Category Archives: Fitness

Is it Play or is it Exercise???

January 10, 2013 Kim 1 Comment

My 43 (entire work-out actually) involved this piece of equipment:

Would that count as true exercise or is it just child’s play? I’m going to say it was a work-out!!! (BTW – if you look at the picture closely you can see how beat up my little mini-tramp is. I have had it since college – 20+ years!!)

I got up (at 5:00am) planning to just do 43 star jumps on my little mini tramp – no big deal!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGLDTKwF-z4′]

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

(You get to see both boys because neither wanted to be left out of the fun!!)

Anyway, a couple jumps in I decided that 43 would be way to easy!!! So, I did what anyone would do and did 43 sets of 43 jumps with 43 little jogging steps on the tramp in between each set. By the end I decided that even though it was mostly fun – it was definitely exercise and a great work-out. In fact, it was interval training at it’s finest!!! For the star jumps I really pushed my arms out and up which helped get my heart rate up. The little jog was enough to recover slightly but not drop my heart rate entirely.

Things I learned during this play/exercise session:

All those big jumps at my age are a little scary!!
If I watched my reflection in the black TV screen it helped me keep my balance!
Play can be a great work-out!
43 sets of 43 jumps = 1849 total star jumps!!!
I can do things like this without falling off and breaking any bones (at least on this particular day!).

I’m happy that I changed my original plan and turned this into an interval work-out! Fun times!!!

Yesterday after the funeral for Chris’ aunt we went to the hospital to see another aunt and uncle of his. His uncle had heart surgery on Monday. He had one of his heart valves replaced with the valve from:

Yep – from a pig!!! Crazy!!! He is still in the CCU but hopefully not for much longer. His kids, Chris’ cousins (and their spouses) were full of pig jokes!!!

The wonders of modern science!!! I’m still trying to wrap my head around having part of a pig in your heart.

On that note – Happy Thursday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Exercise Fun with My Boys!!!

January 9, 2013 Kim 4 Comments

Today’s 43 was a true breeze (compared to yesterday!!!) It was a great exercise to really work deep into the abs – the especially obliques!

The move: sit on a stability ball with hands clasped behind head. Alternate opposite knee to elbow (like an oblique crunch on the floor but you have to work harder to maintain your balance on the ball = bonus core work!!!). I counted 1 rep as a right knee lift and left knee lift – 43 each side!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4olEhbnJlRg’]

Here’s Jordan’s best attempt – you can hear Hunter cackling in the background – not sure why he was laughing so much at Jordan trying the move since he had even more trouble!!! Funny boys!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-rWAhx7MPg’]

The boys were silly for sure – the longer they tried the move the more they laughed. I just kept filming them because I love when they are having fun and laughing (especially the true, deep gut laughs)!!! Plus, they were getting extra reps with each demo!!! (sneaky Mom)

I did another day of Les Mills Combat – Combat 45. This one was fun – I will like it more when I learn it a little better and when I’m back to being able to do all the moves at the highest impact level!!!

This afternoon we will see a lot of Chris’ family – sadly it is for a funeral. (One of Chris’ aunts passed away Sunday evening.) It’s always good to see his extended family but I like it better when the occasion is a reunion or graduation party or some other fun event.

Off to a 1/2 day at the library – sad when they need a sub for the sub!!!

Happy Wednesday!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness, Push-Ups, Squats

Love the Feeling AFTER you Complete a Brutal Work-Out!!!

January 8, 2013 Kim 12 Comments

Today’s 43 is one that I have put off for almost a week!! Hunter helped me make the demo last Wednesday before we all went back to school. Last night I decided that today would be the day!!! (I know that intro makes all y’all want to read more so that you can hurry up and do the exercise!!!)

The move:

burpee with push-up
jump up to squat
in squat jump and turn 180 degrees
burpee with push-up
jump up to squat
in squat jump and turn 180 degrees (to start)

The above is 1 rep!!! To complete my 43, I actually had to do 86 burpees, 86 push-ups, and 86 squat-jump-turns!!! Painful!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtBPSB1xiDo’]

I actually broke this 43 into groups of 5 – after each set I took about a 30 second break – cheating? Maybe – but necessary to complete all of these with good form! (all push-ups on toes!)

For the rest of my work-out I decided to go with another day of Les Mills Combat. I like to follow the guide the first time through a program so the next work-out was Power HIIT 1. (a disclaimer – I’m not a lawyer – obviously!!!) That saying was running through my head as I did this new (to me) work-out. The first part was strength – not too bad. The second half – at least 30 more burpees with push-ups and squat jumps – REALLY???? Then….the Les Mills crew challenged us to add a tuck jump after each burpee!!! (I stuck to the squat jumps today!)

BRUTAL in every way – but I did it!!!!!

I might have looked a little like this dude when I finished – a wet, limp noodle!!! However, I showered and got ready for another day at the library – rockin’ another pair of boots today so it’s all good!!

Today is my niece, Bailey’s, birthday!! A huge birthday shout-out!!!

Bailey, I hope today is awesome!!! Maybe Tim (her dad – my twin brother) will get you a car!!! Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Tuesday (or Happy Birthday if today happens to be your birthday!)!!

Kim

Calves, Fitness, Thighs

It’s Monday – Let’s Do This!!!

January 7, 2013 Kim 9 Comments

Today the daily 43 was bright and early!!! This one was actually fairly easy – yea!!! (gotta have that every once in awhile in order to really appreciate the big challenges!!!)

The move today was a plie squat – on your toes the entire time!!! My calves and inner thighs will thank me later!

Thanks, Jordan! (you don’t look like a dork at all!!!) I tried to make sure that I kept all of my weight in my butt and centered (not leaning forward). Fun 43!

Back before Christmas, I got my newest work-out program in the mail – Les Mills Combat. I didn’t start right away because I really have been trying to let my stress fracture heal even if I ~~occasionally~~ most of the time, bend the rules! However, yesterday, I read a review over at Melinda’s Fitness Blog and decided that I couldn’t wait any longer!!!

This morning I went through the Basic DVD – mostly just an intro and learning proper technique for all of the punches, kicks, etc. Then I did Combat 30: Kick Start. I did enjoy it but I think I will like it even more after I do it a couple of times so that I don’t miss anything! Should be a really great program – looking forward to getting some of my cardio groove back!!!

I’m so excited about the new season of Biggest Loser!!! One of my favorite shows ever! Especially with my favorite trainer!

Well – I’m off to start a busy week!!! Hopefully it is a great week for y’all!

Happy Monday!!

Kim

PS – in case any one wondered (or cared – or even thought about it!!) – through all of the plastic bin schlepping, tree untrimming, shelves crashing and shelf building – I didn’t break a single nail!!!! Success and happiness!!!

Butt, Circuit, Fitness

Epic Shelving Disaster!!!

January 6, 2013 Kim 6 Comments

The 43 today had to be lower body because my upper body is sore!!! I did an exercise to work my butt and quads plus a bonus core work-out!!

The move started with a front kick

right into a back kick

This was one of those great exercises where I did 43 with my left leg and then immediately did a second set of 43 with my right leg. I tried to barely tap my toe in between kicks so that I could get the extra core work trying to keep my balance.

The rest of my work-out today was the 12 Days of Fitness. Today was the final day so I decided to take it a step further – I did the entire thing 5x through! It was a great work-out!!! I did it like a circuit and just kept moving from one exercise to the next. My heart rate was way up there!!!

If you haven’t clicked over to check the plan out, here it is. (Gina at the Fitnessista always has great work-outs like this on her site!!!)

Day 12 12 Sumo Burpees
Day 11 11 Weighted Squats (25 pound DBs for me)
Day 10 10 Overhead Press (15 pound DBs for me)
Day 9 9 Lateral Lunges – each side (25 pound DBs for me)
Day 8 8 Bicep Curls (15 pound DBs for me)
Day 7 7 Triceps Dips
Day 6 6 Pull-Ups (assisted ones for me – used a step stool)
Day 5 5 Frog Crunches
Day 4 4 Toe Touches – each side
Day 3 3 Mountain Climbers – each side
Day 2 2 Push-Ups
Day 1 1 Minute Plank (arms extended)

It really didn’t take long to go through the whole set (less than 5 minutes) – the weights really got my heart rate going. Bonus – 5 total minutes in plank today!!!

Yesterday while putting up all of the Christmas stuff, I had a ~~minor~~ ~~large~~ DISASTER of EPIC proportion!!! I have a few cookbooks and all of them were on the jankity shelves in our storage room so that I could have Christmas decorations (Santas) everywhere!!!

I was stacking a plastic tub full of Christmas stuff in the corner by the shelves and this happened:

It was scary because I could see the shelves going down but I couldn’t do anything to stop it except jump back out of the way so that I didn’t get buried alive!!! Because the shelves contained a lot of other ~~crap~~ stuff and some of it was breakable and I heard that awful shattering noise over my loud screams! I had to keep the boys back because I didn’t want any cut feet in addition to the mess. They were troopers though – I pulled books out and they carried them upstairs – lots and lots of trips upstairs!!

Many hours later, after a trip to the store and more teamwork on the part of the boys and myself, our storage room looked like this:

Check out the new – STURDY – shelves put together by yours truly!

New Shelves - built by me! — New Shelves

We might have a bit of Christmas decorations – can’t help it – I love Christmas!!!

6 trees boxed & stacked1 $5 garage sale bargain tree left out! — 6 trees, boxed & stacked
1 $5 garage sale bargain tree left out!

Today I just need to get a few more of the green bins (I decided that if I had to reorganize I might as well color coordinate!!!) and then I think the room will be done!

Last night we had the privilege of watching a friend’s 6 month old little boy while they went to a winter party. Fun times!!! Always a joy to get in a little baby time!

Happy Sunday – hopefully no disasters ahead!!!

Kim

Day With KT