Category Archives: Plank

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

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, Plank, Shoulders

A Few Fun Facts

October 23, 2013 Kim 81 Comments

Today I took the basic plank and turned it into a great 44. This move include core strength, hip flexor action and shoulder work.

Put your right hand down while stepping your right leg back (to plank position), put left hand down while stepping left leg back – step in with right leg and take right hand off the ground, step in with left leg while taking left hand off the ground. (Just watch the video!!!)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMNBjmPP178′]

The only bad part of using this for my 44 was that after I finished all 44, I had to start over and lead with my left side!!!

Today I went back to one of my favorite workouts – Les Mills Combat – Combat 60, Extreme Cardio Fighter. This workout is almost an hour but doesn’t feel like it – the way it is broken into segments and the high energy of the Les Mills team make the time fly by. I can already feel it in my shoulders and upper back (been awhile since I did that many punches!!).

I thought that it would be fun to share some random things you might not already know about me.

1. I lived in the dorm all 4 years of college.

2. From kindergarten to my senior year of high school, I attended 9 different schools. (In 8th grade alone, I went to 3 different schools).

3. I have a twin brother and my dad had a twin sister.

4. I have Raynaud’s –

After I finish working out my hands are always freezing and turn white (almost transparent). I wear gloves with shorts a lot – I’m super cool like that!!!

5. I didn’t lift weights or cross train until I was in my mid-30s. Now I can’t imagine my life without a huge variety of workouts!

6. I like Mac & Cheese for lunch (even when there are no kids around!!).

7. I might have a slight shoe addiction!!! One day someone asked me how many pairs of shoes/boots/sandals…I had – Ummm…..we try not to actually count them!!!!

Not my closet - I wish, though!!! — Not my closet – I wish, though!!!

8. I rarely wear make-up – just some mascara and lip stick (maybe).

9. I used to be the Queen of the Snooze button!

I would literally hit the snooze button for over an hour – everyday!!! Not sure why I always thought that the next morning would be the day I would actually got up early but….

When I went back to work after both boys were in school, it was the first time in my entire life that I didn’t hit the snooze button. Now I never use the snooze button.

10. I think I was around 27 before I ever really drank water (other than just a sip or 2). I used to drink Diet Coke ALL DAY long!!!

Your turn to share a fun random fact!!!

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Lunges, Plank

Autopilot

August 26, 2013 Kim 60 Comments

Today’s 43 was great because it worked my entire body!!! The move includes a knee lift, lunge, plank and a big step.

Start by standing on your left foot and lift your right knee – lunge back with your right leg and place both hands on the ground – step your left foot back so that you are in plank – bring left foot back in between hands – stand lifting your right knee = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7CdkGEA0jc’]

I think the balance part was the hardest part of this move!! After completing the first set of 43, I had to switch legs and do another set!!!

I pulled out a DVD that I don’t do often but it is a great workout – Reebok Boot Camp. This workout is made up of a warm-up, 4 full-body boot camp style workouts, an ab section and a cool down to give a pretty solid hour workout. I like it because it includes some of everything – toning, core and cardio.

Ever feel like you are on autopilot? I do!!! Saturday when I got in my car to drive home from Texas, I feel like I flipped a switch to autopilot

and now I can’t figure out how to disengage!!!

All day yesterday, I felt like I was just going through the motions – workout? check, blog? check, meals? check, tutor? check.

At the beginning of this year (2013) I said that my main goal for the year was to live in the moment and enjoy every minute. Well, to do that I have to figure out how to turn the autopilot switch off again!!!

I look around at the huge amount of things I need to get done today and this week and think that I need to start by making some lists and prioritizing.

#1 I think that I will get dinner going in the crock pot so I don’t have to think about it all day!!!#2 And, maybe if I sneak over to the swim beach for an hour or so, I can relax a little and come back focused and ready to tackle everything!!!

Yep – I think that the only way to get back on track is to spend a little time in the sun!!! After that I can move on to #3, #4……

Ever get stuck on autopilot? What do you do to get back in control?

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Plank, Quad

Keeping Cool

July 17, 2013 Kim 35 Comments

Today’s 43 was a knee lift to a pivot lunge. I like moves like this that are good strengthening moves but also really challenge my balance!

To do the move: lift your right knee – pivot to the back corner – lunge – push off of the lunging foot – pivot back to front – tap toe and repeat (x 43). And, then because no one wants to be lopsided – switch and do the same on with the left leg.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNOvH9owfaY’]

You can pretty much do whatever you want to with your arms – you can see that mine just sort of flail around trying to help me keep my balance!

6 am Boot Camp was the ABC workout again – even though we just did this last week, most of my group was on vacation and missed it so I brought it back today!!! Plus, I like this one!!! It was sort-of rough just because the humidity is out of control so breathing was hard for everyone.

I also did my 2nd round of Taylor’s challenge!! I didn’t collapse onto the floor during it or even after but I wanted to! The whole workout only takes about 30 minutes but it is intense and AWESOME!!!

I’m sure that my next line won’t make me popular but I’m cool with that – I LOVE THE HEAT OF SUMMER!!! I’m one of those people that ~~might~~ complains a ~~little~~ lot during the winter about the cold. And if it snows and ices – don’t get me started!!! But during the summer, I’m completely in my element and happy!!!

However, not everyone shares my point of view!! The boys and I spend lots of time at the swim beach and different pools. This summer they have also spent a lot of time outside playing basketball. During the afternoons they have to sort-of limit how long at a time they can be outside.

Unless…….

there is water involved!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCNHIak4aSs’]

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDmjgDSwLs8′]

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbJ1RjY95q8′]

We are classy for sure!!! But the main thing is – 3 hours of basketball, running around and the dry grass got some water without anyone suffering heat stroke!!

I sat in the shade and read blogs, took pictures and enjoyed being outside even though I was sweating because there was zero breeze – a perfect afternoon in our world!!!

Happy Wednesday!!!

Kim

Day With KT