Tag Archives: Jillian Michaels

The FitBit Force

January 2, 2014 Kim 86 Comments

Today’s 44 was all about hold and control! I held a chair pose and did alternating side tap-outs.

Because I had to take my own pictures using the mirror reflection, I couldn’t hold both arms up. However, when I did the actual move, I really did keep my arms up the entire time!!!

So, even though the pictures are awful, you can get the basic idea!!! I counted a right tap out and a left tap out as 1 rep.

I think this year I’m going to work my way through all of my workout DVDs – that should be a fun way to mix things up!!!

This morning I did Jillian Michaels Hard Body – Level 1. This is a 45 minute workout that incorporates strength training and cardio – my favorite!!!

Yesterday I mentioned that I scored a major deal on a FitBit Force. I have been wearing it every day this week and so far it has been good as a pedometer but that is about it.

Above is a screen shot from yesterday. I think the steps are probably right (sadly all but about 2200 of them were during my run and then I was a slug!!) but nothing else is accurate.

I ran 8 miles hard yesterday and then did another 2.5 miles (10.5 miles total) – and the mileage for the entire day doesn’t even show 6 miles?!

Also, the active minutes isn’t accurate – yesterday I was on the treadmill for a total of 95 minutes. Right now (after my workout, 44 and other moves) the active minutes is showing 1. Really?!

I know the calorie count is way off which is fine because I don’t really pay attention to that anyway.

The part that is the most disappointing is the sleep tracker. I thought it would really show how much I’m awake and sleep patterns but it doesn’t. Because it is on your wrist, you have to be moving that arm a LOT for it to realize that you are awake. I usually try to lay still even when I can’t sleep so basically the entire time I’m in bed it records as sleep time.

I’m going to keep wearing my FitBit and trying to really increase my daily steps but I’m very happy that I only ended up spending a couple dollars on this since it is really just a pedometer at this point.

Any thoughts on the FitBit and ways to make it more accurate overall?

Happy Thursday!!! 3 degrees with snow covering the ground here – pretty sure I need a beach!!!

Kim

Biceps, Core, Fitness, Lunges, Plank, Running, Treadmill

Almost Time to Bring out the Trees!!!

November 25, 2013 Kim 84 Comments

Today I did another one of Allie’s moves from her Trifecta Arm video – she called this one “pick up the baby.” I called it HARD!!!!

Start in a plank with dumbbells (I used 10 pounds) – step right foot in, stand and lunge with a bicep curl – step right foot back to plank – repeat on left side = 1 rep.

44 of these and I nearly called my workout for the day done!!! (just kidding – sort of!)

I did Jillian Michaels Hard Body – Level 2. Umm….this was the first time I’ve done this part and it was a great workout! Lots of plyo moves with weights, some balance challenges and some core work – awesome!!!

I decided to get in a quick run – last week I had a great week of long and slow but every once in awhile I like to push my speed a little. I did 4 miles at 1.5% incline in 24:27 then 0.6 miles easy to cool down.

Today is deep clean day – baseboards, corners, under furniture – I can hardly wait!!! (well, that might be exaggerating a bit!!)

But, it’s for a good cause –

Some of my favorite people are coming later this week to spend Thanksgiving with us!!! And that is something I truly am excited about!!!

And then I can turn my super clean house into a Christmas wonderland!!! I’ve made myself hold off on decorating this year until after Thanksgiving and I feel like I’m missing out on trees and lights but it will be worth it soon!!!

I love having Christmas decorations all over the house!!! Christmas trees in every room and Santas galore – it is awesome!!!

Have you decorated for Christmas or do you wait until after Thanksgiving?

Happy Monday!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness

Taking Time to Appreciate the Beauty of Fall

October 28, 2013 Kim 91 Comments

Today for my 44 I went back to my coaching days (except since I was working out in my basement and not a basketball gym I had to improvise!!) and did suicides!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yUwm8eMxQU’]

The distance that I covered was relatively short but since I counted a right-left as 1 rep and kept going for all 44 reps, it was still a great way to get my heart rate up. (You can see my workout DVD paused in the back-ground – had to stop for the video before Chris left for work!)

I did a Jillian Michaels DVD today – Kickbox Fastfix. This workout has 3 20 minute segments with various fast paced kickboxing drills. I did all 3 sections for a good hour workout. The one downside to this program – if you follow Jillian and her group then you will end up very unbalanced – she does not switch leads at all during this one. (Fortunately I already knew that and just did it myself but it is sort of a pain!!)

Yesterday before lunch I convinced Jordan to go on a walk with me and take advantage of the incredible fall weather (it was almost 70 yesterday!).

Some pictures along the way –

my favorite - love the orange — my favorite – love the orange

At this point Jordan said I was weird and he was going in!!! Hmmm….

Every day last week I enjoyed the beauty all around me and I kept thinking that I needed to take the time to walk around and truly appreciate it.

Even though Kansas isn’t my favorite place – I do love the fall. There are trees of all colors, the weather is cool but not completely cold (YET!!) and it is time for soup!!!

Do you have a true fall where you live?

Happy Monday?

Kim

Chest, Core, Fitness, Triceps

Wacky Wednesday

October 16, 2013 Kim 68 Comments

Today I did 44 “chest, fly, bangers” with a hip raise. Basically, I kept my hips up (the entire time) while doing a chest press, opening to a fly, bringing the weights back together and doing a head banger (triceps) before lowering the weights to repeat.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSoEYJO6g8g’]

Once again, the video was after doing all of my 44 and my workout – my arms were shaking the entire time. I used 10 pound weights which was plenty for the # I did.

I tried a new DVD today – Jillian Michaels – Hard Body. Yikes!!! I did Level 1 (there are 2 45 minute workouts) and it really pushed me today. In fact (here’s something wacky), I actually did the modifications on a couple of the moves – not quite ready to go hard core I guess!!!

Hunter always has “Wacky Wednesday” at school – not really sure what is different from other days but I decided that today could use a bit of wacky!!!

I can’t even imagine staying in a hotel made of ice – just looking at this picture is making me cold!!!

Driving around in this might be kind of fun for a day or so!!! I wonder if there are any restrictions involved?!

This completely cracks me up!!

Umm….I don’t even ride roller coasters the way they are meant to be ridden. This guy is an IDIOT!!!

I guess this gives a whole new meaning to – “basket toss!”

I think it would be impossible to be in a bad mood driving around in this van!

I think if you can pull off that look and still be so cute – go for it!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-50GjySwew&feature=youtu.be’]

And I’m really not even sure how I feel about this!! I’ve seen the Prancercise video several times now and really can’t tell if she is being serious with this or if it is supposed to be a joke!

Rest assured – no form of prancercizing will ever be a daily 44!!!

And, the final wacky –

Last night I told Jennifer that I was done with the hair growing out gig – back to short!!! (umm…this picture would be early morning right after my workout so hopefully I can fruiff it a bit more!!)

Happy Wacky Wednesday!!!

Kim

Fitness, Quad, Squats

Making it Count in March

March 1, 2013 Kim 8 Comments

Today’s 43 was inspired by a post I read the other day over at evilcyber. The idea is to make sure that you are strong enough to do squats safely before doing them. Simple squat test – stand without using your hands to push you up.

I decided to use that simple move to do a squat & hold move with my stability ball. I started by sitting on the ball (I kept my hands behind my head for a little added challenge)

from here, I stood but only part-way , so that I was in a semi-squat.

I held the partial squat for a 2-count and then lowered down just enough to barely touch the ball before repeating. 43 of those and my quads were burning!!!

Today I was back with Les Mills Combat for Combat 60 Live – Ultimate Warrior. Like I said the other day, I think this one might be my favorite!!! Then I did some Jillian Michaels – 6 Weeks to a Six Pack, Level 2. Not gonna lie, I thought about just doing the circuit through one time but I gutted it out for the whole thing and I’m glad I did (now that I’m finished!!).

I’m happy that March is here and February is done for another year!! I feel like I always start March on the count-down:

how many days till spring break
how many days till NCAA basketball tournament time (my favorite!!)
how many days till spring
how many days till Easter
how many days till summer

But, in keeping with my goal for 2013 (live in the moment), I don’t want to spend March counting down the days this year. I’m going to spend it making sure that each day, each moment counts.

Jillian Michaels said (in the DVD that I just finished sweating to), “If you’re going to spend your time doing this work-out, Make it Count!!!”

I think that statement can (and should) apply to all areas of life (not just fitness) – make it count!!!

So, my plan is to make every minute of March count!! I think that will include:

finding the positive in every day
less complaining
being spontaneous
working towards a goal (for what to do with my life now that I don’t work full-time)

Because it is March and March Madness is quickly approaching I figured a basketball quote would be very applicable: You only have one shot – make it count!!!

How will you Make March Count?

Happy Fun Friday!!

Kim

Day With KT