Fitness, Lunges, Quad, Running, Treadmill

Overcoming Fear

May 15, 2013 Kim 37 Comments

Today my 43 was all about working my legs!!! Finally!!!

I did a 4-count lunge: Lunge forward with right leg, clap overhead, clap under leg, clap overhead, step back – switch to left leg – repeat = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttJjkZp1Rc4′]

Not gonna lie – 43 of these and my quads were burning, my arms were getting tired and I was breathing hard – I might be a little out of shape!!!

Today I RAN!!! This was my first run in over 3 weeks and obviously, my first run since having surgery. I was actually really SCARED!!! Like, awake half the night thinking about it, SCARED.

I don’t know why the thought of running scared me so much. I have run after numerous injuries – Achilles tendonitis, a torn calf muscle, stress fractures galore (the last one in my hip and I ran with it for 3 months) – I’ve run during 2 pregnancies and after giving birth x2 – I’ve run after wiping out during a run with blood streaming down me – but not after having part of my legs striped away.

It is completely irrational – a runner scared to run?!

But today – I was scared to run!!! So, I geared myself in compression stuff (I knew the wraps would be a mess) –

compression shorts compression socks — compression shorts
compression socks

I told myself what I needed to do –

I dug down deep –

And I ran.

As much as I wanted to test out my new Garmin,I decided to save that for another day and stick to the comfort of my treadmill (my overcoming and digging down only carried me so far!).

I started this run slower than I have EVER run but then I felt “it” come back and I drop-kicked the fear and just enjoyed the fact that slow or fast – I AM STILL A RUNNER!!!

I ran 5 miles and walked 1/4 mile.

Did it hurt? Yes
Have other runs hurt? Of course
Can I run through pain? DUH!!!
Will the next one be easier? Without a doubt!!!!

I’m glad that I didn’t let my fear hold me back!!!

What fear are you facing today? Big or little – you can beat it!!!

Happy Wednesday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Ummm…I Don’t Jog!!!

May 14, 2013 Kim 34 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a move that from Kim and Alex over at Fun and Fit shared. They always have some super great ideas and their videos are cool because usually one of them demonstrates the correct way to perform an exercise and the other shows the wrong way (or ways)!

So today I did Rotating Abs (click to see their video). The starting position can be with knees bent and arms in or legs and arms extended – you can see I have a little bend in my knees.

From the start, you rotate (get it – rotating abs?) to the right hip without letting your shoulder rest on the ground and hold for a couple of seconds:

Rotate or twist back to the center and hold:

Then rotate to the left and hold to complete 1 rep.

This is a slow moving type exercise so you aren’t just rolling back and forth – you really have to hold your abs TIGHT to keep this controlled. I used a 3-count for all of my holds today. This was a challenging 43 for me but I really liked it!!

Yesterday I had another DR visit and she said that the only limits on what I do are my own – pain tolerance. She said that I’m not going to hurt anything at this point. So – I’m back to working out!!!!

Today I did a Pilates workout – Burn and Firm Pilates (click to read review). As much as I want to hit it hard and run and jump and go crazy, I’m actually a little scared. Moving my legs is still pretty painful because of the bruises and knots (deep bruising according to the DR yesterday). I picked a standing pilates because it is a decent workout but still low impact.

Overall, it was great. I’m hoping to run some tomorrow. I’m fixing to go for a little walk with a neighbor – see how it feels!

So, my DR cleared me to do whatever I can tolerate – WooHoo!!! Then she said, “You can even get back to jogging.” What?! I know that I could have said awesome and let it go but I really, I couldn’t!!!

I don’t jog!!! I’m a runner!! I’m pretty sure she thinks I’m a total nut-job!!! I’m fine with that as long as she understands that I am a runner!!

Anyone else feel the need to correct people who call you a jogger?

Happy Tuesday!!! Gonna go enjoy the warm sunshine (already 80 on the way to 90 today)!!

Kim

Fitness, Triceps

My Kind of Day!!

May 13, 2013 Kim 26 Comments

Today I worked my triceps with the 43. I also really had to use my core because I included a stability ball. I put my feet on the ball – I tried to keep just my feet and not let my calves rest on the ball to make it more difficult!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7iSDp6cWKs’]

I nearly lost the ball a couple of times but I made it through 43!! It took quite a while after I finished for my arms to quit shaking!!!

I also spent some time on the elliptical again today. I’m telling myself that even though it is not my favorite it is much better than nothing!!! I did 45 minutes at a harder pace than the other day. My legs feel very tingly again but I really think it is just the blood flowing!!!

So yesterday was just one of those perfect kind of days! I got cards from Chris and the boys:Both boys were very sweet with what they wrote –

And – they gave me a Garmin!!!

I can’t wait to actually start running again so I can test it out!!!In the meantime – I will just pretend!!!

The weather was gorgeous – no wind so the lake was perfect!!! And – WE PUT THE BOAT IN THE WATER!!!! This always make me happy because it means we made it through winter and now it’s summer – my favorite!!!We didn’t actually take a ride – Chris just put it in and drove it to the marina. It was a little chilly – plus we had stuff to do still!

We had some friends over for dinner – grilled steaks and chicken, campfire potatoes and this super easy summer corn – a perfect ending to a great day!!!

Now, I’m ready for a great week!!

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Back, Biceps, Core, Fitness

A Mom’s Reflections

May 12, 2013 Kim 18 Comments

Today I used my Turbo Fire band for my 43 –

I did a combo move consisting of a seated row, bicep curl and reverse crunch.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unyz49-LDgA’]

I liked this 43 a lot!!! I leaned back enough that I was working my core the entire time. During the rows I tried to really squeeze my shoulder blades together so I could feel it deep in my upper back. The reverse crunch was just a slow move back with my upper body (without ever resting my back on the ground) and a slow trip back up. This was a great way to work a variety of different muscle groups!!!

There are so many stages to this journey of motherhood and, for me, each stage has been better than the one before it. Here are some of my thoughts/memories of motherhood:

* I spent years (junior high, high school, college, grad school, and a couple years after) saying that I was NEVER going to have kids. It wasn’t until after Chris and I were married that I decided I really did want to have children – I guess it just took being married to the perfect guy!!!

* From the minute I found out that I was pregnant with Jordan, I was in love with him! (and again a couple years later when I found out I was pregnant with Hunter!)

* The baby stage was hard for me! I hadn’t spent much time around babies and they made me a bit nervous. Thankfully, Chris was very calm and relaxed and knew exactly what to do!!

* Toddlers – what a fun stage!! I made MANY mistakes and went to bed beating myself up for my lack of patience many nights but those sweet boys just loved me anyway!!!

When Hunter was about 20 months old and Jordan was barely over 4, the boys were playing in a sandbox. Hunter had a little pocket on his shirt which he filled with sand. He wanted it out so being the “uber smart mom” that I am, I picked him up and dumped him upside down. Jordan said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Hunter of course ended up screaming and with sand in his mouth, nose, eyes. Of course, the other mom’s (yep, this was in front of a group) were all appalled and thought I was a total buffoon!!!

We made it through without anyone being scarred for life on that one!!

* Preschool years were a major time of learning (on my part!!). Jordan was always pretty easy-going and we didn’t really go through the terrible 2s or 3s. On the other hand, when Hunter was 3 I wasn’t sure that we were both going to make it through whole!!! Thankfully, we did and now I can look back on those days and laugh (or at least not cry)!!!

* I was not the type of mom who cried when either of my boys started kindergarten. However, the first day I dropped Jordan off at the middle school (7th grade) I thought I was going to have to be medicated. That was a rough day for me!!! Thankfully, he loved it!! (I don’t know what I’m going to do in August when he starts HS and Hunter goes to middle school!!)

* When my boys were little, people always told me that it only gets harder to be a mom as your kids get older. For me, that hasn’t been the case!! Every stage we have come to I have enjoyed more than the previous ones and my life has gotten so much easier!!

* Today I can truly say that I wouldn’t change a thing about the past 14.5 years since I became a mom – even the millions of mistakes and rough times – because they have all led me to where I am today!!!

Surrounded by my 2 handsome boys – the ones who still call me MOM!!! (Jordan and pictures is always a treat!!!) I feel truly blessed!!!

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms, moms-to-be, grandmas, step-moms, etc!!!

Kim

Fitness, Push-Ups

Our Trip to the Palace

May 11, 2013 Kim 22 Comments

Today’s 43 was hard!!! I used a simple barstool –

Using the stool – I did a decline push-up!!! It was tricky getting my toes onto the stool without the thing toppling over and ~~killing~~ hurting me!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCaRJVD5jlA’]

I had to stop for a couple minutes after I completed the first 28 and rest before doing the last 15. (I asked Jordan if he could do any and he did 5!!!). After Jordan’s awesome push-ups I got set up and finished the set of 43. I’m counting it as a complete 43 even with the short break because I did them all!!!

Then – I WORKED OUT!!!! It wasn’t much and definitely not my favorite but I did it!!! I used the Elliptical today.

I just did an easy 30 minutes on it to see how it felt – not bad. My legs got really tingly after about 20 minutes but I think it is just because I finally got blood circulating through them for the first time in 2.5 weeks!! I’m just happy to get some movement and work up a bit of a sweat!!!

So, yesterday, Chris and I took a little day-trip to a Palace!! Here are some scenes from the drive:

driving through the country — more of the countryside

And, finally, the Palace:

What kind of Palace were you expecting??? I live in Kansas!!

We went to pick up our side of beef for the year – at the Palace!!!

Are you totally disappointed with the Palace trip? It’s a funny name for a place that butchers cows! But, Chris and I had a nice drive (it’s just over an hour each way) and came home to restock the freezer!!