Tag Archives: dead lift

One of Those Days

March 21, 2014 Kim 94 Comments

Today for my 44 I tried a new to me move that Fitknitchick (Tamara) shared on her Facebook page. It is called a Jefferson Deadlift and it really is different.

My version looked something like this –

And, because it seems like one leg works harder in the stance, I did 2 sets of 44 so I could work the other side equally hard.

Yesterday was one of “those” days. Do you know the kind I’m talking about? Not a horrible day, just a day that everything (and I really mean EVERYTHING) irritated me.

* pictures for my daily 44 – not the way I would have done them
* 9.6 miles – actually this went OK and I caught up on some of my reality shows
* no shower, just change into dry workout stuff to go clean the venue
* still no gas in my car!!!
* Chris & Hunter went with me to clean and set-up but that pretty much just got on my nerves because I had to tell them what and how to do things (because it should be done my way – right?!)
* noticed more floor issues – I’m sure it’s still related to flood (OK – not really a flood, just a LOT of water)

* call from a guy who gave us a bid for some work that was double what his estimate had been (and he is a talker!!)
* a bride who wants to book our venue but she wants me to give her several hours for free
* loud talkers at dinner (the boys) and there was some spitting involved (I might have taken my plate and drink out of the room for a bit)
* my bracket is already a mess and the tournament barely started!!

See, nothing major. Actually, most of it comes down to the fact that I like things to go my way and not much did yesterday.

Oh, by the way…Wednesday night I met a friend for dinner and this happened –

So I pretty much failed on giving up wine (and everything else) for Lent. I made it 2 weeks!!! (EPIC FAIL!)

It’s a new day and I am going to try and not be so cranky – it is Fun Friday after all!!!

Anyone else have days that you just feel cranky all day for now real reason?

Happy Friday!!

Kim

Butt, Cardio, Core, Fitness, Hamstrings

Being Fancy and a Much Needed Lazy Day

March 2, 2014 Kim 60 Comments

Today I did a fun 44. A little balance work and a little hopping – perfect. I did a single leg dead lift (slowly) then brought my knee in and hopped before repeating.

And, after I did 44 with my right leg I switched and did another set of 44 with my left leg.

Last night Chris and I did something that we don’t do very often – we got all Fancy for the Dining Out (military “prom.”).

It was fun to get dressed up but I’m glad we don’t do it every day!!! Chris’ mess dress (what he’s wearing) is actually the same one he wore when we got married almost 18 years ago!

It was a fun night! We didn’t stay out late because of the nasty weather that had been predicted. Thankfully even though the roads were slick when we came home, we got home before the heavier stuff came down.

We didn’t get the 6+ inches of snow that was forecast but we got lots of ice – we could hear the ice pellets hitting the deck and house for a long time last night. I’m sure it is super slick out now since it is only 3 degrees.

The good news about the weather – yesterday at drill (besides working at the base full time, one weekend a month, Chris has drill), they decided to cancel for today!!! And, Hunter’s special cello practice for today has been rescheduled so today turned into a completely open day.

I’m so excited that we got this “bonus” lazy day – we all needed it. Chris and I didn’t even get up till after 8:00 – that hasn’t happened in months!!! And my plans for the day are pretty minimal!! I think I will make a big pot of soup or chili for dinner and then a whole lot of nothing!!!

The perfect lazy day – no need to leave the house for anything and my whole family is safe inside with me – true bliss!!!

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Hamstrings

What’s Your Minimum?

February 28, 2014 Kim 74 Comments

I used 2 of my small wobble balls again for the 44 –

This time I stood on them and did dead lifts.

This was a good challenge – staying balanced on the little balls was tricky. Dead lifts are one of my favorite moves and I loved the challenge with the balls!! 15 pound dumbbells was plenty today since I was trying to balance.

Finished the February challenge – 50 push-ups and 50 walking lunges today.

Today I did another old DVD (remember I’m trying to go through my DVD workout library this year!!!) – The Firm, Dangerous Curves Ahead. This workout uses a small band for some extra resistance!

I actually didn’t do the entire workout today. About 30 minutes in I was dragging and thinking about all the things I needed to get done before taking the boys to school so I just stopped.

Not gonna lie – it is rare for me to cut a workout short!!! And, it made me wonder – what is the minimum length to work out and count it as a workout?

I actually read a post earlier this week that was talking about running and what is your shortest distance. Now, I’m wondering about your shortest time to call a workout a workout! (Sorry, I can’t remember whose blog!!)

(Update – Miss Zippy wrote a post called When is a run a run? asking a similar question about running.)

I track all of my workouts (not just my running) and I like to keep up with how many days I actually workout. If all I do is my daily 44 then I don’t count it as a workout day. Normally I get at least an hour (or more) of working out on the days I count.

However, today I stopped the DVD around the 30 minute mark.
So, does it count??

30 minutes has always been my minimum!! I see tons of workouts that can be done in 12 minutes or 14 or 17 or 20 and I think they look like great workouts but I always feel like I have to combine several of them to actually count it as a true workout day.

I don’t have a set number of miles that I’m trying to run this year because I have learned by now that if I try to push too hard I end up injured. But, I do have a goal to workout over 300 days this year and I do use my 30 minute minimum as part of the criteria on what counts.

Do you have a minimum time that you use to count a workout – weather it’s a DVD, something from Pinterest, a walk – whatever? Or do you even track how many days you workout?

Happy Fun Friday!!

Kim

BTW – I have worked out 52 out of 59 days so far in 2014.

Fitness, Hamstrings, Shoulders

Feeling Old and Creaky

August 8, 2013 Kim 46 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a straight leg dead lift (one of my favorite moves!!) and a front raise (one of my least favorite moves!!).

For the dead lift, keep your back flat (stick your butt out) and slide the weights down your legs –

Slowly come back up while pulling your weights up your legs – then lift arms up in front of you to shoulder height.

I can tell my shoulders are getting stronger (finally!!) because I did all 43 with 8 pound dumbbells – I thought that I would have to switch to 5s at some point but I made it!!!

Today is a much needed rest day – mostly because I can barely walk!!!

On Tuesday, I decided that 43 x 200 meters would be a good 43 as well as a great speed workout!! And it was a really good workout – I felt strong running the entire time. And then, yesterday came along –

I worked out yesterday morning thinking that would help the residual soreness from Tuesday. WRONG!!! As the day went on, I think I got more and more sore – mostly my quads. Going down stairs was not pretty – Hunter kept asking if I was OK – NO!!! I can barely walk!!

Yesterday, I absolutely did not look like a runner!!!! This morning when I ~~jumped~~
crawled out of bed, I realized that my legs were even worse today – Good Times!!! I’m pretty sure that back in high school and college I bounced back from speed work a ~~little~~ lot quicker. The day after speed work should look more like this – I’m usually completely happy with my age but yesterday and today are one of those rare occasions when I wish I were a little younger (or at least still had the same recovery ability of someone half my age)!!!

I guess today is one of those days were I just need to – Suck it up!!!!I’m not sure that I’m smiling about the pain right now but I’m going to pretend!!

I’m happy and thankful that I can still push myself as hard as I did when I was younger, I just wish that I could recover the way I used to – I guess 1 out of 2 isn’t bad!

Ever have those days where you feel much older than your age?

Happy Thursday – I will be in my rocking chair!!!

Kim

BOSU, Fitness, Hamstrings

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Off to the Doc I Go!

February 11, 2013 Kim 10 Comments

For my 43 today, I had Jordan take a couple of pictures yesterday since I knew it would be an early morning! (However, I’m a complete dodo and set my alarm for 5:00 PM instead of AM – good thing I still woke up at 5:08!!!)

Anyway, the 43 would have been easy – a dead lift holding 15 pound dumbbells – but I decided to add an extra challenge:

Yep – I stood on the BOSU!!!

start (try to not slump those shoulders!!!)

Standing still wasn’t too hard – the difficulty came when I started moving!!

I really do have my shoulders back - they just look schlumpy! — I really do have my shoulders back – they just look schlumpy!

I love the extra benefit of using the BOSU for this move! (I can’t believe that this is the first time I’ve ever used it for dead lifts!!!)

Dead lifts are one of my favorite moves – I think because they are so great for my hamstrings and butt!!!

After the balancing act I moved on to the rest of my work-out. Les Mills Combat – Combat 60 Ultimate Fighter!!! Perfect way to start a Monday!!! Other than my 11 wall-sits at 1 minute each, that is the extent of working out today. Super big plans for tomorrow’s work-out!!! One I’m really looking forward to!!!

Today is my yearly physical/well-check – WooHoo – Good Times for Sure!!!! Actually, I’m sort-of glad because this getting older is really not working out like I thought! I’m pretty sure my DR will be happy when I leave today cause I have quite a list of stuff to ask her about!!! Sadly, I’m sure I will be wearing one of these lovely items:

Can hardly wait for that – I hope I can leave my socks on so I don’t freeze. (Fashion is over-rated sometimes!!)

I’m sure that even with my list (just petty little things, really!) I will walk away and not see her again until next year! (Rare for me to go to the DR other than for my physical – except when I crack my hip!!!)