Category Archives: Core

Driving

May 16, 2013 Kim 31 Comments

Today’s 43 was a move that I got from a post by Lori and Michelle at Purely Twins. The move is called plank step on and offs.

I used my step with both pieces to make it a nice challenging height.

14" double step (the Transfirmer) — 14″ double step (the Transfirmer)

Set up in plank with both feet on the step. Then step the right foot down followed by the left foot, step the left foot back up then the right – repeat off the left side for 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuJyZ-xH9PI’]

(At the end of the video I’m asking Hunter how long he is going to record me – can’t waste all of my energy on the demo when I have 43 reps staring me in the face!!) By the time I finished 43 of these, my arms were shaking!!! And, my core was burning!! This was a great move!!!

My legs are REALLY tired and sore after yesterday’s run – not surprising since I haven’t done anything with my legs other than keep them elevated for 3 weeks!! Today I wanted to work out some of the stiffness.

I did Turbo Jam – Cardio Party 3. This was a great workout to shake out my legs – lots of kicking (and punching), some jumping, lunging, side-ways moving….pretty much some of everything!!!

So, in general, I feel like I’m a fairly nice person. However, there are some circumstances when I’m driving that really irritate me!!!

When I’m driving down the road and someone decides to back out of their driveway without looking (even after I give a nice little warning tap of my horn)!!! Yesterday when I was taking Hunter to school we experienced this and I reacted like this:I used my horn the entire time she backed in front of me and as she took her time putting the car into drive since I was just hanging out at a complete standstill. (and then I ended up following her to the school – nice!!)
When I’m zipping down the road at 3-5 miles over the speed limit (that’s my norm) and someone turns right in front of me and proceeds to go 10 miles under the speed limit! I feel the need to get inches away from them like this:If you really need to cut me off, at least drive the speed limit!!!!
And – Round Abouts!!! I don’t know if y’all have them but they are everywhere in our city – which is fine for people who know how to drive through them.If you look closely, you will see that there is not a single STOP sign. This means, if no cars are coming YOU DON’T HAVE TO STOP AND SIT THERE!!! Also, the Yield sign is for people fixing to enter the round-about. If you are in the circle – YOU SHOULD NEVER STOP!!!!!

So, do I have road rage? Maybe on occasion but only because I can’t stand it when drivers are idiots! Now I feel much calmer after sharing this!!!

Any one else have these issues? (I hope I’m not the only crazy, occasional road rager!!!)

Happy Thursday!! (I guess beware if you see me behind you on the road :Wink:)

Kim

Core, Fitness

Ummm…I Don’t Jog!!!

May 14, 2013 Kim 34 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a move that from Kim and Alex over at Fun and Fit shared. They always have some super great ideas and their videos are cool because usually one of them demonstrates the correct way to perform an exercise and the other shows the wrong way (or ways)!

So today I did Rotating Abs (click to see their video). The starting position can be with knees bent and arms in or legs and arms extended – you can see I have a little bend in my knees.

From the start, you rotate (get it – rotating abs?) to the right hip without letting your shoulder rest on the ground and hold for a couple of seconds:

Rotate or twist back to the center and hold:

Then rotate to the left and hold to complete 1 rep.

This is a slow moving type exercise so you aren’t just rolling back and forth – you really have to hold your abs TIGHT to keep this controlled. I used a 3-count for all of my holds today. This was a challenging 43 for me but I really liked it!!

Yesterday I had another DR visit and she said that the only limits on what I do are my own – pain tolerance. She said that I’m not going to hurt anything at this point. So – I’m back to working out!!!!

Today I did a Pilates workout – Burn and Firm Pilates (click to read review). As much as I want to hit it hard and run and jump and go crazy, I’m actually a little scared. Moving my legs is still pretty painful because of the bruises and knots (deep bruising according to the DR yesterday). I picked a standing pilates because it is a decent workout but still low impact.

Overall, it was great. I’m hoping to run some tomorrow. I’m fixing to go for a little walk with a neighbor – see how it feels!

So, my DR cleared me to do whatever I can tolerate – WooHoo!!! Then she said, “You can even get back to jogging.” What?! I know that I could have said awesome and let it go but I really, I couldn’t!!!

I don’t jog!!! I’m a runner!! I’m pretty sure she thinks I’m a total nut-job!!! I’m fine with that as long as she understands that I am a runner!!

Anyone else feel the need to correct people who call you a jogger?

Happy Tuesday!!! Gonna go enjoy the warm sunshine (already 80 on the way to 90 today)!!

Kim

Back, Biceps, Core, Fitness

A Mom’s Reflections

May 12, 2013 Kim 18 Comments

Today I used my Turbo Fire band for my 43 –

I did a combo move consisting of a seated row, bicep curl and reverse crunch.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unyz49-LDgA’]

I liked this 43 a lot!!! I leaned back enough that I was working my core the entire time. During the rows I tried to really squeeze my shoulder blades together so I could feel it deep in my upper back. The reverse crunch was just a slow move back with my upper body (without ever resting my back on the ground) and a slow trip back up. This was a great way to work a variety of different muscle groups!!!

There are so many stages to this journey of motherhood and, for me, each stage has been better than the one before it. Here are some of my thoughts/memories of motherhood:

* I spent years (junior high, high school, college, grad school, and a couple years after) saying that I was NEVER going to have kids. It wasn’t until after Chris and I were married that I decided I really did want to have children – I guess it just took being married to the perfect guy!!!

* From the minute I found out that I was pregnant with Jordan, I was in love with him! (and again a couple years later when I found out I was pregnant with Hunter!)

* The baby stage was hard for me! I hadn’t spent much time around babies and they made me a bit nervous. Thankfully, Chris was very calm and relaxed and knew exactly what to do!!

* Toddlers – what a fun stage!! I made MANY mistakes and went to bed beating myself up for my lack of patience many nights but those sweet boys just loved me anyway!!!

When Hunter was about 20 months old and Jordan was barely over 4, the boys were playing in a sandbox. Hunter had a little pocket on his shirt which he filled with sand. He wanted it out so being the “uber smart mom” that I am, I picked him up and dumped him upside down. Jordan said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Hunter of course ended up screaming and with sand in his mouth, nose, eyes. Of course, the other mom’s (yep, this was in front of a group) were all appalled and thought I was a total buffoon!!!

We made it through without anyone being scarred for life on that one!!

* Preschool years were a major time of learning (on my part!!). Jordan was always pretty easy-going and we didn’t really go through the terrible 2s or 3s. On the other hand, when Hunter was 3 I wasn’t sure that we were both going to make it through whole!!! Thankfully, we did and now I can look back on those days and laugh (or at least not cry)!!!

* I was not the type of mom who cried when either of my boys started kindergarten. However, the first day I dropped Jordan off at the middle school (7th grade) I thought I was going to have to be medicated. That was a rough day for me!!! Thankfully, he loved it!! (I don’t know what I’m going to do in August when he starts HS and Hunter goes to middle school!!)

* When my boys were little, people always told me that it only gets harder to be a mom as your kids get older. For me, that hasn’t been the case!! Every stage we have come to I have enjoyed more than the previous ones and my life has gotten so much easier!!

* Today I can truly say that I wouldn’t change a thing about the past 14.5 years since I became a mom – even the millions of mistakes and rough times – because they have all led me to where I am today!!!

Surrounded by my 2 handsome boys – the ones who still call me MOM!!! (Jordan and pictures is always a treat!!!) I feel truly blessed!!!

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms, moms-to-be, grandmas, step-moms, etc!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Shoulders

Eating as an Athlete Versus Eating as a Coach Potato

May 9, 2013 Kim 28 Comments

Today my 43 showed progress over the past couple of weeks!!! I did a plank hold and brought my knees to my elbows at a nice slow pace (no jumping!).

Not gonna lie – this was a challenge for me today!! Amazing how quickly you lose strength and endurance!! Anyway, I made it through – I counted a right knee in + a left knee in as 1 rep so it was 43 with each leg.

Part of the reason I could do this today is I’m wearing the awful compression stockings.And, yes, I did the pictures today after I showered – and I do pretty much wear workout stuff all the time. Wearing a running skirt when I can’t run makes me feel like a runner still!!!

So, while the eCard above isn’t completely true (I already have the perfect guy!!), there might be some truth about the eating!!!

I don’t talk a lot about what I eat, how often I eat or any of that on here and for the most part I’m fine with my body (shape, weight, etc.). However, things change when you can’t workout!!!

Normally, while I try to be mindful of what I eat and not overindulge, I don’t get to bothered by food. Many nights at dinner I eat more than Chris (don’t judge!!). I’m an athlete (except for right now when I’m not)!!!

Between working out (usually 1-2 hours a day) fairly intensely and all of my normal daily activity

I don’t have to stress to0 much about my intake. (We do try to eat healthy most of the time!!) I’m not a fan of diets or dieting (for myself) but there are times I have to make some changes – like now!!

When you take away the workouts and most of the activity – this is what you are left with:

As a (temporary!!) coach potato, I’m having to be MUCH more careful about what I eat and how much I eat – I don’t want to end up looking like this guy in a couple of weeks!!!What about you – do you eat differently based on your activity or do your eating habits stay the same regardless of the situation?

Gotta get a move on – I’m babysitting a 10-month old this morning and covering 3rd grade recess at lunch time (Teacher Appreciation again). Not sure that I’m following the DRs plan today but plenty of time this afternoon and evening for

Oh – I mean elevating my feet (sort-of the same thing, though!!).

Happy Thursday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Real Life Feelings and Emotions

May 7, 2013 Kim 39 Comments

Today’s 43 was another one for my core. I did a V-sit crunch.

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

I feel like the past 2 weeks my abs have really been neglected!! This was a good 43 – my legs (hip flexors mainly) were tired by the time I completed all 43.

I’m going to vent (meaning I’m going to rant and let out all of my frustrations) about yesterday and then I’m going to ~~try to~~ move on!

Yesterday morning I called my DR (again). My right calf is still very swollen, hard and painful and my left ankle has joined in on the fun! Since the doctor had assured me (every single time I asked her) that I would be running by now (almost 2 weeks after surgery) and I can barely walk I need some answers!

When the nurse called back I said:

She was super nice and assured me that I wasn’t a being a pain and that I was right to call. They wanted to see me but I would have to see a different DR (mine was unavailable). The DR I met also does the same type surgeries.

So, when the DR came in the room and looked at my legs he said – well, yep.

He then proceeded to explain that vein stripping used to be comparable to medieval torture devices.

He went into considerable detail about how it used to be with removing the vein and the bleeding involved – blah, blah, blah (I’m going to spare you the gorey details!).

But, thanks to modern technology, the technique has become much improved – MOST OF THE TIME!

Even with the newer method of vein stripping (removal of greater saphenous vein – in left leg), ligation (veins tied off ) and phlebectomy (removal of superficial veins through small slit-like incisions in skin – reason I have little cuts all over my legs) some people still have the same recovery problems that the older surgery caused.

By recovery problems he was referring to the massive amounts of bruising, swelling and hard lump-like spots in my legs. (and pain)

He went on to say that this only happens a very small percent of the time – and that it hadn’t happened to any of his patients to date.

All well and good but – How come no one told me that before I had this done???

Of course, I asked exactly what that means in terms of recovery time – he said it could be as long as 6 weeks of keeping my legs elevated as much as possible and just minimal walking around to keep the blood flowing!

Remember, I asked my DR numerous times on both of the visits I had with her before surgery – How long will I have to take off running? Every time she said probably about a week. Not once did she think to mention that – Oh, by the way, occasionally (rarely) people have complications and it can be up to 6 weeks!!!

So, I had to cancel the sub-jobs that I had for this week and resign myself to a few more weeks of relatively little activity.

There might have been a few tearsand maybe a few curse words (not at the doctor’s office!)and there was definitely a margarita to drink!!

Would I have done the surgery if I knew there was a chance (however slim) that the recovery could be very long and painful instead of just the week that I was expecting? I don’t know but I feel like I should have been informed so that if when it happened I would be prepared – both physically and mentally.

So now I’m going to suck it up and do what I have to do from this point on to heal. I know that whining and complaining isn’t going to help anything but I had to get it all off my chest!!!

I know that in the big picture, this is nothing. It could be so much worse.

So, I’m going to enjoy the sunshine – my big outing for the day is to cover 1st grade recess so that the teacher’s can have a longer lunch and well-deserved break for Teacher Appreciation – and stop complaining!