Category Archives: Fitness

Cardio, Fitness, Plyo, Running, Treadmill

“It’s Against the Law”

October 2, 2013 Kim 70 Comments

Today for my 44 I tried a new to me move – a football stomp with an axe jump (plyo jack). The football stomp is basically fast feet for about 5 seconds and then you do a plyo jack.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGgOsnw0Zdo’]

(Still can’t figure out why all the early morning videos are so yellow – better do some playing around with my camera!) This was a fun 44 and it went really quickly!

I haven’t been running a lot lately (mental block & babying my Achilles) but thought I should get in a few more runs in the next week and a half so that’s what I did this morning.

The run was great – I did 6 miles at a quick pace and then an easy 1.75 miles for 61:00 total minutes of running. (1.5% incline) Hopefully another couple of runs will happen in the next week and then it will be time to see what I’m made of!!!

I rarely have any type of controversial post and political stuff isn’t a big topic for me. However, I couldn’t totally let this whole government thing go.

As you all know, Chris is a pilot for the United States Air Force – he is in the Kansas Air National Guard. For 27 years he has served our country.

Now, thanks to a very unsettled government, there are many military and other government people who are being furloughed and are looking at a few days, weeks, whatever the time period ends up being, of not getting paid.

The way I see it, if the government is shutting down, Congress should definitely not be getting paid – all of them not just the few who have offered to waive their pay.

And, with a shut- down there should at least be some extra days off.

Here was the conversation between Chris and I last night:

Kim: I think the US military should stage a walk-out if they aren’t going to get paid.
Chris: That’s against the law.
Kim: The law made by the same government that is now not paying you?! Oh – well that seem’s ~~fair~~ completely RIDICULOUS!!!

Obviously I tend to exaggerate things a little since (supposedly) the military will still get paid.

So – yesterday I said I was thankful that Chris still had a job – and I am. However, I’m not thankful for the way things are being handled in our country right now. Just my very un-educated point of view on the matter!!!

And, for the record, I think that all government employees should stage a walk-out!!!

Happy Wednesday!

Kim

Butt, Cardio, Fitness, Lunges, Plyo

Thankful Tuesday

October 1, 2013 Kim 70 Comments

The 44 today is my least favorite move ever – jumping lunges!!! And, because sometimes I feel the need to challenge myself, I held 12 pound dumbbells while I jumped – FUN TIMES!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g-fst927SM’]

I counted a right lunge and a left lunge as 1 rep so I really had to jump 88 times to complete my 44.

Garage boot camp today was the 5-4-3-2-1 Workout. I had to make a few modifications to this one since we were in the garage and driveway but it worked out fine and was a great workout!!! Teaching boot camp has been nice because it is the only time I workout with a group anymore – I am really enjoying it!!!

I feel like I have had more than a few negative days lately and it comes out on my blog. I try to stay positive here but I also try to be completely real and real life sometimes is exhausting and trying and just plain hard!!!

Today I thought I would just share some of the things that I’m thankful for – sometimes I forget to stop and think about how very much I have to be grateful for. I’m always glad that the amazing Jody @ Truth2BeingFit reminds us to start each Monday with gratitude!!!

Today I’m thankful that my family is all healthy!!!

I’m thankful for the great cross country season that Hunter has had!!! Today we will go to Manhattan for his final meet of the year! I’m very happy and thankful that he has learned to really enjoy running!!!I’m thankful that Jordan had a good experience last night at his first debate practice rounds. Even though he was nervous he did a good job and like he said he will just continue to get better.

I’m thankful that even though the US Government is making some ridiculous decisions these days, Chris still has a job!!

I’m thankful that the fall weather has been so incredible lately!!! We are supposed to get to almost 90 for the next few days – love the sunshine and warmth!!!

I’m thankful that we have WIFI at our new venue now so I can get some work done while I’m waiting on the electrician and other stuff today!!! (small stuff is pretty important!)

I’m thankful for all of the great friends I’ve made through blogging!!!!

I could go on and on now that I’ve started my thankful list but it is time to get on with the day!!!

Just making this short list has totally boosted my mood – bring on Tuesday!!!

What are you thankful for today?

Happy Tuesday!!

Kim

Chest, Core, Fitness

Monday Morning Musings

September 30, 2013 Kim 62 Comments

Today’s 44 was one of those great combo moves that I love!! I did an alternating arm chest press on a bench with my legs at about 45 degrees (to work my core!).

start - need to lower my legs a bit! — start – need to lower my legs a bit!

I counted a right and a left chest press as 1 rep. This was a good move – my abs were dying by the time I reached 44 reps! (15 pound dumbbells)

I decided that today was a good day for some Turbo Jam – Cardio Party 3. Working out with Chalean and her crew is always a great way to start the day – good workout and some fun at the same time!!!

1. I have spent the past 2 days painting – ALL DAY!! One of the apartments above our new venue has been vacant for a week and I needed to get it ready to rent out again.

I know the pictures aren’t great – chalk it up to being tired!!! The walls were very dingy and mismatched before. Now they are all a nice tan color (very rich looking!!) except the bathroom which I painted white because it is so small. I don’t know if you can tell from the before shot but it was 2 shades of green (even the ceiling was painted!).

2. While painting, I showed the apartment 3 times!!! We have a new tenant and I love her!!! She is the sweetest lady (probably helped that she has raised 6 kids) and yesterday when she came back by to sign everything, she hugged me (nasty, sweaty, paint covered and all) when she left!!!

And – our sweet new tenant asked me who did the gardening (there is quite a bit around the entire house!!). I told her that would be me if you counted pulling weeds since that is all I’ve attempted so far and I have a black thumb!!! She asked if she could work in them!!! Ummm….YES!!! Work in them as much as you like! She said she loves gardening!!! (Look, someone offered to help and I didn’t even have to ask – bonus!!)

3. Last week I scrambled around for dinner pretty much every night and I had big plans to do better this week. Epic fail!!!! I didn’t plan a single thing – gonna have to go with a lot of stand-bys this week!!!

4. I wish I were here –

5. The Amazing Race started a new season last night – WooHoo!!!

6. My awesome sister-in-law, Stacy, ran her first half marathon yesterday – 2:02 on a very hilly course! She totally rocks!!!

Rockin' the Runner T!!! — Rockin’ the Runner T!!!

7. As much as I would love to share more of the thoughts pinging around in my head, it’s time for me to get on with my day!!!

What thoughts are bouncing around in your head this morning?

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Fixin’ to do Something Really Hard – Help!!!

September 29, 2013 Kim 41 Comments

Today I did a fairly simple 44 – a crunch with my elbows glued to the ground the entire time. Try it – it really changes the way you work your abs!!!

start - elbows on the ground — start – elbows on the ground

crunch up - fists tap thighs (elbows stay pressed into ground) — crunch up – fists tap thighs (elbows stay pressed into ground)

You can see that it is a small crunch but you have to hold tight with your abs!!!

It might seem like I haven’t been working out much but that is because I have been getting activity through other methods. Thursday I spent 7 hours cleaning (an apartment & our venue), setting up for a wedding (moving 140 chairs x2), and ironing (20+ large tablecloths) – that entire time was spent standing and moving and lifting and bending!!!

Yesterday I spent 9 hours painting one of the apartments we have that is now vacant. Squatting, bending, climbing up and down a ladder – it was a workout for sure. I figure these long days of solid activity and standing are good for my overall endurance when it comes to my 50.

I wrote a post in April about asking for help – is it a strength or a weakness? For me, it is one of the hardest things in the world to do.

Paint 9 hours? no problem
Drive across country by myself? easy
Run 50 miles? I think I got it
Ask for help? ummm…….

I don’t like to ask anyone for help – ever!!! Not the boys, not friends, not even Chris! I’m not sure why it is so hard for me to ask – I’m pretty sure it goes back to when I was young!

However, I’m at a point where I have to bite the bullet and ask.

I don’t know how to make the logistics of the 50 mile weekend work without help!!! The race is 100 miles from here (through the Flint Hills in Cassody, KS) and with the drive each way, check in, running…..Chris and I will be gone for pretty much a 24 hour period (with ZERO sleep for either of us).

I had originally planned to leave the boys home but the more I think about it the more stress that causes me (Jordan is only 14 – pretty sure there are some kind of laws about that!!!). They have no desire (or need) to be up all night just because I’m crazy!!!

There aren’t any hotels in the town we will be in because I thought about that option, too.

And, we have a wedding changeover that night – at pretty much the same time I start running! Because we are a small staff – pretty much of 1 – we don’t have anyone else trained to set-up. And, you know I haven’t asked anyone to help!!

So today, I’m going to have to suck it up and ask for help!!! (after I spend many more hours painting and cleaning!!) Or, maybe I will put it off another day – I’m sure if I keep waiting it will get easier, right?!

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Cardio, Core, Fitness, Shoulders

If….Then

September 28, 2013 Kim 39 Comments

Today’s 44 was a fun way to turn a plank into a cardio move!!! I did frog jumps in the plank position.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW4AZEACukM’]

I was breathing hard by the time I finished all 44 – always a good sign!!

Remember the old writing prompt from your school days? I remember having to do If…Then statements and I thought it would be a fun way to share some of the things I’ve learned recently!!!

If Jordan sends me a text that after-school sectionals has been cancelled, then it doesn’t automatically mean he needs a ride home. (Learned that the hard!)

If you take 2 Excedrine right before bed-time, then you might spend most of the night awake!! (The good news is, I got lots of reading done and might finally finish the book I’ve been reading for about a month – ever since beach time went away!!!)

If you don’t have any plans for meals during the week, then you might do lots of scrambling in the evenings! (DUH!!)

If you upgrade your iPhone the day the upgrade comes out, then you might have to deal with some of the bugs and other issues that aren’t totally resolved. (Hunter learned this the hard way – he hasn’t had WIFI since he upgraded and apparently lots of people had the same problem!!)

If your neighbors invite you to go with them to a friends home for an Italian night and “concert” under the stars, then you should definitely go and enjoy fun times and Andre Bocelli’s concert!!!

If you buy a birthday card, then it is helpful if you actually put it in the mail!! (Sorry, Dad, card is still on my kitchen island!!)

If you live with 3 boys, then life is going to be full of happy times!!!!

What If…Then statement fits you this week?

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Day With KT