Category Archives: Thighs

Grey Skies Mean Indoor Fun (or is it Gray???)

May 28, 2013 Kim 22 Comments

Today’s 43 was about control and holding a contraction (for a long time!!). I focused on my thighs (plie) and biceps with this move!

Start in plie with arms in front of you and bent at 90 (like you are doing a bicep curl but stopped at waist level) – rotate arms out to sides, really squeezing all the way back into your shoulder blades – while holding arms at sides, slowly stand (squeeze your thighs and butt) then lower back to plie – rotate arms back to front = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJF9843yg0I’]

I used 8 pound dumbbells today and they were almost too heavy by the time I reached 43 so I think it was a great choice – muscle fatigue for sure!!!

Today was day 2 of Insanity Asylum – it is going to totally kick my butt this month!!! When you get the program, it comes with a few “toys” that you use for the workouts. This little agility ladder is useful for so many forms of ~~torture~~ work!

who knew you could do so much with this?

Today I did Speed and Agility – hopefully I get more of both as I go through the program!! This was 45 intense minutes!! By the end I was sweating so much that when we did the final stretches (at one point we did downward dog) I had sweat running into my nose – aren’t you glad to know that?!

So far (2 days in), some of the moves that we have done in this program are brutal!!! Lots of new ideas for some daily 43s!!!!

Yesterday morning when I got up, it was “night-time” dark!!! Not because I got up super early but because of the storms!!About 11:00, it slowed down and I took some pictures of the flooding in our yard and the rushing water in the lake!! The rest of the week looks like we could have more of the same weather – storms, storms and more storms!!!

Guess the boys and I will have to set up an indoor game tournament – I know they will be so excited!!! (or not – 12 & 14 year old boys – hard to say!)

And, something that always confuses me – How do you spell the color that is made from mixing black and white? Is it grey? Or is it gray?

Happy Tuesday!!!

Kim

Biceps, Core, Fitness, Thighs

Mistakes

May 5, 2013 Kim 25 Comments

For today’s 43 I actually worked my legs a little! I used this band:

I put the band on my right foot and held the other end with my right hand and did a side leg abduction while doing a cross-body curl.

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

It wasn’t super pretty (and I had to tap my toe after every rep to keep my balance) but at least I was able to get a little bit of leg action!! And, you know, this was the kind of 43 that had to be repeated on the other leg to keep things semi-balanced!!!

Yesterday I was a little short with both of the boys at different points during the day and later I felt really bad about it – they hadn’t done anything wrong – I just didn’t have any patience. I apologized and since they understood, I tried to forget about it but sometimes it is hard to let go of things.

We all make mistakes – I probably make at least 10-100 every day!!! Some are small and don’t affect any one but myself and others are bigger.

When Hunter was younger (1st and 2nd grade), he really struggled with making mistakes. He wanted to do things exactly right the first time and didn’t want to even attempt things that he felt like he might mess up on. I think this is something that many adults (like me) struggle with constantly.

It took time but eventually he has learned that mistakes are a very natural part of life and we all make them – and make them often. He finally realized that he could actually make a mistake, learn from it and move on.

I think that fear of making a mistake (or failing) often holds us back from really achieving greatness. It is hard to put yourself out there and risk being wrong or feeling/looking stupid. But the reward can be so great when you succeed!!

When you really think about it, life would be boring without mistakes. If we always got things right the first time – YUCK – what would be the point of trying new things?!

When I look back at my life so far, I realize that some of the bigger mistakes I made could have had far worse consequences than they did. (Let’s just say I used poor judgement for an entire semester of grad school!) Thankfully, I was able to learn from my many mistakes and move on!I think that some lessons have to be learned the hard way for all of us.Even though I make more mistakes than I would like to (in every aspect of my life), I will just keep on trying (and hopefully learning)!

I will keep asking forgiveness when necessary and also keep trying to forgive myself (much harder!!). I know that today (and tomorrow and the next day….) I will never be perfect. But that’s OK!!I think one of the best things that my boys (all of us, for that matter!) can learn is it is OK to fail because it shows that you were trying!!!

Do you beat yourself up over little mistakes or just shake it off and keep trying?

Happy Sunday and Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Thighs

Reality Shows

April 22, 2013 Kim 28 Comments

Today’s 43 was all about balance and working the hips (and outer thigh). This is a move that I got from TaeBo!

Start with all of you weight on your left leg (don’t worry – we will get to the other side!!) with your left toe turned to the side and your knee slightly bent.

Lift your right leg (hip height if possible) and get balanced.

From this position – extend your leg out straight.

Continue bending and extending your leg for your desired # of reps (43 here!). Then the real fun begins because you get to switch sides (and the second leg always starts feeling the pain quicker!!).

Try to do the same # of reps on the second side!!! Of course that means 43 for me!!

I like this move – it works an area that I try to spend time on (hips/thighs) pretty often to prevent injuries when I’m running. Plus, the balance challenge helps strengthen my core – always a good thing!!!

The rest of my workout was great!!! I tried out another Cathe DVD – HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). The DVD has 3 HIIT segments – each about 30 minutes long. I decided (cause I’m a glutton) to do 2 of the segments. I started with the 30/30 which starts with a warm-up and then has 16 intervals each 30 seconds long followed by 30 seconds rest. It’s amazing how the same amount of time can feel so different!!!

After that I did the 40/20 which also starts with a nice warm-up followed by 16 intervals. That extra 10 seconds is brutal!! The nice thing on this section, even though the rest is only 20 seconds, after each 4th interval, you get a 1 minute break!!!

I thought about doing the 3rd section but that just seemed like a bit much on the HIIT action!! Soon!!

I’ve decided I might be a bit of a reality TV show addict!! I’m not sure what the draw is but I get totally caught up in a lot of the reality shows on TV. Some of my favorites:

Celebrity Apprentice – what’s not to love about watching the celebrities go after each other. Plus, it’s always good to see the Donald! This season (All Stars) is really entertaining – how long can Gary Busey last?!

I’m not sure why I enjoy Dance Moms so much – I have never danced, my boys don’t dance…I guess it is just watching Abby!!!

America’s Next Top Model is another one that entertains me. My favorite is when the whole season airs in a single day (usually a Saturday!!) – especially if I have a long treadmill run planned!!I loved the season with the British included!!

The Real Housewives of New York – I know these shows offer nothing in the way of education or even real life experiences (at least not my life) but I enjoy them!!! I liked the RH of NY best when Bethany was part of the group!!

I taught myself to sew just enough to make curtains – so basically I can make fairly straight lines. And, I don’t have a creative bone in my body. But – I love Project Runway!! Do people really wear the type clothes they make?!

My favorite of all the reality shows I watch (and the one I want to be on) – The Amazing Race!!!For years I’ve talked about being on this show. One night we had friends over and Chris mentioned something about the Amazing Race and the fact that it would be fun but he didn’t know who he would go on it with – WHAT?! ME! ME! I’M RIGHT HERE!!!

I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to go on it with me because he ~~thinks~~ knows that I ~~might~~ would definitely yell and probably curse at him on national TV. I ~~might be~~ am ~~a little~~ insanely competitive!!! It might not be great for our marriage if we went on the show together!! Plus, Chris is one of those super sweet and caring people and would want to help everyone along the way! (see why we haven’t signed up yet?) I guess it is better for us to just continue watching it together and not be contestants. Maybe I can convince my younger brother, Sam to go on with me!!!

Do you watch reality shows on TV? Would you ever go on one?

Happy Monday!!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Thighs

Proud Mama / Proud Wife

February 24, 2013 Kim 10 Comments

The 43 today was super “simple” but very effective!!! I started on all 4s (hands & knees) then extended my right leg out to the side for leg circles. I did 43 small circles to the front and another set of 43 circles to the back. Then, I had to switch to my left side (OUCH!!!) and repeat the front & back circles!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3NKad4MjFw’]

No equipment required – just find a small amount of space and start circling!

Today is a rest day (other than leg circles & my daily wall-sits). And, about those wall-sits, ~~I think~~ I will be happy when February is over!! :happy:

Actually, I’m fortunate because I have 2 boys that call me Mom!!

I am proud of both of my boys every day but sometimes I am completely overwhelmed with pride. Yesterday, Jordan participated in History Day for his school.

History Day Display - my sweet boy/man — History Day Display – my sweet boy/man

This is not for an assignment – just “extra” stuff. It requires a lot of outside research and time to put everything together. Jordan was willing to spend the time and put together a really great presentation!

Jordan didn’t place but it doesn’t matter – my heart is overflowing with pride!!! (His friend John, won the category that he participated in and will advance to the State competition later in the spring! Congrats, John!!)

And…look who is on the front page of the Topeka Capital Journal today!!!

Chris, looking so serious! (He is on the left.) Here is a better picture (I just snapped the one above from the actual paper).

What a cutie!!

And, even though I didn’t put anything in here about Hunter, I’m equally proud of him!!

Happy Sunday – gonna go enjoy my crew!!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Thighs

Steppin’ Out

February 17, 2013 Kim 6 Comments

I try to change up my daily 43s and use different equipment (or maybe no equipment) and work different muscles in a variety of ways. Sometimes, when I pick the move of the day I think it may or may not really be a good one. Today was one of those days that I thought – “This will just be a wimpy little thing and might not really count as a 43.”

Well, I was wrong!!! It turned out to be a great 43. I used my Turbo Fire band:

This time I stepped on it with both feet and then crossed it in front of my legs before holding the handles at my waist. Then, I did step-outs. On my right side, I did 43 to the side, then 43 on a diagonal to the front and another 43 on a diagonal to the back. (129 on each side!)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3hWsg9b4A0′]

Of course, I had to repeat the whole series on the left side! All I can say is – OUCH!!! This was a great way to really burn out my hips and outer thighs!! Plus, I kept my stationary leg slightly bent so I really loaded my quads!! Overall, a great 43!!!

Today is my rest day – some weeks I hate taking any rest days but this week I’m ready for one! I know it will make my work-outs next week that much better (and more enjoyable!).

I think that working out is definitely a habit for me and I’m afraid that if I let myself get too comfortable taking days off, then the days off will increase and will turn into a habit!!! Maybe a bizarre way of thinking but…..a lot of my rationale for things is a little wonky!!

Menu planning – do you do it??? I love looking at recipes, online and in cookbooks, but sometimes I feel like this:I try to come up with a semi-plan for the week (actually a couple of weeks at a time since I usually only do a huge grocery run every 2-3 weeks). I usually pick out 1 or 2 cookbooks and go through and make a list of the things I want to make during the next couple of weeks. I make my grocery list as I go. Then each morning I decide what to make for dinner knowing that we already have all of the necessary ingredients. This method works for me and because of it I always try new recipes.

Which is good since I have a few cookbooks!!! (I might have an addiction!!!)

I have a few stand-by recipes but for the most part I make new stuff all the time. The only downside is when Chris asks me to make something that I made months ago – I usually have no idea where I found the recipe or what dish he is even talking about!!

So, what is your menu planning/cooking like?? Do you have a rotation of dishes you rely on or do you like to experiment with new recipes?

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Day With KT