Category Archives: Core

Fun Friday!!!

March 29, 2013 Kim 12 Comments

For my 43 today I did a move that Gina (the Fitnessista) had as part of a really cool 2,4,6,8,10 workout earlier this week.

To do the move, start in plank (arms extended) – lift your right leg and tap it down across your left leg then switch legs to complete 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssXX7WA8Ewc’]

It took me 3:20 minutes (holding plank the whole time) to complete 43 reps! The hard part was trying not to rock my body or drop my hips (or stick my butt too high). If you add a boost to a normal plank – try this move!

Because I’ve sort-of slacked on workouts the past couple of days I decided to step it up a bit with Cathe XTrain – Tabatacise. I did all 5 Tabatas (killer!) then I did the 100 Rep challenges – 100 flat bench triceps (I used 8 pound dumbbells) & 100 bicep curls (10 pound dumbbells) – UGH!!! I finished with the Bonus Core #2.

When I finished Jordan said, “That looked hard – I’m never gonna do that!” (no school today & Chris is off so the gangs all here!!) OK, Jordan, whatever!! I did convince him to go for a walk with me yesterday afternoon so there is that!!

I’m looking forward to the weekend! The weather is supposed to be nice for a few more days (and then maybe snow on April 1 – what is that about?!), the NCAA basketball tournament is going on, Easter – time with all 3 of my boys – what more could anyone ask for?!

Happy Fun Friday – I hope everyone has a great weekend with family and/or friends!

Kim

Cardio, Core, Fitness, Quad

Even Machines Occasionally Break Down

March 27, 2013 Kim 16 Comments

Today was day 193 out of 365 and the first time since I started this that a daily 43 almost didn’t happen. But – I’m ~~stubborn~~ determined to reach my goal so I pushed through!

For the 43 I used an 8 pound medicine ball and my double step.

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

I held the ball with both hands and stepped up with my right leg while lifting my left knee and twisting to the left. Of course, after doing 43 on the right side I had to switch sides and do a second set of 43.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcOoO0wumu8′]

I struggled to even figure out what to do today (which is rare for me!) and this was the best I could come up with.

The rest of my workout – a big fat zero!!!

Yesterday afternoon I got the worst headache (I have headaches lots of days but not like this) – I’m calling it a migraine because I had most all the symptoms of one. This morning it is a little better but still hanging on. After the trouble I had coming up with a 43 and then how tired I felt doing it I decided to take the day off.

I may not be a machine but I’m usually pretty tough – it always pisses me off when I can’t do what I really want to do!!

In fact one of my favorite sayings is

I say it to myself regularly!!! But today it’s just not gonna happen.

Happy Wednesday!

Kim

Butt, Cardio, Circuit, Core, Fitness, Push-Ups

Sunday Morning Killer Circuit

March 24, 2013 Kim 12 Comments

Today I decided to do a circuit for my 43. I wanted to get some toning, cardio, plyo – basically some of everything in one quick round (well actually 43 rounds!). Looking at the circuit you might think it is no big deal – try a few!!!

The first 10 or so weren’t terrible – but the last 10 were brutal!!! A tough 43 for sure!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MA0zujPxHA’]

I think part of the challenge came from the fact that I kept going from floor moves to standing – constant up and down. It was a good workout for sure!!!

I’m not sure what is going on with Phil the groundhog – I think he was a little off this year.

On a happy note – I finally figured out how to make a picture collage!!! Thanks to Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean for sharing her favorite 30 Apps for the iPhone the other day – I learned about Diptic!!

Even though my Grandmother is no longer here, today would be her birthday – Happy Birthday, Mema!! I miss you every day!!!

(My Mema never looked at the camera – only at the people in the picture with her!)

Happy Sunday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Plank

Abdominal Training Epiphany!!!

March 22, 2013 Kim 12 Comments

My 43 today was nice – it was core work but also a semi-stretch!!! I used a stability ball to hold plank on my forearms.

From the start position, I just did a plank roll – I rolled forward on the ball (you have to hold your abs in tight here so that they don’t rest on the ball!)

pull the abs in - don't cheat! — pull the abs in – don’t cheat!

and then back on the ball for each rep.

The biggest challenge in this 43 was keeping my balance on the ball while staying in plank. I tried to keep my body level (feet a little wider helps!).

Today I did a Boot Camp workout for the rest of my workout. I used one of the 10 Minute Solution DVDs (love these) – Ultimate Boot Camp and did all 5 sections for a really great workout.

If you have never tried any of the 10 Minute Solution DVDs, I highly recommend them. They are great if you just have 20-30 minutes since you can do a couple of the sections. I also like them as a complete workout – all 5 sections.

The 5th (and final) section today was Six Pack Ab Attack. Because I was tired by that point I had to really focus on putting 100% into it. Then I started thinking about all of my ab/core work. It is at the end of my workout usually. I can’t think of a single workout DVD that I’ve done that has ab work at the beginning (or even during the middle) – always the end.

As I struggled (no other word today) through the ab training I decided that I’m going to try mixing up my ab work some and putting it at the beginning of a workout when I’m fresh! I did a little research about why abdominal work is usually at the end of the workout – the biggest reason seems to be the fact that so many exercises require you to use your core and if you have already trained your abs then you might not be able to perform the exercise safely.

But, I’m still planning to try and change it up some. I’m always exhausted by the time I really focus on my abs so I want to see if it makes a difference training them first.

Screen shot 2013-03-22 at 9.30.54 AM — not my abs – I WISH!!!

When do you work your abs/core – beginning or end of a workout?

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Shoulders

Am I a Real Runner if I Have Never Run a Marathon??

March 19, 2013 Kim 23 Comments

Today I used a medicine ball for my 43. I put my hands on the ball and got into plank position.

Then I stepped my right foot out to the side, back to center and my left foot out to the side and back to center for 1 rep.

It took me 2:20 minutes of holding plank (with my hands on a ball!) to complete this 43!

I tried another new (to me) workout today. Cathe – Turbo Barre. On the cover of this DVD it says Low Impact Series. Don’t let that fool you into thinking this was easy! WOW!!! The ~~pain~~ burning in my hips, thighs and butt at points in this workout was no joke!! I’m pretty sure that I will feel everything about this workout tomorrow! At one point, I think we spent at least 5-7 minutes up on our toes while squatting with our feet in various positions.

I don’t have a barre but this barstool worked perfectly!!

I’m pretty sure that this will become one of my go-to choices for days when I don’t want any running or jumping but still want an incredible workout!!

I started running in high school. I also competed in college and when I was in grad school I spent a lot of time doing various road races from 5K – half marathon. Since then, I have only run a handful of races – a few 5Ks and a 10-miler.

I have trained for several different marathons during my running career but never even started one – first one I was in college and really sick and the next 2 (maybe 3, I’ve blocked some!) I ended up with stress fractures and had to stop running entirely.

Sometimes now I wonder – Am I a real runner? I haven’t even run a marathon. I have run more than 26.2 miles in a single run but does that count? I’m not sure at this point if I will ever run a true marathon – I would like to but for me right now, just being able to run is enough!!!

On a completely different note – Since it’s spring break (and yesterday was probably the nicest weather we will have all week), we decided to play tennis when Chris got home from work. After about 30 minutes, Jordan and I decided to walk/jog home – (about 2.5 miles or so around the lake).