Category Archives: 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

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Squats

The Power of ONE

July 9, 2013 Kim 37 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a move that I knew was going to be included in my workout (with over 150 reps!!!) – I figured that an extra 43 would be good for me – sometimes I’m sort-of ~~stupid~~ crazy like that!!!

I used my barbell –

and did squats.

get ready - once again eyes closed to prep!! — get ready – once again eyes closed to prep!!

And, just to show that I really do know to put all my weight in my butt (even though the picture above looks like I’m tilting forward) –

I prefer doing the pictures before I work out (when I’m a little fresher!!) but today these were after my 43 squats and after my workout so my legs were shot!!!

I did Body Pump – Pump Revolution which is almost an hour of lifting (high reps!). There was a second when I first got up that I thought about doing the workout as planned but using lighter weights. However, I decided that doesn’t help me accomplish what I’m trying to achieve which is to get stronger. So, I pushed myself with heavy weights and now I’m glad I did!!

Today was also Beach Boot Camp – the workout was fun and different – it was partly inspired by my love of Turbo Fire and partly inspired by the current month (July!!). I just included 7 moves (since July is the 7th month) that we did for 13 reps (2013!!) and then we repeated the circuit. We only made it through 5 sets today (appointments for some) but the goal would be 7 sets!!

When Jordan and I left the swim beach after the workout (he has gone to all of the beach boot camps except 1 – last Friday because he was wiped out after a late night of fireworks Thursday night), I told him I was a little bummed that only 1 person (besides he and I) came to workout this morning. His response –

Not gonna lie – it was a proud moment for me!!! Not because of the workout but because he has the wisdom as a 14 year-old to realize that making a difference in the life of one person is just as important as making a difference in the lives of 100s of people!!!

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in thinking that I need to try and get more people to come to boot camp or in trying to grow my blog that I forget what really matters.

Boot camp is just something that I thought would be fun this summer (and it has been!!). What I didn’t realize when I started was how much I would enjoy the days that Jordan goes with me and participates in my class!!

So, even if I only have a few people in some classes (I know that lots of people are on vacation and 6 am is just too early for some to get up in the summer!!) – Boot Camp has been a huge success because it has been good for Jordan (and for me!!).

And, I know that my blog won’t ever affect that many people but if even just one person feels better after reading my blog than I am happy!!! (Occasionally that person is me, because the act of writing things down makes me feel better sometimes.)

So, no matter how many people you come in contact with during the day, remember that making one person smile or feel better about themselves is enough!!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Kim

Butt, Core, Fitness, Quad, Shoulders

A Driving Rant

June 29, 2013 Kim 25 Comments

Today’s 43 was HARD!!! I got the move from Tamara at Fitknitchick. She demoed a workout that included 5 favorite ab moves so I used one of the moves – the Surrender Squat.

Start standing with a dumbbell held in both hands overhead (I used a 10 pound DB). Kneel down – left knee, right knee – then stand – left leg, right leg – repeat leading with your right leg = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1AYVR2p4ak’]

43 of these were no joke!!! And, I agree that these work your abs/core but you will also feel the move in your shoulders (from holding the DB overhead), your quads and your butt. Try it – just a few will have you shaking!!

I decided to take another day off since I start Boot Camp up again on Monday – gotta be ready with some great workouts!!!

After 2 long days of driving in the past week, I have a few issues to vent about!!! These signs are posted for a reason!!! I’m rarely the slow driver – and when I have to pass someone that is just putting along in the left lane it drives me crazy!!!In fact, I think I will make my own sign for our next road trip!!! Maybe we could start a system where all idiot drivers have one lane and the rest of us can have the other lane to ourselves!!! So, clearly I have a huge issue with people who just take up space in the left lane – especially when it means I have to hit my break and take off my cruise control because of them!And, don’t even get me started on people who think that driving is a game!!! It’s not a game and I don’t want to play with you on the highway!!!It’s called cruise control – try it – I promise it will make your driving life (and mine!) so much better!!! I hate it when the same car and I go back and forth 20 times!! I know that I’m driving the same speed because I love cruise control – please don’t pass me then slow down and let me pass you over and over!! And the person who thinks they can zip up to the front of the line waiting to merge – I’m pretty much never going to let them in front of me. If I had to wait in line because of the no passing sign then they should have waited, also!!!Really?! Yesterday, on more than one occasion, I ended up behind 2 trucks – both going the same speed but taking up the whole road. WHY???? People who leave their turn signals on forever don’t annoy me as much as drivers who NEVER use their turn signal! Turn signals are a great driving device – they should get lots of use!!! Especially if you feel the need to change lanes and cut right in front of me!!!

I feel much better now that I got all of my driving frustration off of my chest!!!

What highway driving issues annoy you?

Here is a little clip with my least favorite part of the drive home from Abilene, TX. There is a huge bridge that looks like you are going to drive off of the edge of the earth and it pretty much freaks me out every time!!! (Jordan entertained himself filming this!)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sxpGKC7hGE’]

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

BOSU, Butt, Fitness, Lunges, Quad, Squats

Mottos

June 19, 2013 Kim 32 Comments

Today’s 43 had my legs burning!!! I used one of my favorite pieces of equipment:

I started with both feet on the BOSU – did a squat

then stepped my left leg behind into a curtsey lunge.

After 43 on the first side, I didn’t know if I would be able to do another set with the other leg because my quads were burning!! However, I don’t want to be unbalanced so – 43 more!!

I think the hardest part was the little squat in between each lunge – basically, the leg that stayed on the BOSU was working the entire time!!!

6:00 am Boot Camp was a lot of toning work with just a few cardio bursts in between! We used resistance bands and I’m pretty sure that my shoulders will be sore tomorrow!!

And, I’m still doing Insanity Asylum – but only 2 more days left!!!! Today was Back to Core (probably the “easiest” one of the whole program!) and Relief – 25 minutes of stretching. I did the whole stretching one even though it’s not my favorite – I might have entertained myself with my phone but I still stretched!!!

Lots of people have a motto (or even many mottos that they live by). Some mottos apply only to part of one’s life while others can cover everything.

I think that sometimes people have a motto that “sums” them up in just a few words – the following is one that I love!And, sometimes a motto is something that you are trying to achieve in your life.

Even kids have mottos – that they apply to their lives.

Life is like a cube - you just have to solve it. — Life is like a cube – you just have to solve it.

Life is like a cookie - sometimes it crumbles. — Life is like a cookie – sometimes it crumbles.

Look at the big picture - Will this matter in 10 years? — Look at the big picture – Will this matter in 10 years?

I’ve been trying to decide if I have a specific motto that I live by. I think if I had to pick one thing (other than Suck it up Buttercup!!), I would say –

Always do YOUR best!!!!!

Do you have a motto (or mottos) that you live by?

Happy Wednesday!!!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness, Lunges, Quad, Shoulders

How do you Know if you Are Pushing Too Hard?

June 17, 2013 Kim 45 Comments

Today I went with a basketball inspired 43 in honor of the NBA Finals! We (all but Jordan) are rooting for the Spurs!!!

The move requires a medicine ball (I used an 8 pound ball), or you could use a dumbbell, and has several parts:

lunge forward with right leg
pass ball under right leg
lunge back with right leg
pass ball under left leg
bring feet together
jump and press ball overhead

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zD5fdvqdiY’]

After completing 43 as listed above, I had to switch and do the lunges with my left leg for another set!

This was really a great combo 43 – worked my quads, calves, shoulders and even my upper back some work – plus because I moved fairly quickly, I got my heart rate up!!!

I woke up around 4:30 this morning to a pretty heavy rain so I wasn’t sure if anyone would come to Boot Camp this morning. However, since today’s workout was at my house, we had the garage option (necessary today since not only was it raining, there was some thunder and lightening!). I had a few show up and we had a good workout. Today we did a really fun workout – Tabata Boot Camp!!!

After that I had Insanity Asylum – and I was sort-of dreading it today. Today was Game Day (60 minutes of every possible sport) and Overtime (15 minutes designed to ~~kill~~ really challenge you). Game Day actually goes pretty quickly because you keep changing the sport (really it’s just moves that might be used in different sports). And, I felt like I accomplished way more in Overtime today than last week – but the moves are still beyond brutal!!!!

I feel like the past few weeks, I have been living by the above motto. Doing Insanity with Shaun T – you hear the phrase “Dig Deeper” a LOT!!! And, even though I’m in my basement living room with no one around (except Jordan who usually watches me to make sure I don’t ~~die~~ cheat) I feel like I have to push a little harder every time I hear those words. Move my feet faster, jump higher, eek out a few more push-ups – doesn’t matter what it is, I just try to push myself even more!!

I agree that you have to work hard to become who you want to be but at what point do you decide that maybe you need to back off just a little? Do you have to change your goals and “settle” for less or do you just change the time-line for your goals?

We see quotes like the one above, or hear fitness professionals telling us to push as hard as we can and then push just a little harder. But sometimes you need to hear –

We all have different limits and amounts that we can tolerate. I like to push myself hard almost everyday. By pushing hard – I mean to the point of saying “I’m done. I can’t do another _________ (rep, lap, mile, whatever).”

For others, pushing hard is something that can only occasionally be tolerated either because of health/injury or sometimes because of not being mentally prepared for the pain of pushing your limits. And, there are some, who are willing to work but only to a certain level and have absolutely zero desire to push themselves any harder. Pushing too hard for too long can lead to overtraining or burn-out. (click the link for a great article in Runner’s World about overtraining).

I’m pretty sure if you look, or even feel, like thisthen it is probably time to ease up and give yourself a little slack.

So, just because you see or hear the message to push harder all the time, remember to do what is right for you and your own personal limits. Sometimes you feel weak because you have pushed harder than you should and it is time to back off a little. It’s all about knowing your body and listening to the messages it gives you!!