The Librarian

December 17, 2012 Kim 2 Comments

Today my 43 really worked my obliques! I used my stability ball again. I put my back on the ball and my feet on the wall at a right angle. With my hands behind my head, I crunched to the left and reached my right hand outside my left knee and then crunched the opposite way to make 1 rep. So, in order to complete my 43, I actually did 86 oblique crunches!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db7XC_BLwVQ’]

(The boys helped me out over the weekend with several demos. I wanted to be ready for the busy week ahead so we made the videos and then each morning I can do the actual 43.)

After the 43 I did some Pilates but I actually mixed it up and did some new stuff. First I did the mat segment from Burn & Firm Pilates – 10 minutes. This DVD uses hand weights with the pilates work which is kind of nice. Then I did the mat segment from Fat Burning Pilates – 15 minutes. Finally I did the total body segment from Pick Your Spot Pilates – 10 minutes.

All of these were still non-weight bearing! It was a nice change of pace on the pilates front because all of these work-outs have ab, butt and thigh work all mixed together instead of in separate sections.

Can you guess what I’m going to be doing this week? I’m not technically the librarian but I will be working in the school library. I’m not going to be at Hunter’s school – I will be at one of the other elementary schools in our district. I’m filling in for the library aide – this week and then most of January. I’m super excited!!! I love everything about books and I think this will be a really fun job!

Between spending my days in the school library and my evenings tutoring algebra (finals week for high school) – this week is going to be BUSY!!!

I better get going – still need to get dinner in the crock pot before we all leave for the day!

Happy Monday!

Kim

Fitness, Triceps

No Chicken Wings Here!

December 16, 2012 Kim 2 Comments

Oh – wrong kind (but these look sort-of delicious)!

Anyway, for my 43 today I worked my triceps (chicken wings). When I was in high school (ages ago!) I had a teacher who every time she wrote on the chalkboard (I told you it was a long time ago!!!) her arms did this wavey thing. (She really wasn’t overweight.) At the time I knew very little about fitness and toning, etc. but I remember telling myself, daily, that I would never have arms like that! Now I know that for my teacher it was just a complete lack of toning (ever) and I try to spend plenty of time on my triceps!!!

I used this awesome band to work my triceps:

I love this band – it has so many uses! Plus, it is portable and easy to take when I travel!

I wanted to get maximum resistance with the band so I choked way up on it.

choke way up on the band (maybe don't slouch, though!) — choke way up on the band (maybe don’t slouch, though!)

I started with my right arm in front of my forehead and my left arm bent back.

Then I slowly extended both arms and held before returning to the start.

Pull (now you should look completely bored!)

The first 20 or so weren’t too bad. By the time I got to 30, my arms were on fire. The last few were complete agony! It was great! This was another 2 setter – 43 with my right arm and 43 with the left.

Yesterday afternoon I wrapped presents and I think that I’m to the point where I’m completely done with everything!! Now I’m ready to enjoy this season and my family! (well maybe a few last minute things – plus meal planning, grocery shopping….OK, sort-of done with everything!)

Happy Sunday!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Thighs

Epic Camera Fail

December 15, 2012 Kim 2 Comments

Today I thought I would give my upper body a little break with the 43 and do a leg exercise. (It has been hard to come up with non-weight bearing moves that still offer a challenge for my lower body!!!)

I took one of my Pilates moves and turned it into the 43. I did a leg lift that included complete range of motion.

Lie on left side – body in a straight line – propped on left elbow
Point right toes and place it slightly in front of left foot
Lift right leg straight in the air
Flex right foot and lower leg behind left foot
Point toes and raise right leg in the air
Flex foot and lower in front of left leg

The above is 1 rep. This move should be performed in a smooth, controlled manner. And, of course, I did 43 with my right leg and 43 with my left leg!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXWKEP31WWs’]

(I left my socks on because my feet get cold!!!)

After working my legs – and I felt it for sure – I decided to work on my plank hold again. I did another 3 minute plank – I’m not sure I will ever be able to hold it longer than that. (makes my wrists hurt)

Last night was Hunter’s cello bash (and by bash I mean LONG concert – good but LONG – like 2.5 hours!) and I had big plans to post a video of him playing his duet. Ummm….apparently, if you don’t charge your camera battery in advance then you get a message that says – battery exhausted. I tried using my iPhone but I couldn’t zoom in and blah, blah, blah – no video to share.

Here is a close rendition!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wtBXkGrxws’]

Oh, maybe not – but he did a great job as did all of the cellists last night!

Tonight we are going to our first Hanukkah party – I’m very excited!! Love to learn new things!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Hunter – You’re so Smart!

December 14, 2012 Kim 1 Comment

Today I was happy to take Hunter’s advice about my 43! I did a sit-up with a stability ball pass from arms to legs and back to arms to make a complete rep. I was going to use an 8 pound medicine ball and after a couple of ~~dangerous~~ attempts, Hunter said he wouldn’t take any pictures if I used the medicine ball! REALLY GOOD CHOICE!!!! Thank you, Hunter!!

The 43 was plenty challenging using a stability ball! I started with my arms and legs fully extended and the stability ball in my hands:

I did a full sit-up and passed the ball to my legs:

Legs & arms fully extended — legs & arms fully extended

Then I did another full sit-up and passed the ball back to my arms and into extension again.

2 passes (2 sit-ups) = 1 rep so really 86 total sit-ups – No wonder it was a hard 43! And, Hunter saved me from any ~~death~~ injury!!

Yesterday I got to spend quality time with Hunter at school. The 6th graders have study hall at the end of the day and yesterday, because they had taken tests in a couple of classes, no one had any homework. I let them have free time with their electronics and other equally “educational” items.

Hunter pulled out his Rubik cube and the entire class was very impressed!! (He can solve it fairly quickly!!) One of the other boys said, “Hunter is smart. I bet he is really in high school.” Another student said, “He’s probably already out of high school!!!” It was funny!!! (and made my mommy heart proud!!!!)

Today is a shopping day!!!! I can’t wait! Chris and I are going to finish up our Christmas shopping!!! I’m sure I am far more excited about this than Chris – but I do have a plan so it’s not like we are just doing random shopping ~~for me~~!!!

Yep – that’s pretty much how we look when we shop!

Have a great Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness, Shoulders

Yikes!!!

December 13, 2012 Kim 1 Comment

Today’s 43 was one of the most difficult that I have done in awhile. I think it is because it has been 10 (long) days since I ran or did any cardio at all and it shows!!!

The move – plank jacks. In the plank position, (because clearly I didn’t get enough of that yesterday!) jack your feet (jump them open and closed like a regular jumping jack). I did 10 jacks = 1 rep. (If math is not your thing, that is 430 jacks!!!!!) This move requires cario endurance plus strength to hold yourself in plank for a LONG time.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbKgUv7X3Uo’]

It was good to get a little cardio and technically, this wasn’t a true weight bearing exercise (at least not on my hip!). But, YIKES!!! I was sucking air big time. Hunter said, “It’s only been about a week since you ran.” 10 days, brother!! That is a long, long time and when you are my age (43) the you lose it a lot quicker!

Usually, I write this after I have finished my entire work-out for the day. However, I have a couple of things I have to do this morning and then I’m subbing this afternoon (for Hunter’s homeroom teacher!!!) so I’m doing my post with the intention of still squeezing in some pilates later. Even if I can’t do all 3 sections, I will get some pilates in!

This seemed appropriate today. If you don’t try – you won’t succeed! (Plus, Michael Jordan is one of my all-time favorites!)

I can’t wait to be in Hunter’s class (and I’m sure he feels the same way!). Tonight is all about Algebra – several hours of tutoring tonight – almost time for semester finals!!!

Happy Thursday!!

Kim

11:25 Pick your Spot Pilates: belly, butt & thighs – Done!!! Now I can enjoy my afternoon with 6th graders!!!

Day With KT

The Librarian

No Chicken Wings Here!

Epic Camera Fail

Hunter – You’re so Smart!

Yikes!!!

Fitness – Food – Fun