Tag Archives: squat

Butt, Fitness, Squats

The Law of Diminishing Returns

69 Comments

Today’s 44 was another squat variation – this time with alternating glute lifts.

squat
squat
lift right leg behind
lift right leg behind
squat again
squat again
lift left leg behind
lift left leg behind

The key is to squeeze your butt on the way up and when you lift your leg behind.  Since I counted a right and left lift as 1 rep, I actually did 88 squats to complete the 44.

I pulled out another workout DVD that I haven’t done in years – Michelle Dozois – Your Best Body Circuit.  This was a good workout that included some nice cardio sections with plenty of strength training.  I liked that the strength training included moves with dumbbells and resistance bands.  The workout is almost an hour (58 minutes) and does a great job targeting all body parts and keeping your heart rate up!!!

Screen Shot 2014-01-27 at 6.52.47 AM

OK – I have never studied economics so this isn’t going to be about economics in any way, however, I think that this statement is also true in the fitness realm!!!

I have been participating in a challenge this month that Taylor (Lifting Revolution) has going on – the Core Challenge.

The way this challenge works – 

  • Week 1 – 45 second plank followed by 20 push-ups (every single day)
  • Week 2 – 60 second plank followed by 30 push-ups (every day!)
  • Week 3 – 75 second plank followed by 40 push-ups (still every day)
  • Week 4 – 90 second plank followed by 50 push-ups (also every day!!)

I’m still doing this every day  – I haven’t missed a day yet but near the end of week 3 I noticed that my push-ups were becoming more and more of a struggle.

Screen Shot 2014-01-27 at 6.51.25 AMThis week doing 50 push-ups is a downright hard.  I feel like I’m going backwards on the push-ups some days!!!  I break them into sets of 10 and then do a quick stretch break usually to complete all 50.  There have been some days that I’ve had to drop to my knees in order to complete all of the reps with good form.

Screen Shot 2014-01-27 at 6.53.23 AMI thought about dropping back down to 20 or 30 push-ups to finish the challenge but I’m hoping that if I keep pushing through I will see the results once the challenge is completely over.

Plus, I don’t want to feel like a Screen Shot 2014-01-27 at 7.11.55 AM

So, I’m going to keep pushing myself and hope that this will pay-off in the long run and make me stronger!!!

What are your thoughts on the Law of Diminishing Returns as it applies to fitness?

Happy Monday!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Shoulders, Squats

Happy Thanksgiving!!

34 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving!!  I hope you all have family and/or friends to spend your day with!!

For my 44 today I did a single leg squat in the figure 4 position with a front raise.

start
start
down and raise
down and raise

44 on the first side wasn’t too bad but by the 2nd set my arms/shoulders were burning!!!  (and I only used 5 pound dumbbells)

2nd side ready to go
2nd side ready to go
down & hold
down & hold

Stacy and I decided to do the 4 miles for today inside (because I sort of miscalculated the start time for the turkey and had to get it started!!!).  She hopped on the treadmill and I did the elliptical.  I just did 30 minutes (4.1 miles).

Screen shot 2013-11-28 at 8.21.09 AMHappy Thursday/Thanksgiving!!  Enjoy your day!!!  

Kim

BOSU, Butt, Fitness, Lunges, Quad, Squats

Mottos

32 Comments

Today’s 43 had my legs burning!!!  I used one of my favorite pieces of equipment:

BOSU
BOSU

I started with both feet on the BOSU – did a squat

squat
squat

then stepped my left leg behind into a curtsey lunge.

left curtsey lunge
left curtsey lunge

After 43 on the first side, I didn’t know if I would be able to do another set with the other leg because my quads were burning!! However, I don’t want to be unbalanced so – 43 more!!

squat
squat
right curtsey lunge
right curtsey lunge

I think the hardest part was the little squat in between each lunge – basically, the leg that stayed on the BOSU was working the entire time!!!

6:00 am Boot Camp was a lot of toning work with just a few cardio bursts in between!  We used resistance bands and I’m pretty sure that my shoulders will be sore tomorrow!!

And, I’m still doing Insanity Asylum – but only 2 more days left!!!!  Today was Back to Core (probably the “easiest” one of the whole program!) and Relief – 25 minutes of stretching.  I did the whole stretching one even though it’s not my favorite – I might have entertained myself with my phone but I still stretched!!!

Screen shot 2013-06-19 at 8.37.54 AM

Screen shot 2013-06-19 at 8.56.49 AMLots of people have a motto (or even many mottos that they live by).  Screen shot 2013-06-19 at 8.41.09 AMSome mottos apply only to part of one’s life while others can cover everything.Screen shot 2013-06-19 at 8.42.17 AM Screen shot 2013-06-19 at 8.39.36 AMScreen shot 2013-06-19 at 8.43.06 AM

 I think that sometimes people have a motto that “sums” them up in just a few words – the following is one that I love!Screen shot 2013-06-19 at 8.46.23 AMAnd, sometimes a motto is something that you are trying to achieve in your life.Screen shot 2013-06-19 at 8.43.57 AM

 Even kids have mottos – that they apply to their lives.

Life is like a cube - you just have to solve it.
Life is like a cube – you just have to solve it.
Legos are life.
Legos are life.
Life is like a cookie - sometimes it crumbles.
Life is like a cookie – sometimes it crumbles.
Look at the big picture - Will this matter in 10 years?
Look at the big picture – Will this matter in 10 years?

I’ve been trying to decide if I have a specific motto that I live by.  I think if I had to pick one thing (other than Suck it up Buttercup!!), I would say –

Always do YOUR best!!!!!

 

Do you have a motto (or mottos) that you live by?

Happy Wednesday!!!

Kim