Tag Archives: plank

Finding Your Happy Place

April 11, 2013 Kim 18 Comments

For my 43 today, I did a standing crunch combo. I started with my hands behind my head and lifted my right knee to the side with a side crunch – lifted my right knee to the front and twisted my left elbow to it while crunching – kicked my right leg out to the front and reached my left hand to my toe – repeat all 3 moves on the left = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeOiU1pY7gk’]

Besides working my core (and balance), this move was good for my hip flexors!! I’m pretty sure I ended up doing more than 43 because I was talking to Hunter and kept losing count so I would go back to the last number I remembered saying – I figure extra is better anyway!

Today seemed like a good day to spend some time with Chalean (since we’re such good friends, you know!!). I did Turbo Fire – Fire 55EZ. It was a great 55 minutes – high intensity cardio leaving me a sweaty mess – perfect!!

During my workout I realized that I haven’t done a plank or wall-sit challenge in awhile so I decided to get that done.

Wall-Sit: 3:20 (new record for me!)

Plank (extended arms) – 4:15 (also a record!)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z5qpyxRR-A’]

I love the movie Happy Gilmore – his happy place is pretty random but whatever works for you!!

I think that there really is value in the idea of finding your happy place. Sometimes just picturing it in our minds can be calming and remind us that even unpleasant times will pass. Or, in the middle of a really tough workout or run it might be helpful to escape to your happy place.

My happy place looks like this:

with these guys thrown in!

In my real life it is 30 some degrees outside and cloudy but in my happy place it always sunny and warm!!(my happy place definitely includes a fun cocktail!!)

Do you have a happy place? What/where is it?

Happy Thursday!!! I’m going to pretend I’m here today (close version of my happy place!):

Kim

Core, Fitness

Fun Friday!!!

March 29, 2013 Kim 12 Comments

For my 43 today I did a move that Gina (the Fitnessista) had as part of a really cool 2,4,6,8,10 workout earlier this week.

To do the move, start in plank (arms extended) – lift your right leg and tap it down across your left leg then switch legs to complete 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssXX7WA8Ewc’]

It took me 3:20 minutes (holding plank the whole time) to complete 43 reps! The hard part was trying not to rock my body or drop my hips (or stick my butt too high). If you add a boost to a normal plank – try this move!

Because I’ve sort-of slacked on workouts the past couple of days I decided to step it up a bit with Cathe XTrain – Tabatacise. I did all 5 Tabatas (killer!) then I did the 100 Rep challenges – 100 flat bench triceps (I used 8 pound dumbbells) & 100 bicep curls (10 pound dumbbells) – UGH!!! I finished with the Bonus Core #2.

When I finished Jordan said, “That looked hard – I’m never gonna do that!” (no school today & Chris is off so the gangs all here!!) OK, Jordan, whatever!! I did convince him to go for a walk with me yesterday afternoon so there is that!!

I’m looking forward to the weekend! The weather is supposed to be nice for a few more days (and then maybe snow on April 1 – what is that about?!), the NCAA basketball tournament is going on, Easter – time with all 3 of my boys – what more could anyone ask for?!

Happy Fun Friday – I hope everyone has a great weekend with family and/or friends!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Plank

Abdominal Training Epiphany!!!

March 22, 2013 Kim 12 Comments

My 43 today was nice – it was core work but also a semi-stretch!!! I used a stability ball to hold plank on my forearms.

From the start position, I just did a plank roll – I rolled forward on the ball (you have to hold your abs in tight here so that they don’t rest on the ball!)

pull the abs in - don't cheat! — pull the abs in – don’t cheat!

and then back on the ball for each rep.

The biggest challenge in this 43 was keeping my balance on the ball while staying in plank. I tried to keep my body level (feet a little wider helps!).

Today I did a Boot Camp workout for the rest of my workout. I used one of the 10 Minute Solution DVDs (love these) – Ultimate Boot Camp and did all 5 sections for a really great workout.

If you have never tried any of the 10 Minute Solution DVDs, I highly recommend them. They are great if you just have 20-30 minutes since you can do a couple of the sections. I also like them as a complete workout – all 5 sections.

The 5th (and final) section today was Six Pack Ab Attack. Because I was tired by that point I had to really focus on putting 100% into it. Then I started thinking about all of my ab/core work. It is at the end of my workout usually. I can’t think of a single workout DVD that I’ve done that has ab work at the beginning (or even during the middle) – always the end.

As I struggled (no other word today) through the ab training I decided that I’m going to try mixing up my ab work some and putting it at the beginning of a workout when I’m fresh! I did a little research about why abdominal work is usually at the end of the workout – the biggest reason seems to be the fact that so many exercises require you to use your core and if you have already trained your abs then you might not be able to perform the exercise safely.

But, I’m still planning to try and change it up some. I’m always exhausted by the time I really focus on my abs so I want to see if it makes a difference training them first.

Screen shot 2013-03-22 at 9.30.54 AM — not my abs – I WISH!!!

When do you work your abs/core – beginning or end of a workout?

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Shoulders

Am I a Real Runner if I Have Never Run a Marathon??

March 19, 2013 Kim 23 Comments

Today I used a medicine ball for my 43. I put my hands on the ball and got into plank position.

Then I stepped my right foot out to the side, back to center and my left foot out to the side and back to center for 1 rep.

It took me 2:20 minutes of holding plank (with my hands on a ball!) to complete this 43!

I tried another new (to me) workout today. Cathe – Turbo Barre. On the cover of this DVD it says Low Impact Series. Don’t let that fool you into thinking this was easy! WOW!!! The ~~pain~~ burning in my hips, thighs and butt at points in this workout was no joke!! I’m pretty sure that I will feel everything about this workout tomorrow! At one point, I think we spent at least 5-7 minutes up on our toes while squatting with our feet in various positions.

I don’t have a barre but this barstool worked perfectly!!

I’m pretty sure that this will become one of my go-to choices for days when I don’t want any running or jumping but still want an incredible workout!!

I started running in high school. I also competed in college and when I was in grad school I spent a lot of time doing various road races from 5K – half marathon. Since then, I have only run a handful of races – a few 5Ks and a 10-miler.

I have trained for several different marathons during my running career but never even started one – first one I was in college and really sick and the next 2 (maybe 3, I’ve blocked some!) I ended up with stress fractures and had to stop running entirely.

Sometimes now I wonder – Am I a real runner? I haven’t even run a marathon. I have run more than 26.2 miles in a single run but does that count? I’m not sure at this point if I will ever run a true marathon – I would like to but for me right now, just being able to run is enough!!!

On a completely different note – Since it’s spring break (and yesterday was probably the nicest weather we will have all week), we decided to play tennis when Chris got home from work. After about 30 minutes, Jordan and I decided to walk/jog home – (about 2.5 miles or so around the lake).

It was a fun just hanging with Jordan for a bit and getting a little fresh air!

What do you think makes someone a “real” runner? Distance, speed, time, cool running gear…?

Happy Tuesday!!

Kim

Fitness, Push-Ups

Balls + Records = Jelly

March 13, 2013 Kim 12 Comments

YIKES!!! Today’s 43 was rough and brutal and hard!!! I got this move from Jody at Truth2BeingFit. I don’t know how she made it look so easy cause it is anything but!

Start with 3 medicine balls.

Put 1 under each hand and then try (key word – try) and balance both feet on the 3rd ball. Seriously, just holding this position was hard.

The actual move is a push-up!! x 43

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HNWRSJJUb0′]

I would rather do the 4-ball push-up any day!!! The narrow feet (on the same ball) makes this move so much harder! I lost count of how many times I fell off!

So, what are you doing sitting here reading – go try this move – I know you want to!!!

Today I pulled out another DVD that I haven’t done in awhile – Turbo Jam – Cardio Party 3. This is another series that Chalean Johnson does and I love her workouts. Always high energy and fun music! Sometimes she gets a little dancey for me – I just add in extra jumps when that happens and it works out perfectly!

I decided to challenge myself today with a plank hold and wall-sit (cause sometimes I’m ~~stupid~~ crazy like that!!).

I like to do planks with my arms fully extended (like might not be exactly the right word – but it is how I usually do them).

not from today but only picture I could find

Since I did these after the boys were at school – there are no pictures from today!! I wanted to find one of me in plank and this was as close as I got.

Plank Time – 3:30

Then I decided to see how long I could last in a wall-sit (cause I figured why not at this point!!).

Wall-Sit Time – 3:00

And now – my arms and legs are jelly!!!

Do you do little self-challenges? Share if you do (I might like to join in on the fun!).

Happy Wednesday!

Kim

Day With KT