Category Archives: Running

Time to Make a Few Changes

February 25, 2014 Kim 60 Comments

Today I used one of my small wobble balls for the 44. I balanced on it –

Just sitting on this was a bit of a challenge!! While staying balanced on it, I did double leg raises.

You can’t even tell that the wobble ball is under me in the pictures but it is and I promise it adds to the challenge!!!

Today was a run day!!! 8 miles in 63:12 with 1.5% incline
I’m planning to run again tomorrow – rare for me to run back to back but I’m thinking it will be OK!!!

So, I know I won’t ever be perfect but I do need to make a few changes.

I think I’ve talked before about the fact that we try to eat healthy most of the time but I love chips, Cheetos and several other empty calorie items. And, I know I haven’t made any secret about the fact that I love my evening cocktail!!!

But lately, I feel like my appetite has been out of control. Last night within 30 minutes of dinner (where I ate more than enough!) I was starving!!

I think that I need to play around with the amount of protein I get because I’m not sure that I always take in enough. I know that over the weekend I had minimal protein which might explain how hungry I was yesterday.

I can also tell that I have put on a little weight around my middle and I want to get rid of that –

Sort of hard to see clearly from this angle but trust me, it’s there.

So, nothing major but I figure I need to make a few changes now and see if it helps. I realize that each year I will have to work a little harder to maintain the shape I want and there are always things that I’m not willing to give up completely (potato chips & WINE!) but I can scale back on some of the things that I love and try some new things.

Do you ever feel the need to make some small changes in your eating to maintain the size/shape you want to be?

Happy Tuesday!!

Kim

BTW – this is just me being real about myself. I’m not comparing myself or size to anyone because what works for some isn’t necessarily right for me. I just know what makes me feel my best and I want to try to stay at that point.

Calves, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

Do You Love a Good Surprise?

February 22, 2014 Kim 38 Comments

Today’s 44 was a fairly simple move. Plie calf raises while holding your arms straight out (I held 5 pound dumbbells for this).

I tried to hold each calf raise for about 2 seconds – lots of wobbling!! And my arms were burning my the end!!!

I did a quick 4 mile run (1.5% incline – 26:36) and my 100 jumping lunges. The workout had to be short because I have to hit the road!!!

Surprises – I think that everyone has different thoughts on whether or not they like them or hate them. And, I guess it depends on whether it’s a good surprise or a bad surprise!

Today I’m planning to surprise one of my very favorite people and I can’t wait!!! I’m making a super quick trip to Texas (driving down today and home tomorrow) – about 15 hours of driving for this surprise.

My sister-in-law, Stacy

is running her first marathon on Sunday in Ft. Worth. Last fall I thought about running this weekend, too. I was going to run the 50K (31 miles) instead of the actual marathon.

However, the more I thought about it, the more I decided that this weekend was Stacy’s!!! I talked to her earlier in the week and told her I wasn’t going to run after all (and she thinks that I’m not coming because of that!!!).

Going down just to watch and support Stacy will be much better!!! This way instead of thinking about my race and not even getting to see her, I will be there to support her 100%!!

Now, I just need to find a cowbell! Shouldn’t be too hard on the drive today!!!

Do you like surprises or would you rather know in advance what’s coming up?

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

A Happy Heart

February 20, 2014 Kim 1 Comment

Today’s 44 is one of those moves that looks like it’s no big deal but after you do a few you will feel it for sure!!!

Start with weights in each hand and arms in an upright row position –

From this position, flip your arms out and up over head –

Roll your arms back in front of you to the start to complete the first rep. I started with 8 pound dumbbells but dropped down to 5 pounds after the first 22 because I could feel myself trying to swing the dumbbells. 44 of these were a challenge!!

Today is the 4th day of 100 jumping lunges – not my favorite but such an effective move – thanks, Taylor for really challenging me!!!

And, another day on the treadmill – always a happy thing!!! Today was a quick 7 miles (1.5% incline – 47:51) and then 1.5 easy miles to finish up.

Some days my heart is happy to the point of overflowing!! Today is a happy heart day for sure!

This week has been a week of exciting new things for both of my boys.

Hunter has really been busy with cello stuff this year – school, Youth Philharmonic, private lessons, group…..In early January he submitted an entry to the Topeka Young Musician Awards. Only 4 sting instruments (from all the 7th graders in Topeka) advance to the next level. We found out Saturday that Hunter is one of those 4!!!

picture from last year

Hunter is nervous because this will be his first big solo in front of a large audience but he will be great. The winner gets $200 and 2nd place $100 – he’s hoping to get his first cash prize!!!

Jordan did something at the beginning of this week that is completely outside of his comfort zone – he auditioned for a play with the Topeka Civic Theater. Jordan is very quiet outside of our home except with a few good friends but a friend who has been acting for years talked him into it because it is his favorite book, movie…..

We found out yesterday that he has a couple of roles in the play!!!! I’m so proud of him for even trying out and now he will be doing something that makes him nervous but that he is excited about!!!

I’m proud of both boys for even trying these things and I’m proud of them for being willing to push themselves outside of their comfort zones to perform in front of others!!!

Every day these guys make my heart happy!!!

Happy Thursday!!!

Kim

Fitness, Running, Squats, Treadmill

My Top Tip for Productivity

February 18, 2014 Kim 91 Comments

I used 2 of my new mini wobble balls today for the 44 –

I decided to just do a basic squat while trying (key word!!) to stay balanced!!

This was a fun way to get in some squats (44 of them) – the balance challenge makes it completely different!!!

Today was also a running day (gotta watch The Bachelor so I kill 2 birds at the same time!!!). 1.5% incline – 9 miles – 63:31

Watching mindless TV (like The Bachelor) makes the time go by very quickly!!!

I think that we all want to be as productive as possible (at least most days) but there are times when we are completely overwhelmed by everything we need (or want) to do.

My #1 way to increase is by making lists – lots and lots of lists!!!

I have tried making lists on my iPad with different apps but those lists just don’t give me the same satisfaction as a list on a plain note-pad.

I put everything on lists – simple things (workout, blog, pay bills…..), projects, ideas for my daily 44, grocery lists, recipes to make in the upcoming week or two – pretty much all of the stuff that clutters my mind goes on a list.

I know that some people think it wastes time to write stuff down before you do it but for me it helps keep me focused and I find it very rewarding every time I can cross something off!!!

And, there have been many times that I’ve done something and then added it to the list just for the privilege of marking it off!

Are you a list maker?
What is your top tip for productivity?

Happy Tuesday!!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

Sunny Saturday

February 15, 2014 Kim 34 Comments

Today I worked my hips with the 44 – I did an airplane move.

Start on all 4s (table top position) and extend your right leg out to the side –

Lift your right leg and hold for a 2 count before lowering –

About the time that your hips are dying (you will feel it on both sides!!!), you should be done with however many reps you picked (44 for me) and then you get to switch sides!!!

This move looks easy but I always feel it after I’m done!!!

I’m fixing to head down and run – my mileage has been a little low this week so I’m hoping to get in a nice long run – 10 miles or so!!

Kimberly @ All Work and No Play Makes Mommy Go Something Something nominated me for the Sunshine Award earlier this week and today seemed like a great day to share some sunshine!!!

Kimberly had some fun questions – lets hope I can answer them all!!!

1. If Jane had 3 apples and John had 78 nails, how many layers of clothing are you wearing (how is the weather in your neck of the woods?)?
I’m just wearing shorts, sports bra and short-sleeved shirt (see above pictures) with a fleece jacket on while I type – fixing to run on my treadmill!! It’s currently 28 degrees but we are supposed to get to 50 today!!! Good-bye snow (I hope!!).

2. What is keeping you sane during these long winter months?
RUNNING and looking at pictures of the beach!!!

3. If you were on a boat with a box of chocolate and your Mother in Law, who would you throw overboard?
Well, hmmm…..my Mother-in-Law passed away almost exactly 7 years ago and I have days where I can take or leave chocolate so….If it is warm and sunny, I will just hang out and soak up the sun – otherwise I’m going in!

4. What’s in your underwear drawer besides underwear?
Ummm…my little nightgowns – pretty boring over here!!

5. Do you trust yourself with sharp objects near your face? (as in do you pluck your own eyebrows? Do you have any eyebrow horror stories?)
I only pluck when it’s absolutely necessary. For the most part I let Jennifer (my hairdresser of 13ish years) take care of my eyebrows – she can wax them but no way would I try to do that on my own!

6. I am terrified of dead bodies, spiders and the dentist. What are you scared of?
Snow!!! Well, not really scared of it but I have an aversion to it that gets worse every single year!!!

7. Does your husband cut up the back of your legs with his long toenails when you sleep?
HaHa – sorry Shawn (Kimberly’s husband) – NO!!! And, if there are ever times that they do feel too long I just scootch over – the beauty of a king size bed!!!

According to the rules I’m supposed to nominate more people and keep this going but I suck at that. It causes me far to much stress to pick just a few people because all y’all deserve Sunshine!!!

So instead of picking a few, I’m just going to give everyone the Sunshine Award – Happy Saturday – I hope your day truly is full of sunshine!!!