Tag Archives: plank

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

Core, Fitness, Plank, Running, Shoulders

Sore not Hurt!!!

November 23, 2013 Kim 44 Comments

Today’s 44 was one of those that seemed like a great idea until I did about 10 – then it was just HARD!!! I used a stability ball and got into the plank position (feet on ball). Then I alternated bringing my knee to my elbow (a right and left was 1 rep).

The last 20ish were rough – I had a hard time staying in plank because the ball kept rolling around (maybe I wasn’t holding my core tight enough)!!! Fun times!!!

This week I’ve actually been doing a little experiment with my running – and it has been great!!!

3 mornings – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – after my first workout and getting the boys to school I have hopped on the treadmill to log some miles. I have forced myself to slow my pace so that I can increase my mileage.

I’ve mentioned many times that I can’t run every day anymore because of the many injuries (mostly stress fractures) that I’ve had over the past few years. Chris always says that the problem isn’t just running but that I tend to run too hard.

So, this week, I just ran!
Monday – 12 miles
Wednesday – 10.5 miles
Friday – 16.5 miles
Week total – 39 miles!!

I think that running on semi-tired legs is going to help me later (if I decide to try another ultra!!!).

The best part about my experiment?! My legs were a bit sore after each run (part of why I’ve forced myself to stretch this week!) but I completed all of my runs without any pain!!!!

Maybe Chris has been right all along – just don’t tell him!!! :Wink:

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

I Choose Happiness!!!

November 13, 2013 Kim 81 Comments

Today’s 44 is one that Josie @ Yum Yucky demoed the other day. It is called a living plank and it is fun!!!

Start in plank with a kettlebell (you could use a dumbbell) above your head. With your right hand, move the KB down near your thighs. Use your left hand and return the KB to the start = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3Xd89TPqBQ’]

Try this for a new way to spice up your plank. The last few reps were hard – I had to work hard to lift the KB and not drag it!

Yesterday I wrote a post full of griping and complaining and then proceeded to let myself be in a major funk all day!

Today, I choose to be happy and share some happy things.

Saturday – Wrestling Tournament:

waiting - lots & lots of waiting — waiting – lots & lots of waiting

I don’t totally get all that goes along with wrestling – it is new to me – but Hunter had 3 matches on Saturday – he lost his first then came back to win his 2nd which sent him to the consolation round. He won that match by pinning his opponent!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5VMlstalXk’]

3rd place in his category at his very first tournament!!

Sunday – Jordan’s Birthday:

For several years now, Hunter has been trying to get Jordan to give him 5!

come on - give me 5 — come on – give me 5

Sunday – Cello Group Concert:

This concert was Hunter’s cello group, a clarinet group and a flute group – all were great. The cellos ended the program with a version of William Tell’s Overture – it was awesome!!

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

Monday – Veteran’s Day:

Monday – Birthday Dinner (a day late because of the cello concert!):

cookie cake - 15 candles — cookie cake – 15 candles

After looking at all the awesomeness around me – how can I not be happy?!

We all know I love to exercise and today I’m going to exercise my happy!!!

Happy Wednesday!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

Off Kilter

October 26, 2013 Kim 34 Comments

Today I used my favorite piece of equipment (again!) –

For the 44 I did a plank with my toes on the BOSU.

I alternated stepping one foot off –

then back on and the other foot off.

I counted a right and left step-off as 1 rep. About half-way through the 44 I started thinking that I should have timed it so I could see how long I stayed in plank – oh, well – I know it was long enough that my arms were shaking!!!

I decided to run again today. I’m enjoying just running to run again!!! I did 6 miles in 44:19 at 1.5% incline and then 2.25 more miles at a super easy pace.

Lately, for some reason, I feel a little off-kilter. I think it is a combination of the things that I need to get done and all of the extra activities the boys have this year.

We have always had family dinner – typically around 6:00pm – this is a great way to reconnect after being out and about all day. Lately, it is rare for everyone to be able to eat at the same time – I feel like we eat in pairs. This past week we only had dinner together 2 times!!! (Hooray for my crock pot so that dinner is ready at multiple times!!!)

Lately, our dining room table is just a mess. It is my home “office” and the piles are driving me insane. The problem is, my list keeps growing but my motivation is not keeping up with the To-Dos!!!

Last night I was home alone for the entire evening and I didn’t do a single productive thing – I watched mindless TV (have you seen that 4 Secret Princes Show?), spent hours playing on my laptop (not work stuff!!!), added more blogs to my feed (not sure why since I can barely keep up with the ones I already had!!).

So, I guess I will make another list for the day and hope that today is the day I actually make some progress and get back on track!!!

And, I always add stuff after I do it just for the happiness that comes from seeing stuff marked off!!!

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Cardio, Core, Fitness, Shoulders

If….Then

September 28, 2013 Kim 39 Comments

Today’s 44 was a fun way to turn a plank into a cardio move!!! I did frog jumps in the plank position.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW4AZEACukM’]

I was breathing hard by the time I finished all 44 – always a good sign!!

Remember the old writing prompt from your school days? I remember having to do If…Then statements and I thought it would be a fun way to share some of the things I’ve learned recently!!!

If Jordan sends me a text that after-school sectionals has been cancelled, then it doesn’t automatically mean he needs a ride home. (Learned that the hard!)

If you take 2 Excedrine right before bed-time, then you might spend most of the night awake!! (The good news is, I got lots of reading done and might finally finish the book I’ve been reading for about a month – ever since beach time went away!!!)

If you don’t have any plans for meals during the week, then you might do lots of scrambling in the evenings! (DUH!!)

If you upgrade your iPhone the day the upgrade comes out, then you might have to deal with some of the bugs and other issues that aren’t totally resolved. (Hunter learned this the hard way – he hasn’t had WIFI since he upgraded and apparently lots of people had the same problem!!)

If your neighbors invite you to go with them to a friends home for an Italian night and “concert” under the stars, then you should definitely go and enjoy fun times and Andre Bocelli’s concert!!!

If you buy a birthday card, then it is helpful if you actually put it in the mail!! (Sorry, Dad, card is still on my kitchen island!!)

If you live with 3 boys, then life is going to be full of happy times!!!!

What If…Then statement fits you this week?