A Driving Rant

June 29, 2013 Kim 25 Comments

Today’s 43 was HARD!!! I got the move from Tamara at Fitknitchick. She demoed a workout that included 5 favorite ab moves so I used one of the moves – the Surrender Squat.

Start standing with a dumbbell held in both hands overhead (I used a 10 pound DB). Kneel down – left knee, right knee – then stand – left leg, right leg – repeat leading with your right leg = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1AYVR2p4ak’]

43 of these were no joke!!! And, I agree that these work your abs/core but you will also feel the move in your shoulders (from holding the DB overhead), your quads and your butt. Try it – just a few will have you shaking!!

I decided to take another day off since I start Boot Camp up again on Monday – gotta be ready with some great workouts!!!

After 2 long days of driving in the past week, I have a few issues to vent about!!! These signs are posted for a reason!!! I’m rarely the slow driver – and when I have to pass someone that is just putting along in the left lane it drives me crazy!!!In fact, I think I will make my own sign for our next road trip!!! Maybe we could start a system where all idiot drivers have one lane and the rest of us can have the other lane to ourselves!!! So, clearly I have a huge issue with people who just take up space in the left lane – especially when it means I have to hit my break and take off my cruise control because of them!And, don’t even get me started on people who think that driving is a game!!! It’s not a game and I don’t want to play with you on the highway!!!It’s called cruise control – try it – I promise it will make your driving life (and mine!) so much better!!! I hate it when the same car and I go back and forth 20 times!! I know that I’m driving the same speed because I love cruise control – please don’t pass me then slow down and let me pass you over and over!! And the person who thinks they can zip up to the front of the line waiting to merge – I’m pretty much never going to let them in front of me. If I had to wait in line because of the no passing sign then they should have waited, also!!!Really?! Yesterday, on more than one occasion, I ended up behind 2 trucks – both going the same speed but taking up the whole road. WHY???? People who leave their turn signals on forever don’t annoy me as much as drivers who NEVER use their turn signal! Turn signals are a great driving device – they should get lots of use!!! Especially if you feel the need to change lanes and cut right in front of me!!!

I feel much better now that I got all of my driving frustration off of my chest!!!

What highway driving issues annoy you?

Here is a little clip with my least favorite part of the drive home from Abilene, TX. There is a huge bridge that looks like you are going to drive off of the edge of the earth and it pretty much freaks me out every time!!! (Jordan entertained himself filming this!)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sxpGKC7hGE’]

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Squats

On the Road Again

June 28, 2013 Kim 34 Comments

Today’s 43 is a move that I got from Taylor at Lifting Revolution. She did a great post showcasing 27 types of squats!! She even has a little video gif for each one so you can see how they should be done.

I decided to try the monkey squat – I’m pretty sure that my form isn’t as good as Taylor’s. I’ve never tried this move before – I need to do them more!!

Reach down, grab either the ankles or toes.
Keeping your upper body completely still, bend at the knees and lower your butt towards your ankles.
Return to starting position and repeat.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le33rST_ysY’]

I think I bent my arms too much and I know I don’t go very low (lack of flexibility). I liked this move for a 43 and definitely plan to start doing these more often!!!

And – I decided to take a little workout break today!!!

The other day when I talked about my drive to TX, Josie (@ Yum Yucky) left a little comment referencing Willie Nelson’s song – On the Road Again. I figured that all of y’all might want this catchy tune in your head today!!!

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

The boys and I are headed home today – in 8.5-9 hours we will be back in Topeka!! As nice as this week as been, I’m ready to be back home!!!

Good-Bye Texas!!!

rocking on the front portch — rocking on the front porch

Happy Fun Friday!! (I’m not sure that this is really going to be fun Friday – we are going to do our best to make it fun while driving!!)

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

The Gift of Time

June 27, 2013 Kim 44 Comments

For my 43 today, I made use of the hotel fitness center again. I used one of the stability balls and just did a crunch with my feet on it – pretty simple and basic!!

Since I worked out before the boys got up, we just went back in to take a couple of pictures. I’m sure the guy lifting weights at the time thought it was pretty self-indulgent or something – OH, Well!!!

I hopped on the treadmill again today. It wasn’t spectacular but it was SO MUCH BETTER THAN TUESDAY’S RUN!!! I ran 7 miles in 58:23 and then did an easy 0.4 to cool down. (I wanted to do a half mile cool down but the treadmill shut off after 65 minutes!!)

Yesterday we were back at the ranch!!

Jordan and Hunter ended up spending the day with my Aunt Jackie. They went to Abilene with a long list of errands (6 hours worth including driving time). I think all 3 of them, but especially my Aunt, enjoyed the day. The boys were big helpers – lifting the vacuum into the truck and out, schlepping 5 gallon drums of paint, moving wire….fun for all!

While they were out taking care of stuff in the heat (102), I stayed at the ranch with my Poppa. It was a great day!!! We talked about all kinds of stuff – I’ve always enjoyed hanging out with him (and my Mema when she was still alive). The stories that Poppa has are amazing.

Because he’s 98, he has very definite view on things and has no problem expressing his opinion. Even though we don’t always have the same view point on things – I love every second spent with him.

For our lunch, I made a pretty great tuna salad (gotta brag cause it was good!!!) – no pictures because blogging and technology are one of the differences we have so I decided to just enjoy lunch!! But….it was GOOD!!!

tuna
chopped dill pickle
chopped Kalamata olives
chopped grape tomatoes
chopped avocado
tiny bit of mayo to bind everything together

We both ate it with crackers and lettuce – perfect.

But the best part of lunch was the prayer that Poppa said before it. He prayed for me and about me and it was everything I could do to not cry. It was such a simple thing for him but meant a lot to me!!

We have one more day (today) to visit with my Poppa and Aunt and I’m excited to go back to the ranch. I have treasured every second of this TX trip!!!

Has anyone ever prayed specifically for you (while you were listening)? Did it affect you?

Happy Thursday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Struggling

June 26, 2013 Kim 46 Comments

Today’s 43 was a plank with a leg lift using my band for extra resistance! I wrapped the band around my foot –

After I had the band secured, I got into the plank position.

From this position, I lifted and lowered my right leg 43 times.

The sad thing on this move – after I finished 43 with my right leg, I still had another set of 43 with my left leg!

The band really made this a tough move today!!! Besides the leg lift, I had to hold plank for quite a while!!

I did another hotel friendly workout this morning – Les Mills Combat – Combat 45.

combat gloves - make you feel powerful!!! — combat gloves – make you feel powerful!!!

I put on my gloves and kicked and punched and jumped (tried to make sure and land soft so the people in the room below me didn’t complain!!). It’s been awhile since I did combat and I enjoyed it as much as ever!!!

Yesterday I mentioned that I had a completely awful run. I’m not sure why but I know that the problem didn’t have anything to do with my legs!! It was all about my breathing. I spent the entire run trying to settle into my breathing but it never happened!! I felt like I was gasping and panting the entire time!!!

If I had been running outside, I could have chalked it up to the heat/humidity. However, I was on a treadmill in a climate controlled environment.

I know that dehydration can make it hard to run and cause breathing problems but I’ve made sure to keep drinking plenty of water even though we are on vacation.

The boys and I always take the stairs at the hotel (we are on the 3rd floor) because we need all the extra activity we can get!!! 2 different times in the past 3 days I’ve felt like the little man in the above picture. Really?!! I shouldn’t have any problems going up a couple flights of stairs.

I’m not sure why I’m having such a hard time this week – all of my workouts have been harder than they should be. There are several factors that could be causing this – I’m just not sure what it is exactly.

Over-training? Maybe – the past few weeks I’ve pushed myself pretty hard.

Stress? Quite possibly. Even though the boys and I are having a great time, being away from home as a “single” parent is always a little stressful. Plus the fact that I haven’t talked to Chris since Saturday!

Fatigue? Pretty sure this is part of it – lack of quality sleep tends to add up!

Well, tomorrow is another day and I will have another run – hopefully after a relaxing day and a good night’s sleep it will be better!!!

Do you ever struggle with your breathing while doing what should be an easy run or other simple activity?

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Fitness, Running, Treadmill, Triceps

The Simple Life

June 25, 2013 Kim 27 Comments

Today I did my 43 in the hotel fitness room. I used a bench and a stability ball to do triceps dips.

lower - butt close to bench — lower – butt close to bench

These pictures were long after I did the actual move. I went down to the fitness room before the boys were even stirring around!! I did have to take 2 short breaks to stretch my triceps while I was doing the 43. I might be sore tomorrow!!

I ran on the small treadmill in the fitness room. It was an AWFUL run. I never felt like I settled into my breathing and I just felt sluggish the entire time. I did 6 miles (plus 0.4 miles cool-down) but they were really slow. I ended up getting through this run 1 minute at a time!!!

Yesterday, the boys and I spent time with my Poppa and my Aunt at their ranch. I always love the time I spend out there because it is so peaceful!!

around the house - plenty of flowers, tractor mailbox and a TX walkway — around the house – plenty of flowers, tractor mailbox and a TX walkway

We usually spend time on the front porch enjoying the view – but yesterday it was too windy for Poppa to sit out there so we spent time inside with him.

The boys did make their trek up the “mountain” to say, “Hello, Texas.” This is a tradition that started when Jordan was 2 and the little hill really did seem like a mountain. He climbed up (with Chris) and then turned around, waved and shouted his greeting!! Now, the boys can climb up – wave and yell and climb back down in about 5 minutes!!

The boys rode around for awhile with my Aunt – checking out the new fence and just enjoying the land.I always feel like I’m experiencing a return to a much simpler life when I’m at the ranch. That bottom right picture is a swallow’s nest – it looks like it’s made out of rope but it is actually mud!!!

We will spend more time at the ranch this week visiting with my Poppa and I am looking forward to more “simple” days!!! I didn’t take my laptop, left my phone in my purse and just enjoyed the place and the people that I was with!!!

In the mornings and evenings I enjoy our time at the hotel – swimming for the boys, mindless TV, happy hour, time on the laptop!! But, during the day (for the next couple of days), I’m going to enjoy every minute that we can just hang out and live a SIMPLE life!!

Happy Tuesday!!

Kim

Day With KT

A Driving Rant

On the Road Again

The Gift of Time

Struggling

The Simple Life

Fitness – Food – Fun