5 Things I Have Learned this Week

May 10, 2013 Kim 22 Comments

Today I did a concentration curl for my 43. (to learn more about the main muscle actually worked in a concentration curl – not the bicep – read evilcyber’s post)

Let’s just view the move in pictures:

just down to here (holding this position makes you have to work at the top and bottom of the move!)

Of course, after I did 43 with my right arm, I still had another set of 43 with my left!

Lower - works best if you check out your muscle!! — Lower – works best if you check out your muscle!!

I liked this 43. I started with a 15 pound dumbbell but quickly dropped down to 12 pounds so that I could use good form. I couldn’t push my elbow against my leg very hard (at all really – bruises, you know) so I just have it resting next to my leg.

So, in honor of Teacher Appreciation week (or just because I felt like it!!) I decided to share a few things I’ve learned in the past week.

Doctors do not always inform you about all possible outcomes of various procedures.
As much as I enjoy reality TV, I like it much better when I watch it while on the treadmill!
10-month old babies are fun but lots of work (been awhile since my boys were that little).
Sadly, I’m probably the opposite of a Sherpa. This was a new word for me so I guess this sort-of counts as learning 2 things!!! Check out Lindsay at Cotter Crunch – she is the living definition of a Sherpa!!!
Plug-ins on Word Press blogs don’t always work!! Lately I’ve been having lots of issues with my CommentLuv – it works for awhile and then quits. Sorry that you aren’t always able to leave your most recent post. I’m not high tech enough to fix it!!

I better get a move on since I haven’t even showered and Chris is waiting on me for a quick little road trip today!! (My legs might not be elevated but they will be resting in the car!!)

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Shoulders

Eating as an Athlete Versus Eating as a Coach Potato

May 9, 2013 Kim 28 Comments

Today my 43 showed progress over the past couple of weeks!!! I did a plank hold and brought my knees to my elbows at a nice slow pace (no jumping!).

Not gonna lie – this was a challenge for me today!! Amazing how quickly you lose strength and endurance!! Anyway, I made it through – I counted a right knee in + a left knee in as 1 rep so it was 43 with each leg.

Part of the reason I could do this today is I’m wearing the awful compression stockings.And, yes, I did the pictures today after I showered – and I do pretty much wear workout stuff all the time. Wearing a running skirt when I can’t run makes me feel like a runner still!!!

So, while the eCard above isn’t completely true (I already have the perfect guy!!), there might be some truth about the eating!!!

I don’t talk a lot about what I eat, how often I eat or any of that on here and for the most part I’m fine with my body (shape, weight, etc.). However, things change when you can’t workout!!!

Normally, while I try to be mindful of what I eat and not overindulge, I don’t get to bothered by food. Many nights at dinner I eat more than Chris (don’t judge!!). I’m an athlete (except for right now when I’m not)!!!

Between working out (usually 1-2 hours a day) fairly intensely and all of my normal daily activity

I don’t have to stress to0 much about my intake. (We do try to eat healthy most of the time!!) I’m not a fan of diets or dieting (for myself) but there are times I have to make some changes – like now!!

When you take away the workouts and most of the activity – this is what you are left with:

As a (temporary!!) coach potato, I’m having to be MUCH more careful about what I eat and how much I eat – I don’t want to end up looking like this guy in a couple of weeks!!!What about you – do you eat differently based on your activity or do your eating habits stay the same regardless of the situation?

Gotta get a move on – I’m babysitting a 10-month old this morning and covering 3rd grade recess at lunch time (Teacher Appreciation again). Not sure that I’m following the DRs plan today but plenty of time this afternoon and evening for

Oh – I mean elevating my feet (sort-of the same thing, though!!).

Happy Thursday!!

Kim

Boxing, Fitness

Why Didn’t I Think of This Sooner??!!

May 8, 2013 Kim 23 Comments

Today for my 43, I used Hunter’s punching bag!!One of the best parts about using the punching bag is getting to wear my super cool pink boxing gloves:

I decided to make this into a “semi” workout. (small scale for sure!) I did 43 right jabs and then 43 left jabs – and repeated that 10 times without stopping. (430 total right jabs + 430 total left jabs)

Then, I moved right into right-left alternating punches for another 43 x 10 reps (this part was actually 860 total punches). A total of 1290 right punches and 1290 left punches all of which I will probably feel tomorrow since my arms were shaking by the end!

This 43 (or series of 43s) was the best thing I’ve done in awhile. It only took 14 minutes but I worked up a bit of a sweat (WooHoo!!) and got my heart rate up. Plus – it felt good to punch something!!!

Since I can’t do much with my legs, I just planted them and then tried to really twist using my core because it needs a LOT of work after the past couple of weeks!

I can’t believe that I haven’t used the punching bag before now! Oh, well – I might be slow coming up with a good idea but at least I finally came up with something that makes me feel like I’m sort-of working out!! Now, I just need to build my stamina back up!!!

I even got dinner started (love my crock pots!) this morning so that Chris doesn’t feel like he has to do everything around here!!!

I’m just full of ideas this morning!! Wonder what else I can come up with? So many possibilities – as long as the rest of my ideas for the day involve this move

clearly not the way my legs look right now

then I can do anything!!!

Happy Wednesday!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Real Life Feelings and Emotions

May 7, 2013 Kim 39 Comments

Today’s 43 was another one for my core. I did a V-sit crunch.

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

I feel like the past 2 weeks my abs have really been neglected!! This was a good 43 – my legs (hip flexors mainly) were tired by the time I completed all 43.

I’m going to vent (meaning I’m going to rant and let out all of my frustrations) about yesterday and then I’m going to ~~try to~~ move on!

Yesterday morning I called my DR (again). My right calf is still very swollen, hard and painful and my left ankle has joined in on the fun! Since the doctor had assured me (every single time I asked her) that I would be running by now (almost 2 weeks after surgery) and I can barely walk I need some answers!

When the nurse called back I said:

She was super nice and assured me that I wasn’t a being a pain and that I was right to call. They wanted to see me but I would have to see a different DR (mine was unavailable). The DR I met also does the same type surgeries.

So, when the DR came in the room and looked at my legs he said – well, yep.

He then proceeded to explain that vein stripping used to be comparable to medieval torture devices.

He went into considerable detail about how it used to be with removing the vein and the bleeding involved – blah, blah, blah (I’m going to spare you the gorey details!).

But, thanks to modern technology, the technique has become much improved – MOST OF THE TIME!

Even with the newer method of vein stripping (removal of greater saphenous vein – in left leg), ligation (veins tied off ) and phlebectomy (removal of superficial veins through small slit-like incisions in skin – reason I have little cuts all over my legs) some people still have the same recovery problems that the older surgery caused.

By recovery problems he was referring to the massive amounts of bruising, swelling and hard lump-like spots in my legs. (and pain)

He went on to say that this only happens a very small percent of the time – and that it hadn’t happened to any of his patients to date.

All well and good but – How come no one told me that before I had this done???

Of course, I asked exactly what that means in terms of recovery time – he said it could be as long as 6 weeks of keeping my legs elevated as much as possible and just minimal walking around to keep the blood flowing!

Remember, I asked my DR numerous times on both of the visits I had with her before surgery – How long will I have to take off running? Every time she said probably about a week. Not once did she think to mention that – Oh, by the way, occasionally (rarely) people have complications and it can be up to 6 weeks!!!

So, I had to cancel the sub-jobs that I had for this week and resign myself to a few more weeks of relatively little activity.

There might have been a few tearsand maybe a few curse words (not at the doctor’s office!)and there was definitely a margarita to drink!!

Would I have done the surgery if I knew there was a chance (however slim) that the recovery could be very long and painful instead of just the week that I was expecting? I don’t know but I feel like I should have been informed so that if when it happened I would be prepared – both physically and mentally.

So now I’m going to suck it up and do what I have to do from this point on to heal. I know that whining and complaining isn’t going to help anything but I had to get it all off my chest!!!

I know that in the big picture, this is nothing. It could be so much worse.

So, I’m going to enjoy the sunshine – my big outing for the day is to cover 1st grade recess so that the teacher’s can have a longer lunch and well-deserved break for Teacher Appreciation – and stop complaining!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Big Plans and Goals

May 6, 2013 Kim 26 Comments

Today I used a medicine ball for my 43.

I don’t know if you can tell, but the ball in the top left has handles on it (handy, huh?!). It is an 8 pound ball and was perfect for today’s move.

I did a sit-up with an overhead press at the top of the move.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAbU6rR8Oh8′]

This was a nice 43 to work my abs and boy do they need it!! It’s been almost 2 weeks since I had a true workout and I can tell!!!

So, in 17 days I will be at Day for my Daily 43. That means that I have another super long run planned – 250 minutes (4 hours and 10 minutes).

My goal for the run is to run a steady 8:00 minutes/mile pace. If I do that then I will run just over 31 miles!!!

However, I didn’t plan on losing 2+ weeks of training and conditioning. I’m a little worried that I might not be able to meet my goal.

So, I may have to adjust my goal a little – I still plan to run 250 minutes. I might just have to cut myself a little slack on my pace and distance covered.