Category Archives: Fitness

No Chicken Wings Here!

December 16, 2012 Kim 2 Comments

Oh – wrong kind (but these look sort-of delicious)!

Anyway, for my 43 today I worked my triceps (chicken wings). When I was in high school (ages ago!) I had a teacher who every time she wrote on the chalkboard (I told you it was a long time ago!!!) her arms did this wavey thing. (She really wasn’t overweight.) At the time I knew very little about fitness and toning, etc. but I remember telling myself, daily, that I would never have arms like that! Now I know that for my teacher it was just a complete lack of toning (ever) and I try to spend plenty of time on my triceps!!!

I used this awesome band to work my triceps:

I love this band – it has so many uses! Plus, it is portable and easy to take when I travel!

I wanted to get maximum resistance with the band so I choked way up on it.

choke way up on the band (maybe don't slouch, though!) — choke way up on the band (maybe don’t slouch, though!)

I started with my right arm in front of my forehead and my left arm bent back.

Then I slowly extended both arms and held before returning to the start.

Pull (now you should look completely bored!)

The first 20 or so weren’t too bad. By the time I got to 30, my arms were on fire. The last few were complete agony! It was great! This was another 2 setter – 43 with my right arm and 43 with the left.

Yesterday afternoon I wrapped presents and I think that I’m to the point where I’m completely done with everything!! Now I’m ready to enjoy this season and my family! (well maybe a few last minute things – plus meal planning, grocery shopping….OK, sort-of done with everything!)

Happy Sunday!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Thighs

Epic Camera Fail

December 15, 2012 Kim 2 Comments

Today I thought I would give my upper body a little break with the 43 and do a leg exercise. (It has been hard to come up with non-weight bearing moves that still offer a challenge for my lower body!!!)

I took one of my Pilates moves and turned it into the 43. I did a leg lift that included complete range of motion.

Lie on left side – body in a straight line – propped on left elbow
Point right toes and place it slightly in front of left foot
Lift right leg straight in the air
Flex right foot and lower leg behind left foot
Point toes and raise right leg in the air
Flex foot and lower in front of left leg

The above is 1 rep. This move should be performed in a smooth, controlled manner. And, of course, I did 43 with my right leg and 43 with my left leg!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXWKEP31WWs’]

(I left my socks on because my feet get cold!!!)

After working my legs – and I felt it for sure – I decided to work on my plank hold again. I did another 3 minute plank – I’m not sure I will ever be able to hold it longer than that. (makes my wrists hurt)

Last night was Hunter’s cello bash (and by bash I mean LONG concert – good but LONG – like 2.5 hours!) and I had big plans to post a video of him playing his duet. Ummm….apparently, if you don’t charge your camera battery in advance then you get a message that says – battery exhausted. I tried using my iPhone but I couldn’t zoom in and blah, blah, blah – no video to share.

Here is a close rendition!

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

Oh, maybe not – but he did a great job as did all of the cellists last night!

Tonight we are going to our first Hanukkah party – I’m very excited!! Love to learn new things!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Hunter – You’re so Smart!

December 14, 2012 Kim 1 Comment

Today I was happy to take Hunter’s advice about my 43! I did a sit-up with a stability ball pass from arms to legs and back to arms to make a complete rep. I was going to use an 8 pound medicine ball and after a couple of ~~dangerous~~ attempts, Hunter said he wouldn’t take any pictures if I used the medicine ball! REALLY GOOD CHOICE!!!! Thank you, Hunter!!

The 43 was plenty challenging using a stability ball! I started with my arms and legs fully extended and the stability ball in my hands:

I did a full sit-up and passed the ball to my legs:

Legs & arms fully extended — legs & arms fully extended

Then I did another full sit-up and passed the ball back to my arms and into extension again.

2 passes (2 sit-ups) = 1 rep so really 86 total sit-ups – No wonder it was a hard 43! And, Hunter saved me from any ~~death~~ injury!!

Yesterday I got to spend quality time with Hunter at school. The 6th graders have study hall at the end of the day and yesterday, because they had taken tests in a couple of classes, no one had any homework. I let them have free time with their electronics and other equally “educational” items.

Hunter pulled out his Rubik cube and the entire class was very impressed!! (He can solve it fairly quickly!!) One of the other boys said, “Hunter is smart. I bet he is really in high school.” Another student said, “He’s probably already out of high school!!!” It was funny!!! (and made my mommy heart proud!!!!)

Today is a shopping day!!!! I can’t wait! Chris and I are going to finish up our Christmas shopping!!! I’m sure I am far more excited about this than Chris – but I do have a plan so it’s not like we are just doing random shopping ~~for me~~!!!

Yep – that’s pretty much how we look when we shop!

Have a great Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness, Shoulders

Yikes!!!

December 13, 2012 Kim 1 Comment

Today’s 43 was one of the most difficult that I have done in awhile. I think it is because it has been 10 (long) days since I ran or did any cardio at all and it shows!!!

The move – plank jacks. In the plank position, (because clearly I didn’t get enough of that yesterday!) jack your feet (jump them open and closed like a regular jumping jack). I did 10 jacks = 1 rep. (If math is not your thing, that is 430 jacks!!!!!) This move requires cario endurance plus strength to hold yourself in plank for a LONG time.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbKgUv7X3Uo’]

It was good to get a little cardio and technically, this wasn’t a true weight bearing exercise (at least not on my hip!). But, YIKES!!! I was sucking air big time. Hunter said, “It’s only been about a week since you ran.” 10 days, brother!! That is a long, long time and when you are my age (43) the you lose it a lot quicker!

Usually, I write this after I have finished my entire work-out for the day. However, I have a couple of things I have to do this morning and then I’m subbing this afternoon (for Hunter’s homeroom teacher!!!) so I’m doing my post with the intention of still squeezing in some pilates later. Even if I can’t do all 3 sections, I will get some pilates in!

This seemed appropriate today. If you don’t try – you won’t succeed! (Plus, Michael Jordan is one of my all-time favorites!)

I can’t wait to be in Hunter’s class (and I’m sure he feels the same way!). Tonight is all about Algebra – several hours of tutoring tonight – almost time for semester finals!!!

Happy Thursday!!

Kim

11:25 Pick your Spot Pilates: belly, butt & thighs – Done!!! Now I can enjoy my afternoon with 6th graders!!!

Core, Fitness, Shoulders

Going in Circles

December 12, 2012 Kim 3 Comments

Today’s 43 really tested one of my weakest areas – shoulders! Plus, I sat on my stability ball while doing the 43 so that gave me a little bit of core work!!!

The actual move was ~~sort-of~~ totally old school – arm circles!! I sat on the stability ball and held a dumbbell in each hand (I used 5 pound dumbbells today) with my arms fully extended to the sides. Then, I did 43 circles to the front and another 43 to the back. The circle part wasn’t really bad – the challenge came from holding my arms at shoulder height and keeping them fully extended the entire time.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giIxWpjlfA0′]

(for the demo I just did 5 and 5 – those didn’t count as part of the true 43)

I decided to take a little Pilates break today and do a different non-weight bearing work-out. I did a Bender Ball work-out. You do traditional core moves using this little ball:

I know that tomorrow I will feel this in every part of my core!!!

I decided that I was on a roll (ha-ha – I entertain myself sometime!) with core and shoulders today so I thought it would be fun to see how long I could hold plank. (I know some of y’all can hold it a long time!!!) I got in position with my, iPhone right under my face, and hit start. I lasted for ……3 minutes!!! I know that is the longest I have ever held plank at one time – not sure if I want to try to go longer or not – maybe next time I will hold plank on my elbows instead of with my arms fully extended! (or maybe I won’t let my competitive nature take over and push me to try and go longer & longer & longer….hmmm)

Time to go get my nails done! (I know – completely frivolous and unnecessary but it makes me happy!!!)

This afternoon I get to help in the library at Hunter’s school – my favorite!!!

Happy 12-12-12!!!

Kim

Day With KT