Category Archives: Shoulders

15 Years Ago

November 10, 2013 Kim 56 Comments

Today I did a push-up (with a bonus) for my 44. After each push-up I lifted an arm & leg – I alternated the lifts and counted reps by the number of push-ups.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-481pFJj6w’]

The video is actually my final 4 reps – I was struggling a bit to keep my body level by this point.

15 years ago we went from being a married couple to a family of 3. Even though we had almost 9 months to prepare for his arrival, I had no idea what to expect and I was a nervous wreck!!!

In just a few minutes (hours actually) our lives changed forever in the very best way possible!!

I was beyond scared when we left the hospital but thankfully, Jordan was a very easy baby and kind to his newbie parents.

Everyday was a new experience and every year has gotten better and better.

15 years ago my life was enriched in every way possible and every day I feel truly blessed that Jordan calls me MOM!!!

Happy Birthday, Jordan!!!

Look how little they are - Jordan is about 5 here — Look how little they are – Jordan is about 5 here

fun in Hawaii

learning to do the yard — learning to mow the yard

in a cousin's wedding (Chris' niece) — in a cousin’s wedding (Chris’ niece)

again - trying to be tough — again – trying to be tough

Jordan's birthday is just 2 days before my Poppa's birthday (he would have turned 99 on Tuesday!!) — Jordan’s birthday is just 2 days before my Poppa’s birthday (he would have turned 99 on Tuesday!!)

dressed up for middle school band concert

showing how to do a push-up on the BOSU — showing how to do a push-up on the BOSO

freezing in the car because he has his side set to 60!!!

after orchestrating the huge fireworks display

first football game

still a goof – no matter how old

I know – lots of pictures but I’m proud of the young man that Jordan is becoming!!! And, it makes me happy to look back through random pictures and see that he is almost always smiling!!!

Happy Sunday!!

Kim

BOSU, Cardio, Core, Fitness, Shoulders

Exercise Is NOT One Size Fits All

November 6, 2013 Kim 78 Comments

Today’s 44 was fun!!! Kristen @ Stuft Mama demoed this super cool move yesterday and I knew that I had to give it a try. It is called – The Monkey.

Basically it is a cross body mountain climber using the

See why I had to try it?!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxBG2OW98hs’]

You can do this move without a BOSU if you don’t have one available.

Since I already had my BOSU out I decided to do a workout with it – I did BOSU Total Body Conditioning. It is a fun workout that mixes cardio, strength moves, balance training and core work. The biggest downside – it was only about 30 minutes.

So, I also did Les Mills Pump – Combat. This has been one of my favorite workouts from the very first time I tried it. It is 45 minutes worth of non-stop cardio in the form of kicking and punching. The time flies by and I always feel like I’ve gotten a great workout.

I’ve never really understood the concept of “one size fits all.” How is it even possible when we are all so different?!?!

I think that with exercise we really have to steer away from the idea that one size fits all.

Everyone needs to figure out what works for them and not do something just because it seems to be what everyone else is doing.

For the past few months I’ve tried a bit of an experiment with my working out and it hasn’t worked well for me. For a long time I have read about and observed many people who thrive on minimal amounts of time for working out.

Workouts like the 7 minute workout are everywhere these days!!! And, I truly love that type of workout!!!

However, for me, it isn’t enough!!!

This fall I made a conscious effort to try and cut down on my workout time – most days I have only spent 40-45 minutes total working out instead of the 1-2 hours that I used to spend.

I’ve realized that I actually feel better when I workout longer – it may be all psychological and I’m totally OK with that.

So, I tried something and figured out that it was not a fit for me!!

Have you tried things that seem to be the “norm” and realized they weren’t for you?
Do you like short workouts or longer sessions?

Happy Wednesday!!!

Kim

BOSU, Butt, Fitness, Hamstrings, Quad, Shoulders, Treadmill

Being a Landlord is not for the Weak

November 2, 2013 Kim 58 Comments

Today’s 44 is one that Tamara (Fitknitchick) demoed the other day – a BOSU deck squat. (Check out her site because her video is great – lots of tips on the proper way to perform this move.)

My video is not nearly as informative – just me, my BOSU, and a dumbbell (15 pounds).

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qA3UA7hbZ0′]

This was a fun move – hard for sure!!! Definitely going to do this one again and again!!

I also got in a short run today (4 miles 24:19) plus another 1.5 miles nice and easy!!

Earlier this week I shared about the scare I had when one of our tenants decided to use the venue as her moving out route. Yesterday I went over to make sure that she had moved out and pick up her keys (she didn’t return them – BIG SHOCK!!!). Good thing I’m friends with a locksmith now!!!

Here are some pictures of the apartment and the way she left it – I’m sad that there is no way to share the STENCH through the internet – the smell about sent me over the edge – a mix of urine, a cat litter box that hadn’t been emptied in a good year, body odor, garbage and shit (literally!).

So much stuff everywhere – hard to believe that she actually moved out.

And….the final picture (brace yourself!!) –

Yep – that is what you would not except to find in a place where real people live. Just seeing the picture is grossing me out since I saw (and smelled) it in person.

Who knew that being a landlord would be so much fun?! I’m hoping that once we get the place cleaned up and ready to rent again we will find someone as great as our other new tenant!!!

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Butt, Calves, Core, Fitness, Hamstrings, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

Where’s the Easy Button???

October 30, 2013 Kim 80 Comments

Today’s 44 was fun because not only was it a good move to tighten the butt/hamstring area but it was a great calf stretch – always a necessary thing!!!

I did a donkey kick from downward dog. Start in downward dog position:

Pull the knee in as close to your chest as possible (good for the abs) and then kick your foot back – repeat x 44. Then switch sides and start again!

This move went quickly – definitely one that I will do again!!!

Today I ran – always a happy thing. I did 5 miles just under 7 minutes/mile (34:44) and then 2.25 more miles at a nice easy pace with a steeper incline.

I need an easy button!!! Or maybe I need to be like Sam in Bewitched

and just be able to wiggle my nose and take care of everything!!! (Although, if I remember correctly, it didn’t always work out that well for her!)

Lately, it seems that everything takes 10x longer than I expect it to and every time I turn around there is a new problem/issue to deal with.

I know it’s just a phase and things will level out (I HOPE!) soon.

In the meantime, I will just suck it up and

HaHa – just kidding!!! (sort-of!)

This eeCard makes me laugh so I’m going with it!

If you have an easy button that you don’t need anymore, feel free to send it my way – I will return it as soon as possible!!!

Happy Wednesday!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

Off Kilter

October 26, 2013 Kim 34 Comments

Today I used my favorite piece of equipment (again!) –

For the 44 I did a plank with my toes on the BOSU.

I alternated stepping one foot off –

then back on and the other foot off.

I counted a right and left step-off as 1 rep. About half-way through the 44 I started thinking that I should have timed it so I could see how long I stayed in plank – oh, well – I know it was long enough that my arms were shaking!!!

I decided to run again today. I’m enjoying just running to run again!!! I did 6 miles in 44:19 at 1.5% incline and then 2.25 more miles at a super easy pace.

Lately, for some reason, I feel a little off-kilter. I think it is a combination of the things that I need to get done and all of the extra activities the boys have this year.

We have always had family dinner – typically around 6:00pm – this is a great way to reconnect after being out and about all day. Lately, it is rare for everyone to be able to eat at the same time – I feel like we eat in pairs. This past week we only had dinner together 2 times!!! (Hooray for my crock pot so that dinner is ready at multiple times!!!)

Lately, our dining room table is just a mess. It is my home “office” and the piles are driving me insane. The problem is, my list keeps growing but my motivation is not keeping up with the To-Dos!!!

Last night I was home alone for the entire evening and I didn’t do a single productive thing – I watched mindless TV (have you seen that 4 Secret Princes Show?), spent hours playing on my laptop (not work stuff!!!), added more blogs to my feed (not sure why since I can barely keep up with the ones I already had!!).

So, I guess I will make another list for the day and hope that today is the day I actually make some progress and get back on track!!!

And, I always add stuff after I do it just for the happiness that comes from seeing stuff marked off!!!