Core, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

I’m not Ready for This!!!

August 13, 2013 Kim 68 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a weighted sit-up. I just used 5 pound dumbbells and reached them to my toes as I did the full sit-up and then pressed them straight up on the way down.

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

I ran today (first time in a week!). This week I’m trying to focus on running on tired/sore legs as part of my preparation for my 50 mile race which is just 2 months away. It is a very fine line for me to have weeks with higher mileage and yet stay injury free.

Today’s run was a steady pace (8:00 minute miles) for 8 miles with a 1.5% incline on the treadmill – 64:00 minutes plus an easy 0.75 mile to cool down. It is really hard for me to keep the pace even (I get bored and want to play around with the speed) but I did because I’m trying to focus on getting in extra miles not speed right now!

Today is the first day of school – how is that even possible?! I love summer – the sun, the heat and most of all having the boys home!!! We pretty much always have a good time together even when we aren’t doing anything major.

Summer has flown by and now we are entering a new phase!

I sent both boys to preschool without batting an eye! All day kindergarten? No problem!! In fact, the day Hunter started kindergarten, I hosted a brunch for all my friends who were sending their youngest to school. We had mimosas and everything!!!

But, 2 years ago, when I dropped Jordan off for his first day of middle school, I thought that I was going to have a complete breakdown before the day ended!! I was a shaky mess pretty much the entire day.

Today I will leave my baby (Hunter) at the middle school for the first time and my first-born (Jordan) will have his first day as a high school freshman.

I’m not sure that I’m ready for this! I feel like I’m at a point where I want to start rewinding the years because I’m going to wake up soon and be packing my boys to leave home. I better stop now before I dissolve in a puddle on the floor.

I’m going to just enjoy the ride during these next few years!!!

Happy Tuesday!! I hope I survive the day – I just want them to have a great start to the year!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

You Need Soap!

August 12, 2013 Kim 49 Comments

Today for my 43 I tried a move that Kat @ Sneakers and Fingerpaints did as part of her core challenge for the month. The move is called a Squirm and it is a great move to really work your entire core!!!

Start on your back with knees bent, contract your abs and crunch up – hold the crunch and alternate reaching your hands to your feet (you will be squirming!).

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQERK6UDdog’]

I counted a right and left reach as 1 so it took a little while to complete all 43. My obliques got a great workout and since I had my abs contracted the entire time, my whole core was feeling the move by the end!!!

Today was boot camp in the garage thanks to thunderstorms!!! We did one of my favorites – Tabata Bootcamp. I love how effective this workout is – short bursts at maximum intensity!!!

I also started week 5 of Taylor’s challenge. This week’s workout is intense!!! It is called – The Race Is On and it is a definite challenge!!! I love the workouts that Taylor has included in this challenge – most are under 20 minutes and don’t require any equipment (or very little!). They are great as an entire workout or as a supplement for the rest of my workout!!

So, earlier this summer when the boys and I took our trip to Texas, Jordan caught me off-guard with one of his comments.

There was some traffic at one point and I’m sure that there must have been some crazy drivers doing stupid things and I might have said a cuss word or two. Well, Jordan is very anti-cussing and he looked over at me and said – “You need soap!”

I looked at him –

and then just busted out laughing!! Ever since then, it has been a bit of a joke – any time Jordan hears a bad word (no matter who says it) he looks at me and says “soap“.

So, the other night, Jordan took his shower and then came into the living room with Chris and I. We were watching the very end of some show and Jordan just started ringing the drink bell repeatedly!!!

It was pretty annoying because it was right by my ear. I was trying to be nice – but after about 5 minutes of the annoying bell I said something to the effect that I was going to throw the damn bell in the trash if he didn’t stop. Next thing I know, Jordan pulls a bar of soap out of his pocket and sets it by the bell (and he has this huge grin on his face!).

Chris and I both just about fell out of our chairs laughing!!! Jordan was so proud – he knew that he could break me and he was ready!!!!

I really do try not to cuss around the boys a lot but sometimes…..At least I don’t really get my mouth washed out with soap! Growing up I did plenty of times (and I didn’t even cuss then!!) and it was always with the worst soap ever!!

Nasty and gritty – not fun!! I have never washed my boys mouth out with soap because I have awful memories of having it done to me.

Do you have a “word” police in your home? Have you ever had your mouth washed out with soap?

Happy Monday!!!

Kim

Butt, Core, Fitness, Quad, Shoulders

It’s Time to Stop Trying to be Accepted

August 11, 2013 Kim 32 Comments

Today’s 43 was one of my favorite kinds – a combo move!!! This one worked my lower body, upper body and core (balance) – it was awesome!!!

I did a side lunge –

and then pushed off my right foot to a knee lift with a shoulder press –

press to right knee up with shoulder press

After completing 43 on my right side, I had to switch sides!!

By the end I was really feeling this move. I used a 10 pound dumbbell and my shoulders were burning plus I was breathing hard since I combined upper and lower body.

I decided to take the day off from working out – I’m hoping to get in a couple of long runs this next week so I need to rest my legs a little.

Last night we went to church (it’s been awhile!) and the message was really good!! The main point was that we don’t have to try so hard to be accepted because we have already been accepted just the way we are!!

What a freeing thought to know that we are fine as we are and don’t have to try to fit any set mold or preconceived idea of what we “should” be. I think it is easy to becomes so focused on trying to be the person that we think others want us to be that we lose sight of who we really are.

We need to remember that what we do, what we wear, where we live – none of those things are what really matter. The person that we are is what matters and what makes us special!!!

And, because we are accepted for who we are, we need to accept others. Everyone is worth love, kindness and respect!!!

A simple friendly gesture can go a long way in helping someone around us feel accepted! The majority of people want to feel accepted by others and sometimes a little kindness and respect on our part is all it takes to help them.

When we truly respect other people it is obvious in the way we treat them!

This was a powerful lesson for me and one that I plan to remember every day! There have been many times when I have felt that I had to do something to be accepted but really I just need to be me and treat ALL those around me with respect, kindness and love.

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Fitness, Push-Ups, Triceps

Welcome Sun – Let’s get Reaquainted

August 10, 2013 Kim 20 Comments

Today I did a push-up for my 43 – but not just a regular push-up!! I used a stability ball

for an added challenge. And it was definitely a challenge!!!

By the time I finished all 43, my arms were shaking and I’m lucky I didn’t bust my face!!! Trying to support yourself on the ball really elevates a push-up!!! Plus, you have to keep your hands fairly close together and end up working your triceps a lot, too.

I also did my 3rd round of this week’s challenge with Taylor. I really enjoyed this week’s workout because it was Tabata – 4 rounds plus a finishing plank set. I love Tabata because it is easy to tell myself that I can go 150% for 20 seconds!!!

We have been home from Florida for about a week and a half and most of those days have been cloudy and either unseasonably cool or extremely muggy. What they haven’t been is SUNNY!!!

I have missed the sun and the beach!!!

This past week has been busy since we are getting ready for school to start on Tuesday – eye appointments, orthodontist appointments, well-checks/physicals, some shopping, band camp for Jordan, hair-cuts, and just normal everyday life activities.

What hasn’t been included is any sun and beach time!!! And I miss it!!! The sun is shining this morning and will hopefully stay out today so that the afternoon can include a little bit of my favorite activity

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Friday Funnies

August 9, 2013 Kim 30 Comments

For my 43 today I went with a plank move! I did an elbow plank with an inward twisting knee – alternating sides until I had done 43 with each knee.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A30hBZrA5ds’]

This was a nice move – you can tell in the video that I had to work hard to stay level and not let my butt come up too much.

I also taught Boot Camp again – we did a repeat from earlier in the summer! Today we did the 5-4-3-2-1 workout. This workout has lots of moving squats and walking lunges plus some running – perfect for helping get rid of the residual soreness (and pain!) in my quads. I think it actually helped because I can almost run up and down the stairs again!!!

Just for Fun Friday: