Category Archives: Quad

Friday Fun Laughs

June 14, 2013 Kim 37 Comments

Today’s 43 was one of Hunter’s creations – I think sometimes he wants to see how hard he can push me!!!! He does a couple and calls it quits but I have to do 43. Oh, well – I like the challenge!!!

So, the move was a skater with a side push-up with one leg back and one knee bent.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5ZL-ukGm6s’]

Try them – it was a fun move (for about 20)!!! I counted each push-up as 1 so maybe I cheated because I didn’t do 43 each side but I think 43 total was enough with this move!!!

Then it was Boot Camp time. This morning I just did the 6 am in my backyard. (Last Friday I did 6 and 7:15!!!) I’m really happy that the hot weather this week has meant no more wet grass for boot camp – so much nicer!!!

Today’s Insanity Asylum workout was Back to Core. Jordan decided to do this with me instead of just sit and watch (and critique) me. I think it was good for him – he did about 25-30% and was dying. And, I told him this is the “easiest” one in the program. Now he knows that just because watching it is easy, doing the workout is another thing completely. He said he will try some more so that he can build up – Good Plan!!! I try to have fun no matter what I’m doing – some days and some events are a little harder than others to find the fun!!

YIKES!!! Don’t want that – better just laugh out loud!!!

So – I don’t really think anyone is an idiot but this made me laugh!!!

Sponge Bob knows how to laugh – and he laughs often (and annoyingly!!!).

Almost every day – often while running!!! And then I always do the quick check to see if anyone saw me about bite the ground!!!

These things always entertain me (and because I’m sort-of anal I won’t quit looking until I can figure it out!!).

I couldn’t do this without going really slow – and I rarely say things slowly!!! (even then it took a lot of tries!!)

This just made me laugh because I’m usually the one that asks a stupid question like “what are you doing?” when it totally obvious what someone is doing!!!

And, I don’t know why this picture cracked me up so much but it did!! Maybe because it is sort of true.

Happy Fun Friday – I hope you have lots of joy and laughter today!!!!

Kim

Back, Biceps, Core, Fitness, Quad, Triceps

Zumba – A Few Thoughts

June 5, 2013 Kim 57 Comments

For my 43 this morning, I did a running row. This move worked many parts of my body – back, biceps, triceps, quads and core!!!

Start by standing on your left leg with your left arm extended in front, right knee up and your right arm pulled back –

(I used a 5 pound dumbbell in my right hand.) From the start position, hinge forward from the waist and push right leg straight back while extending your right arm –

Repeat this move in a nice fluid motion – I did have a few balance checks before I reached 43. And of course, after I finished the right side, I had to get my left side.

I like combo moves because I feel like I get so much out of them!!!

I taught a 6 am boot camp class and then it was time for Insanity Asylum – Vertical Plyo. This one might be my least favorite because it has SO MUCH jumping!!! But, I will keep doing it and maybe one day it will be easier!! I decided to go ahead and double up the Insanity workouts today so I also did Relief. My new favorite – 25 minutes of stretching!!! This definitely felt good after the past few days of workouts!!!

So, last night I finally got up the nerve to try Zumba. I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned on here, but I have less than zero rhythm!!! And, my hips don’t roll, sway, swivel or any of the other moves that tend to be part of Zumba.

But, I tried it!!! Pretty sure I looked sort of like this for the entire hour – I placed myself over to one side of the room (fortunately I was near 3 ladies that were very fun and NICE) and kept my eyes on the instructor (a friend of mine who happens to ROCK at Zumba!!) the entire time.

During some of the hip moves I just sort of did my own thing because I do not have near enough coordination for hip rolls.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM4_T0FzbAs&list=PL798DD5698EFD74F4′]

Um….not so much here!!!

And, there was a lot of this – I can only imagine what the people on the treadmills (they can see into the room) think while we are doing this?!

Oh, and if you have never done Zumba, it is different from other aerobic type classes in that there is very little cuing. I had to really pay attention cause I did not want to be the only one thrusting my pelvic while everyone else was sambaing or mambaing or whatever those steps are called!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBq5J3Xph8k’]

So, even though I didn’t know the routine and couldn’t move the way some people can, I thought it was a fun workout!! The hour went quickly and I worked up a good sweat! I’m trying to force myself to occasionally get out of my comfort zone and try new things – and this definitely counts!!!

I am planning to go back next week – gotta give it a few tries!!!!

Have you tried Zumba? What are your thoughts?

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Running, Squats, Treadmill

Vein Stripping: Five Weeks Later

May 30, 2013 Kim 28 Comments

For my 43 today, I did more leg work (and a bit of core since there was a high level of balance involved!). I used my stability ball: (not the BOSU – it was just in the picture!!)I started with one foot on the ball – knee bent:

Then I did a single leg squat and slid the ball out in front of me:

And, like so many of the 43s in the past, this was a double because I want both of my legs to get equal treatment!!!

Another day of Insanity Asylum – Back to Core. Since this is my first time through the program I didn’t know what to expect from this workout – now I know that it is a LOT of controlled moves and holds!!! My upper back will be sore tomorrow for sure!!! The only equipment needed for this workout is a little band – Good times!!!

I decided to get in a little run today since this workout didn’t have much cardio (and I’ve been in a bit of a running slump) – I ran on the treadmill since it is STILL raining here! 1.5% incline – 4 miles in 30:54 + 0.25 mile cooldown

Not sure what the deal is with running lately – not super motivated. I’m trying to cut myself a little slack and push harder with other things because I don’t want running to ever become something that I dread!!Thankfully, I don’t hate running but I’m not loving it at the moment either – I have a small idea of what the problem might be. (coming up…..)

So, it has been 5 weeks since this lovely picture (the day after I had my veins stripped):

I thought I would just do a short follow up (no gross pictures today!!!) with my thoughts on the surgery. I’ve already talked about the fact that my DR completely misinformed me by not telling me all the possible results and how long the recovery could take.

Now, it has been 5 weeks and I can do all of my normal activities so that is definitely a good thing. The downside – my legs have hurt every second of the past 5 weeks!!! They don’t hurt as bad now as they did the first couple of weeks but I have a few areas on both legs that HURT all the time.

My left ankle has a huge knot right under the bone on the inside that causes my ankle to stay swollen and ache all the time.

My right calf, while better than it was the first couple of weeks, still has a knot in it.

right calk — right calf – hard to tell much

And, my right upper thigh is just a mess – little knots all over.

I have regretted having this surgery almost since the minute I got home from the hospital and I’m still not at the point where I’m glad I had it done!!! I’m hoping that maybe in a few more weeks I will at least be happy with the results but for now all it’s done is cause me a lot of pain.

And, that pain (while definitely manageable) is what I think has caused my little running slump!!! Every time I run now my legs feel like this:I keep telling myself that the DR said I can’t hurt anything so I try to ignore it but it is a joy sapper for sure!!!

Well, what I meant to be an update, came out sounding like a lot of whining! I’m done with that now because I know that I’m lucky to be able to work out and do all the things I want to do!!!

Oh, and I’m very happy that I know longer need any wraps or nasty compression stockings!! The DR said to wear them at least for a month – DONE!!!

But I’m still going on record as saying – I, personally, don’t recommend this particular surgery and if I had it to do again, I would not do it!!

Happy Thursday!!!

Kim

Fitness, Lunges, Quad

Happiness

May 26, 2013 Kim 28 Comments

Today’s 43 was a quad burner!! I just did a back lunge with my right leg, pulled my knee in while staying in low position and repeated x 43.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF74OVc-r9g’]

You can tell I wobbled a few times – it happens!!! And, you know, this was the kind of move that I had to do 2 sets of 43 so that both legs could feel the burn!!!

I’m hoping that Hunter will decide to get up soon so we can all go play tennis!!! Jordan and I usually like to get a nice walk after our tennis rounds so I even though I’m not doing a “true workout” today, I will still get plenty of activity!!

Happiness is a state of mind and while I feel like I’m generally a happy person, I know that I’m always much happier in the summer!!!! So many things are making me happy right now!!!

Yesterday I put on a pair of my shorts (the first time of the season is always a little scary) and they still fit great!!

and my longhorn tat makes me very happy!!!

The boys washed the cars yesterday – clean cars make me happy and watching the boys spray each other “accidentally” really makes me happy!!!I just hung out, took pictures and tried to get a little color on my pale legs!!

Swimsuit season = HAPPINESS!!!

Chris and I went for the first boat ride of the year – it’s like being on vacation, almost!!!How can you not be happy floating around on the water???

It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!!! Margaritas on the boat!! — It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere!!!
Margaritas on the boat!!

And, since it was our anniversary (another reason to be HAPPY), we got dressed up and went out to a really nice dinner!!We ate at the Row House which is always fun!! We always get the tasting menu which is about 6 courses but none super big!!! Last night we went out to the courtyard area for our dessert!

all of the veggies we had with our dinner came from their garden

How could I be anything but happy when this is the person I’m hanging out with?!

So many things that are making me HAPPY!!! If I had to sum it up I would say

Chris
my boys (Jordan & Hunter)
the sun – beach, boat & warmth

Like I told Chris yesterday – it really doesn’t take much to make me happy!!! But we all know that this never hurts!!!!!

What is making you happy right now?

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness, Quad

Motivation – What Motivation??

May 20, 2013 Kim 28 Comments

Today for my 43 I used my figure-8 band:

I put it around each ankle and started with my feet in close then jumped them out wide, wider, widest (squat) and back in – got it?!

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

This was a quick 43 that I felt in my quads and it got my heart pumping – success!!

Today’s workout was HARD!!! I did Turbo Barre with Cathe and YIKES!! I might have even moaned and whimpered during the workout because my hips and legs were on fire and overall I was dying!! I have done this workout before and I knew it was challenging but I don’t remember it being so brutal. I guess that’s what happens when you have 3 weeks of almost no activity/working out!!

So, confession time: The past few days, I’ve been lacking any motivation to workout. I’m not gonna lie, this is really rare for me because I usually love the feeling of a really hard workout or run!!Typically, I don’t even think about if I’m going to workout – I just have to decide what I’m going to do. Over the weekend I did my daily 43 but that was the extent of my working out which is pretty sad since I just started back last week!!! I tried to justify it in my mind by saying that I needed to ease back in – NOT TRUE!!! I just didn’t want to do it!!! Then this morning I still didn’t want to do anything – not cool!!! I read a few blogs thinking that would inspire me. Finally I just buckled down and did it!! I really needed some help – I’m not sure a carrot stick is going to cut it either!!! I think that part of the problem is the fact that I got out of the habit and feel like I’m starting from scratch! Plus, I told Chris last night that it isn’t as fun to workout when my legs hurt before I even start! I try to just suck it up and do it but it is sapping the joy out of my workouts for sure!I’m hoping that this is a temporary thing because fitness is really my passion so I don’t know how to deal with this lack of desire to get a good sweat on!!I guess I will just keep forcing myself to hit it hard and hope that the joy comes back!!Either that or find a new passion – JUST KIDDING!!!In the meantime I will make this my mantra –

Does anyone else ever struggle with a lack of motivation (even for things that you generally love)? What do you do about it?

And just for fun – here are some of the pictures I took yesterday on our 2 hour drive through a major storm. (I was keeping myself busy while Chris had the stressful job of driving – he said it doesn’t bother him – perk of being a pilot, I guess!!)