Category Archives: Quad

It’s Time to Stop Trying to be Accepted

August 11, 2013 Kim 32 Comments

Today’s 43 was one of my favorite kinds – a combo move!!! This one worked my lower body, upper body and core (balance) – it was awesome!!!

I did a side lunge –

and then pushed off my right foot to a knee lift with a shoulder press –

press to right knee up with shoulder press

After completing 43 on my right side, I had to switch sides!!

By the end I was really feeling this move. I used a 10 pound dumbbell and my shoulders were burning plus I was breathing hard since I combined upper and lower body.

I decided to take the day off from working out – I’m hoping to get in a couple of long runs this next week so I need to rest my legs a little.

Last night we went to church (it’s been awhile!) and the message was really good!! The main point was that we don’t have to try so hard to be accepted because we have already been accepted just the way we are!!

What a freeing thought to know that we are fine as we are and don’t have to try to fit any set mold or preconceived idea of what we “should” be. I think it is easy to becomes so focused on trying to be the person that we think others want us to be that we lose sight of who we really are.

We need to remember that what we do, what we wear, where we live – none of those things are what really matter. The person that we are is what matters and what makes us special!!!

And, because we are accepted for who we are, we need to accept others. Everyone is worth love, kindness and respect!!!

A simple friendly gesture can go a long way in helping someone around us feel accepted! The majority of people want to feel accepted by others and sometimes a little kindness and respect on our part is all it takes to help them.

When we truly respect other people it is obvious in the way we treat them!

This was a powerful lesson for me and one that I plan to remember every day! There have been many times when I have felt that I had to do something to be accepted but really I just need to be me and treat ALL those around me with respect, kindness and love.

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Biceps, Butt, Core, Fitness, Quad, Shoulders

Jordan

August 3, 2013 Kim 31 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a move that worked my entire body!! I used my stability ball and a pair of 12 pound dumbbells and did a squat with a bicep curl to a shoulder press. Here are the steps:

From the starting position, the right leg will squat while the left leg pushes the ball out to the side.

Stand while pulling left leg back in to body – curl weights and press overhead.

By adding the side leg movement, I was able to get my heart rate up while working on my balance (always good for the core!).

Of course, I couldn’t let my left leg be left out!!!

2 sets of 43 – my shoulders were on fire by the time I finished all those presses!!!

Today was the 3rd and final day of the “Stronger by the Minute” workout this week. I’m enjoying this little 6 week challenge series with Taylor because the idea of repeating the same workout 3 times in a week and trying to improve each time is right up my alley!! I love the self-competition!!!

From the first time completing this week’s workout until today, I improved each time on all 3 circuits – 2 of the circuits I was able to improve by over a full round!!!

The third circuit consists of 4 different burpees (all HARD), with 5 reps of each – as many rounds as possible in 6 minutes. 6 minutes doesn’t seem like much until you spend the entire 6 minutes doing burpees!!!! Today I did 56 burpees in that time!!!

Most of the time when you see Jordan, you see his great smile!!!

My firstborn is fixing to be in high school (and he can drive!) and I could not be more proud of him!!! He is a young man who truly cares about everyone around him!!

Things like school talent shows cause him stress because he feels bad for the kids who perform that really aren’t that good. While his buddies or other kids in the audience are snickering he totally empathizes with the person on stage!! He is the same way when we watch any of the singing/talent shows at home – instead of laughing, he feels bad for them!

He goes out of his way to make sure that everyone around him is happy or content. If there are limited chairs somewhere, he is usually the first to offer his chair. When his friends are trying to decide what to do he is content to let them decide – he is agreeable to just about anything.

Even though he isn’t the guy trying to have his way all the time, he is very much his own person. If you know Jordan personally (or have read my blog for awhile) you know that Jordan wears all white every day!! His standard “uniform” consists of white Nike shorts and white Nike T-shirt (plus white Nikes). I just restocked (in a bigger size) his white wardrobe for next year – took numerous stores and some driving but well worth the time!!! I love the fact that he is unique and content to be different!!!

This summer, Jordan has pretty much taken over cleaning up after every meal. Not because we told him he has to – he just likes it!!! Pretty amazing!

I know that I’m a little biased but I think that Jordan is an incredible young man!! It is truly one of the biggest joys of my life to watch him grow up. I know these next 4 years are going to fly by and I intend to treasure every minute that I can with my sweet boy!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Squats

Real Life vs Vacation Life

August 2, 2013 Kim

I’m being featured over at Jennifer’s blog Wine to Weightlifting today!!! She has a really great blog and does Friday spotlights – check it out if you get a chance!!

Today for my 43 I did squats with my barbell (20 pounds). Instead of just doing a standard squat, I stayed in the squat position the entire time –

From the squat position, I alternated lifting my right leg and holding it up –

I put my right leg down (staying in a squat position still) and lifted my left leg and held it:

I counted a right leg up and left leg up as one rep – my quads were burning (and I was breathing HARD) by the time I finished all 43.

And, today I did something I rarely do – I repeated yesterday’s workout. I’m trying to get in all 3 rounds of Taylor’s weekly challenge after a late start this week. It was HARD today because I’m so sore from yesterday. Pretty sure the combat push-ups are what did it, or maybe the million burpees, or……

Anyway, even being sore, I was able to get more reps in all 3 circuits today. I hope I can increase again when I do the 3rd round tomorrow!

Yesterday was our first day home in almost 2 weeks and it was non-stop!!! Chris had to work – big drill weekend to get ready for.

I got both boys enrolled for the new school year. It is funny here – we have to enroll on-line and then you go up to the school and go through lines to take care of the rest of it. I now officially have a 7th grader and a freshman!!!

Jordan started band camp yesterday and will have that every day from now until school starts (August 13).

We went shopping for Hunter’s school supplies – thankfully we only had to go to Target for everything!!

New shoes for both boys (and I might have gotten another pair of tennis shoes, too!!!).

Orthodontist appointment for Hunter.

Pretty sure that I could do with another vacation!!!

I miss my "office" view!! — I miss my “office” view!!

I guess there is nothing like a day of reality to make you appreciate the peace of vacation even more!!!

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Lunges, Quad

Sleep: It’s Optional

July 26, 2013 Kim 52 Comments

Today’s 43 was an angle lunge. That is exactly what it sounds like – a lunge at an angle.

Start with feet together –

Lunge right leg to the right front angle –

right lunge – don’t forget to close your eyes

Quickly step right foot back and then lunge left leg to the left front angle –

I counted a right and left lunge as 1 rep so it was 43 lunges per leg. By moving quickly back and forth, I also got my heart rate up while doing these!

I thought about running but with the sand workouts lately, my Achilles is really sore so I will wait on that. Instead I did Les Mills Combat – Combat 45 – one of my all time favorite workouts!!!

So, I had already decided before we came on vacation that I was going to give myself permission to sleep in while we were here. At home I’m always up ~~at the butt crack of dawn~~ by 5:15 (often earlier) so I came here planning to really make up for lost sleep.

However, since we have been in Florida I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten even less sleep than I do at home!!

At home I have
However, since we’ve been here that has gone out the window (literally since we are outside all the time!)!!

It has been fun to be up past 10 pm (yep we are old and in bed by 10 almost every night!)!! We have set out on the deck and listened to the waves while catching up with friends – it has been awesome!!

The only problem is that I haven’t really been able to sleep in that much – by 7 we are usually up and going! Add that to the fact that I spend several hours in the middle of the night awake –

So, I have just decided that sleep is completely optional!!!

But who needs sleep when I can see this?

Even without much sleep being at the beach is very relaxing! My true happy place!!

Where is your happy place?
Do you sleep better or worse on vacation?

Happy Friday!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Running, Squats

Sometimes we Indulge – Sometimes we Overindulge – Looking for Moderation

July 22, 2013 Kim 53 Comments

Today’s 43 was a play on one that Nellie featured for one of her Weekly Wednesday workouts. She showed a split squat with a side kick this past week. I don’t have my step here but we have stairs!!!

I stood on the 2nd step and did a squat then pushed up into a side leg raise. Not gonna lie, about 15 in I started wishing that I had used the bottom step – oh, well gotta make up for yesterday!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmz70luvMZw’]

Even though I only did 1 side for the demo, you know I had to do 43 with the other leg – I just didn’t want to film my backside!!! This move was great for burning out my quads and my hips!!!

After that I headed outside to take advantage of the beauty all around me!! I ran 4 miles (8:37 pace) and walked an easy 1/4 mile cool down. It wasn’t too hot yet (around 80) but it was muggy – I was dripping with in the first 5 minutes!!!

I’m one of those people who doesn’t ever completely deny myself things. If I want a piece of candy,I usually go ahead and have it.

When I go shopping, I might come home with

Sometimes I even buy stuff that we really need!! (Pretty much I love to shop!!)

And, we all know that I enjoy an evening

So, I don’t really have a problem with indulging in things! However, I know my personality and I also know that if I’m not careful I can easily overindulge.

I may have consumed more than 1 candy bar in a setting before. I might have shopped all day and bought a ton of stuff that we don’t really need. And, on very rare occasions, I might have more cocktails than I should.

Each time that I overindulge, whether it is with food, shopping, cocktails, sometimes even with working out, I remember why it is so important to practice moderation in all things. I don’t beat myself up, I just remind myself – I try to practice moderation on a daily basis. Sometimes I overdo certain things (like feeling the need to run 5 hours!!!) but overall I try to live a life of moderation in all things!!!

Do you ever overindulge? Do you beat yourself up or just remind yourself of why moderation is the key?

This week I plan to indulge (possibly over-indulge) in the beach and sleeping (very rare for me to not get up early anymore but I’m going to try and catch up)!!

Happy Monday!!! I’m off to the beach!!

Kim

Day With KT