Tag Archives: crunches

Summer Is Finally Here!!!

June 10, 2013 Kim 49 Comments

Today’s 43 was a fun crunch move with some punches!!! I just did a crunch with 4 cross punches on the way up and then a slow ride on the way back down.

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

And, I’m happy that Jordan did a demo for me again!!!

This was a great way to take a basic crunch and give it a little more Uumph!!! Trust me, after about 20 you will feel these!!!

Then I taught boot camp at 6:00am – the only negative to the backyard bootcamp is the grass is always wet in the mornings and my shoes and socks get soaked (not my favorite!!) – but it is Boot Camp!!!

Today’s fun Insanity Asylum workout was Vertical Plyo (the one with jumping, jumping and more jumping!!!). During track practice when I was in college, we did plyometrics occasionally. And, then I never did them again until a few years ago when I did Insanity for the first time (I’ve gone through the 60 day program 2x). Now, I do them in some workouts – HIIT, Tabata based workouts and even my own boot camp workouts. But, Vertical Plyo takes it to a whole new level!!!

Yesterday afternoon the boys and I had our first swim beach outing of the season!!! Considering that it is already June 8, this is late to get started on our summer fun! The problem has been the weather – lots of rain and temps in the low 70s don’t make for great beach weather. But now it is starting to look a lot like my idea of perfect summer weather.

Awesome!!!!

Last night’s dinner even matched the great weather – ribs, parmesan orzo and a fresh salad with tomato, corn, cucumber and basil – summer at it’s finest!!!

What is your ideal summer weather?

For me – 80 and higher (the hotter the better!!)

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Is Asking for Help a Strength or Weakness?

April 28, 2013 Kim 19 Comments

Today I wanted to work my abs. The trickiest part was getting on the floor (and back up!!) – temporary hazard but good for a laugh!! For the 43, I did a straight leg crunch with a side reach.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuoaJrRFKSk&feature=youtu.be’]

I counted a right crunch and a left crunch as 1 rep. This was a pretty good 43 for today and I was happy to get in some ab work!!

Asking for help is not something I’m good at – ever!

At some point when I was growing up I learned or decided (not really sure which) that weakness should be kept hidden. My motto became – Just do what you need to do and don’t complain or whine about it.As an adult there have been numerous times that things were rough and I would have liked some help but I have been “strong” for so long that I don’t really know how to do anything else. What I do know is how to keep on going no matter what the circumstance.

Now I’m at a point in my life where even when I wish I had help, I don’t know how to ask for it. All I know to do is – Suck it up!

So is it really strength or is it just a weakness on my part?

What do you do when you have spent your entire life being strong but then realize that having someone help you would be nice and not a sign of weakness?

I think you just keep on! I think that we are all stronger than we give ourselves credit for and often it is just a matter of pushing ourselves to reveal that strength.

What about you? Is it easy for you to ask for help?

I don’t even like to ask Chris for help (usually he just does it because he knows that I am too stubborn to admit that I need help).

And I don’t view it as a weakness when other people need help – in fact, I’m always impressed with people who are willing to ask for help.

Happy Sunday!

Kim

BOSU, Core, Fitness

New (Free!!!) Compression Shorts – Love Them

January 18, 2013 Kim 15 Comments

Today is my 125th consecutive 43!!!! I used one of my favorite pieces of exercise equipment again:

Today I balanced my butt on it (tried anyway!) and did 43 bicycle crunches. Right leg extended/left leg extended = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcFkc0bMEYg’]

There are so many things wrong with this video that I had to just go with it – my arms are flailing (cause I’m trying to do the move and still balance), I have some funky double chin issue and my hair is ridiculous (trying to grow it out and it will be really “nice” for awhile!!).

What’s great about the video? My new shorts!!! I won these in a giveaway from Marcia! I’m so excited first because I won something!!! (my first time!) Second, because I put these shorts on – tight, compression shorts that look like they would fit my 7 year old niece – and they didn’t look awful on me! (Disclaimer: I’m fine with my body but I don’t have tiny hips – in fact, they are quite wide -partly genetics, partly from having 2 kids.) I haven’t worn tight shorts or pants since my college track days (20+ years ago).

These shorts are from Aspaeris and are the Compression Pivot Shorts. They are for running and/or recovery!

I really like them! I’m pretty sure that I would even wear them out of the house!!! And just to let you see the shorts from all angles on a “real” model:

back - not the greatest - but keeping it real!!! — backside – It is what it is!

Thanks again the Marcia and Aspaeris for the new shorts!!!

After my 43, I actually did a work-out (not just the above modeling!!!). I did Les Mills Combat – Plyo HIIT (about a billion jumping squats and jumping lunges!!!) and then I decided to double up so I did Combat 30. Great work-out = sweaty mess!!!

And…..It’s FRIDAY!!! Chris is off today, too, so I better get a move on!!! Maybe we will even go see a movie at the theater – a rarity!!! (I just looked and only a couple here that I’m really interested in so who knows?) Maybe we will just go shopping (oh, wait, I did that yesterday!)!! So many choices!!!

I love Hoops & YoYo!!! They always make me smile!!!

Happy Fun Friday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Awesome Runner T

November 27, 2012 Kim 1 Comment

Today I worked my abs with my 43. I did a straight leg (legs up at 90) oblique crunch with 5 pound dumbbells. By holding the weights, I also got a little bit of shoulder action.

As you can see, I alternated sides until I reached my 43. Simple but effective!

I should have done a heavy lifting work-out today but I wasn’t feeling it. Instead, I did Turbo Jam – Turbo Sculpt. Still got in some weights, just lighter and more geared for overall toning. I figured something was better than nothing!!!