Butt, Fitness, Quad, Running, Squats, Treadmill

Vein Stripping: Five Weeks Later

May 30, 2013 Kim 28 Comments

For my 43 today, I did more leg work (and a bit of core since there was a high level of balance involved!). I used my stability ball: (not the BOSU – it was just in the picture!!)I started with one foot on the ball – knee bent:

Then I did a single leg squat and slid the ball out in front of me:

And, like so many of the 43s in the past, this was a double because I want both of my legs to get equal treatment!!!

Another day of Insanity Asylum – Back to Core. Since this is my first time through the program I didn’t know what to expect from this workout – now I know that it is a LOT of controlled moves and holds!!! My upper back will be sore tomorrow for sure!!! The only equipment needed for this workout is a little band – Good times!!!

I decided to get in a little run today since this workout didn’t have much cardio (and I’ve been in a bit of a running slump) – I ran on the treadmill since it is STILL raining here! 1.5% incline – 4 miles in 30:54 + 0.25 mile cooldown

Not sure what the deal is with running lately – not super motivated. I’m trying to cut myself a little slack and push harder with other things because I don’t want running to ever become something that I dread!!Thankfully, I don’t hate running but I’m not loving it at the moment either – I have a small idea of what the problem might be. (coming up…..)

So, it has been 5 weeks since this lovely picture (the day after I had my veins stripped):

I thought I would just do a short follow up (no gross pictures today!!!) with my thoughts on the surgery. I’ve already talked about the fact that my DR completely misinformed me by not telling me all the possible results and how long the recovery could take.

Now, it has been 5 weeks and I can do all of my normal activities so that is definitely a good thing. The downside – my legs have hurt every second of the past 5 weeks!!! They don’t hurt as bad now as they did the first couple of weeks but I have a few areas on both legs that HURT all the time.

My left ankle has a huge knot right under the bone on the inside that causes my ankle to stay swollen and ache all the time.

My right calf, while better than it was the first couple of weeks, still has a knot in it.

right calk — right calf – hard to tell much

And, my right upper thigh is just a mess – little knots all over.

I have regretted having this surgery almost since the minute I got home from the hospital and I’m still not at the point where I’m glad I had it done!!! I’m hoping that maybe in a few more weeks I will at least be happy with the results but for now all it’s done is cause me a lot of pain.

And, that pain (while definitely manageable) is what I think has caused my little running slump!!! Every time I run now my legs feel like this:I keep telling myself that the DR said I can’t hurt anything so I try to ignore it but it is a joy sapper for sure!!!

Well, what I meant to be an update, came out sounding like a lot of whining! I’m done with that now because I know that I’m lucky to be able to work out and do all the things I want to do!!!

Oh, and I’m very happy that I know longer need any wraps or nasty compression stockings!! The DR said to wear them at least for a month – DONE!!!

But I’m still going on record as saying – I, personally, don’t recommend this particular surgery and if I had it to do again, I would not do it!!

Happy Thursday!!!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness

Driving School

May 29, 2013 Kim 36 Comments

Today I used my agility ladder for the 43.

who knew you could do so much with this?

I decided to get in a little cardio with the 43 so I did the Heisman using the ladder – it is a fast moving side to side with a knee in at each edge. (the video makes it all clear!!)

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

I counted an over and back as 1 rep so really I went through 86 times to complete all 43!! You can tell that I’m looking down – that’s because in the workouts with Shaun T, he says if you mess up the ladder you have to drop and do 8 push-ups (I made it through without any pushups during the 43!).

Today was another day of Insanity Asylum – Strength. This workout was 50 minutes and even though the primary focus was strength training, there was still plenty of cardio involved!! So far I’m enjoying this new Insanity series even though it is HARD!!!

Today my first-born is at driving school!!! I can hardly believe that he is old enough to start driving!!! Today is all classroom instruction – fun times!!By the time he gets home this afternoon, he will have his learner’s permit and life will never be the same!!! As parents, we encouraged him to seek out the easiest traffic school that we could find that was suitable for our area. We wanted him to receive the best education that he can get, as we need to make sure he is safe on the road, as well as the road users around him. I’m not sure where he decided to go, but I’m sure he’s made the right decision.I’m pretty sure that his first times driving will either be with Chris or the driving instructor (I’m not always the most patient person and one of us might freak out!!).I thought I was ready for this but part of me just wants Jordan (and Hunter, too) to be little again so that I can keep them with me!! I mean seriously – 14 year olds driving?!

I know it’s a good thing and I’m happy for him!! Just beware when you see Student Driver signs on the road – might be my 14 year old son!! (I better start trying to let go of some of my road rage!!)And, seeing how fast my boys are growing up makes me treasure the times we spend together – even if it means they are kicking my butt in Wii games!!! Yesterday we had a little tournament (put together by Jordan!) – I didn’t do so great:

Jodan - 9 Hunter - 5 Kim - 2 — Jodan – 9
Hunter – 5
Kim – 2

But it was fun!!

Anyone else occasionally feel small moments of panic when you realize how quickly your kids (or siblings, grandkids…..) are growing up?

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Biceps, Fitness, 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!

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

Chest, Fitness, Push-Ups, Shoulders

Memorial Day – so much more than just the start of summer!!!

May 27, 2013 Kim 22 Comments

Today’s 43 took a standard move (the push-up) and used it in a whole new way (at least for me!!). I did Frog Push-ups!!!

To do these, start with your legs bent at 90 with just your toes on the ground. Hands are in normal push-up position. The only thing that really moves are your arms when you bend your elbows down.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KCrqYIsHIg’]

This was a fun 43 and I loved the extra shoulder benefit of this push-up!!!

Today I finally started a program that I have put off for close to 2 years – Insanity Asylum. I’ve done Insanity a couple of times (the entire 60 day program) but it’s been awhile. These programs have the names they do for a reason – they are intense and not for the weak of heart!!! I can tell that I lost a lot of conditioning the past month so I figured the Asylum would be just the thing to push me!!!

Today was just the first assessment or Fit Test. 25 minutes with a very short warm-up, 9 different drills for 1 minute each and a short cool down. A lot of these moves were new to me because it takes a more traditional move and combines it with some agility training!! Not easy!!! Gonna have to work hard this month!!

Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, not to be confused with Veterans Day which celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.

On Memorial Day the United States flag is raised to the top of the staff and then lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all. (from Wikipedia) We might not all know someone personally who has lost their life while serving our country, but we can still honor the memory of all who have fought for our country and given their lives.It is also a day that the families who have lost a member (or members) should be remembered since they have made a huge sacrifice for our country.So, whether you are spending the day on the lake, at the ballpark or just hanging out with friends, family and good food – take a few minutes to remember all the many military members who have given their lives for the freedom that we often take for granted!!!

Happy Memorial Day!!

Kim

Fitness, Lunges, Quad

Happiness

May 26, 2013 Kim 28 Comments

Today’s 43 was a quad burner!! I just did a back lunge with my right leg, pulled my knee in while staying in low position and repeated x 43.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF74OVc-r9g’]

You can tell I wobbled a few times – it happens!!! And, you know, this was the kind of move that I had to do 2 sets of 43 so that both legs could feel the burn!!!

I’m hoping that Hunter will decide to get up soon so we can all go play tennis!!! Jordan and I usually like to get a nice walk after our tennis rounds so I even though I’m not doing a “true workout” today, I will still get plenty of activity!!

Happiness is a state of mind and while I feel like I’m generally a happy person, I know that I’m always much happier in the summer!!!! So many things are making me happy right now!!!

Yesterday I put on a pair of my shorts (the first time of the season is always a little scary) and they still fit great!!

and my longhorn tat makes me very happy!!!

The boys washed the cars yesterday – clean cars make me happy and watching the boys spray each other “accidentally” really makes me happy!!!I just hung out, took pictures and tried to get a little color on my pale legs!!

Swimsuit season = HAPPINESS!!!

Chris and I went for the first boat ride of the year – it’s like being on vacation, almost!!!How can you not be happy floating around on the water???

It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!!! Margaritas on the boat!! — It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere!!!
Margaritas on the boat!!

And, since it was our anniversary (another reason to be HAPPY), we got dressed up and went out to a really nice dinner!!We ate at the Row House which is always fun!! We always get the tasting menu which is about 6 courses but none super big!!! Last night we went out to the courtyard area for our dessert!