Tag Archives: treadmill

The Gift of Time

June 27, 2013 Kim 44 Comments

For my 43 today, I made use of the hotel fitness center again. I used one of the stability balls and just did a crunch with my feet on it – pretty simple and basic!!

Since I worked out before the boys got up, we just went back in to take a couple of pictures. I’m sure the guy lifting weights at the time thought it was pretty self-indulgent or something – OH, Well!!!

I hopped on the treadmill again today. It wasn’t spectacular but it was SO MUCH BETTER THAN TUESDAY’S RUN!!! I ran 7 miles in 58:23 and then did an easy 0.4 to cool down. (I wanted to do a half mile cool down but the treadmill shut off after 65 minutes!!)

Yesterday we were back at the ranch!!

Jordan and Hunter ended up spending the day with my Aunt Jackie. They went to Abilene with a long list of errands (6 hours worth including driving time). I think all 3 of them, but especially my Aunt, enjoyed the day. The boys were big helpers – lifting the vacuum into the truck and out, schlepping 5 gallon drums of paint, moving wire….fun for all!

While they were out taking care of stuff in the heat (102), I stayed at the ranch with my Poppa. It was a great day!!! We talked about all kinds of stuff – I’ve always enjoyed hanging out with him (and my Mema when she was still alive). The stories that Poppa has are amazing.

Because he’s 98, he has very definite view on things and has no problem expressing his opinion. Even though we don’t always have the same view point on things – I love every second spent with him.

For our lunch, I made a pretty great tuna salad (gotta brag cause it was good!!!) – no pictures because blogging and technology are one of the differences we have so I decided to just enjoy lunch!! But….it was GOOD!!!

tuna
chopped dill pickle
chopped Kalamata olives
chopped grape tomatoes
chopped avocado
tiny bit of mayo to bind everything together

We both ate it with crackers and lettuce – perfect.

But the best part of lunch was the prayer that Poppa said before it. He prayed for me and about me and it was everything I could do to not cry. It was such a simple thing for him but meant a lot to me!!

We have one more day (today) to visit with my Poppa and Aunt and I’m excited to go back to the ranch. I have treasured every second of this TX trip!!!

Has anyone ever prayed specifically for you (while you were listening)? Did it affect you?

Happy Thursday!!

Kim

Fitness, Running, Treadmill, Triceps

The Simple Life

June 25, 2013 Kim 27 Comments

Today I did my 43 in the hotel fitness room. I used a bench and a stability ball to do triceps dips.

lower - butt close to bench — lower – butt close to bench

These pictures were long after I did the actual move. I went down to the fitness room before the boys were even stirring around!! I did have to take 2 short breaks to stretch my triceps while I was doing the 43. I might be sore tomorrow!!

I ran on the small treadmill in the fitness room. It was an AWFUL run. I never felt like I settled into my breathing and I just felt sluggish the entire time. I did 6 miles (plus 0.4 miles cool-down) but they were really slow. I ended up getting through this run 1 minute at a time!!!

Yesterday, the boys and I spent time with my Poppa and my Aunt at their ranch. I always love the time I spend out there because it is so peaceful!!

around the house - plenty of flowers, tractor mailbox and a TX walkway — around the house – plenty of flowers, tractor mailbox and a TX walkway

We usually spend time on the front porch enjoying the view – but yesterday it was too windy for Poppa to sit out there so we spent time inside with him.

The boys did make their trek up the “mountain” to say, “Hello, Texas.” This is a tradition that started when Jordan was 2 and the little hill really did seem like a mountain. He climbed up (with Chris) and then turned around, waved and shouted his greeting!! Now, the boys can climb up – wave and yell and climb back down in about 5 minutes!!

The boys rode around for awhile with my Aunt – checking out the new fence and just enjoying the land.I always feel like I’m experiencing a return to a much simpler life when I’m at the ranch. That bottom right picture is a swallow’s nest – it looks like it’s made out of rope but it is actually mud!!!

We will spend more time at the ranch this week visiting with my Poppa and I am looking forward to more “simple” days!!! I didn’t take my laptop, left my phone in my purse and just enjoyed the place and the people that I was with!!!

In the mornings and evenings I enjoy our time at the hotel – swimming for the boys, mindless TV, happy hour, time on the laptop!! But, during the day (for the next couple of days), I’m going to enjoy every minute that we can just hang out and live a SIMPLE life!!

Happy Tuesday!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Running, Squats, Treadmill

Vein Stripping: Five Weeks Later

May 30, 2013 Kim 28 Comments

For my 43 today, I did more leg work (and a bit of core since there was a high level of balance involved!). I used my stability ball: (not the BOSU – it was just in the picture!!)I started with one foot on the ball – knee bent:

Then I did a single leg squat and slid the ball out in front of me:

And, like so many of the 43s in the past, this was a double because I want both of my legs to get equal treatment!!!

Another day of Insanity Asylum – Back to Core. Since this is my first time through the program I didn’t know what to expect from this workout – now I know that it is a LOT of controlled moves and holds!!! My upper back will be sore tomorrow for sure!!! The only equipment needed for this workout is a little band – Good times!!!

I decided to get in a little run today since this workout didn’t have much cardio (and I’ve been in a bit of a running slump) – I ran on the treadmill since it is STILL raining here! 1.5% incline – 4 miles in 30:54 + 0.25 mile cooldown

Not sure what the deal is with running lately – not super motivated. I’m trying to cut myself a little slack and push harder with other things because I don’t want running to ever become something that I dread!!Thankfully, I don’t hate running but I’m not loving it at the moment either – I have a small idea of what the problem might be. (coming up…..)

So, it has been 5 weeks since this lovely picture (the day after I had my veins stripped):

I thought I would just do a short follow up (no gross pictures today!!!) with my thoughts on the surgery. I’ve already talked about the fact that my DR completely misinformed me by not telling me all the possible results and how long the recovery could take.

Now, it has been 5 weeks and I can do all of my normal activities so that is definitely a good thing. The downside – my legs have hurt every second of the past 5 weeks!!! They don’t hurt as bad now as they did the first couple of weeks but I have a few areas on both legs that HURT all the time.

My left ankle has a huge knot right under the bone on the inside that causes my ankle to stay swollen and ache all the time.

My right calf, while better than it was the first couple of weeks, still has a knot in it.

right calk — right calf – hard to tell much

And, my right upper thigh is just a mess – little knots all over.

I have regretted having this surgery almost since the minute I got home from the hospital and I’m still not at the point where I’m glad I had it done!!! I’m hoping that maybe in a few more weeks I will at least be happy with the results but for now all it’s done is cause me a lot of pain.

And, that pain (while definitely manageable) is what I think has caused my little running slump!!! Every time I run now my legs feel like this:I keep telling myself that the DR said I can’t hurt anything so I try to ignore it but it is a joy sapper for sure!!!

Well, what I meant to be an update, came out sounding like a lot of whining! I’m done with that now because I know that I’m lucky to be able to work out and do all the things I want to do!!!

Oh, and I’m very happy that I know longer need any wraps or nasty compression stockings!! The DR said to wear them at least for a month – DONE!!!

But I’m still going on record as saying – I, personally, don’t recommend this particular surgery and if I had it to do again, I would not do it!!

Happy Thursday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Treadmill

Winner Winner

April 14, 2013 Kim 18 Comments

Today’s 43 was supposed to be easier than yesterday’s!! I wanted to work my abs so I did a star crunch. It ended up being a pretty good challenge!

Lie on your back with your arms and legs making a big X. Lift your legs, arms and head slightly off the ground. Reach your right hand and left leg up (above you), trying to touch your toe – switch sides – 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pvMvdU_C5g’]

(special video today – Chris!!) The move should be slow and controlled – a big challenge to get 43 done!!

I typically take Sunday’s off but I have spent a LOT of time sitting the past few days. I take the stairs (4 flights at my hotel and 2 at the hospital) as much as possible but still… I need some activity – I just walked on the treadmill in the hotel fitness center (4 miles @ 2.5% incline – 58:00 minutes). I didn’t run because my left hamstring is still a little sore and the treadmills have really short belts – not my favorite for running!!!

Yesterday was another day full of hospital time, being with my 2 brothers and sister and seeing my grandpa!! My dad is looking really good – not at all like someone who suffered a major heart attack 2 days ago. Hopefully he will be able to go home soon!

FYI – Hunter had a great time at his birthday sleep-over. Pizza, cake, ice cream, donuts, some Xbox, a movie and lots of basketball!!!

So glad that Hunter enjoyed it and everyone had a good time!!!

And the winner of the necklace giveaway…… Jody (Truth2BeingFit) – Congratulations!!!

Happy Sunday!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Hamstrings, Recovery, Treadmill

A Life of Moderation or a Life of Extremes – Can the 2 Combine??

March 26, 2013 Kim 25 Comments

Today I used a simple little band for my 43.

This band is fairly small and provides a lot of resistance. ( Note: you could do the move without a band.) I started with the band around one ankle and the bottom of my other shoe:

(Check out my super cute running skirt!! MizFit workout skirt – check it out here.)

From this position, I pushed my foot straight back (it’s not a big move) and then brought it back to the start.

After 43 of the back-push move, I did another set of 43 where I flexed my leg down (without touching the ground) and back up.

push leg down (don't touch ground) — push leg down (don’t touch ground)

These moves may look like nothing but if you squeeze your butt as you do both of them, you will feel it for sure!

Of course, I don’t want my hamstrings or butt to be lopsided so I had to repeat both of the 43s on the other leg. I think the second leg is always harder because it is already a little fatigued from supporting you while you work the first side.

Today was a running day for a couple of reasons: it’s been a few days since my last run and that’s about the only thing I can do because my arms HURT!!!! I’m not sure who thought doing thousands of jumping jacks was a good idea!! Moving my arms to run was OK once I got started but lifting my arms to the side or over my head – painful. I had no idea that jumping jacks could do that to a person – maybe it is because I’m an idiot and did 4,300!!!

Anyway – I ran on my treadmill (I don’t run in snow, you know) at a 1.5% incline – 8 miles (52:17) and then 2.5 more miles much easier for a total of 85:00 minutes.

Moderation can apply to so many things and areas of our lives. We all know that I like wine and cosmos and… but I do try to always use moderation in that part of my life.Potato chips – ummm…..hard to have moderation here! (I have to just not buy them!!!)

What about other areas of life (not just food/beverages)? Is moderation important?

In a lot of ways, I’m an all-or-nothing person. I know that isn’t always for the best but

I don’t really think that (all the time)! Some days I need to work on moderation (like when I have a stupid idea to do 4,300 jumping jacks!!!) but other days I kind of like extremes!

What are you – moderate, extreme, mixture of both, neither?