Category Archives: Squats

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, Calves, Fitness, Squats

Snow Days – Productive or Play?

February 5, 2014 Kim 1 Comment

Today’s 44 was actually a simple move (some days I need it to be a little easier!!). I think it is a ballet stance (1st, 2nd….???) – anyway start with your heels together, toes slightly turned out –

From the start, squat down and reach your hands to the floor –

Then stand up on toes and reach to the sky –

See, a nice easy move – more of a stretch than anything!!! Maybe these should be called a ballet squat & reach (closest I will ever come to ballet!).

Day 3 of Michelle Bridges – There were 3 different program options (I think 3) and I chose the Lean and Strong plan. Lots of lifting which is good since I haven’t done much lifting for awhile. Yesterday I also managed to get an 11 mile run in!!

So, the call to cancel school yesterday ended up being a smart choice. The snow started around 9:00am and it was still coming down at 10:00 when we went to bed.

I think that I saw about 13″ as the general consensus. UGH!!!!!

back deck - snow almost up to bottom of chairs — back deck – snow almost up to bottom of chairs

Sometime yesterday evening they made the decision to cancel school again today. The snow has stopped and the current temperature is 3* with a high of about 14 for the day. Actually based on the upcoming week’s forecast, we are going to have snow around for a LONG time!!!

mountain in the cup-de-sac from the plow — mountain in the cul-de-sac from the plow

So – how do you handle snow days? Do you use them to be uber productive or do you treat them as a bonus day?

When I worked full time at a school, I always viewed snow days as a gift – a day to relax and watch movies and play games with the boys.

Now that I’m technically self-employed and the work never goes away I still view snow days as a bonus day to enjoy. No alarms, no rushing around, extra time lounging. Yesterday and today are double treats because Chris even got snow days – rare for the base to close!!!

Today I might have to do a little bit of work stuff but overall I’m going to keep to my rule and let this be a bonus day. I think we are even going to try and get in a game of Monopoly later!!!

My #1 snow day rule is always this – I NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE ON A SNOW DAY. NOT EVEN TO GET THE MAIL!!!!

I’m not a fan of snow. I don’t look outside and think it’s pretty or fun or any of those things. I look outside and just see cold and slick and mess. UGH!!

Snow days – do you treat them as a bonus day or is it a day to be productive?
Do you like snow?

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Fitness, Squats

How Can I Make this Imperfect World a Little Better?

February 3, 2014 Kim 72 Comments

Today’s 44 was rough (mostly because my quads are still a little sore!!). I used my barbell and did squats.

44 of these was a challenge!! (and then I did even more during my workout!!)

Taylor (Lifting Revolution) started a new challenge for February – Let’s Split Challenge. This first week is 100 walking lunges every day!!! My poor quads – but I know it is good for getting rid of that last bit of soreness!

And, I started a new program today! Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation. I actually won this from GiGi (GiGi Eats Celebrities) last week and it started today!!! I had to do the Fitness test this morning and then the first day. I chose the Lean and Strong program and all I can say after one day is – I don’t know how strong I feel!!! My whole body is shaking right now!!!

The only downside to the new program is that it is almost an hour a day/6 days a week and I’m going to have to figure out how to fit in the miles that I want to log running – maybe I need to get up at 4:30 again?!

Saturday morning, Jordan and I went to the memorial service for the 22 year old brother of Jordan’s friend who died a couple weeks ago. It was rough!!!

Several family members shared stories and words about this incredible young man and the Priest said some things that really stuck out to me and I’ve been thinking a lot about them the past couple of days.

He reminded us that life isn’t fair. Clearly it’s not or this young man would still be alive and his family wouldn’t be suffering!

The priest talked about what a light this young man was and how he didn’t let life get him down. He had a bright future and it was obvious to all who knew him.

The thing that really stood out to me was the fact that even though life isn’t fair and we live in an imperfect world, we are capable of doing something to make the world a little better. It is a matter of making the choice to make a difference!!

I’m not sure how I can do this but I know it is something that I truly want to work on!!!

I think that the change really does come from within! I’m hoping that even though I may never affect the entire world, I can start with myself and do what I can to try and make the world a better place!!!

Do you think that one person is capable of making the world a better place?

Happy Monday!!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Squats

The Law of Diminishing Returns

January 27, 2014 Kim 69 Comments

Today’s 44 was another squat variation – this time with alternating glute lifts.

The key is to squeeze your butt on the way up and when you lift your leg behind. Since I counted a right and left lift as 1 rep, I actually did 88 squats to complete the 44.

I pulled out another workout DVD that I haven’t done in years – Michelle Dozois – Your Best Body Circuit. This was a good workout that included some nice cardio sections with plenty of strength training. I liked that the strength training included moves with dumbbells and resistance bands. The workout is almost an hour (58 minutes) and does a great job targeting all body parts and keeping your heart rate up!!!

OK – I have never studied economics so this isn’t going to be about economics in any way, however, I think that this statement is also true in the fitness realm!!!

I have been participating in a challenge this month that Taylor (Lifting Revolution) has going on – the Core Challenge.

The way this challenge works –

Week 1 – 45 second plank followed by 20 push-ups (every single day)
Week 2 – 60 second plank followed by 30 push-ups (every day!)
Week 3 – 75 second plank followed by 40 push-ups (still every day)
Week 4 – 90 second plank followed by 50 push-ups (also every day!!)

I’m still doing this every day – I haven’t missed a day yet but near the end of week 3 I noticed that my push-ups were becoming more and more of a struggle.

This week doing 50 push-ups is a downright hard. I feel like I’m going backwards on the push-ups some days!!! I break them into sets of 10 and then do a quick stretch break usually to complete all 50. There have been some days that I’ve had to drop to my knees in order to complete all of the reps with good form.

I thought about dropping back down to 20 or 30 push-ups to finish the challenge but I’m hoping that if I keep pushing through I will see the results once the challenge is completely over.

Plus, I don’t want to feel like a

So, I’m going to keep pushing myself and hope that this will pay-off in the long run and make me stronger!!!

What are your thoughts on the Law of Diminishing Returns as it applies to fitness?

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness, Plyo, Running, Squats, Treadmill

All Unique yet Bound by Commonality

January 26, 2014 Kim 44 Comments

For the 44 today, I did a variation on a squat jump – a criss-cross squat jump.

(Not sure why I feel the need to post the video – I always look like a total goof!!! But, that’s pretty much me all the time so…..) Anyway, you can tell that the challenge of this move is to stay low while jumping your feet out then crossed – a quick move but also effective!

I did a nice easy 6 mile run today at 1.5% incline and 8:23 pace. 5 run days in 1 week!! This next week will have fewer days of running because I have a mega run on Friday!!!

I know we are all unique but sometimes that is more obvious than other times – at least in my world.

Because I’m a people watcher, yesterday at Day 1 of the Bridal Fair (fixing to head back for Day 2) it was so interesting to observe the differences in the brides.

The future brides were –

young (one couple that stopped at our both was around 18 or 19)
older
slim
round
happy
frazzled
organized
absolutely no clue what they were doing
pregnant
mothers
dressed up
wearing PJs (yep saw some that came out in lounge pants)

But watching all of them as they made their way through the masses, I truly think that no matter what they looked like or had on or who they had with them the thing that united all of them was the fact that they all have a special day coming up!

Some of them don’t know yet when that day will be and others have set dates that are years away (not kidding – a couple of the brides aren’t getting married for several years) but they all have the excitement of knowing that there is someone special in their life who wants to build a future with them.

You can see that it was rather crowded – this was the case for big chunks of the day.

So, today we will head back and there will be more people watching and appreciating the uniqueness of each bride that we talk to – each story will be different but all of them will include LOVE!!!