Tag Archives: plank

Core, Fitness, Plank

Caution: May Cause Rug Burns

Today’s 43 almost got the best of me!!!  It was HARD!  (and then I started laughing at myself because I know I looked like a complete goof – just made the move harder!!)

So, now that y’all are all dying to try the 43 for yourself, here you go.  I did a 4-way plank hold:  Start in plank (elbows for this move), turn to right side plank, turn to a backwards plank (nearly impossible for me!), turn to a left side plank and finally back to plank to complete 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGB6OlxJeyM’]

I alternated directions just to make counting easier!  You can see in the video how much I struggled on the back plank (I actually didn’t hold the 2nd one in the demo – oops!!!).  Fun times for sure!!!

Now that I have completed 43 of those crazy twisting, turning planks, I have serious rug burns on my elbows – who knew?  Guess I should have left my jacket on or something (like maybe  elbow pads!!!).  If you are going to do this move I recommend covering  your elbows with something!!!

Today I also did day 4 of the 12 Days of Fitness.  The extended plank hold (1 minute) was a little more challenging after all of the other planking today!

It’s the weekend!!!  Hopefully the boys will want to do something fun (they are perfectly content to hang out at home most all of the time – so that might be what we go with!!).

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Thighs

Epic Camera Fail

2 Comments

Today I thought I would give my upper body a little break with the 43 and do a leg exercise.  (It has been hard to come up with non-weight bearing moves that still offer a challenge for my lower body!!!)

I took one of my Pilates moves and turned it into the 43.  I did a leg lift that included complete range of motion.

  • Lie on left side – body in a straight line – propped on left elbow
  • Point right toes and place it slightly in front of left foot
  • Lift right leg straight in the air
  • Flex right foot and lower leg behind left foot
  • Point toes and raise right leg in the air
  • Flex foot and lower in front of left leg

The above is 1 rep.  This move should be performed in a smooth, controlled manner. And, of course, I did 43 with my right leg and 43 with my left leg!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXWKEP31WWs’]

(I left my socks on because my feet get cold!!!)

After working my legs – and I felt it for sure – I decided to work on my plank hold again.   I did another 3 minute plank – I’m not sure I will ever be able to hold it longer than that.  (makes my wrists hurt)

Last night was Hunter’s cello bash (and by bash I mean LONG concert – good but LONG – like 2.5 hours!) and I had big plans to post a video of him playing his duet.  Ummm….apparently, if you don’t charge your camera battery in advance then you get a message that says – battery exhausted.  I tried using my iPhone but I couldn’t zoom in and  blah, blah, blah – no video to share.

Here is a close rendition!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wtBXkGrxws’]

Oh, maybe not – but he did a great job as did all of the cellists last night!

Tonight we are going to our first Hanukkah party – I’m very excited!!  Love to learn new things!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

 

 

Cardio, Fitness, Shoulders

Yikes!!!

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Today’s 43 was one of the most difficult that I have done in awhile.  I think it is because it has been 10 (long) days since I ran or did any cardio at all and it shows!!!

The move – plank jacks.  In the plank position, (because clearly I didn’t get enough of that yesterday!)  jack your feet (jump them open and closed like a regular jumping jack).  I did 10 jacks = 1 rep.  (If math is not your thing, that is 430 jacks!!!!!)  This move requires cario endurance plus strength to hold yourself in plank for a LONG time.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbKgUv7X3Uo’]

It was good to get a little cardio and technically, this wasn’t a true weight bearing exercise (at least not on my hip!).  But, YIKES!!!  I was sucking air big time.  Hunter said, “It’s only been about a week since you ran.”  10 days, brother!!  That is a long, long time and when you are my age (43) the you lose it a lot quicker!

Usually, I write this after I have finished my entire work-out for the day.  However, I have a couple of things I have to do this morning and then I’m subbing this afternoon (for Hunter’s homeroom teacher!!!) so I’m doing my post with the intention of still squeezing in some pilates later.  Even if I can’t do all 3 sections, I will get some pilates in!

Screen shot 2012-12-05 at 3.58.51 PM

This seemed appropriate today. If you don’t try – you won’t succeed! (Plus, Michael Jordan is one of my all-time favorites!)

I can’t wait to be in Hunter’s class (and I’m sure he feels the same way!).  Tonight is all about Algebra – several hours of tutoring tonight – almost time for semester finals!!!

Happy Thursday!!

Kim

11:25 Pick your Spot Pilates: belly, butt & thighs – Done!!!   Now I can enjoy my afternoon with 6th graders!!!

 

Core, Fitness, Shoulders

Going in Circles

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Today’s 43  really tested one of my weakest areas – shoulders!  Plus, I sat on my stability ball while doing the 43 so that gave me a little bit of core work!!!

The actual move was sort-of totally old school – arm circles!!  I sat on the stability ball and held a dumbbell in each hand (I used 5 pound dumbbells today) with my arms fully extended to the sides.  Then, I did 43 circles to the front and another 43 to the back.  The circle part wasn’t really bad – the challenge came from holding my arms at shoulder height and keeping them fully extended the entire time.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giIxWpjlfA0′]

(for the demo I just did 5 and 5 – those didn’t count as part of the true 43)

I decided to take a little Pilates break today and do a different non-weight bearing work-out.  I did a Bender Ball work-out. You do traditional core moves using this little ball:

add this to your ab routine!
add this to your ab routine!

I know that tomorrow I will feel this in every part of my core!!!

I decided that I was on a roll (ha-ha – I entertain myself sometime!) with core and shoulders today so I thought it would be fun to see how long I could hold plank.  (I know some of y’all can hold it a long time!!!) I got in position with my, iPhone right under my face, and hit start.   I lasted for ……3 minutes!!!  I know that is the longest I have ever held plank at one time – not sure if I want to try to go longer or not – maybe next time I will hold plank on my elbows instead of with my arms fully extended! (or maybe I won’t let my competitive nature take over and push me to try and go longer & longer & longer….hmmm)

Time to go get my nails done! (I know – completely frivolous and unnecessary but it makes me happy!!!)

This afternoon I get to help in the library at Hunter’s school – my favorite!!!

Happy 12-12-12!!!

Kim