Boxing, Fitness

The Knock-Out Punch

2 Comments

I have been enjoying my Combat work-outs so much that I decided to do some boxing for my 43 today.  I used Hunter’s punching bag.Punching Bag

And, happiness – I wore my pink boxing gloves!!!

Pink boxing gloves make me smile!!
Pink boxing gloves make me smile!!

For the 43 I started with a right stance and, using my right arm did a jab, hook, uppercut series plus a left cross.  (I feel like my punching technique has improved thanks to the hints I’ve gotten from the Les Mills crew.)  Of course, I had to switch my stance after I got to 43 and do another set with a left jab, hook, uppercut, right cross.  As a bonus, I did 43 alternating jabs to finish!

Boxing makes me feel powerful!!!  I didn’t think I would like it as much as I do!

Screen shot 2013-01-31 at 6.58.01 AM

I also did a Les Mills Combat work-out – Combat 45.  Great work-out  – especially the jumping side kicks and the jumping knees!!!

While I was punching and kicking today, I was thinking about things I would use a knock-out punch on.

My first thought was this: Screen shot 2013-01-31 at 7.11.28 AMBut then I would have missed out on my work-out opportunity of the day and that would not have been cool!

Then I thought I would knock-out all of the daily aches and pains I experience thanks to getting older!!!Screen shot 2013-01-31 at 6.59.25 AM

But even that is a totally selfish thought use of my knock-out punch!

What I would really, really like to use it on is Cancer.  Cancer sucks!!! The last 1.5 – 2 years it seems like many people in my circle of friends, aquaintances, etc. have been hit hard.  So, I would say –  Screen shot 2013-01-31 at 7.19.35 AM

 

And on that note, time to take on Thursday!!  4th graders today!!!  (I won’t be doing any knock-out punches at school!!!)

Happy Thursday!

Kim

 

Fitness, Running, Thighs, Treadmill

Wednesday – Take 2

6 Comments

Another day, another 43!!!  Today I used a stability ball and did leg circles.  Don’t be fooled into thinking this was a fluff move – it was NOT!!!

Leg CirclesI did 43 front circles and then 43 back circles with the same leg.  My hip was dying!!!!   After a quick stretch, I switched sides and repeated 2 sets of 43.

don't let the smile fool you - this hurt!
don’t let the smile fool you – this hurt!

I sort-of played around with my foot position and found that when I flexed my foot it really increased the burn in my hip/thigh – WooHoo!!!

After the 43 today I had to spend about 3 minutes stretching out my hips before I could move on to my work-out!  Running day!!!!  (Treadmill because it was 5:30am, dark, cold and snowy!)

I did 9 miles in 58:50 at a 1.5% incline.  Then I did 2 more miles at an easy pace to cool down.  The running is feeling good – my hip feels pretty good.  My left achilles is very sore but I have had problems with it for years and starting back into hard running again I sort of except it to hurt.  Lots of stretching!!!

Monday it was 75 degrees and sunny and gorgeous.  Today it is 20 something, dreary and looks like thisSnowSnowCrazy how different the weather can be in such a short amount of time!!!

I guess I was a day ahead of myself yesterday morning when I wrote my blog – I ended with “Happy Wednesday!”  Oops – I don’t know why I felt the need to skip Tuesday – usually a pretty good day – oh, well. Today will be a do-over Wednesday!!!

I know that we aren’t the healthiest eaters around – we do pretty good but we also like pasta, lots of meat, bread, probably don’t always get enough veggies.  But fruit…..I like to have it daily:

Screen shot 2013-01-30 at 8.27.25 AM

 

OK – that might be a tad extreme since I actually still eat (meat and carbs!!!) but it made me laugh!!!

Happy Wednesday!

Kim

 

Cardio, Fitness, Squats

Smile – It’s Worth It!!!

6 Comments

:Happy-Grin:  :Happy:  :Overjoy: :Happy-Grin: :Happy:  :Overjoy:

My 43 today was great for getting my heart rate up in a very short amount of time!!!  I did a squat- jump to a side kick – jump to squat.  It went quickly but it was still effective.  In fact, since this was one of those 43s that I had to do 2x (43 on each leg) – I actually stopped for about 20-30 seconds in between legs to catch my breath!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDDrFS1nu5U’]

I don’t know why it is so dark but you get the point!!!  Hunter said we should try it again but in the second demo he cut off my head and parts of my feet so we just used the dark copy.  Since I did 5 on each side for 2 demos I guess I did 53 reps/side today!!!

I did another Les Mills Combat work-out:  Power HIIT – 30 minutes of hard-core intensity!!!  Then I forced myself to do the Core Attack work-out.  20 minutes of torture core work.  I hope it helps!!!

The rest of this week is going to be BUSY – 3 days of subbing, library volunteering, school newsletter to start, finish, copy and distribute, tutoring……..I should have gotten up earlier today!  Oh well – 5 am will be showing it’s ugly head the next 3 days!!!

Screen shot 2013-01-29 at 9.54.03 AM

This is something I try to remember – especially when I start to feel overwhelmed!  Find the little things to smile about.  Things like:Flip Flops

New Yellow Box flip flops on clearance for only $12 and a warm day in January to enjoy them (yesterday!).Flip FlopsOr, an 8th grade band concert where the kids let loose and acted like kids during the Dinosaur song:

Smile = Happiness
Smile = Happiness

You can barely see Jordan but you can see his smile – FUN!!!!  I tried to get other pictures at the concert last night but we always seem to sit in the spot where we can’t see Jordan at all.  DSCN2601

 

(walking out – so tall!)

Remember:Screen shot 2013-01-29 at 9.55.05 AM And when all else fails, I picture myself right back here where I can’t help but smile!Screen shot 2013-01-22 at 2.47.12 PM

 

What all are you smiling about today??

Happy Wednesday!

Kim     :Happy-Grin:

Fitness, Push-Ups, Running

Shorts in January = Happy, Happy, Happy!!!

19 Comments

Today’s 43 was HARD!!  It was a push-up using 4 medicine balls.Medicine Balls

(Mine aren’t all the same size but it works out OK!)  I have 2 – 8 pound balls that are the same size, 1 – 9 pound ball and another 8 pound ball with handles.

The first challenge with this move is trying to balance yourself on the 4 balls – each hand and foot gets a ball!  Then – do the push-up!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcGnoJl6DPM’]

I managed to get through all 43 but I had to stop and stretch about 5 times!  Of course, each stretch break meant I had to rebalance myself!  Fun!!  (BTW – I got this move from P90X2.)

After the push-up fun, I did Les Mills Combat Combat 60 – Ultimate Fighter.  I love how hard I feel like I’ve worked when this one is done!  I was going to try one of my new Zuzka (from Body Rock) DVDs – I did about 10 minutes and then decided that it was crazy not to take advantage of the warmer weather and go out for a run.

Shorts – I ran in shorts!!!!  January 28 in Kansas and I ran in shorts!!!  I can’t even begin to describe how happy that makes me!  (It is supposed to get to 70 today but even the 50 that I just ran in was AWESOME!!!)

I only did an easy 2.1 miles (8:00 min/pace).  It wasn’t really about running hard – just enjoying the gorgeous day!

Screen shot 2013-01-27 at 1.56.53 PMI saw this ecard and thought it was funny (with some truth even though I don’t actually count calories)!!!  I’m pretty sure if I have saw how many burpees it would take to burn off some of favorite things I might quit having them – Nah, I would probably just quit reading the label!!!

Happy Monday – I hope everyone has beautiful weather to enjoy!

Kim

 

Fitness, Quad, Squats

Say What You Mean

10 Comments

The 43 today worked my butt and quads.  I did a single-leg squat.  I didn’t fully extend the leg I was working during the 43 so it really fired up my quads!

straighten your back!!
straighten your back!!

It was a little hard to keep my back straight, touch the floor and not lose my balance and topple over – goo thing we all know that I’m used to looking like a complete dork!

don't fall!
don’t fall!

This was a fun 43 for me!  (Don’t worry, I did 43 with each leg!).

I was going to go out and run today – put on my tights and everything.  But my legs are tired feeling and  I decided that I should probably take a day off instead.  I don’t really like to take days off  (actually I hate taking days off!!!)- maybe part of why I tend to get injured?!?!

Does anyone else struggle with taking days off?  Really, all I want to do right now is go work up a good sweat.  So – here I am trying to be happy with the day off planScreen shot 2013-01-27 at 11.40.41 AM

Last night we had some friends over and fired up the party machine:

This time  we had rum drinks – almost felt like we had left Kansas and were hanging out on a tropical island somewhere – ALMOST.   Even though we were still in Kansas, it was fun to catch up with  friends and enjoy some tasty drinks!

I shared this little list of “women’s” terms with Chris and the other guys:Screen shot 2013-01-26 at 2.39.54 PMOf course, they all said that when they say “fine” they mean fine – WHATEVER!  My favorite is WOW!!!  Although, now that I have shared this with Chris, I might have to come up with some new phrases!!!  (just kidding, babe!)

I thought the list was entertaining but for the most part I really do say what I think or feel.  Do you have little things you say when you mean something completely different?

Happy Sunday!

Kim

Fitness – Food – Fun