Category Archives: Fitness

BOSU, Fitness, Push-Ups

Jordan Shared his Sickie Germs with Me!

January 20, 2013 Kim 4 Comments

(Serious issues with my WordPress site today – not making me happy!!!)

Today I did a 43 and that is the extent of my work-out (maybe my entire day!)

I took my BOSU and turned it upside down like this:

upside down - pretty great tool — upside down – pretty great tool

Then, I used it for one of my favorite moves of all times: Push-Ups!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5PGASJ9NXY’]

This was Jordan’s fist demo in awhile (since he was sick and a germ carrier!!!). I counted each push-up as 1 rep so I did a total of 43 push-ups and 43 jumps!

Yesterday afternoon my throat started hurting (wah, wah…..) and today I can tell I’m not 100%. Hopefully if I take it easy today (lay around and watch mindless TV!!!), I will be good as new by morning. Hmmm..maybe I was already a little under the weather yesterday morning and that’s why I struggled so much during my run – That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!!!

Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law and super friend – Stacy!!!!!

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

Making the T-shirt from Cait look great!! Super cute!!! Have an awesome birthday, Stacy!!! Wish we didn’t live so far away!

Happy Sunday!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness, Power Moves, Running

Lessons Learned on my Run Around the Lake

January 19, 2013 Kim 5 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a power move! Super fun (and hard)! This past week, Cranky Fitness and Fitknitchick both had posts about the benefits of power moves. I love power moves but probably don’t do them as often as I should.

So, today I used my 14″ step to do box jumps. I jumped up onto the step and then

14" double step (the Transfirmer) — 14″ double step (the Transfirmer)

stepped off. I did all 43 quickly so I could get my heart rate up (soaring!!).

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

I’m really trying to be smart as I start running again. I decided that as much as I love my treadmill and running on it, I have a tendency to run too hard on it.

I think the reason I never get bored on it is because I constantly play little games with the time and speed. When I try and just set an easy pace to run – I get BORED. The other day I decided that much as I hate running outside in the cold, I would try it.

Good news? I got to go shopping for some winter running gear!!!

Had a very successful trip! Plus, I got an armband for my iPhone 5 so I could have some music!!! All set! This morning after my 43 and downing about 32oz of water I headed out. A quick stretch:

stretching my calves/achillesAgain with the pissed-off look (blame it on the sun in my eyes!) — stretching my calves/achilles
Again with the pissed-off look (blame it on the sun in my eyes!)

And I’m off. The route I like around the lake (which I haven’t run since summer – thanks hip!) is just over 5.5 miles. I started my watch because I’m anal and even when I’m not planning to run hard I have to know my time! Here are a few of the things I learned today:

HILLS SUCK!!! (my 1.5 incline is not the same as the hills around the lake!)
My breathing is off (and loud!)
It is hard to sing while running – plus I probably looked and sounded like a complete dork (Oh, well – normal!)
The sand on the streets (from the last snow) is slippery!!!
The sand when going downhill is dangerous!!! (thankfully no falls – would have been very unhappy to get a rip in my new gear!!!)
I walked 2x for a total of 7 minutes and I’m going to be fine with that today!
I’m an idiot and was running sub-8 minute pace (explains the breathing and walking bit) – I’m supposed to be taking it easy!!!
If I hadn’t stopped and walked when I did the first time, I would have missed this:
Amazing!

This isn’t actually a picture I took (far too much trouble to get my phone out of the band) but a lady backing out of her driveway stopped and pointed out a bald eagle sitting on the lake! It was so very awesome! I wish it would have flown so I could see the wing-span but neat to see it sitting, too!
My little gloves are perfect for the constant running of my nose caused by the cold.
The sweat from running makes you really cold when you finish the run and walk an easy cool-down.
I’m going to continue to run outside (even in the winter) but unlike some of the true die-hard winter runners it has to be at least 32 for me! (I’m a wimp and totally OK with that!!!)
Over-all I enjoyed my run around the lake this morning (even though I still love my treadmill!!!).

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

BOSU, Core, Fitness

New (Free!!!) Compression Shorts – Love Them

January 18, 2013 Kim 15 Comments

Today is my 125th consecutive 43!!!! I used one of my favorite pieces of exercise equipment again:

Today I balanced my butt on it (tried anyway!) and did 43 bicycle crunches. Right leg extended/left leg extended = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcFkc0bMEYg’]

There are so many things wrong with this video that I had to just go with it – my arms are flailing (cause I’m trying to do the move and still balance), I have some funky double chin issue and my hair is ridiculous (trying to grow it out and it will be really “nice” for awhile!!).

What’s great about the video? My new shorts!!! I won these in a giveaway from Marcia! I’m so excited first because I won something!!! (my first time!) Second, because I put these shorts on – tight, compression shorts that look like they would fit my 7 year old niece – and they didn’t look awful on me! (Disclaimer: I’m fine with my body but I don’t have tiny hips – in fact, they are quite wide -partly genetics, partly from having 2 kids.) I haven’t worn tight shorts or pants since my college track days (20+ years ago).

These shorts are from Aspaeris and are the Compression Pivot Shorts. They are for running and/or recovery!

I really like them! I’m pretty sure that I would even wear them out of the house!!! And just to let you see the shorts from all angles on a “real” model:

back - not the greatest - but keeping it real!!! — backside – It is what it is!

Thanks again the Marcia and Aspaeris for the new shorts!!!

After my 43, I actually did a work-out (not just the above modeling!!!). I did Les Mills Combat – Plyo HIIT (about a billion jumping squats and jumping lunges!!!) and then I decided to double up so I did Combat 30. Great work-out = sweaty mess!!!

And…..It’s FRIDAY!!! Chris is off today, too, so I better get a move on!!! Maybe we will even go see a movie at the theater – a rarity!!! (I just looked and only a couple here that I’m really interested in so who knows?) Maybe we will just go shopping (oh, wait, I did that yesterday!)!! So many choices!!!

I love Hoops & YoYo!!! They always make me smile!!!

Happy Fun Friday!!

Kim

Biceps, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

I AM A RUNNER AGAIN!!!!! (Finally!)

January 17, 2013 Kim 10 Comments

Since the 43 yesterday really worked my quads, I decided to work my arms (namely my biceps) today. I did my 43 version of the traditional Bicep 21s.

First, I did 43 bottom half bicep curls (just curl up to waist height). Then I did 43 top half curls (waist height to shoulder height curls). Finally, I did 43 full curls.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xQv5mOw5Pw’]

(Once again, the demo is just a sample – I only did 3 of each type of curl for the cute video!!!) You can see that I used a barbell instead of dumbbells today – this is my Body Pump bar and I added a 10 pound plate on each side. I thought I might have to drop down to 5 pounds to complete the reps but I was able to maintain my form with the 10s so I kept them!!!

Screen shot 2013-01-17 at 8.06.42 AM — stop here!

I noticed in the video that my bottom half curls look like they go past my waist – here is where I tried to stop them each time. (and also where I started and ended the top half curls)

My hip was feeling fine even after I ran Tuesday so I decided to go ahead and run again today. (It has been 6.5 weeks since the DR said nothing for 8 weeks – CLOSE ENOUGH!!!)

Today I ran 7 miles in 50:35 and then did an easy 2 to cool down. (On my treadmill all at 1.5% incline.) It feels so good to really run again!!! I know that I should back off and run easier but I just love the feeling of a good, hard, fast run!!! I have MISSED it!!! And now, once again – I AM A RUNNER!!! All is right with the world (at least my world!!!)!!

Running makes me as happy as being on the beach (it is a really close call, though!!!).

I heard the funniest story on the way home from taking Hunter to school. A teacher has sued a school board because she has a fear of children and had to quit her job after being transferred to a middle school. Story here. Very odd choice of professions for someone who has an intense fear of children!! People make me laugh sometimes!!!

Happy Wednesday!!! (I have the whole day to catch up on things -now that I’m done with my long-term sub job!!)

Kim

Fitness, Quad, Squats

WooHoo – Everyone’s Healthy!!!

January 16, 2013 Kim 2 Comments

Jordan went back to school- Yippee!! He said he was about 99% this morning so hopefully he will make it through the day and won’t have a relapse!!!

For my 43 I worked my quads (in a big way!!!). I did a sumo stomp!!

Oh, wait – that isn’t one of the pictures Hunter took (thankfully!!!).

Start in a squat –

Stick your butt back further - come on!! — Stick your butt back further – come on!!

Lift your right leg as high as you can (while staying in squat) and then lift your left leg to complete 1 rep. Continue for desired number of reps (43 for me).

Hunter - take the picture already - this is hard!!! — Hunter – take the picture already – this is hard!!!

And one more shot:

Yes - it is necessary to look like a dork!!! — Yes – it is necessary to look like a dork!!!

Even though I managed, yet again, to look like a total goof – the exercise was great!!! By holding the squat for 43 right leg lifts and 43 left leg lifts, my quads were a shaky, jelloy mess. (I’m not sure jelloy is a word – but you know what I mean!!!)

So, I wanted to work my legs even more (crazy!) so I did Les Mills Combat – Combat 45 Kata. Since I have done this work-out before, today I was able to really go hard-core with it!! That means lots of jumping kicks were involved!!! 45 minutes was over and done with before I knew it!!!

I’m actually a little sad – this afternoon is probably my last day working in the library! I have really enjoyed my time with the kids at the school (not Hunter’s school) I have been at. Plus, being a librarian or library aide is pretty great!!!

One more bit of library humor: