Abtastic!

Last night during my Pilates class we did some cool stuff with the exercise ball.  I go to a studio that has the Pilates Reformer and so there isn't always floor work involved.  I was so excited about some of the ab work we did on the ball I went out and bought one to have up in Rock Springs for work.  That way I'm not limited to just floor ab work or even core work.  

I pumped it up while watching a program about plane crashes.  Interesting choice for a flight nurse.  I found that if you put your legs on it while your on a lazy boy you can have your legs up and STILL rock.  Genius.

Pretty hot look eh?  I'm wearing my thermals, wool socks and running shoes.  Boom.  Fashion statement.  It's all about being able to throw on the flight suit and get out the door quickly.  

Core work done today on the ball:

Oblique Crunches both sides.

2 sets of 12

Photo

V-Pass

12

It was a butt kicker, and I'm sure my form was not this great.

Photo

I found the next two pictures on a website called Suzworks.  There is a great article on abdominal exercises too.

Regular crunches although I did them more from an extended position to flat. I was looking at the wall behind me then crunched to a flat position.

2 sets of 12

The push up then crunch in ab blaster.

I'm not sure what the "name" for this exercise is, the website calls it Tuck in the Ball, I call it an ab blaster.  I did this last night in class and I think that is what is making my abs a little sore today.  I love it!

I would do 2 push ups and 2 crunches or tucks.  I did a total of 5 sets or 10 of each.  Very slow, using good form and tightening up the core as I go.  Plus I'm crappy at push ups. 

Not too shabby.  I started out my day with a long drive to work and then we went on a little jaunt down to Salt Lake.  My pilot had to get some training done ASAP.  The crew goes just in case we get a call.  I had 2 awesome 40 minute naps.  Some wicked cross winds and landing on a different runway woke me up and then I remembered how our pilots kick ass!  Smooth as silk landing. 

Nice to see blue skies and fresh air.  That is a picture right over Rock Springs, Wyoming.  My home away from home? 

I'm reading the Whole30 book It Starts with Food.

 

Anyone read it or tried the Whole30 challenge?   So far I am liking it a lot, but I've adopted the Paleo/Primal lifestyle for about 15 months.  Unfortunately I've allowed a few things sneak into my diet that I know are causing the inflammatory process that these lifestyles are trying to avoid. I stayed away from bread until January when I went to Florida.  I haven't had any since, but I've indulged in a few rounds of homemade nachos with lots of shredded cheese.  And popcorn, I love me some popcorn.  

The WORST offender is crack aka Dark Chocolate Pomegranates.

Evil and addictive and so delicious.

I've decided to revamp my diet and wanted to do the Whole30 challenge in January, but decided against it because of the traveling and races.  Then I started reading all the stories of how awesome everyone feels and decided to buy the book.  Lately I've had headaches and trouble sleeping and I know I'm stressed.  My foot hurts more (inflammation?) and I'm spending more days frustrated and flustered then not.  This week, after my epic Moonshine hangover I am definitely in a good spot to start working my way back to feeling better and healthy eating.  I'm reading and cutting stuff out and learning and planning for 30 days in March.  

Anyone want to join me?  

Keep that ab work up!

Blog on..............

Abs Week One

It has definitely been a challenge this week.  I thought it would be easy, breezy but with travel and trying to put my bedroom back together it would just slip my mind.....at first.  

Up at the cabin I did planks and crunches before we headed out to sled.  Kelly joined me when I was holding a plank, stating, "I can do that, it looks easy".  A minute later, not so much.  



Credit

Haha....so true.

I've pretty much kept my ab workouts to planks, side planks, crunches and a push ups.  Actually my favorite ab workout is to hold a  1 minute plank, do 5 push ups  a 30 second side plank, 5 push ups, 1 minute plank and then a 30 second plank on the other side.  I follow it with about 100 crunches. 

With my slightly sore back I've kept it pretty low key.  Of course I challenge myself to a month of ab work right after body slam on the ice.  

I'm sure you remember this picture:



I posted it everywhere.  I was going to try and get a picture with my leg up in the air, but alas, my lower back was too sore.  My mom has had almost an entire lifetime of orthopedic issues (She fell out of a tree when she was 11).  She told me she avoided pain and pain medication by exercising but also listening to her body and if something hurt, she would stop. 

I'm surrounded by geniuses.  

Feb. 1st - 1 minute plank, 30 seconds each side plank, 50 crunches
Feb 2nd - 50 crunches
Feb 3rd - 100's X 1
Feb 4th - The moonshine regret.  (No ab work, dang you moonshine!)
Feb 5th - 100 crunches
Feb 6th - TRX/Suspension training.  It included suspended planks, crunches and mountain climber.

Tonight I'll be taking a Pilates class. 


The best workout ever!  Laughter!

Last nights TRX class gave me a peak into the muscles I pulled while sledding.  You would think I would be in good enough shape, but for some reason I come home with a couple of pulled muscles and lots of bruises.  My right tricep and my right adductor are making it awkward at the TRX class.  Luckily it won't affect my ab commitment.

Sometimes I feel like I'm a mess, but then I realize I'm a sweaty mess. 

I was driving my son and his friend to work the other day when I mentioned it was Ab Month.  My son said something smart and his friend said, "Dude, I do abs every morning.  A couple of yoga moves and some ab work wakes you up and makes you feel refreshed".  Such wise words so unexpectedly.  

How is your ab work going??

Blog on............

13th Annual Sledding Extravaganza!!

Another year, another good time.  This year was a short trip with not nearly as many miles, but a blast to say the least.  The usual suspects were there, Gary and Kelly.  Known them both for about 15 years, been close to Gary for about that long too.  He usually brings his hot Italian girlfriend, but she had to work so it was just the trifecta of fun and excitement.  Kelly's nephew Mark joined us too.  

Friday started out with Gary going to pick up the sled that was fixed and Kelly and I were to meet him there.  I drove about 50 yards, hit some powder and a hill and WHAT????

My snowmobile crashes are equivalent to a ground level fall.  Just a tip over.  The powder was deep enough that nothing was hurt on the sled and of course I was laughing by the time Kelly caught up.  The only problem, we had to get the sled out.  I hate digging out a sled.  

Look at Kelly dig.  If she tells you the story about how she lifted the sled on her own and I pranced around like a princess I have to tell you that it is not accurate.  Although I could not have done it without her.

Boom!  Back on the trail.

The weather was cloudy with some sun that peaked out occasionally.  The weather was mild so we didn't freeze to death.  We finally met up with Gary and Mark and headed south.

Warm River Falls.

Comes right out of the mountain.  

I didn't forget about Ab Month.  I planked on the sled and Kelly had to take a picture.  I love this because we are both laughing.  We laughed a lot.  Gary shook his head a lot.  

After Warm River springs we headed to Mesa Falls.  Always beautiful.  I didn't take as many pictures as I usually do.  Probably because I have at least 150 just like this one.  I do wish I would have taken more with my friends that were with me.

We ended the day at Pond's Lodge having dinner.  We use to love Ponds and now all I can say is don't go there.  The food is way too expensive, they don't really care about their customers and that "hometown" fun is completely gone.  

Beautiful!

Next day we took a trip around Two Top and ate at Meadowcreek Lodge.  It's a restaurant that you have to sled to.  It's crowded every weekend and the food is awesome greasy diner cheeseburgers!  

On our way home, Mark decided to try and do some donuts, on his new sled, on ice.  Whoops!  Broken collarbone.  Thank god for helmets!  His "crash" was like mine, only he landed on ice. 

That night I wanted to grease up the massage chair at the cabin.  It's a wonderful thing after a day on the sled but it had a lumbar squeek that was loud!  Gary laughed at me, he didn't think I had a plan.  When he saw that I did, he couldn't help but jump in!  I love fixing stuff.  I love Gary.  

Love those curtains.  They are about to come back into style.  The shag carpet matches.  The cabin has personality and style!  

Next day was our quick trip to Two Top.  Two Top is an awesome mountain that you can see 360 degrees for miles and miles.  Unless there are clouds.  This trip there was mostly clouds.  We decided to give it a try anyway.  About half a mile before we actually get there, here was the view.

 Blue skies and snow covered trees.  I look like I'm wearing a gas mask.  Hahaha.  Hey, I've got a sledding helmet set up that works awesomely!  Absolutely no fog up on the goggles and very protective.

Around the corner and up the hill, this is what Two Top looked like:

Weather can change fast and we could see pretty good, it was just cloudy.  I've been up there before where you could barely see the person in front of you.  It can be scary and I always respect the mountain and the weather. 

After that we headed over to our newly found Super Bowl watching bar.  The Trout Hunter is in Last Chance and they were actually having a party with food, entertainment and drink specials.  BOOM!

YUMMY!  

We had a blast and met some great people.  They had a great half time and after SuperBowl band.

They had moonshine.  They shared.  I still have a hangover.  Great music too.

Yeah Ravens!!

Kelly and I really struggled the next day.  Too much fun, talking, moonshine and shenanigans.  I even lost my voice.

Funny Picture:

The ice machine at the cabin.  It's my dads nemesis.  He spends so much time getting it to work and it won't work for him and then it works for other people.  Hilarious.

It worked overtime for us.

Teehee

Thank you Gary, Kelly and Mark.  I had a great time and look forward to next year.  Hopefully there will be more miles and less broken bones and hangovers.

I absolutely have not forgot about Ab Month!  

I am keeping track, are you?

What is your favorite winter sport?

Blog on...................