Working the Band (4/27-5/3)

May 3, 2014 Kim 36 Comments

This week’s 44s were all about using this little band –

Since I was in Texas for the first part of the week, this was a perfect tool to use! And, all of my pictures were taken either Thursday or Friday morning after I was home – I did the moves on the actual day though!!!

Sunday 4/27 –44 bicep curl with a lunge (hold the other end of the band up over shoulder for extra resistance.

And, of course, I had to do a 2nd set of 44 with my left side.

I also did Turbo Fire Tone 30 which is 30 minutes of full body toning using bands.

Monday 4/28 – 44 tricep kickbacks in plank.

These were challenging – to try and keep my body straight, hold plank with one arm and do 44 kickbacks with resistance!!! And, I had to do a 2nd set!!!

I did TaeBo Fat Blasting Cardio (another portable workout!!) and a nice easy 30 minute run (probably only 3 miles).

Tuesday 4/29 – 44 lateral raise with opposite side leg lift.

ready to raise right arm & lift the left leg

I love moves that work on balance!!! And, I try to stay balanced so I had another set of 44.

The rest of my workout was TaeBo Insane Abs (50 minutes of nonstop core work!) and a super easy 50 minute run (about 5 miles).

Wednesday 4/30 – 44 abdominal presses with the band.

This move will definitely get your core burning!!!

I just did a 75 minute easy run (7.5-8 miles).

Thursday 5/1 – 44 squat with bicep curl (band crossed for extra resistance).

Can you tell that I was all about multi-functional exercises for the week?

Since I was back home on my treadmill I decided to do a harder run – 10 miles in 79:54 + 1.5 miles easy.

Friday 5/2 – 44 overhead press with opposite leg stepping back to a lunge.

Another move that required a 2nd set!!!

This move was hard – gotta keep working my shoulders!!!

It was also a run day – 6 miles in 47:52 + 2.5 easy miles.

Saturday 5/3 – 44 sumo squat with a chest fly (standing).

ready - choke up on the band — ready – choke up on the band

Right arm done – time for the left!

Today was a fun running day – Hunter’s long run! He had 95 minutes on the schedule. We kept our 5 minute run/1 minute walk and ended up with 10 miles in 93:40!!! Even with the walking he is still averaging 9:22 a mile (the same pace he had last week when we did 9 miles!!). He is doing such a great job with his training for the half marathon!

Total Running – 41.5 + 4.5 easy for a total of 46. Not sure that is great since one week from today I plan to run further at one time than I went all week – I think I’m ready though!

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Fitness, Resistance Bands

No Excuses – We Can Always Make Time to MOVE!!!

May 2, 2014 Kim 1 Comment

I’m not a fan of excuses when it comes to working out!

I think that exercise/activity is something we can all fit into our days if we really want to. There is no need for fancy equipment or hours and hours – it is just a matter of making a choice to MOVE YOUR BODY!!!

When I travel, I love bands like these –

one or more - small and portable! — one or more – small and portable!

They don’t take up much space or add any extra weight in a suitcase. They are great for toning moves (on Saturday I will show all the moves I did this week using a band for my daily 44).

You can combine moves for a full body workout or just do a couple of moves.

If you only have a few minutes, you can still get your heart rate up – Tabata is a great choice. In as little as 4 minutes you can really push yourself.

Burpees – one of the greatest moves ever!!! Cardio, toning, hard, fun = burpees!!! Think you don’t have time to workout? Just do a few burpees – you will know that you made an effort and feel much better!!!

So, the next time you think you don’t have the time or space to workout – do some burpees or a tabata, grab a resistance band – just spend a few minutes and you will feel much better all day long!

What is your go-to move when you don’t have much time or space to workout?

Happy Friday!

Kim

Uncategorized

Home is the BEST!!

April 30, 2014 Kim 104 Comments

No matter where I go, I’m always happy to go home again!!! And when I take a trip without my family then I’m extra happy to go home!

This morning I get to spend a little more time with my sweet niece –

Isn't the flower awesome? — Isn’t the flower awesome?

I’m happy that I was able to come down to TX and spend some time with my sister, her family and especially my new niece, Griffin!!

But…..

I’m ready to go home.

I love being home with my routine and all of the things that I do in a normal day! And, I miss my boys –

So, this morning after another round of baby cuddling, I will hit the road and end the day back where I belong!

What is your favorite part of a trip?

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Uncategorized

Driving and Running, Business and Sleeping, Babies and Blogging

April 28, 2014 Kim 100 Comments

Currently I’m in Texas!!! I drove down on Saturday (after Hunter and I ran 9 miles!) to spend some time with my sister and her family so that I could meet my new niece and help out some.

It is less than 7 hours so the drive isn’t too bad – especially since I have books on CD to keep me entertained (and sunflower seeds to keep me awake!).

I know that I should try to get in a few more good runs this week since next week will be all about resting (well, maybe not resting but it won’t include running much). However, I’m TIRED!!!!

I brought some work to Texas with me (business stuff and a volunteer project I’m working on) and it is just sitting on the desk staring at me – I think it’s mocking me!!!

Last night I stayed up until midnight (that is WAY past my bedtime) trying to get caught up on blogging (didn’t happen – still behind!).

Something has got to give!!! Sleep is already at a minimum in my world. Working out is part of what I do – even if it is less than normal (still includes a daily 44).

For these next couple of days, I will just try to let things go and focus on family!!!

After all, the next time I turn around, Griffin will be in high school (like my own boys!!) so I better enjoy this baby stage while I have a chance!!

Happy Monday!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness, Plyo, Running

Plyo and Hunter the Runner (4/20 – 4/26)

April 26, 2014 Kim 47 Comments

This week, the 44s were all about plyometrics!!! I decided to really push my legs hard for the week since today is exactly 2 weeks until my race (50 miles!).

Sunday 4/20 – 44 hopscotch jumps onto step. Start by straddling step – hop up with the right leg – hop back down to straddle – hop up with the left leg – hop back down to straddle for 1 rep.

Hunter had an 80 minute run scheduled so it was a run day. His legs were hurting a lot so we ended up running 4 miles and walking 2.4 to finish up our 80 minutes.

Monday 4/21 –44 plie jumps with heels touching at top of jump.

And, since it was marathon Monday, I ran!! 12 miles in 92:30 + 2.1 easy miles.

Tuesday 4/22 – 44 single leg dead-lift to a knee up with a hop while keeping arms in a goal post position.

I liked this move because even though it was plyo, it also included balance and control! And, of course, I had to do 44 on each side.

I did TaeBo Insane Abs – a fun cardio based core workout!!! Because I wanted to really tire my legs out, I also did Turbo Fire Fire 30.

Wednesday 4/23 – 44 lateral jumps over a foam roller – a right jump and left jump = 1 rep.

I started with my longest foam roller but after about busting my ankle decided to use a shorter one!!!

And, I started a run streak!!! 8 miles in 62:43 + 1.75 easy miles.

Thursday 4/24 – 44 low squat jump outs – right + left = 1 rep.

This was a fun move!!!

Another day of running – 9 miles in 64:31 + 1.5 easy miles.

Friday 4/25 – 44 donkey kicks with hands on the wobble balls.

In the video, I did slow kicks but during my 44 I mixed it up and did some slow and some fast.

Running – 7 miles in 53:48 + 2.25 easy miles.

Saturday 4/26 – 44 double butt kicks.

Not gonna lie – I’m happy that the week of plyo is done!!!

Today’s run was fun!!! We moved Hunter’s long run back a day because I’m fixing to head to Texas for a few days (my sister just had a baby!!) and I didn’t want to miss it.

Hunter crushed this run – 85 minutes and he did 9 miles. We actually did a run 5 minute/walk 1 minute plan and he still averaged 9:22 miles!!! This was his furthest run by over 2.5 miles – I’m so proud of him and happy that I get to experience these first running moments with him!!!

Total miles for the week:
49 miles
10.05 easy miles

Do you like plyometric moves?

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim