Tag Archives: Lifting Revolution

How Can I Make this Imperfect World a Little Better?

February 3, 2014 Kim 72 Comments

Today’s 44 was rough (mostly because my quads are still a little sore!!). I used my barbell and did squats.

44 of these was a challenge!! (and then I did even more during my workout!!)

Taylor (Lifting Revolution) started a new challenge for February – Let’s Split Challenge. This first week is 100 walking lunges every day!!! My poor quads – but I know it is good for getting rid of that last bit of soreness!

And, I started a new program today! Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation. I actually won this from GiGi (GiGi Eats Celebrities) last week and it started today!!! I had to do the Fitness test this morning and then the first day. I chose the Lean and Strong program and all I can say after one day is – I don’t know how strong I feel!!! My whole body is shaking right now!!!

The only downside to the new program is that it is almost an hour a day/6 days a week and I’m going to have to figure out how to fit in the miles that I want to log running – maybe I need to get up at 4:30 again?!

Saturday morning, Jordan and I went to the memorial service for the 22 year old brother of Jordan’s friend who died a couple weeks ago. It was rough!!!

Several family members shared stories and words about this incredible young man and the Priest said some things that really stuck out to me and I’ve been thinking a lot about them the past couple of days.

He reminded us that life isn’t fair. Clearly it’s not or this young man would still be alive and his family wouldn’t be suffering!

The priest talked about what a light this young man was and how he didn’t let life get him down. He had a bright future and it was obvious to all who knew him.

The thing that really stood out to me was the fact that even though life isn’t fair and we live in an imperfect world, we are capable of doing something to make the world a little better. It is a matter of making the choice to make a difference!!

I’m not sure how I can do this but I know it is something that I truly want to work on!!!

I think that the change really does come from within! I’m hoping that even though I may never affect the entire world, I can start with myself and do what I can to try and make the world a better place!!!

Do you think that one person is capable of making the world a better place?

Happy Monday!!!

Kim

Butt, Cardio, Core, Fitness, Shoulders

Is it about the Journey or the end Destination?

July 15, 2013 Kim 38 Comments

Today’s 43 was the move that I used for G in my ABC Boot Camp – Groaners!!! I think that this move is really called a thruster but I changed the name to make it work for my letters (and there was a bit of groaning involved!!).

Start in plank – jump feet in to hands out wide – jump back to plank.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRU37_50b0c’]

I think the jumping involved in this 43 helped work out some of the residual soreness from my long run the other day!!

Today was 6 am Boot Camp and it was pretty tough!!! We did 3 mini pyramids (I had 4 planned but I didn’t want to go over the 45 minutes!!). Even though I made it up, I’m sort-of dreading repeating it tomorrow at the beach – well, not really but I know that I will be feeling it!!

I’m also participating in a fitness challenge with Taylor @ Lifting Revolution. I don’t do many challenges but I like the way this one is structured – 6 weeks, 6 different workouts (1 per week to be done 3x), a couple of new recipes – it fits in perfectly with the way I like to work out!! Today was the first day and this week’s workout is challenging!! It only took about 30 minutes or so to complete the whole thing but it was intense. I still have 2 more times to repeat it this week – can’t wait!!!

So, what do you think – journey or destination? I think that it varies at different points in life. I know that if you look at all of the inspirational quotes they all say the same thing –

However, I think that there are some times that the destination is the best part!!! Especially when the journey involves thisfor this amount of time and miles!!!But the destination is so worth it when it iswhich means lots of time enjoying my favorite happy place!!

I’m not gonna lie – I am not the most fun person to travel with!! I just want to get there!!! Stops are short, infrequent and only when necessary!!! I’m not one of those people that likes to detour and check out all the sites on the way. I’ve tried to be more like that when traveling and all it does is make me grit my teeth – I just want to keep trucking along until we are at the final destination!!!

Now, there are lots of other areas of life that I’m all about the journey!I think my fitness journey is kind of like the above quote – it’s a journey that will never end because I want to continue to try and improve my fitness level every single day!!

The same could be said about my role as both a wife and a mother – it’s about enjoying the journey!!I like the above quote – because I think that in many areas it is true – the journey is the destination and it should be enjoyed and treasured at every little stop. It’s not about rushing through to get to the end but stopping frequently along the way!!! (as long as we aren’t talking about a mega long car trip!!!)

What do you think – journey or destination?
Long car trips – stop and sight see or just get there?

Happy Monday!

Kim

Cardio, Chest, Core, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

My Favorite Way to Cook

July 8, 2013 Kim 52 Comments

I decided it was time for another burpee variation for the 43 today. I’m still working on the awesome list of 30 burpees that Taylor @ Lifting Revolution shared awhile back. Today I did a burpee with a lateral jump over a step – FUN TIMES!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQT6e33BNuM’]

6:00 am boot camp was fun – we did the Move It, Move It workout (all legs!!) from Friday because I knew that none of the people who came Friday would be here this morning. It was HUMID – we were drenched by the end of the workout.

I decided to run on my treadmill instead of outside because I knew that I would be sucking air thanks to the mugginess. I ran at 1.5% incline – 5 miles 31:34 + 1 mile super easy for a cool down.

Irving Naxon – anyone know who he is? He developed the “all-purpose” cooker which was bought by The Rival Company in 1970 and reintroduced in 1971 as the Crock Pot.

I think the Crock Pot is truly my favorite kitchen appliance!!! I use one of my crock pots at least once a week and often as many as 3 times a week. There have been many meals that I have 2 crock pots full of stuff!!!

Any day that I have evening plans I try to get dinner into the crock pot in the morning. Such a great feeling to know that dinner (at least part of it) is already done!!!

I’m pretty sure that I’ve already shared my love of cookbooks before.

In my collection, I have a whole shelf devoted to crock pot/slow cooker cook books. My favorites are from the Fix-It-and-Forget-It series.

One of the great things about using a crock pot is there is really no need for a recipe. The thing that I do the most is put a cut of meat (ribs, round steak, roast, brisket, chicken breasts, pork roast, turkey breasts, even a whole chicken) with a rub and/or a sauce of some sort and let it cook all day. Super easy and by the end of the day we have a very tender piece of meat!

In the fall and winter I make all kinds of soups and chili in the crock pot. In the summer, I love to use the crock pot to keep the kitchen from heating up!!

I even take one of my crock pots with me on some of our longer trips (when we stay places with a kitchen) so that we don’t have to eat out every meal and I don’t have to spend any time really cooking.

Do you use a crock pot very often? What is your favorite recipe in the crock pot?

Happy Monday!!

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, Shoulders

The Beach

June 4, 2013 Kim 43 Comments

Today I did another one of the burpees that Taylor at Lifting Revolution included in her cool list of 30 burpees as my 43. This one is called an 8-count burpee.

Jump back to plank position, do a plank jack, perform a push-up then jump in and up.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF4po0DNlIA’]

(for the record, Jordan wasn’t up until after I did all 43 of my burpees plus my insanity workout – so I was sort-of burpeed out by the time we made the demo!)

Today’s Insanity Asylum was Back to Core. I can tell just from the last time I did this program (last week) that I’m getting stronger through my back!!! A couple of the moves that I could barely eek out the first time, I managed all of today!!!

Today was my 2nd round of Boot Camp. I’m doing a 6 am class on MWF (in my backyard) and a 7 am class TT at the swim beach. (We can’t be on the beach until 7 which worked out because several people interested in boot camp didn’t want to get up for a 6 am workout.)

This was the view we had while working out – The dock goes around 3 sides – inside the dock is safe for swimming!!!

Today wasn’t too hot, just muggy but I have a feeling that later in the summer we might have to end some of our beach workouts with a little dip!!!

4 people came to boot camp today (5 yesterday – so 9 total) – and it was a lot of fun this morning!!! I even got them to let me take a picture after –

It was fun to work out in the sand!! I like the extra challenge and resistance that the sand offers. We all decided to do the workout barefoot so I’m pretty sure that I will have tougher feet by the end of the summer!!!

Gotta say, everything is better at the beach!!! (even a little lake beach in Kansas!) I loved working out in the sand with some friends – not a bad way to start a Tuesday!

Now, if the sun would just cooperate and come out and warm this place up the boys and I could start logging some serious time at my favorite hang-out place in Topeka!!!Hopefully soon!!!!