Core, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

Off Kilter

October 26, 2013 Kim 34 Comments

Today I used my favorite piece of equipment (again!) –

For the 44 I did a plank with my toes on the BOSU.

I alternated stepping one foot off –

then back on and the other foot off.

I counted a right and left step-off as 1 rep. About half-way through the 44 I started thinking that I should have timed it so I could see how long I stayed in plank – oh, well – I know it was long enough that my arms were shaking!!!

I decided to run again today. I’m enjoying just running to run again!!! I did 6 miles in 44:19 at 1.5% incline and then 2.25 more miles at a super easy pace.

Lately, for some reason, I feel a little off-kilter. I think it is a combination of the things that I need to get done and all of the extra activities the boys have this year.

We have always had family dinner – typically around 6:00pm – this is a great way to reconnect after being out and about all day. Lately, it is rare for everyone to be able to eat at the same time – I feel like we eat in pairs. This past week we only had dinner together 2 times!!! (Hooray for my crock pot so that dinner is ready at multiple times!!!)

Lately, our dining room table is just a mess. It is my home “office” and the piles are driving me insane. The problem is, my list keeps growing but my motivation is not keeping up with the To-Dos!!!

Last night I was home alone for the entire evening and I didn’t do a single productive thing – I watched mindless TV (have you seen that 4 Secret Princes Show?), spent hours playing on my laptop (not work stuff!!!), added more blogs to my feed (not sure why since I can barely keep up with the ones I already had!!).

So, I guess I will make another list for the day and hope that today is the day I actually make some progress and get back on track!!!

And, I always add stuff after I do it just for the happiness that comes from seeing stuff marked off!!!

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Back, Core, Fitness

Proud Mama

October 25, 2013 Kim 67 Comments

Today I did a 44 that was all about the core (and a nice stretch for my back!!). I used my stability ball – and did a roll-over.

Start with the ball between your feet and your legs in the air.

Slowly, without using your hands to push off the floor, lift your hips and roll back.

Then, bring your legs back to the start position in a controlled manner – don’t just let them flop back down. Great for the whole core – back included!

And, because it makes me happy, I did Turbo Fire – Fire 45! There is no way to be in a bad mood working out with Chalean. The music is great and her energy is contagious!!!

Last night we went to Hunter’s Parent/Teacher Conference at the middle school. The middle school is set up in teams so the core teachers rotate in and out of the room during your conference time. It’s a great system because in about a 20 minute conference, you are able to meet with all of the teachers!!

Hunter is actually on the same team that Jordan was in 7th grade.Only one of the teachers is new this year so they all remember Jordan.

Last night, every single one of the teachers said such nice things about Hunter and Jordan!!! They complimented Chris and I on how we have raised them.

One teacher said she really wished we had more kids coming through.

The teachers were all happy with how Hunter does in class (he had all A+s or As) but even more pleased with the fine young man he is. Every one of them mentioned the fact that he greets them by name when he walks into their classrooms each day and says “bye” or “have a nice day” or something when he leaves their room for the day.

They also said that both boys seem to be very happy and emotionally stable (which is a big deal in middle school!!!).

Even when you think you are doing a semi-OK job with your kids, it is always nice to hear from their teachers that they think the same thing.

And, just for fun, here is a picture of Hunter last night for his cello group. They all decided to wear costumes since they won’t have group next week on Halloween. See if you can figure out Hunter’s costume.

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

PS – do you get it? Hunter is supposed to be his cello and his cello is “dressed” as him!!!

Back, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

Some Thoughts Are Better Left Unsaid

October 24, 2013 Kim 58 Comments

Today’s 44 was not one of my better ideas!!! In fact, it would have been an idea better left in my head. However, I ~~might be~~ am ~~a little~~ stubborn and once I decided to do the move I just went with it!!!

What was the stupid move? I used my treadmill –

I sat sideways under the handles and did a pull-up move. Here is a self picture (which is why I’m only holding on with one hand!!!) since today is a day off school (Parent/Teacher Conferences) and the boys are STILL sleeping!!!

From that position (except with both hands on the rail) – I pulled myself up until my chin was above the bar – 44 times!!! See – not a good idea!!!

The main reason it was a bad idea is because now my lower back is killing me – which is why the only picture is the above one. I’m not going to do any more when the boys get up to make a video!!!

I did get in a run after the stupid 44 though – 5 miles at a fast pace and then 2.5 easy (all at 1.5% incline). I’m sure that the hard run did nothing to help my back – oops!!

So my decision to act on a poor choice made me think about something we say in our family a lot – “That should probably be kept right here (point to head).”

We usually just say this to be funny but there really are times that it is true!!! Not everything that pops into your head should be said out-loud for numerous reasons.

Somethings are just flat out rude.
Somethings really don’t make sense and need to be thought through a little more.
Somethings might be inappropriate.
Sometimes silence is the best option.

Jordan is really good about pointing out when Chris or I make a comment that would have been better left unsaid – always makes me laugh but also realize that I really do need to keep some thoughts (and clearly some ideas!!!) in my head!

Do you have thoughts/ideas that are better kept inside your head? (I hope I’m not the only one!!!)

Happy Thursday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Plank, Shoulders

A Few Fun Facts

October 23, 2013 Kim 81 Comments

Today I took the basic plank and turned it into a great 44. This move include core strength, hip flexor action and shoulder work.

Put your right hand down while stepping your right leg back (to plank position), put left hand down while stepping left leg back – step in with right leg and take right hand off the ground, step in with left leg while taking left hand off the ground. (Just watch the video!!!)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMNBjmPP178′]

The only bad part of using this for my 44 was that after I finished all 44, I had to start over and lead with my left side!!!

Today I went back to one of my favorite workouts – Les Mills Combat – Combat 60, Extreme Cardio Fighter. This workout is almost an hour but doesn’t feel like it – the way it is broken into segments and the high energy of the Les Mills team make the time fly by. I can already feel it in my shoulders and upper back (been awhile since I did that many punches!!).

I thought that it would be fun to share some random things you might not already know about me.

1. I lived in the dorm all 4 years of college.

2. From kindergarten to my senior year of high school, I attended 9 different schools. (In 8th grade alone, I went to 3 different schools).

3. I have a twin brother and my dad had a twin sister.

4. I have Raynaud’s –

After I finish working out my hands are always freezing and turn white (almost transparent). I wear gloves with shorts a lot – I’m super cool like that!!!

5. I didn’t lift weights or cross train until I was in my mid-30s. Now I can’t imagine my life without a huge variety of workouts!

6. I like Mac & Cheese for lunch (even when there are no kids around!!).

7. I might have a slight shoe addiction!!! One day someone asked me how many pairs of shoes/boots/sandals…I had – Ummm…..we try not to actually count them!!!!

Not my closet - I wish, though!!! — Not my closet – I wish, though!!!

8. I rarely wear make-up – just some mascara and lip stick (maybe).

9. I used to be the Queen of the Snooze button!

I would literally hit the snooze button for over an hour – everyday!!! Not sure why I always thought that the next morning would be the day I would actually got up early but….

When I went back to work after both boys were in school, it was the first time in my entire life that I didn’t hit the snooze button. Now I never use the snooze button.

10. I think I was around 27 before I ever really drank water (other than just a sip or 2). I used to drink Diet Coke ALL DAY long!!!

Your turn to share a fun random fact!!!

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Squats

We Really Only Need 4 Basic Things!!!

October 22, 2013 Kim 71 Comments

Today for my 44 I did a squat on a wobble disc –

Just standing on the disc is a challenge for your balance! I started with my hands reaching up –

then reached my hands down to my toes during the squat.

There were lots of wobbles before I completed all 44 of these!!!

And, Tuesday means Garage Boot Camp!!! (not sure how fun this will be in the winter!!!) Today we did one of my favorites – ABC Boot Camp. Because we have a shorter amount of time than we did in the summer, we only did 1 minute of each move (in the summer we did 75 seconds). Still a great workout!!!

Entitlement: the condition of having a right to have, do, or get something (Merriam-Webster)

Have you ever met people who feel “entitled”?

More and more lately it seems that people feel like someone (that ubiquitous entity) owes them! I don’t get it!!!

When our boys were little we told them they needed 4 things: food, water, oxygen and love.

We made sure that they had all of those (I guess we didn’t really have much control over the oxygen thing!!!) things and everything else was just a bonus!!!

I still believe that we can boil our needs down to the basics – everything else (and there is plenty) is like icing on the cake, sunshine at the beach, the star on top of the tree!! It’s EXTRA!!

Last Thursday (cleaning, set-up, ironing day), the bride of the weekend called me. She wanted to know if they could have the venue (for free) Friday night since they had rented it for Saturday. She felt like I “owed” her that even though the rental for a Friday night is completely separate!!!

I’m pretty sure if we book a hotel and then call them up and tell them they should let us come in a day early for free they would laugh and/or hang-up on us!!!

I think that we all need to remember that we can live with –