Tag Archives: squats

Biceps, Butt, Core, Fitness, Quad, Shoulders

Jordan

August 3, 2013 Kim 31 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a move that worked my entire body!! I used my stability ball and a pair of 12 pound dumbbells and did a squat with a bicep curl to a shoulder press. Here are the steps:

From the starting position, the right leg will squat while the left leg pushes the ball out to the side.

Stand while pulling left leg back in to body – curl weights and press overhead.

By adding the side leg movement, I was able to get my heart rate up while working on my balance (always good for the core!).

Of course, I couldn’t let my left leg be left out!!!

2 sets of 43 – my shoulders were on fire by the time I finished all those presses!!!

Today was the 3rd and final day of the “Stronger by the Minute” workout this week. I’m enjoying this little 6 week challenge series with Taylor because the idea of repeating the same workout 3 times in a week and trying to improve each time is right up my alley!! I love the self-competition!!!

From the first time completing this week’s workout until today, I improved each time on all 3 circuits – 2 of the circuits I was able to improve by over a full round!!!

The third circuit consists of 4 different burpees (all HARD), with 5 reps of each – as many rounds as possible in 6 minutes. 6 minutes doesn’t seem like much until you spend the entire 6 minutes doing burpees!!!! Today I did 56 burpees in that time!!!

Most of the time when you see Jordan, you see his great smile!!!

My firstborn is fixing to be in high school (and he can drive!) and I could not be more proud of him!!! He is a young man who truly cares about everyone around him!!

Things like school talent shows cause him stress because he feels bad for the kids who perform that really aren’t that good. While his buddies or other kids in the audience are snickering he totally empathizes with the person on stage!! He is the same way when we watch any of the singing/talent shows at home – instead of laughing, he feels bad for them!

He goes out of his way to make sure that everyone around him is happy or content. If there are limited chairs somewhere, he is usually the first to offer his chair. When his friends are trying to decide what to do he is content to let them decide – he is agreeable to just about anything.

Even though he isn’t the guy trying to have his way all the time, he is very much his own person. If you know Jordan personally (or have read my blog for awhile) you know that Jordan wears all white every day!! His standard “uniform” consists of white Nike shorts and white Nike T-shirt (plus white Nikes). I just restocked (in a bigger size) his white wardrobe for next year – took numerous stores and some driving but well worth the time!!! I love the fact that he is unique and content to be different!!!

This summer, Jordan has pretty much taken over cleaning up after every meal. Not because we told him he has to – he just likes it!!! Pretty amazing!

I know that I’m a little biased but I think that Jordan is an incredible young man!! It is truly one of the biggest joys of my life to watch him grow up. I know these next 4 years are going to fly by and I intend to treasure every minute that I can with my sweet boy!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Hamstrings, Squats

Life Isn’t Always Sunshine but I Love it Anyway

July 28, 2013 Kim 43 Comments

Today’s 43 was one that I’ve never tried but need to do more often. It was a front wall squat. I need lots more practice because I can’t go down very far without toppling over.

Start with your toes against the wall –

(you can barely see me – the bright light worked against the picture but too late now!!)

Slide down into a squat keeping your knees and hands against (or near) the wall –

You can tell from the picture (barely) that I couldn’t even get down to 90 degrees – so a good 43 but one that definitely needs work! I liked the fact that performing this type of squat added in a balance challenge!

And, because we actually slept in a little, I decided to keep my workout inside because the humidity is killing me when I run here. I did Turbo Fire – Sculpt 30. This was a great workout today since I haven’t gotten much strength work this week!! You use the Turbo Fire band

for a full body strength workout!!

For the past week, it has been easy to love life – because we’ve been at the beach (2 more days!!!)! And, I’m pretty sure that by now it is a well established fact that the beach is my true HAPPY PLACE!!!

However, in my “real life” back home in Kansas, life isn’t always sunny!! There are days that look a lot like this –

And, some days are just kind of drippy!However, I can finally say that no matter what the weather and other circumstances that come along – I LOVE MY LIFE!!!

That hasn’t always been the case! In high school, I think I just existed. I loved running track and I enjoyed school but the rest of it was just something to be survived.

College was 4 years of fun even though I worked hard to maintain a track and academic scholarship and then added in a job my senior year. But, I still wasn’t completely at peace with myself.

I spent a number of years trying to find happiness through other people instead of looking for it inside of myself.

I thought that the people I surrounded myself and hung out with controlled my happiness.

I even struggled when we had kids – I thought that being a Mom should make me happy all the time – that kids meant sunshine 100% of the time!!!

So, it has taken 43 years to finally get to the point where I am completely content during the sunny times and the not so sunny times.

And, as long as I know that there is always time at the beach to look forward to, my life is full of sunshine!!

Do you love your life in all types of weather or just during the sunny/happy times?

Happy Sunday!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Running, Squats

Sometimes we Indulge – Sometimes we Overindulge – Looking for Moderation

July 22, 2013 Kim 53 Comments

Today’s 43 was a play on one that Nellie featured for one of her Weekly Wednesday workouts. She showed a split squat with a side kick this past week. I don’t have my step here but we have stairs!!!

I stood on the 2nd step and did a squat then pushed up into a side leg raise. Not gonna lie, about 15 in I started wishing that I had used the bottom step – oh, well gotta make up for yesterday!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmz70luvMZw’]

Even though I only did 1 side for the demo, you know I had to do 43 with the other leg – I just didn’t want to film my backside!!! This move was great for burning out my quads and my hips!!!

After that I headed outside to take advantage of the beauty all around me!! I ran 4 miles (8:37 pace) and walked an easy 1/4 mile cool down. It wasn’t too hot yet (around 80) but it was muggy – I was dripping with in the first 5 minutes!!!

I’m one of those people who doesn’t ever completely deny myself things. If I want a piece of candy,I usually go ahead and have it.

When I go shopping, I might come home with

Sometimes I even buy stuff that we really need!! (Pretty much I love to shop!!)

And, we all know that I enjoy an evening

So, I don’t really have a problem with indulging in things! However, I know my personality and I also know that if I’m not careful I can easily overindulge.

I may have consumed more than 1 candy bar in a setting before. I might have shopped all day and bought a ton of stuff that we don’t really need. And, on very rare occasions, I might have more cocktails than I should.

Each time that I overindulge, whether it is with food, shopping, cocktails, sometimes even with working out, I remember why it is so important to practice moderation in all things. I don’t beat myself up, I just remind myself – I try to practice moderation on a daily basis. Sometimes I overdo certain things (like feeling the need to run 5 hours!!!) but overall I try to live a life of moderation in all things!!!

Do you ever overindulge? Do you beat yourself up or just remind yourself of why moderation is the key?

This week I plan to indulge (possibly over-indulge) in the beach and sleeping (very rare for me to not get up early anymore but I’m going to try and catch up)!!

Happy Monday!!! I’m off to the beach!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Squats

The Power of ONE

July 9, 2013 Kim 37 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a move that I knew was going to be included in my workout (with over 150 reps!!!) – I figured that an extra 43 would be good for me – sometimes I’m sort-of ~~stupid~~ crazy like that!!!

I used my barbell –

and did squats.

get ready - once again eyes closed to prep!! — get ready – once again eyes closed to prep!!

And, just to show that I really do know to put all my weight in my butt (even though the picture above looks like I’m tilting forward) –

I prefer doing the pictures before I work out (when I’m a little fresher!!) but today these were after my 43 squats and after my workout so my legs were shot!!!

I did Body Pump – Pump Revolution which is almost an hour of lifting (high reps!). There was a second when I first got up that I thought about doing the workout as planned but using lighter weights. However, I decided that doesn’t help me accomplish what I’m trying to achieve which is to get stronger. So, I pushed myself with heavy weights and now I’m glad I did!!

Today was also Beach Boot Camp – the workout was fun and different – it was partly inspired by my love of Turbo Fire and partly inspired by the current month (July!!). I just included 7 moves (since July is the 7th month) that we did for 13 reps (2013!!) and then we repeated the circuit. We only made it through 5 sets today (appointments for some) but the goal would be 7 sets!!

When Jordan and I left the swim beach after the workout (he has gone to all of the beach boot camps except 1 – last Friday because he was wiped out after a late night of fireworks Thursday night), I told him I was a little bummed that only 1 person (besides he and I) came to workout this morning. His response –

Not gonna lie – it was a proud moment for me!!! Not because of the workout but because he has the wisdom as a 14 year-old to realize that making a difference in the life of one person is just as important as making a difference in the lives of 100s of people!!!

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in thinking that I need to try and get more people to come to boot camp or in trying to grow my blog that I forget what really matters.

Boot camp is just something that I thought would be fun this summer (and it has been!!). What I didn’t realize when I started was how much I would enjoy the days that Jordan goes with me and participates in my class!!

So, even if I only have a few people in some classes (I know that lots of people are on vacation and 6 am is just too early for some to get up in the summer!!) – Boot Camp has been a huge success because it has been good for Jordan (and for me!!).

And, I know that my blog won’t ever affect that many people but if even just one person feels better after reading my blog than I am happy!!! (Occasionally that person is me, because the act of writing things down makes me feel better sometimes.)

So, no matter how many people you come in contact with during the day, remember that making one person smile or feel better about themselves is enough!!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!

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!!!