The Beach

June 4, 2013 Kim 43 Comments

Today I did another one of the burpees that Taylor at Lifting Revolution included in her cool list of 30 burpees as my 43. This one is called an 8-count burpee.

Jump back to plank position, do a plank jack, perform a push-up then jump in and up.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF4po0DNlIA’]

(for the record, Jordan wasn’t up until after I did all 43 of my burpees plus my insanity workout – so I was sort-of burpeed out by the time we made the demo!)

Today’s Insanity Asylum was Back to Core. I can tell just from the last time I did this program (last week) that I’m getting stronger through my back!!! A couple of the moves that I could barely eek out the first time, I managed all of today!!!

Today was my 2nd round of Boot Camp. I’m doing a 6 am class on MWF (in my backyard) and a 7 am class TT at the swim beach. (We can’t be on the beach until 7 which worked out because several people interested in boot camp didn’t want to get up for a 6 am workout.)

This was the view we had while working out – The dock goes around 3 sides – inside the dock is safe for swimming!!!

Today wasn’t too hot, just muggy but I have a feeling that later in the summer we might have to end some of our beach workouts with a little dip!!!

4 people came to boot camp today (5 yesterday – so 9 total) – and it was a lot of fun this morning!!! I even got them to let me take a picture after –

It was fun to work out in the sand!! I like the extra challenge and resistance that the sand offers. We all decided to do the workout barefoot so I’m pretty sure that I will have tougher feet by the end of the summer!!!

Gotta say, everything is better at the beach!!! (even a little lake beach in Kansas!) I loved working out in the sand with some friends – not a bad way to start a Tuesday!

Now, if the sun would just cooperate and come out and warm this place up the boys and I could start logging some serious time at my favorite hang-out place in Topeka!!!Hopefully soon!!!!

Do you like to workout (besides running) outside?

Happy Tuesday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Shoulders, Thighs

Early Mornings

June 3, 2013 Kim 38 Comments

Today’s 43 worked my shoulders, hips (with abduction) and definitely challenged my balance!!! I did a combined arm & leg lift to the side.

I had a hard time keeping my balance long enough for Chris to take the picture! And, you know that I can’t just do 43 on my right side – I had to do another set on the left.

I just used a 5 pound dumbbell for this move because I knew that I wouldn’t be able to raise my arm to shoulder height with anything heavier.

At 6:00am I taught a 45 minute bootcamp class (my first one in ages!!). 5 ladies came and hopefully they all got a great workout!!!

After bootcamp, I did Insanity Asylum – Strength. I used heavier weights today than I did the first time through this program and I can already feel the difference in my upper back!!! I figure the only way to get stronger is to push myself so that’s exactly what I’m trying to do!!!

Early mornings used to be my very least favorite thing ever!!!!! When I was in college, it was almost a daily thing for me to roll out of bed 5 minutes before class, pull my hair back (in a bow clip!), throw on sweats, brush my teeth and run to class.

And the infamous snooze button –

I’m pretty sure that I used to hit that thing between 5 & 8 times every day. I would lay in bed and think about what part of my morning routine I could skip if I stayed in bed another 9 minutes!!!

Then, Chris and I got married!! And he is one of those ~~annoying~~ super cheerful morning people!

Yikes!!! We had to come to an agreement –Pretty much, the only time we had a morning conversation was if I initiated it – very RARE!!!

For years, I basically dragged myself out of bed every morning (usually not in a pleasant manner!). Then something happened – after being a stay home mom for 9+ years, I went back to work. And I realized that if I wanted to make sure I got my workout done (and I definitely wanted that), I had to get up early.No more snooze button (that took time out of my workout, you know)!!

And, the beauty of getting up so early, by the time I was actually around people, I had been up long enough that I could be semi-friendly!!!

Now, I find it much easier to get up in the mornings. And, I LOVE how much more productive I feel for the entire day!!! In fact, there are mornings now when Chris is off that I get up before him (that never used to happen)!!!

Are you a morning person? Do you like to talk (or whistle) first thing in the morning or slowly ease into the day (you know by doing Insanity or running 8 miles!!!)?

Happy Monday!!! (8:30am and I have the whole day to enjoy now!!!)

Kim

Core, Fitness

Backyard/Beach Boot Camp

June 2, 2013 Kim 20 Comments

Today I used my super cool ladder (again) for the 43.

Love/Hate kind of thing! — Love/Hate kind of relationship with this thing!

I did a series of in & out abs. To do in & out abs – start in plank and jump your feet in and then back out to plank. In & out abs using the ladder just increases the challenge.

I did 43 in & out abs into the first rung of the ladder and 43 into the 2nd rung of the ladder. I’m still trying to build up to the 3rd rung (it is no joke!!) so I only did 13 on that level.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wwAhBLoDw0′]

You can see from the video that I really struggle with the 3rd level – but doing any to that level is an improvement on the first time I did this move (this past Tuesday) when I couldn’t even do 1!!!

Today was another day of Insanity Asylum – Speed and Agility. This workout seemed harder than the first time I did it. Probably because now I know the moves so I did everything hard-core!!! Finished with sweat dripping everywhere – SUCCESS!!!

Well, if you’ve been reading this blog for awhile you know that earlier in the spring I passed my ACE personal trainer certification but I haven’t done anything with it yet. I decided to just take the plunge and start using some of my training and previous education.

So, I’m starting a backyard/beach bootcamp!!! (some days it will be in my backyard and some days at the swim beach)

Tomorrow is the first day and I’m so excited!! (and NERVOUS!!!) It has been a long time since I led a fitness group of any type. This morning, I even made Chris and the boys go through tomorrows plan as a practice!!!

I think that boot camp should be challenging but I don’t want it to be so hard that no one wants to come back. I also want to make sure that it is a complete workout every time.

strength
cardio
flexibility
core
lower body
upper body

I hope that this will be a fun experience for everyone but also one where they see results!!!

I’m off to enjoy a relaxing day (if going to the grocery store is considered relaxing) because this week starts with early morning workouts everyday (plus my normal workouts) and hopefully the boys and I will finally be able to enjoy the swim beach (if the sun decides to shine) – gonna be busy!!!

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Saturday Morning Sights

June 1, 2013 Kim 15 Comments

Today I did a fun 43. This one worked my core and hip flexors!!! Lots of steps go into each rep so bullets today:

Right front kick
standing crunch (little tuck)
right side kick
standing crunch
right back kick
standing crunch
left front kick
standing crunch
left side kick
standing crunch
left back kick
jack feet (jump out and in)

See the pattern? So the above is 1 rep and I did 43 – it went faster than you might think!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFIg2xM76EY’]

I just kept my hands in the “on guard” position while I did this – you could do whatever you like with your hands!!!

Today was the 1 and only rest day in the 30 day Insanity Asylum program and I decided to take advantage of it!!! I thought about trying to push myself to go outside and run but instead spent some time with my family.

We went downtown this morning to the Farmer’s Market!

A few of the sights in Topeka today:Some type of motorcycle ralley – lots of bikes lined up ready to go. Sort of cool to see so many in one place.

The Kansas State Capital – always some kind of work being done on it!!! Can you see the figure on the top? I think it is a Native American shooting an arrow.

One of the rows at the Farmer’s Market – a little disappointing today since there was very little in the way of produce (or anything other than crafts)! Oh, well – still fun to walk around.Our only purchase of the day – fresh blueberry pie (this was Chris & Hunter’s choice!).

Apparently there is a carnival in town this weekend!! Who knew?! Might have to go check it out later today!

And, look at this bird. It was just roosting on the gutter drain on our front porch. I opened the door, took the picture and closed the door and the bird never flew away. Jordan and I thought it was sick or hurt but after a few minutes she finally flew away. Kind of weird – I think that’s the closest I’ve ever gotten to a bird!

What are some of your Saturday morning sights?

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Plank, Shoulders, Triceps

Real Life vs. Online Life

May 31, 2013 Kim 24 Comments

Today’s 43 was a challenge – my favorite kind of 43!!! I got this move from Insanity Asylum (I’m a little obsessed with my new program!). The move is a hip raise – roll – plank.

I’m going to try and describe it but I’m afraid it might be a little confusing (good thing there is a demo!!). Start on the ground with your right leg extended and your right hand on the ground. Your left knee should be bent, foot on the ground. Push your hips up (using your right arm) and rotate to the right until you are in plank. While in plank, curl your right leg up. Rotate to the left until you are back to the starting position. Repeat (x43).

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhElDtXY6ZM’]

You can see that I did a little mini push-up while in the plank – just an extra bonus!!! And, Jordan helped me with the demo when he finally got up which was after I had already completed my 43 and sweaty workout so I was TIRED by the time we filmed this!!

Also, this was one of those super 43s where I did 2 sets because after I did all of them on my right side I had to switch and do 43 on my left. My triceps and shoulders were shaking and burning by the time I finished!!!

Today’s Insanity Asylum workout was by far the hardest one yet – Vertical Plyo! Like the name implies, there was a LOT of jumping!!! The 10 minute warm-up was brutal and then the workout – YIKES!!! Did I mention that there was a LOT of jumping?! This is the kind of workout that pretty much sucks while you’re doing it but after you are done you feel awesome!!!!

So lately I’ve read lots of the great recap posts about the Blend Retreat from a couple weeks ago. I know there are a lot of other neat events where bloggers meet each other, too.

Reading about some of these has caused me to start thinking about the differences between meeting people online (through blogs and other social media) and in person. Over the past few months, I have gotten to “know” some really amazing people through their blogs.

So far, I haven’t met any of my blogger friends in real life. Last night I was talking to Chris and I told him that I hope to eventually met some of them in person. What I really hope, though, is that when I meet my online friends for the first time – I’m the person they expected to meet!

Meaning that I hope no one thinks it is like the little Facebook cartoon above!!! I try to keep my blog real and be exactly the same in it that I am in real life!! Just like all of my wonderful pictures and videos – I don’t primp for them – cause I don’t fix myself up to workout!!!

I try to make most of my posts positive but some days (ummm…yesterday!) it just doesn’t happen cause life isn’t all roses for any of us!!! Over-all though, I love my life and am usually happy both on my blog, when I comment on other blogs and in real life!!!

So, I hope that at some point I get to meet a lot of y’all!! I even know some of the things I want to do with some of my blog friends: (see if you know who some of these might be)