Today’s 43 had my legs burning!!! I used one of my favorite pieces of equipment:
BOSU
I started with both feet on the BOSU – did a squat
squat
then stepped my left leg behind into a curtsey lunge.
left curtsey lunge
After 43 on the first side, I didn’t know if I would be able to do another set with the other leg because my quads were burning!! However, I don’t want to be unbalanced so – 43 more!!
squatright curtsey lunge
I think the hardest part was the little squat in between each lunge – basically, the leg that stayed on the BOSU was working the entire time!!!
6:00 am Boot Camp was a lot of toning work with just a few cardio bursts in between! We used resistance bands and I’m pretty sure that my shoulders will be sore tomorrow!!
And, I’m still doing Insanity Asylum – but only 2 more days left!!!! Today was Back to Core (probably the “easiest” one of the whole program!) and Relief – 25 minutes of stretching. I did the whole stretching one even though it’s not my favorite – I might have entertained myself with my phone but I still stretched!!!
Lots of people have a motto (or even many mottos that they live by). Some mottos apply only to part of one’s life while others can cover everything.
I think that sometimes people have a motto that “sums” them up in just a few words – the following is one that I love!And, sometimes a motto is something that you are trying to achieve in your life.
Even kids have mottos – that they apply to their lives.
Life is like a cube – you just have to solve it.Legos are life.Life is like a cookie – sometimes it crumbles.Look at the big picture – Will this matter in 10 years?
I’ve been trying to decide if I have a specific motto that I live by. I think if I had to pick one thing (other than Suck it up Buttercup!!), I would say –
Today for my 43, I did a plank with some extra stability work. I started in elbow plank, pulled my right knee into my chest then extended my right leg into a leg raise. Then, I did the same thing with my left leg. I counted a right leg and left leg move as 1 rep.
I should have timed my plank!!! This took awhile to complete since it was 43 knee pulls/leg raises per side!
I did Insanity Asylum – Vertical Plyo before heading to the swim beach to teach Boot Camp. I only have a few days left of Insanity – WooHoo!!! Today I actually enjoyed the plyo workout more than I have other days – maybe because I knew it was my last time doing it for awhile!!
Boot Camp at the beach always makes me happy – the lake is peaceful early in the mornings. Today we did Tabata boot camp and it was so much harder in the sand than it was yesterday morning in the garage!! The sand gave us some bonus toning work!! Plus, with all of the jumping and kicking – I pretty much took a shower in sand!!! Good Times!!
Lately, every time I wake up during the night (it’s always a lot of times!!!) – I’ve been dreaming about jumping and kicking and squatting. It’s not always me that’s jumping – sometimes I’m watching people (or maybe animals) jump – but there is always action and movement in the form of jumping and bouncing!!!All night long – jump, squat, kick…..I don’t know if it’s because I go to bed thinking about the next day’s boot camp or Insanity workout or even just trying to decide what my 43 will be or what the deal is but I’m ready for some different themed dreams!! Sometimes I feel like I might be a little obsessed with all things fitness related – that doesn’t mean I want to dream about it every night!!!See – everyone’s jumping and moving – just like in my dreams!!!!And, everyone is running through the list of proper form and technique – over and over. I guess if this little guy is doing it then it isn’t that bad!!But all the nighttime jumping is wearing me out!!! I need a night where I dream about and maybe if I dream hard enough I will wake up and find myself actually relaxing in this gorgeous setting instead of jumping and kicking and squatting and doing burpees!!!!!
And the best part of these dreams? Along with jumping there is music from my new workout craze – Zumba!!!
After completing 43 as listed above, I had to switch and do the lunges with my left leg for another set!
This was really a great combo 43 – worked my quads, calves, shoulders and even my upper back some work – plus because I moved fairly quickly, I got my heart rate up!!!
I woke up around 4:30 this morning to a pretty heavy rain so I wasn’t sure if anyone would come to Boot Camp this morning. However, since today’s workout was at my house, we had the garage option (necessary today since not only was it raining, there was some thunder and lightening!). I had a few show up and we had a good workout. Today we did a really fun workout – Tabata Boot Camp!!!
After that I had Insanity Asylum – and I was sort-of dreading it today. Today was Game Day (60 minutes of every possible sport) and Overtime (15 minutes designed to kill really challenge you). Game Day actually goes pretty quickly because you keep changing the sport (really it’s just moves that might be used in different sports). And, I felt like I accomplished way more in Overtime today than last week – but the moves are still beyond brutal!!!!
I feel like the past few weeks, I have been living by the above motto. Doing Insanity with Shaun T – you hear the phrase “Dig Deeper” a LOT!!! And, even though I’m in my basement living room with no one around (except Jordan who usually watches me to make sure I don’t die cheat) I feel like I have to push a little harder every time I hear those words. Move my feet faster, jump higher, eek out a few more push-ups – doesn’t matter what it is, I just try to push myself even more!!
I agree that you have to work hard to become who you want to be but at what point do you decide that maybe you need to back off just a little? Do you have to change your goals and “settle” for less or do you just change the time-line for your goals?
We see quotes like the one above, or hear fitness professionals telling us to push as hard as we can and then push just a little harder. But sometimes you need to hear –
We all have different limits and amounts that we can tolerate. I like to push myself hard almost everyday. By pushing hard – I mean to the point of saying “I’m done. I can’t do another _________ (rep, lap, mile, whatever).”
For others, pushing hard is something that can only occasionally be tolerated either because of health/injury or sometimes because of not being mentally prepared for the pain of pushing your limits. And, there are some, who are willing to work but only to a certain level and have absolutely zero desire to push themselves any harder. Pushing too hard for too long can lead to overtraining or burn-out. (click the link for a great article in Runner’s World about overtraining).
I’m pretty sure if you look, or even feel, like thisthen it is probably time to ease up and give yourself a little slack.
So, just because you see or hear the message to push harder all the time, remember to do what is right for you and your own personal limits. Sometimes you feel weak because you have pushed harder than you should and it is time to back off a little. It’s all about knowing your body and listening to the messages it gives you!!
Do you feel like you ever push too hard? Is it easy for you to back off when you need to or do you try to push through?
Happy Monday!!! I’m going to cut myself a little slack today – I hope you do the same if you need to!!!
Today’s 43 was a move for the abs that I got from Rachelle at Livin the Sweat Life. She did a great ab workout made up of 4 moves (with an awesome video – go check it out!!!). I did the Caterpillar.
Sit with your legs off the ground hands behind you for support and crunch legs in and out.
I enjoyed this 43!!! I love to work my abs but this gave the rest of my body a little break!!
Today was the last time (during this cycle, anyway) for Strength from Insanity Asylum. I tried to really push myself to increase the weight and the number of reps today. Glad that I only have 1 workout today!!!
Chris & his sons
In honor of Father’s Day, I have a guest post today – the best Dad I know – Chris!!!
__________
What an Intro! Kim continues to amaze me everyday when I read what workout(s) she tirelessly completes. I hope all the readers out there understand that Kim will have accomplished a feat rarely achieved or sought (at least by us mortals), by performing a workout with repetitions numbering her age everyday for a year. Hopefully, most believe this to be crazy admirable like me… 🙂
Kim asked if I wanted to make a post on Fathers Day. Of course, I jumped at the chance to participate in her blog (since I seem to conveniently skip miss doing MY age everyday)!
I hope to briefly describe what Fathers day means to me – and I promise not to make anyone PLANK for 5 minutes on a ball while you read!
A few incredible events occurred in my life that changed my outlook and perspective forever. First, marrying a remarkable woman like Kim transposed my priorities while giving me someone I could call my best friend. Next, the birth of our two boys could be considered our two greatest accomplishments!
Although far from being a perfect dad, I reflect upon this quote frequently. I have experienced many proud moments gained from Fatherhood; like hearing the first cry at birth, the first steps walking, riding a bike, catching a ball, blowing out candles, or shaking hands like an adult. Seeing these two young innocent boys turn into men of character that enjoy talking and spending time around us, opening doors for people, helping set the table or wash dishes unsolicited brings a pride, enjoyment, and satisfaction that a Father dreams to experience.
I observe these two happy boys and their daily growth into manhood with humility, knowing that I may be incapable of answering, solving, or helping them through every situation life brings their way. But hopefully, I somehow impart upon them enough necessary skills for critical thinking and treatment of others that guides their future decisions.
I relish the simple moments with each boy – whether its Jordan sneaking up on me and scaring me out of my wits, or seeing Hunter swish a basketball from 16 feet. Through their adolescence, I benefited by reliving my childhood in playing with toys again! While I know at some point I will watch them depart as adults, the joys will never end and I seek solace hoping I gave them a positive example to follow. Even though today is officially Fathers Day, I celebrate every day being a Father to these two boys!
Kim always ends with a question – so I have one as well.
Does anyone have a special memory about their Father they would like to share?
Chris
Happy Sunday and Father’s Day to all the Dads, Grandpas, Step-Dads, Surrogate Dads and special guys!!!
Today’s 43 was a fairly simple one (because I knew what was coming up in the rest of my workout!). I used some of my tubing and did double arm rows.Just stand with both feet on the band – bend over with knees slightly bent and row. I choked way down on the band so there would be more resistance.
startsqueeze shoulder blades together
Up until a year or two ago I rarely, if ever, worked my back – now I try to make sure I work it as much as my legs, arms and core!!!
Today was another day of Insanity Asylum – Speed and Agility. I think this one might be the hardest (until tomorrow when I do a different one!!!). It is 45 minutes and about half of that time is spent in the plank/push-up position doing all sorts of “fun” moves. 3 rounds of progression in & out abs (one of my past 43s) –
Plus, progression mountain climbers (same concept as the in & out abs but doing mountain climbers), bear crawls, agility planks……It is brutal!!!
Happy News – One week from today I will complete this round of Insanity Asylum!!!!
I also did a fun little age-themed workout today. Last week, Tamara at Fitknitchick celebrated her birthday. Yesterday she shared an age-themed birthday workout that one of her trainer friends designed for her – this one was sort of a CrossFit style. I decided to play along with her because we all know that I love doing age related reps!!!
The workout consisted of the following moves:
KettleBell Swings x 46 (I used a 20 pound KB and did full range swings)
burpees x 46 (with push-up)
ab crunches x 46
box jumps x 46 (I jumped onto this box – 14″)
push-ups x 46 (brutal after 46 burpees!!!)
reverse lunges x 46 (I did 46 with the right leg and then 46 left)
pull-ups x 46 (mine were assisted pull-ups using a step-stool to help)
plank for 46 seconds (I did mine with my arms extended in push-up position)
Total time to complete this was 18:30. I couldn’t believe how much harder 46 reps were than my normal 43 – I think because in my mind, 43 is just a few more than 40 but 46 is almost 50.
Since the whole age-themed workout is sort-of the concept behind my blog with my goal to do a daily 43 every day for the year that I’m 43, I was super excited to see another workouts set-up using age for the number of reps!! It is a fun way to challenge yourself whether you do it on your birthday or every day!!!
Have you ever done a birthday/age related challenge?
Lots of people have a motto (or even many mottos that they live by). 
Some mottos apply only to part of one’s life while others can cover everything.
And, sometimes a motto is something that you are trying to achieve in your life.
