On the Mend and On the Road

April 15, 2013 Kim 16 Comments

Today I made use of the furniture in my hotel room for my 43. I used this little footstool as a bench. I did a lunge, one foot on a bench (stool), with a twist.

not me (sadly I'm not on a beach right now) — not me (sadly I’m not on a beach right now)

This was one of those times when I did 43 with my left leg on the stool and another 43 with my right leg on the stool. (We all know that I wish I was on a beach but I’m just pretending!!)

The rest of my workout was Turbo Fire Fire 45. For some reason it was hard – I must be more tired than I thought I was! Oh, well – I needed to do something before I spend the day sitting!!

Yesterday afternoon, Tim (my twin) and I took my dad home. He really did not look like someone who had just had a major heart attack (and surgery) 3 days earlier! I hope that this is a wake-up call to make some changes but I can’t force anything and he is a “big boy.”

On the way back to Abilene, we stopped to see our Poppa (98 years old!).

Overall, my trip to Texas has been nice (other than the initial reason I came down) since I got to spend time with all of my siblings, my dad, my Poppa and my aunt!! I told my dad that next time he wanted to see us he could just call and invite us down – it would be easier all around!!!

I’m heading home today (WooHoo!!!)! However, Chris is leaving this morning to go to the sim (simulator training) in Wichita. Because I didn’t know until yesterday when I would be leaving, he made arrangements for the boys for the night – both are going home with good friends (of their’s and mine).

Yesterday evening it hit me – I’m driving through Wichita anyway – boys won’t be home….so I think I will stay the night with Chris in Wichita!!! It’s a win all the way around – 2 hours less driving today, spending the night with Chris (and not home alone), boys are happy to spend a Monday night with their friends – WIN!!!

Happy Monday – I’m hitting the road!

Kim

PS – Good luck to all Boston Marathon runners today!!

Core, Fitness, Treadmill

Winner Winner

April 14, 2013 Kim 18 Comments

Today’s 43 was supposed to be easier than yesterday’s!! I wanted to work my abs so I did a star crunch. It ended up being a pretty good challenge!

Lie on your back with your arms and legs making a big X. Lift your legs, arms and head slightly off the ground. Reach your right hand and left leg up (above you), trying to touch your toe – switch sides – 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pvMvdU_C5g’]

(special video today – Chris!!) The move should be slow and controlled – a big challenge to get 43 done!!

I typically take Sunday’s off but I have spent a LOT of time sitting the past few days. I take the stairs (4 flights at my hotel and 2 at the hospital) as much as possible but still… I need some activity – I just walked on the treadmill in the hotel fitness center (4 miles @ 2.5% incline – 58:00 minutes). I didn’t run because my left hamstring is still a little sore and the treadmills have really short belts – not my favorite for running!!!

Yesterday was another day full of hospital time, being with my 2 brothers and sister and seeing my grandpa!! My dad is looking really good – not at all like someone who suffered a major heart attack 2 days ago. Hopefully he will be able to go home soon!

FYI – Hunter had a great time at his birthday sleep-over. Pizza, cake, ice cream, donuts, some Xbox, a movie and lots of basketball!!!

So glad that Hunter enjoyed it and everyone had a good time!!!

And the winner of the necklace giveaway…… Jody (Truth2BeingFit) – Congratulations!!!

Happy Sunday!!

Kim

Cardio, Core, Fitness, Push-Ups

Sibling Love

April 13, 2013 Kim 4 Comments

Today’s 43 is compliments of Hunter. I gave the boys free reign to come up with a move and make the video and told them I would get it done! Hunter came up with this whooper of a move. (Chris said Hunter wanted to add more but thankfully, Chris saved me. Hunter said, “she can do it – she did 4300 jumping jacks!”) I think maybe deep down he is proud of me!!!

Anyway, the move is called “the Cube” – I’m not sure why except for the fact that Hunter performed it with his Rubik cube in place.

jump back to plank
push-up
20x mountain climbers
push-up
jump back in
jump

The above is 1 rep – 43 of these was no joke!!! I struggled to finish all 43 today (maybe because it was 860 mountain climbers and 86 push-ups plus all the jumping!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGpxsQS8-Hw’]

Thanks, Hunter!!

After the killer “Cube”, I did some Turbo Fire. I did Lower 20 – which is 20 minutes of lower body work using this “cute” band and will leave your legs and hips shaking!!!

Innocent - I think not! — Innocent – I think not!

Then I did Upper 20 (20 minutes of upper body work – including more push-ups!) using this band:

A great workout to start my day!!!

So, I spent the bulk of yesterday hanging out at the hospital. My dad was in the ICU until about 5:45 or 6:00 in the evening when they finally moved him into a private room. At least then he could sit in a chair for a few minutes. He looked pretty good – he said he wasn’t in pain just really uncomfortable.

One nice thing about my impromptu trip is seeing all of my siblings. The last time all 4 of us were all together was over 2 years ago!!! My younger brother drove in from Levelland and my sister came from Sherman so by mid afternoon we were all together!! I always enjoy catching up with my siblings (in person).

Tim (twin) & me Aunt Jackie & me Mandi & me Sam & me — Tim (twin) & me
Aunt Jackie & me
Mandi & me
Sam & me

And, while I was hanging out with my brothers, sister, aunt and dad here in Texas, Chris was busy at home!!

Hunter had 4 friends over 4 a sleep-over last night for his birthday. That means a total of 6 boys (counting my 2) + Chris!!! For weeks I had been planning to make a special cake for the event. However, it’s hard to make a cake when you aren’t there!

Chris and Jordan to the rescue:

Can you tell what the cake is? Didn’t they do an awesome job?!

Pretty sure Hunter was happy!

Hunter knew that I had a cake planned but he didn’t know what it was going to be – I think the choice was pretty appropriate for him!!!

And….Look – a close match for my “happy place” –

OK – it’s not really a beach – but it is a lake that I could see from the window in the waiting room!!! Close enough for now!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

PS – I will announce the winner of the I AM FEARLESS necklace tomorrow!!!

Biceps, Cardio, Core, Fitness, Shoulders

Curveballs

April 12, 2013 Kim 30 Comments

Today’s 43 has a super special video. I was driving for 8.5+ hours yesterday and I called home and asked Chris and the boys to make the video for me. (I told them the move I had in mind – they did the work.) Thanks to Jordan for the awesome video (complete with intro and credits!!)!!!

The move – a bicep curl to a shoulder press – reverse the move then drop down and jump back to plank (hold) – jump in and stand = 1 rep x 43!! (I used 10 pound dumbbells)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMdX7ZrghbE’]

(Jordan dropped the weights when he jumped back but I actually held onto them the whole time.)

Here is the hotel fitness center:

There were also 2 treadmills but a man was on one and I figured he didn’t want some creepy girl taking his picture!!

I started by walking a mile to warm-up before my 43. Sweat was dripping off me during this 43 – good thing the fitness center wasn’t packed! Then I came back up to my room (4 flights of stairs – bonus!!) for the rest of my workout.

I did Les Mills Combat – Combat 45. I hope the people in the room below me weren’t still trying to sleep since there was quite a bit of plyo jumping!!

Sometimes life throws a curveball at you and you have to learn how to time your swing to hit it.

Yesterday morning (while I was doing my timed wall-sit), my twin brother (Tim) called me and told me our dad was in the hospital. He didn’t have many details at the time but a bit later he called me back with more info. My dad had a massive heart attack, had surgery yesterday morning and was in the ICU. I felt like I needed to make a trip to Texas because I don’t want him to be in the hospital alone!!! (scary being alone in a hospital!)

A few plans (hotel reservations, stuff for Chris & boys….), packing and I was on the road by 1:15 for a long drive. Poor planning since I hit Oklahoma City at high traffic time:

This is a drive that I have made more times than I can count and it never really changes!

look - a small hill! — look – a small hill!

It is hard to take pictures while driving (and probably not very safe) in case you were wondering. I tried to get the Welcome to Texas sign but there was another sign in front of it (RUDE!!) and I was zipping along and …. no sign but I made it safely!!!

So, the next few days will be crazy but it’s important – it’s my DAD, after all!! And, I will get to see my 98 year-old grandpa while I’m here!!

Happy Friday! Last day for to enter the giveaway for this necklace:I will announce the winner this weekend!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Finding Your Happy Place

April 11, 2013 Kim 18 Comments

For my 43 today, I did a standing crunch combo. I started with my hands behind my head and lifted my right knee to the side with a side crunch – lifted my right knee to the front and twisted my left elbow to it while crunching – kicked my right leg out to the front and reached my left hand to my toe – repeat all 3 moves on the left = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeOiU1pY7gk’]

Besides working my core (and balance), this move was good for my hip flexors!! I’m pretty sure I ended up doing more than 43 because I was talking to Hunter and kept losing count so I would go back to the last number I remembered saying – I figure extra is better anyway!

Today seemed like a good day to spend some time with Chalean (since we’re such good friends, you know!!). I did Turbo Fire – Fire 55EZ. It was a great 55 minutes – high intensity cardio leaving me a sweaty mess – perfect!!

During my workout I realized that I haven’t done a plank or wall-sit challenge in awhile so I decided to get that done.

Wall-Sit: 3:20 (new record for me!)

Plank (extended arms) – 4:15 (also a record!)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z5qpyxRR-A’]

I love the movie Happy Gilmore – his happy place is pretty random but whatever works for you!!

I think that there really is value in the idea of finding your happy place. Sometimes just picturing it in our minds can be calming and remind us that even unpleasant times will pass. Or, in the middle of a really tough workout or run it might be helpful to escape to your happy place.

My happy place looks like this:

with these guys thrown in!

In my real life it is 30 some degrees outside and cloudy but in my happy place it always sunny and warm!!(my happy place definitely includes a fun cocktail!!)