Category Archives: Fitness

Not a Fan

November 26, 2013 Kim 61 Comments

For my 44 today, I did a bicep curl with a plyo move!! I did a sumo squat and then jumped with a curl!!

This move went fairly quickly but my legs were burning by the time I finished. I just used a 12 pound dumbbell since I was jumping (I probably should have gone a little heavier).

I did some of my favorite workouts – Turbo Fire!! Today I went with Fire 60 – 60 minutes of nonstop cardio and then Core 20 because lately I feel like I need a little extra work on my middle!!! (or maybe I just need to quit eating Cheetos!!)

So – I have a little secret!!!I am NOT on the current bandwagon – you know, the one involving Katniss (I think that’s her name) –

I think that almost every blog I read last night mentioned this movie because they either saw it over the weekend or have plans to see it.

I haven’t read the books and didn’t watch the first movie and have no plans to watch this one. I think part of it is the fact that I rarely read/watch the “biggies” (still haven’t seen a single Twilight movie!).

Plus, I just don’t get the concept of kids fighting to the death for sport.

I know that I’m in a very small minority and I’m totally OK with skipping this series. (I think Chris and the boys saw the first movie – it didn’t make their top 10.)

I will just stick to my chick-flicks, comedies and Christmas movies!!!

Hunger Games – yes or no?

Happy Tuesday!!

Kim

Biceps, Core, Fitness, Lunges, Plank, Running, Treadmill

Almost Time to Bring out the Trees!!!

November 25, 2013 Kim 84 Comments

Today I did another one of Allie’s moves from her Trifecta Arm video – she called this one “pick up the baby.” I called it HARD!!!!

Start in a plank with dumbbells (I used 10 pounds) – step right foot in, stand and lunge with a bicep curl – step right foot back to plank – repeat on left side = 1 rep.

44 of these and I nearly called my workout for the day done!!! (just kidding – sort of!)

I did Jillian Michaels Hard Body – Level 2. Umm….this was the first time I’ve done this part and it was a great workout! Lots of plyo moves with weights, some balance challenges and some core work – awesome!!!

I decided to get in a quick run – last week I had a great week of long and slow but every once in awhile I like to push my speed a little. I did 4 miles at 1.5% incline in 24:27 then 0.6 miles easy to cool down.

Today is deep clean day – baseboards, corners, under furniture – I can hardly wait!!! (well, that might be exaggerating a bit!!)

But, it’s for a good cause –

Some of my favorite people are coming later this week to spend Thanksgiving with us!!! And that is something I truly am excited about!!!

And then I can turn my super clean house into a Christmas wonderland!!! I’ve made myself hold off on decorating this year until after Thanksgiving and I feel like I’m missing out on trees and lights but it will be worth it soon!!!

I love having Christmas decorations all over the house!!! Christmas trees in every room and Santas galore – it is awesome!!!

Have you decorated for Christmas or do you wait until after Thanksgiving?

Happy Monday!

Kim

Butt, Cardio, Fitness, Plyo, Squats

Are Kids Smarter (and Stronger) Now than 25 Years Ago?

November 24, 2013 Kim 52 Comments

Today I did a quick 44 but it was a challenge!!! I did single leg squats with a hop. I started on my right leg and did 44 squats with a hop – they went OK and I only had to tap my left foot 2x to keep from falling.

My left leg squats and hops didn’t go as well – I had to tap my right foot down a lot.

I like moves like this that make me have to work to not fall over!!!

Last night Hunter and I were talking about college and scholarships. I told him that I went to college with a full scholarship – both academic and athletic.

Hunter’s response – I guess academic scholarships are a lot harder to get now.

What?! I think I just got slammed.

He said well kids are smarter now and there is more competition for athletic scholarships than when you went to school.

What?! Maybe you should stop talking, Hunter.

Then he started in on way back then.

What?! I’m not that old (well maybe I am but still!).

He wanted to know my SAT and ACT scores – I can’t remember my SAT but my ACT was 31.

Hunter also said – well you got an athletic scholarship but were there any really good runners at your school?

One of the people on our track team was late coming back to school in the fall of 1988 because he was running in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. He ran for Jamaica and won a silver medal in the 4 x 400m relay (the US won gold). Plus, a couple of the years that I ran we were the NAIA National Champions!!!

At the end of all of this, Hunter still tried to tell me that it is harder to get scholarships now than (way back) when I went to college!!! Silly Boy!!!

Happy Sunday!!! I’m off to take my non-scholarship deserving self to tackle my to-do list.

Kim

Core, Fitness, Plank, Running, Shoulders

Sore not Hurt!!!

November 23, 2013 Kim 44 Comments

Today’s 44 was one of those that seemed like a great idea until I did about 10 – then it was just HARD!!! I used a stability ball and got into the plank position (feet on ball). Then I alternated bringing my knee to my elbow (a right and left was 1 rep).

The last 20ish were rough – I had a hard time staying in plank because the ball kept rolling around (maybe I wasn’t holding my core tight enough)!!! Fun times!!!

This week I’ve actually been doing a little experiment with my running – and it has been great!!!

3 mornings – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – after my first workout and getting the boys to school I have hopped on the treadmill to log some miles. I have forced myself to slow my pace so that I can increase my mileage.

I’ve mentioned many times that I can’t run every day anymore because of the many injuries (mostly stress fractures) that I’ve had over the past few years. Chris always says that the problem isn’t just running but that I tend to run too hard.

So, this week, I just ran!
Monday – 12 miles
Wednesday – 10.5 miles
Friday – 16.5 miles
Week total – 39 miles!!

I think that running on semi-tired legs is going to help me later (if I decide to try another ultra!!!).

The best part about my experiment?! My legs were a bit sore after each run (part of why I’ve forced myself to stretch this week!) but I completed all of my runs without any pain!!!!

Maybe Chris has been right all along – just don’t tell him!!! :Wink:

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Triceps

A Valuable Lesson

November 22, 2013 Kim 77 Comments

Today’s 44 was all about control. I used my favorite piece of equipment –

and did a walking movement by lifting my right hand and left foot, holding then switching to the other side.

Left hand & right foot up and hold — left hand & right foot up and hold

This was a fun and challenging move – great for core and triceps. I had a few wobbles before I finished all 44. (I counted the above sequence as 1 rep.)

I used another DVD that I rarely do – Crunch – Fat Burning Fitness – this one is sort-of dancey but since it was just me and the TV I did OK!!! When the instructor said more hip swing I just added in some jumps – worked out perfectly!!!

One morning this week when I was driving the boys to school, we passed a couple of cars that had crashed (the front car slowed and the back car hit it) shortly before we got to that spot.

Thankfully no one was hurt!!! The lesson I learned – don’t dress like this to drive:

OK – this might be a slight exaggeration but the lady driving the front car was in her nightgown and robe – about 1 block from the middle school and high school right at the time that everyone was headed that way.

Do you ever drive anywhere in your robe? NO for me – I always look like a rag for the morning school drive but it is in sweaty workout clothes.

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Day With KT