bother me.

1. Visiting face-to-face is almost becoming a thing of the past. One of the best parts of my trip to TX was the time I spent just hanging out with my Poppa. I left my phone in my purse and just enjoyed the time with him without any distractions. It was AWESOME!!!

2. We are dependent on our phones!!I know that I’m not the only one who has left my house and then turned around to go back because I forgot my phone!!

3. We can interact with anyone anywhere at anytime. This is the thing that, while I enjoy all of my interactions with other bloggers all over the country (and a couple of other countries) – can be the most scary. The reason this scares me is that I’m not the only one in our family who has access to all of the modern technology and the ability to interact with others.

My boys play games (Minecraft!!!) either on the computer or the XBox and I guess there are chat/instant message boards that anyone else playing the game at the same time can join in and see.These little chat boards don’t bother me too much but hooking up with different people and skyping them – totally creeps me out. (not the face-time skype, just the messaging kind)

I told my boys that just because someone says they are a 15 year-old girl doesn’t mean they really are. And, when someone starts sending you creepy messages, it is never a good thing.

When I was their age, I knew the people that I went to school with and saw in person – that was it. Now, you can “know” lots of people that you will never see in person and that can be a good thing or a really scary thing!

Has anyone ever had a bad experience with a cyber “friend”?

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Butt, Core, Fitness, Quad, Shoulders

A Driving Rant

June 29, 2013 Kim 25 Comments

Today’s 43 was HARD!!! I got the move from Tamara at Fitknitchick. She demoed a workout that included 5 favorite ab moves so I used one of the moves – the Surrender Squat.

Start standing with a dumbbell held in both hands overhead (I used a 10 pound DB). Kneel down – left knee, right knee – then stand – left leg, right leg – repeat leading with your right leg = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1AYVR2p4ak’]

43 of these were no joke!!! And, I agree that these work your abs/core but you will also feel the move in your shoulders (from holding the DB overhead), your quads and your butt. Try it – just a few will have you shaking!!

I decided to take another day off since I start Boot Camp up again on Monday – gotta be ready with some great workouts!!!

After 2 long days of driving in the past week, I have a few issues to vent about!!! These signs are posted for a reason!!! I’m rarely the slow driver – and when I have to pass someone that is just putting along in the left lane it drives me crazy!!!In fact, I think I will make my own sign for our next road trip!!! Maybe we could start a system where all idiot drivers have one lane and the rest of us can have the other lane to ourselves!!! So, clearly I have a huge issue with people who just take up space in the left lane – especially when it means I have to hit my break and take off my cruise control because of them!And, don’t even get me started on people who think that driving is a game!!! It’s not a game and I don’t want to play with you on the highway!!!It’s called cruise control – try it – I promise it will make your driving life (and mine!) so much better!!! I hate it when the same car and I go back and forth 20 times!! I know that I’m driving the same speed because I love cruise control – please don’t pass me then slow down and let me pass you over and over!! And the person who thinks they can zip up to the front of the line waiting to merge – I’m pretty much never going to let them in front of me. If I had to wait in line because of the no passing sign then they should have waited, also!!!Really?! Yesterday, on more than one occasion, I ended up behind 2 trucks – both going the same speed but taking up the whole road. WHY???? People who leave their turn signals on forever don’t annoy me as much as drivers who NEVER use their turn signal! Turn signals are a great driving device – they should get lots of use!!! Especially if you feel the need to change lanes and cut right in front of me!!!

I feel much better now that I got all of my driving frustration off of my chest!!!

What highway driving issues annoy you?

Here is a little clip with my least favorite part of the drive home from Abilene, TX. There is a huge bridge that looks like you are going to drive off of the edge of the earth and it pretty much freaks me out every time!!! (Jordan entertained himself filming this!)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sxpGKC7hGE’]

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

The Gift of Time

June 27, 2013 Kim 44 Comments

For my 43 today, I made use of the hotel fitness center again. I used one of the stability balls and just did a crunch with my feet on it – pretty simple and basic!!

Since I worked out before the boys got up, we just went back in to take a couple of pictures. I’m sure the guy lifting weights at the time thought it was pretty self-indulgent or something – OH, Well!!!

I hopped on the treadmill again today. It wasn’t spectacular but it was SO MUCH BETTER THAN TUESDAY’S RUN!!! I ran 7 miles in 58:23 and then did an easy 0.4 to cool down. (I wanted to do a half mile cool down but the treadmill shut off after 65 minutes!!)

Yesterday we were back at the ranch!!

Jordan and Hunter ended up spending the day with my Aunt Jackie. They went to Abilene with a long list of errands (6 hours worth including driving time). I think all 3 of them, but especially my Aunt, enjoyed the day. The boys were big helpers – lifting the vacuum into the truck and out, schlepping 5 gallon drums of paint, moving wire….fun for all!

While they were out taking care of stuff in the heat (102), I stayed at the ranch with my Poppa. It was a great day!!! We talked about all kinds of stuff – I’ve always enjoyed hanging out with him (and my Mema when she was still alive). The stories that Poppa has are amazing.

Because he’s 98, he has very definite view on things and has no problem expressing his opinion. Even though we don’t always have the same view point on things – I love every second spent with him.

For our lunch, I made a pretty great tuna salad (gotta brag cause it was good!!!) – no pictures because blogging and technology are one of the differences we have so I decided to just enjoy lunch!! But….it was GOOD!!!

tuna
chopped dill pickle
chopped Kalamata olives
chopped grape tomatoes
chopped avocado
tiny bit of mayo to bind everything together

We both ate it with crackers and lettuce – perfect.

But the best part of lunch was the prayer that Poppa said before it. He prayed for me and about me and it was everything I could do to not cry. It was such a simple thing for him but meant a lot to me!!

We have one more day (today) to visit with my Poppa and Aunt and I’m excited to go back to the ranch. I have treasured every second of this TX trip!!!

Has anyone ever prayed specifically for you (while you were listening)? Did it affect you?

Happy Thursday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Struggling

June 26, 2013 Kim 46 Comments

Today’s 43 was a plank with a leg lift using my band for extra resistance! I wrapped the band around my foot –

After I had the band secured, I got into the plank position.

From this position, I lifted and lowered my right leg 43 times.

The sad thing on this move – after I finished 43 with my right leg, I still had another set of 43 with my left leg!

The band really made this a tough move today!!! Besides the leg lift, I had to hold plank for quite a while!!

I did another hotel friendly workout this morning – Les Mills Combat – Combat 45.

combat gloves - make you feel powerful!!! — combat gloves – make you feel powerful!!!

I put on my gloves and kicked and punched and jumped (tried to make sure and land soft so the people in the room below me didn’t complain!!). It’s been awhile since I did combat and I enjoyed it as much as ever!!!

Yesterday I mentioned that I had a completely awful run. I’m not sure why but I know that the problem didn’t have anything to do with my legs!! It was all about my breathing. I spent the entire run trying to settle into my breathing but it never happened!! I felt like I was gasping and panting the entire time!!!

If I had been running outside, I could have chalked it up to the heat/humidity. However, I was on a treadmill in a climate controlled environment.

I know that dehydration can make it hard to run and cause breathing problems but I’ve made sure to keep drinking plenty of water even though we are on vacation.

The boys and I always take the stairs at the hotel (we are on the 3rd floor) because we need all the extra activity we can get!!! 2 different times in the past 3 days I’ve felt like the little man in the above picture. Really?!! I shouldn’t have any problems going up a couple flights of stairs.

I’m not sure why I’m having such a hard time this week – all of my workouts have been harder than they should be. There are several factors that could be causing this – I’m just not sure what it is exactly.

Over-training? Maybe – the past few weeks I’ve pushed myself pretty hard.

Stress? Quite possibly. Even though the boys and I are having a great time, being away from home as a “single” parent is always a little stressful. Plus the fact that I haven’t talked to Chris since Saturday!