Today’s 44 was a lunge but because I held a dumbbell overhead (15 pounds) I also got some nice core work.
readyright lungeLeft lunge
I counted a right and left as 1 rep so it was a total of 88 lunges while holding the 15 pounds overhead!!!
I did The Biggest Loser 8 Minute DVD – this is actually an hour because there are 7 total sections. I like the format – each section is 8 minutes and you do 11 different moves for 30ish seconds followed by a 10 second rest. Plenty of strength work but you will also get your heart rate up!
I’m planning to go outside for a run later today – it is supposed to get into the mid-70s!!! Can’t wait!!!!
Curtains, blinds, shades – whatever window coverings you have – do you open them every day or keep them closed?
Living room windows/doors
With the time change it is still dark outside right now but I have already opened up the house for the day. I love to have natural light and by the time I get back from taking the boys to school it will be light!!!
Lately, driving around, I’ve noticed that lots of people keep their house closed up during the day – every single window is covered.
If our blinds were down, I would miss scenes like this gorgeous sunset from the other night when it was too cold to be outside.
gorgeous sunset
And, much as I’m not a fan of the snow and gray days, I still want to be able to see outside when I’m hibernating!!!
So, are you an open or closed kind of person???
Happy Monday!!!
Kim
BTW – Hunter got 2nd in his competition yesterday!!! (and it wasn’t just 7th grade – it was all middle school) His first cash prize!!!
Today’s 44 was another multi-move exercise!!! I started in a lunge –
ready
Staying in a partial lunge the entire time, I did a row –
row
and then I opened to a fly.
fly
After completing 44 with my right arm, I had to switch and do 44 more with my left arm.
2nd siderowfly
I used an 8 pound dumbbell which was a challenging weight by the end!!!
I decided to do another forgotten DVD today – TaeBo Amped – Express Sculpt. The amped workouts use this cool stick or “amplifier” –
The amplifier can be used in the shortened form or extended to look like this –
extended
This workout was 45 minutes and it isn’t very cardio heavy (not like most TaeBo workouts) but using the amplifier is a great way to really make your shoulders burn!!
Yesterday I was in Ft. Worth, TX to watch my sister-in-law, Stacy, run her first marathon.
Start – Between the half, full and ultra which all started at the same time, there were about 30,000 runners and all I can say is – WOW!!! The start was actually pretty well organized with 8 corrals. I was in a great position right at the corner for the first turn (about 100 m in).
Stacy and her running partner in matching orange tops
So, Stacy and her running partner, Anna are looking fresh and ready for the race here.
After the start, I coordinated with Sam (Stacy’s husband/my brother) and he picked me up so that we could get to our first view point.
Mile 4 – the runners were still in one huge pack at this point and it was hard to pick out Stacy but we did see her!!
Mile 4 – stopping to say hi to Hays & Isabel
I think that it was a nice place to stop for a second since they were half-way up a long hill!!! Both Stacy and Anna were still smiling at this point – all good!!
From here, we had to figure out our next view point (and feed the kids!!). Getting from place to place was a challenge since so many roads were blocked off.
Mile 10 – this was the point where the half marathon runners were being directed to stay to the right and it was still very crowded. This time, I managed a picture before they got all the way to us!
still smiling
Anna had enough of the long sleeves so she handed her shirt over to me when they passed.
After we cheered for them and many others, we let the kids explore the water gardens for a bit and then headed to our next view point.
Mile 15.8 – This was a fun wait!! There were some other people cheering for runners and we had a great time yelling for people. Hays and Isabel decided to encourage runners here.
so fun!!
This might have been the first time I cried during the day – it was so amazing to watch the runners switch over so that they could give the kids “5.” Stacy and Anna were still running strong and seemed to be doing well when we saw them.
One lady had a huge fan group here and when she came into sight and saw them she did a cartwheel – awesome!!! I watched another lady stop and hug her baby before continuing on – so many emotions watching all these runners!
Mile 20 – I think that mile 20 was my favorite spot!! (and sadly, the only one where I didn’t take any pictures) We were at this spot for close to 30 minutes and I had a great time cheering for all the runners. At this point, they either looked really strong or completely over the whole thing!
The funny thing about getting to watch and cheer – so many people said thanks for coming out and encouraging them – I don’t think they realized how incredible the experience was for me as a spectator!!!
Mile 26 – Sam, Hays and Isabel found a view point so that they could see Stacy cross the finish line but I went further out. I was close to the 26 mile point (so they still had to run those long last 0.2 miles) and make one final turn.
I think I was here for over 45 minutes and this was by far the most emotional part of the entire day for me. Watching so many runners realize how close they were to completing the marathon – for some their first and for others one of many – but all were happy!!
I saw runners crying, spectators running with them. Some runners were jubilant and others were just gutting out that last little bit but all had one thing in common – they were marathoners!
almost done!!!
Tired but excited and so close to completing their very first marathon!!!
I didn’t see them actually cross the line but I heard the announcer as he read their names!!!
Marathon Finishers!!
WooHoo!!! Watching the race was an awesome experience and I’m so happy for Stacy (and Anna).
I wasn’t totally prepared for the emotional experience that it would be for me. I always thought that I was OK with not actually racing a marathon – now I’m not so sure.
Congrats, Stacy! I’m so proud of you!!!
By the time I got home last night I was completely exhausted and felt like I had crammed at least a week into Saturday and Sunday but I would do it all again!!!
Today’s 44 was one of those that worked multiple muscle groups – my favorite kind of moves!!!
I used 1 dumbbell (10 pounds) and started with it in my right hand –
ready
Step back to right lunge with your leg extended and touch the dumbbell to the ground –
back to lunge
Stand with a knee lift and bicep curl –
up and curl
And, after you finish 44 on the right side you have to switch sides and do 44 more!!
readybackup and curl
I enjoyed this move because it was pretty much a full body move and since I was working upper and lower at the same time, I really got my heart rate up.
Today was a fun workout day – Turbo Fire!!! I did Fire 55EZ which is not easy but a 55 minute workout that flies by!!!
I feel like sometimes I talk about stuff on here and then never really get back to it so today I thought I would share a few
1. I don’t set New Year’s resolutions but in January I did share a post with some things I wanted to do and try this year. So far I haven’t made a lot of progress but we did try something new to us the other night!! I made a Greek Barley Salad –
this was so tasty!!
We had never tried barley – not sure why??? The entire family enjoyed this side dish!!!
2. I’ve been wearing a FitBit Force since the start of the year and I reviewed it after just a few days. I still pretty much just use it as a pedometer but that is working out well!! The first few weeks I didn’t really do anything different – just wore it to track and I realized that the only days I reached 10,000 steps were running days. Now, I try to get 10,000 steps in addition to whatever number I reach during my workout.
One way that I increase my steps is through the use of my Christmas gift – my standing desk!!
old picture but…
I love using this desk and when I read blogs I either pace around in between each one or I jog in place while I read!! Yesterday I hit 20,000 steps by the end of the day!!!
3. I mentioned that Hunter wants to run a half marathon this spring to celebrate turning 13 and we all know that I think running your age for your birthday is the best way to celebrate so we are going to do one together. We were going to run a large one in Kansas City in April but when it came time to start training and the weather looked like this –
lots of snow
Hunter wasn’t a fan of the training (and I’ve made it clear how much I hate running in the snow and cold!). For some reason Hunter didn’t want to log his miles here –
Weird but true!
So we picked a different race that I think will work better. We are going to do a race that is smaller the first weekend in June. He will start his official training in March and hopefully by then all of his runs can be outside.
4. Last week I shared a dilemma concerning our event venue and a couple who had sort of strung me along about turning in a contract and paying. Well, they did turn in the contract and full payment by the weekend so they are officially booked.
However, they are still causing me stress!!! They called early this week to set up another meeting at the venue. I let them set the day and time. Yesterday at 11:00 we were supposed to meet. I drove over in the sleet – waited for 20 minutes (past the time) – drove home in blowing snow – in other words I wasted an hour of my day and never saw them!
You know how sometimes you just don’t have a good feeling about a situation? That’s pretty much me with this whole deal!!!
5. I have mentioned that this year I’m trying to increase my mileage and still be smart about it and this morning I looked to see how many miles I have for the year compared to this time last year. I have more than 2x the miles already compared to last year at this point!!! Actually, it is about 2.36 times more!!! (yes – I did the real math!!!)
Today’s 44 was a challenge!!! I did a back lunge – front kick – back lunge (all right leg) – jump lunge to switch sides and then repeated the moves on the left side for 1 rep. Between all 3 moves (lunges, kicks and jumps) I was definitely breathing hard!!!
I liked this move but 44 reps was a lot!!! Sometimes I don’t think these things through very well!! Oh, well – it’s good for me!
It was also a run day – 1.5% incline 7 miles (51:04) + an easy cool down mile.
I probably won’t run again until Friday – big run on tap!! I’m doing a virtual race as part of Kristen’s (Stuft Mama) STUFT Challenge for Run Sixty Feet. Kristen is raising money for Run Sixty Feet with her run on Friday (she’s running 37 miles since it is her 37th birthday – what a great way to celebrate a birthday!!). I’m planning to do the same (37 miles) on Friday in support of both Kristen and the cause (Run Sixty Feet).
Today is my 500th day of daily moves – 365 days of 43s and 135 days of 44s!!!
I started this adventure on September 16, 2012 when I turned 43 with a goal of doing some form of activity every single day. Using my age is a great (although sometimes not so great) way to have a set goal for each move.
After a year of Daily 43s I enjoyed it so much that I decided to continue with Daily 44s.
There are occasionally days that I’m not as motivated to do 44 reps of anything (so I usually pick something fairly easy and just get it done) but most days I love the challenge of doing something 44 times!!!
I plan to continue the rest of this year and when September rolls around again I will decide if a year of Daily 45s is on tap or if it is time to do something else. Who knows?! I might still be doing Daily _____ when I’m 75!!!!
Oh, and I guess this is also my 500th day in a row to write a blog post since that is sort-of part of my goal, too!!! At some point I might switch to weekly updates on the daily moves but for now I enjoy posting everyday so I’m just going to keep going!!!
Today’s 44 took one of my favorite moves (burpees) and added in one of my least favorite (jumping lunges) for a great challenge!!!
The move – a burpee (don’t forget he push-up!) jump up and immediately do 2 lunge jumps.
(FYI – the burpees in the demo actually make # 45, 46 & 47!)
Last night Hunter was trying to give me some more ideas for my 44s and he suggested a burpee with a tuck jump. I told him I did those this summer on the beach in Florida!!! He didn’t believe me so I had to find the video to prove it!!!
While we were looking at YouTube, we came across this video –
44 (must be fate!) of the best burpee exercises ever!!! I can’t wait to try more of these!!!
I decided that this bitterly cold and snowy Sunday would be the perfect day to share some sunshine!!!!
I know there are supposed to be rules to these things but I pretty much suck at following them!! I decided to start by answering Mona’s questions and then go from there.
1. If the internet suddenly disappeared and you couldn’t blog anymore, what would you choose as a “release” for your writing and creativity?
Well, I don’t know that I am super creative in my writing anyway – I would probably just spend the extra time on my treadmill!!!
2. What’s a perfect Saturday morning to you? I would say it is a day that I sleep in but that doesn’t really happen. I do like the mornings when I don’t have to set an alarm and jump out of bed first thing. I would take my time getting up, do my workout, have Chris and both boys home and not have to spend the day running all over the place or doing any errands – in other words LAZY!!
3. Where do you see yourself and your blog in 3 years from now? I will be 47 so I guess if I can stick with it that long, I will be doing daily 47s!!! As for blogging, I hope to have met in person some of the incredible people that I have met online!!!
4. Is your family supportive of your blogging? Yes, they are 100% supportive. Chris reads my post every single day (and usually texts me after to make a comment of some sort so I know he read it). The boys don’t seem to mind being part of my blog on many occasions and are more than willing to help me out with pictures/videos!!
5. What’s you fav quick, easy and delicious dinner recipe? (this one made me laugh – if you haven’t read Mona’s blog, you really should check it out!!!)
My favorite easy meal is going to involve the crock-pot for sure!!! Hard to pick just one! I’m going to go with French Dip because it is so easy!!!
Put a frozen roast in the crock pot. Mix 2 c water, 1/2 c soy sauce (we use low-sodium), a bay leaf, some garlic powder, a few peppercorns, rosemary & thyme (just sprinkle some in). Cook on low all day. Shred. Serve on Kaiser rolls with swiss cheese and use the juice to dip.
6. Where is your favorite place to write? This could read where is your favorite place to ___________? No matter what is in the blank, my answer is the same!!! THE BEACH!!!
7. If you had to start your blog all over, what changes would you make?
I think that I would have started commenting on other blogs sooner. I was a complete newbie in the blog world and didn’t have a clue what I was doing for months!!!
What would you keep? This one is easy – I would keep all of the bloggy friends I have made because they (y’all) are the best part of blogging!!
8. Vacation…with or without kids? With!! When the boys were younger I liked it when Chris and I could get away by ourselves. Now, the boys are fun to have on vacation and that is part of the experience. I’m hoping that even when they leave the nest they will still take vacations with us and one day that their spouses and kids will come, too!!
9. What’s your best advice for overcoming writer’s block? Since I’m not really a writer, I don’t truly deal with this!!! I just make up some random stuff and move on!
And, like I said at the beginning – I’m not good at these the traditional way. So I’m not making up 9 or 10 or 12 new questions and tag people – I can’t tag people because I think it supposed to be just a few and I would want to tag at least 100 people!!!
Instead – I will make up one question.
How do you spread sunshine? What is the temperature where you are?
So I lied and asked 2 questions!!! We are actually at 10 degrees with about 4-5 inches of snow so I guess I can’t complain (but I will!) compared to all y’all even further north!
