Category Archives: Fitness

Dallas Buyers Club and The Biggest Loser

February 19, 2014 Kim 80 Comments

Today’s 44 really worked my hamstrings!!! I did a single leg dead lift (starting with the right leg) followed by a right kick. About the time my right leg was jelly, I switched to the left for a second set of 44!!

Yikes – I should have sucked in my stomach during this move – oops!! I used 15 pound dumbbells for this move and I know that I will feel this in my hamstrings and butt later!!

Still trying to juggle Michelle Bridges with other workouts. I’m pulling out parts of some of the daily MB workouts to do in addition to other workouts and that is working well for me. Today I did TaeBo – Extremely Ripped. This is 60 minutes of fast pace TaeBo with weights for the 2nd half!!! I started with 8 pound weights but because of the fast pace had to drop down to 5s!!

The other day Chris and I watched this movie. It wasn’t at all what either one of us were expecting!!! I truly thought the premise of the movie was gambling – WRONG!!!

The basic premise is that Matthew McConaughey’s character has AIDS. He is given 30 days to live – goes to Mexico finds a DR that is using medicine that hasn’t been FDA approved yet and 3 months later has improved. He sneaks the drugs in and instead of selling the drugs/vitamins he sells monthly “memberships” to the Dallas Buyers Club with access to unlimited meds.

Beyond the movie itself, I think what really got me was the drastic weight loss that McConaughey underwent for this role. Depending on what source you read he lost approximately 38 pounds and went from being fit to a skeleton.

He is about 5’11” -6′ (again depending on the source) and went from 170ish pounds down closer to 130 for this movie.

Actually, several of the actors in this movie underwent drastic weight loss to play their roles.

Here is my problem – actors do this kind of extreme weight loss (or weight gain) for roles fairly often and aren’t criticized by the media. In fact, often they are praised and rewarded by nominations for awards.

However, for 2 weeks now, Rachel from the Biggest Loser has been blasted by the media for her weight loss. Whether she lost too much or not isn’t up to me to judge – I think that she played a game (because that is what The Biggest Loser really is all about) to win and she did just that.

I don’t think she looks any worse than McConaughey and he lost the weight much quicker than she did!!

I guess my whole point is that the extreme weight loss happens in lots of areas and while I don’t think it is ever healthy, I don’t understand why in one case the person is overly criticized and in the other case they are praised.

Have you seen The Dallas Buyers Club?
Do you think that it is more acceptable when actors go through extreme weight changes (very quickly) to play a role than when other people do the same thing?

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Fitness, Running, Squats, Treadmill

My Top Tip for Productivity

February 18, 2014 Kim 91 Comments

I used 2 of my new mini wobble balls today for the 44 –

I decided to just do a basic squat while trying (key word!!) to stay balanced!!

This was a fun way to get in some squats (44 of them) – the balance challenge makes it completely different!!!

Today was also a running day (gotta watch The Bachelor so I kill 2 birds at the same time!!!). 1.5% incline – 9 miles – 63:31

Watching mindless TV (like The Bachelor) makes the time go by very quickly!!!

I think that we all want to be as productive as possible (at least most days) but there are times when we are completely overwhelmed by everything we need (or want) to do.

My #1 way to increase is by making lists – lots and lots of lists!!!

I have tried making lists on my iPad with different apps but those lists just don’t give me the same satisfaction as a list on a plain note-pad.

I put everything on lists – simple things (workout, blog, pay bills…..), projects, ideas for my daily 44, grocery lists, recipes to make in the upcoming week or two – pretty much all of the stuff that clutters my mind goes on a list.

I know that some people think it wastes time to write stuff down before you do it but for me it helps keep me focused and I find it very rewarding every time I can cross something off!!!

And, there have been many times that I’ve done something and then added it to the list just for the privilege of marking it off!

Are you a list maker?
What is your top tip for productivity?

Happy Tuesday!!!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness, Plyo, Push-Ups

Racing – Then and Now

February 17, 2014 Kim 1 Comment

I decided to do another burpee for my 44 today. I tried a new one – a burpee jack. Jump back to plank but jack your feet out as you do your push-up. Jump in and do a standing jack. Repeat x 44.

This was a great move for really getting my heart rate going!!!

I followed the burpees up with 100 jumping lunges for the February challenge with Taylor.

Then I did a 10-minute Solution DVD – Kickbox Bootcamp. I know that I haven’t been doing Michelle Bridges every day – it just works better for me to do it a few times a week!

I don’t race much anymore for a couple of reasons.

I have trained for a few marathons and every single time I ended up with a DNS because of a stress fracture.

The 2nd reason I don’t race much anymore is more because of the changes that have taken place in the past 20+ years since the time when I did race a lot.

During grad school and for a couple of years after, I raced all the time – mostly 10Ks but I did other distances, too. The longest was a half marathon.

I used to pick a race almost every week and just go run on the weekend. There was no true training, no taper, no fuel plan – just me and my running shoes!!

If you won (sometimes just 1st place, sometimes top 3) overall male or female you got a medal –

The top finishers in age groups usually got a ribbon –

I have a box of medals and ribbons from those days but that was never why I raced. I just did it because I loved competing and pushing myself to go faster each race.

I think we usually got a T-shirt as part of our entry fee – just a basic T (usually they were men’s – ugh).

The good news – I think that $20 was the most I ever paid for a race. Most of them were only $10-$15!!!

Now, I don’t think any race is under $30 and most are MUCH more!!

Truthfully, I enjoyed the act of racing and didn’t need any swag or even a medal at the end.

It has been interesting to watch the evolution of racing from what it was 20ish years ago to what it has become. Racing is very expensive and all finishers get an award.

I would still prefer to have races be relatively inexpensive and not receive a bunch of stuff just for signing up. And, I don’t need a medal just for running. (Don’t hate me – it’s just my personal thoughts!!)

I think I mentioned that Hunter wants to run a half marathon this spring since he is turning 13 in April. I’m all for him running (of course) but I asked him if he wants to just train and run the distance or run a race.

He wants to run a race so he gets a medal –

We are going to do a race because this is his thing but I don’t totally get the idea of running for a medal as opposed to just running to run. (BTW – I know that I’m in the minority and I’m not trying to stir anything up because this is just my personal running opinion and I’m not trying to judge anyone – just sharing my thoughts on racing.)

Why do you run?
Would your run a race if you knew that only the top finishers would get an award?

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Fitness, Push-Ups

I Love the Olympics but I’m not Loving the Coverage

February 16, 2014 Kim 64 Comments

Yesterday Chris and I went to Dick’s to get a new pull-up bar since ours was worn out. (The boys, especially Hunter use it a LOT and the handles had lost all padding – good problem to have!!) Anyway, while we were there, I saw a box with these 4 balance balls –

looks how great these are — looks how fun these are

and felt like I NEEDED them!!!

I decided to use them this morning for my 44. I thought push-ups with each hand and foot on one would be a great move!!!

This was definitely a challenge!! I can’t wait to incorporate these fun little gems into more moves!!!

And, the 44 push-ups this morning put me at a nice round 450 push-ups for the week for Taylor’s February challenge. The goal this week was 400 push-ups and in 6 days I did 450!!! Glad that we are going back to lunges next week – lunge jumps actually!!!

I also did a quick Turbo Jam workout – 3T (Totally Tubular Turbo). This is toning with a resistance band – I can tell I haven’t done much with bands lately!!!

I’ve written about the Olympics a couple of times in the past week because I love watching them!!!

However, I have to say that the 2014 Olympics have not been my favorite and I think it is because of how very little is being shown on TV. I think that NBC has done an awful job with the coverage this year.

Clearly, I’m not the only person who feels this way!!!

Just yesterday, the entire morning on NBC Sports Network was devoted to hockey. It was fine during the United States vs Russia game (way to go U.S.!) but then they kept showing other teams. Why didn’t they use any of the time to show the other events that are going on?

Then during the prime time coverage on NBC, the first 30 minutes were devoted to a replay of the last part of the hockey game after the announcers already told us exactly what had taken place.

And, I’m disappointed that we aren’t getting to see any medal ceremonies. I have had the Olympics on a LOT in the past week and I think I’ve seen 1 medal ceremony. I love watching the athletes receive their medals and sing along to whatever their National Anthem is.

Have you been watching the Olympics?
Are you disappointed with the coverage?

Happy Sunday!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

Sunny Saturday

February 15, 2014 Kim 34 Comments

Today I worked my hips with the 44 – I did an airplane move.

Start on all 4s (table top position) and extend your right leg out to the side –

Lift your right leg and hold for a 2 count before lowering –

About the time that your hips are dying (you will feel it on both sides!!!), you should be done with however many reps you picked (44 for me) and then you get to switch sides!!!

This move looks easy but I always feel it after I’m done!!!

I’m fixing to head down and run – my mileage has been a little low this week so I’m hoping to get in a nice long run – 10 miles or so!!

Kimberly @ All Work and No Play Makes Mommy Go Something Something nominated me for the Sunshine Award earlier this week and today seemed like a great day to share some sunshine!!!

Kimberly had some fun questions – lets hope I can answer them all!!!

1. If Jane had 3 apples and John had 78 nails, how many layers of clothing are you wearing (how is the weather in your neck of the woods?)?
I’m just wearing shorts, sports bra and short-sleeved shirt (see above pictures) with a fleece jacket on while I type – fixing to run on my treadmill!! It’s currently 28 degrees but we are supposed to get to 50 today!!! Good-bye snow (I hope!!).

2. What is keeping you sane during these long winter months?
RUNNING and looking at pictures of the beach!!!

3. If you were on a boat with a box of chocolate and your Mother in Law, who would you throw overboard?
Well, hmmm…..my Mother-in-Law passed away almost exactly 7 years ago and I have days where I can take or leave chocolate so….If it is warm and sunny, I will just hang out and soak up the sun – otherwise I’m going in!

4. What’s in your underwear drawer besides underwear?
Ummm…my little nightgowns – pretty boring over here!!

5. Do you trust yourself with sharp objects near your face? (as in do you pluck your own eyebrows? Do you have any eyebrow horror stories?)
I only pluck when it’s absolutely necessary. For the most part I let Jennifer (my hairdresser of 13ish years) take care of my eyebrows – she can wax them but no way would I try to do that on my own!

6. I am terrified of dead bodies, spiders and the dentist. What are you scared of?
Snow!!! Well, not really scared of it but I have an aversion to it that gets worse every single year!!!

7. Does your husband cut up the back of your legs with his long toenails when you sleep?
HaHa – sorry Shawn (Kimberly’s husband) – NO!!! And, if there are ever times that they do feel too long I just scootch over – the beauty of a king size bed!!!

According to the rules I’m supposed to nominate more people and keep this going but I suck at that. It causes me far to much stress to pick just a few people because all y’all deserve Sunshine!!!

So instead of picking a few, I’m just going to give everyone the Sunshine Award – Happy Saturday – I hope your day truly is full of sunshine!!!