Category Archives: Core

Summer Is Finally Here!!!

June 10, 2013 Kim 49 Comments

Today’s 43 was a fun crunch move with some punches!!! I just did a crunch with 4 cross punches on the way up and then a slow ride on the way back down.

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

And, I’m happy that Jordan did a demo for me again!!!

This was a great way to take a basic crunch and give it a little more Uumph!!! Trust me, after about 20 you will feel these!!!

Then I taught boot camp at 6:00am – the only negative to the backyard bootcamp is the grass is always wet in the mornings and my shoes and socks get soaked (not my favorite!!) – but it is Boot Camp!!!

Today’s fun Insanity Asylum workout was Vertical Plyo (the one with jumping, jumping and more jumping!!!). During track practice when I was in college, we did plyometrics occasionally. And, then I never did them again until a few years ago when I did Insanity for the first time (I’ve gone through the 60 day program 2x). Now, I do them in some workouts – HIIT, Tabata based workouts and even my own boot camp workouts. But, Vertical Plyo takes it to a whole new level!!!

Yesterday afternoon the boys and I had our first swim beach outing of the season!!! Considering that it is already June 8, this is late to get started on our summer fun! The problem has been the weather – lots of rain and temps in the low 70s don’t make for great beach weather. But now it is starting to look a lot like my idea of perfect summer weather.

Awesome!!!!

Last night’s dinner even matched the great weather – ribs, parmesan orzo and a fresh salad with tomato, corn, cucumber and basil – summer at it’s finest!!!

What is your ideal summer weather?

For me – 80 and higher (the hotter the better!!)

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Biceps, Core, Fitness

Beltin’ It Out

June 7, 2013 Kim 16 Comments

Today’s 43 was s single arm bicep curl while lifting the opposite knee.

curl - keep knee up the entire time — curl – keep knee up the entire time

After 43 reps with my right arm I had to switch and get my left arm.

Not sure why I’m looking so cranky for the pictures this morning – must have been really focused!!! I like this type of move because even though the focus was my bicep, keeping my knee up was a great balance challenge/core work!!!

I taught 2 boot camp classes this morning: 6 am (backyard) & 7 am (beach). Today’s workout was quite a bit harder on the beach – lots of lateral and forward moving and the sand really upped the challenge!!

I’m enjoying the boot camp classes both for the workouts and the great company!!! I hope that all of the people who have come this week feel the same!!! :Happy:

I also did Insanity Asylum – Back to Core. This one really forces me to push myself outside of my normal comfort zone because some of those back moves are hard – hopefully this will help my pull-ups!!!

Yesterday morning I drove to Kansas City (about an hour from here) to go to a funeral for a good friend’s Dad. I was in the car by myself and might have looked a little bit like Chris Farley and David Spade (love Tommy Boy!!!).

I can’t carry a tune to save my life but that doesn’t stop me from singing full volume when I’m driving by myself!!! Sometimes there is even some head bopping to go along with the singing – I’m sure I look like a crazy lady driving down the road!!!

I had my iPhone hooked in so that I could listen to some of my favorite songs and artists.A little Toes, Highway 20 Ride and Chicken Fried!!!
One of my all time favorite singers!!! And when he teams up with Alan Jackson, what’s not to love? It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere

And, Shania Twain better look out cause I can belt this song out with the best of them:

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N2k-gv6xNE’]

There was a bit of old school music thanks to Run DMC:

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cYQV62WhkM’]

Plenty of country thanks to the Dixie Chicks and Gretchen Wilson (Redneck Woman)!!

Little bit of Kid Rock cause singing about summertime always makes me happy!!!

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

Music makes me happy (even with my lack of any sort of musical ability) – singing in the car by myself or in the kitchen while I fix dinner (although I don’t tend to belt it out quite as loud in the kitchen because the boys sort-of make comments if I do) who cares if I am in tune or the right key or whatever – I just sing!!! Sometimes I get carried away when I’m running and sing along – never a good thing because I’m sure it is louder than I think since I have earphones in!!! Classy!!!

Yesterday at the funeral, my friend talked a little about her dad and then she played a song which was actually a recording of her singing (hard to sing at your parent’s funeral). The song – His Eye Is on the Sparrow.

While I was listening to the song, 2 lines grabbed me:

I sing because I’m happy,

I sing because I’m free.

And that’s why I belt out songs like I’m part of the Glee cast – because I’m HAPPY!!! And even if I’m not happy when I start singing, I usually am by the time I stop!!

Anyone else get a little carried away when you start singing in the car/shower/while you run or wherever else?

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Game Day

June 6, 2013 Kim 30 Comments

Today’s 43 was for my obliques. I did a straight leg sit-up and touched the outside of my toes – right then left counted as 1 rep so it was a total of 86 sit-ups.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHmdt2aOII4′]

This was a nice move to start my workout with!!

Next up – Insanity Asylum – Game Day. I’m not gonna lie – this was HARD!!!! 60 minutes of all sorts of sport themed moves including track & field, tennis, wrestling, baseball, soccer, basketball, football, speed skating, swimming, mountain/rock climbing and ????? I think I left out one or two but I can’t remember. I did what Shaun T said and gave 100% because Team Asylum is a winning team!!! WOW!!!

Then I taught boot camp at the beach – this was fun and the weather was perfect. This is such a great way to start the day – fresh air, friends, sweat, the “beach” – AWESOME!!!

Don’t let the pretty graphic fool you – game day is intense. Funny how it seems easier to go hard core during an actual game, competition or race than just an everyday practice or workout – must be adrenaline!!!

Today, during the Insanity workout, Shaun T talked about the fact that we were a team and we all had to work together and fight to win. It made me start thinking about other workouts and the effort that I put in.

While I don’t think it is possible (or good for your body) to go all out for every single workout, I also think that sometimes we can push ourselves harder than we actually do. I think that the only way we will reach our maximum potential is to push ourselves a little more each time out.

Some days have to be recovery days (obviously) but lots of days we can really stretch our limits so that we can see just how much we are truly capable of.So, whether you are actually competing in a sports event, running a race or just working out in your basement, make at least some of your days GAME DAY!!! You might surprise yourself!!!

Do you push yourself on a daily/weekly/monthly/yearly basis?

Happy Thursday – Go for it today!!!

Kim

Back, Biceps, Core, Fitness, Quad, Triceps

Zumba – A Few Thoughts

June 5, 2013 Kim 57 Comments

For my 43 this morning, I did a running row. This move worked many parts of my body – back, biceps, triceps, quads and core!!!

Start by standing on your left leg with your left arm extended in front, right knee up and your right arm pulled back –

(I used a 5 pound dumbbell in my right hand.) From the start position, hinge forward from the waist and push right leg straight back while extending your right arm –

Repeat this move in a nice fluid motion – I did have a few balance checks before I reached 43. And of course, after I finished the right side, I had to get my left side.

I like combo moves because I feel like I get so much out of them!!!

I taught a 6 am boot camp class and then it was time for Insanity Asylum – Vertical Plyo. This one might be my least favorite because it has SO MUCH jumping!!! But, I will keep doing it and maybe one day it will be easier!! I decided to go ahead and double up the Insanity workouts today so I also did Relief. My new favorite – 25 minutes of stretching!!! This definitely felt good after the past few days of workouts!!!

So, last night I finally got up the nerve to try Zumba. I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned on here, but I have less than zero rhythm!!! And, my hips don’t roll, sway, swivel or any of the other moves that tend to be part of Zumba.

But, I tried it!!! Pretty sure I looked sort of like this for the entire hour – I placed myself over to one side of the room (fortunately I was near 3 ladies that were very fun and NICE) and kept my eyes on the instructor (a friend of mine who happens to ROCK at Zumba!!) the entire time.

During some of the hip moves I just sort of did my own thing because I do not have near enough coordination for hip rolls.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM4_T0FzbAs&list=PL798DD5698EFD74F4′]

Um….not so much here!!!

And, there was a lot of this – I can only imagine what the people on the treadmills (they can see into the room) think while we are doing this?!

Oh, and if you have never done Zumba, it is different from other aerobic type classes in that there is very little cuing. I had to really pay attention cause I did not want to be the only one thrusting my pelvic while everyone else was sambaing or mambaing or whatever those steps are called!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBq5J3Xph8k’]

So, even though I didn’t know the routine and couldn’t move the way some people can, I thought it was a fun workout!! The hour went quickly and I worked up a good sweat! I’m trying to force myself to occasionally get out of my comfort zone and try new things – and this definitely counts!!!

I am planning to go back next week – gotta give it a few tries!!!!

Have you tried Zumba? What are your thoughts?

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Shoulders

The Beach

June 4, 2013 Kim 43 Comments

Today I did another one of the burpees that Taylor at Lifting Revolution included in her cool list of 30 burpees as my 43. This one is called an 8-count burpee.

Jump back to plank position, do a plank jack, perform a push-up then jump in and up.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF4po0DNlIA’]

(for the record, Jordan wasn’t up until after I did all 43 of my burpees plus my insanity workout – so I was sort-of burpeed out by the time we made the demo!)

Today’s Insanity Asylum was Back to Core. I can tell just from the last time I did this program (last week) that I’m getting stronger through my back!!! A couple of the moves that I could barely eek out the first time, I managed all of today!!!

Today was my 2nd round of Boot Camp. I’m doing a 6 am class on MWF (in my backyard) and a 7 am class TT at the swim beach. (We can’t be on the beach until 7 which worked out because several people interested in boot camp didn’t want to get up for a 6 am workout.)

This was the view we had while working out – The dock goes around 3 sides – inside the dock is safe for swimming!!!

Today wasn’t too hot, just muggy but I have a feeling that later in the summer we might have to end some of our beach workouts with a little dip!!!

4 people came to boot camp today (5 yesterday – so 9 total) – and it was a lot of fun this morning!!! I even got them to let me take a picture after –

It was fun to work out in the sand!! I like the extra challenge and resistance that the sand offers. We all decided to do the workout barefoot so I’m pretty sure that I will have tougher feet by the end of the summer!!!

Gotta say, everything is better at the beach!!! (even a little lake beach in Kansas!) I loved working out in the sand with some friends – not a bad way to start a Tuesday!

Now, if the sun would just cooperate and come out and warm this place up the boys and I could start logging some serious time at my favorite hang-out place in Topeka!!!Hopefully soon!!!!