Month: October 2013

Rocktober Workout Weeks 3 & 4

Today is my final workout of the Rocktober challenge. Week 4 started for me last Tuesday and I finished my 3rd workout of week 4 today.  The exercises for this past week of the challenge were tough.   Especially the push up jacks and the side plank with the hip dip and leg pull in.

I am also including my week 3 in this post as I was unable to blog about it last week.  I had my parents visiting and my kids were also out of school for a few extra days for a little fall break.  Life seems to get in the way of blogging sometimes for me.   Week 3 was also challenging and I really enjoyed some of the exercises from that week.

Below are the photos from weeks 3 and 4.  I did not have time to do collages for week 4 so  I have just included some single photos of some of the exercises from that week.

Rocktober wk 3 day 1  Kimberlees Korner

Rocktober wk 3 day 2  Kimberlees KornerRocktober workout week 4  Kimberlee KornerRocktober week 4   Kimberlees Korner

I really enjoyed being a part of this challenge group on the Betty Rocker group page through facebook.  Lots of great and interesting people who participated in this challenge from all over the world.  The workouts were something different from my normal dvd’s and books I use.  I also really have noticed more definition in my arms, abs and back after completing this 4 week challenge.   I was also working out with my Cathe Friedrich dvd’s on the days I was not using the Rocktober workouts and doing yoga on the weekend.  I try and workout 6 to 7 days per week for 25 to 45 minutes per workout – depending on my time available and the workout I have planned.  I believe the key to success with any workout program is your commitment and then planning a time and place to do the workout and following through.  The end results are worth the time you invest – not just to be physically more fit but to have better overall health, more energy, and confidence.

Now that Rocktober is over I will be continuing the use of my Cathe dvd’s and doing a little more yoga.  I will keep you updated on my future workouts.  I am also planning to review a new yoga book I have been using for a few weeks now.  Please subscribe via bloglovin, email, or RSS feed by clicking on any of those icons in the sidebar to stay updated.

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Rocktober Week 2 Complete

Week 2 of the Rocktober Challenge is complete for me.  The challenge is from Tuesday to the following Monday.  I got my 3 workouts in on last Tuesday, Thursday and then on Saturday.  Week 2 was a little more difficult than week 1.  A lot of the moves were similar but had some add on’s to make them more challenging.  Like the lunges had a pulse to them and the push ups were done with an extended arm.  The tricep dips were also done on one leg.  Each exercise is performed for a minute then you rest for a few seconds and move on.   There are a total of 7 exercises that you repeat for 3 to 5 rounds.  Let me tell you – I am pretty much done after 3 rounds.  I notice some people in the facebook challenge group are doing 4 or 5 rounds but 3 is good for me!

Below are a few photos from this past weeks workouts:

Rocktober Challenge wk 2 day 1 Kimberlees Korner

Rocktober Challenge wk 2 day 2 Kimberlees Korner

I didn’t have time to do photos for the 3rd day.  Saturday was a busy day around here.

Also, I am still trying to eat as clean as possible and I am now trying to drink a totally green drink-smoothie every day – usually around lunch time or early afternoon.  I am using the recipe from The Beauty Detox Foods book by Kimberly Snyder that I recently checked out from the library.   I will not lie and tell you I love the green drink-smoothie but it is a real energy boost for my day and makes me feel really healthy after drinking it.  It is not horrible just an acquired taste sort of thing.  I am thinking the more you drink them the more you grow to like them -eventually.

Well tomorrow we get a new round of the exercises for week 3 – I am excited to see what is in store but also a little nervous!  I will update you next week on the workouts.

Have a great day!  photo dbaf2cd4-dd2b-49d6-8838-f9aff3fe3cbb_zpsca4b926e.jpg

Crochet Projects – Cape, Cowl & Scarf

Lately I have been back to doing more crochet and knitting projects.  I seem to go through seasons of crafts as the seasons change.  Summer tends to be a season where I sew more.  In the fall and winter I tend to do more crochet and knitting.  I am not sure about spring time – I guess then I try to do a little gardening and a little of all my crafts: crochet, knit and sew.

This is my recently finished crochet pattern:

crochet patterns by Kimberlees Korner

The pattern is currently available in my etsy shop.  I will also be listing it on craftsy soon.  The pattern is for all three items:  the cape, cowl and scarf for one price.

Crochet cape by Kimberlees Korner

Cowl or Wrap by Kimberlees KornerCrochet Scarf by Kimberlees KornerThe pattern uses the same basic stitches but in different ways, with different size hooks, to create each item.  The pattern is very easy and the scarf and cowl work up quickly.  The cowl can also be worn as a wrap as seen in one of the above photos.  A great gift for those on your Christmas list.

If you would like to receive future updates on my patterns or other info on my blog please subscribe via bloglovin, email or RSS feed by clicking on one of the icons in the sidebar.

Have a great day!

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Workout – Final Week of Focus T25

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This is the final week of my 10 week challenge group for Focus T25.  I am proud to say I have completed this 10 week journey.  To be honest with you this is the longest I have ever stuck with one workout program.  Yes, I workout daily but usually I start a fitness program and use it for 4 to 6 weeks then get bored with it and move on to another program or type of exercise.

I think being in the facebook challenge group was very positive and motivating and helped me stay focused to do the complete 10 week program.  It was a fun and encouraging to read others’ posts and post your own workouts each day.  I also have gotten to know some amazing and truly committed fitness people who are such a positive inspiration.  I would encourage anyone who is starting a new fitness program to give a facebook group a try, if one is available, and be a participator in the posts and discussions.  It can only help you succeed.

The following are some of my final T25 photo collages for week 5 of Beta and week 10 of the overall program:

Focus T25 Beta wk 5 day 1Focus T25 Beta wk 5 core cardio

Focus T25 Beta week 5 day 4Focus T25 Beta wk 5 day 5 double friday

My overall final review on this 10 week program is that it was truly amazing!  The workouts are a challenge and they will give you results -especially if you follow a clean eating plan!  This program has greatly improved my physical stamina as well as given me a very strong and tight core.  I also have much more tone in my legs.   I have lost inches – mainly in my waist and hips.  I have lost over 2 inches now in the hip area in 10 weeks!  Other benefits I have noticed include:  sleeping better (more soundly – I didn’t really have any sleep issues to start with other than an occasional night of not sleeping well), increased daily energy, more positive outlook on life,  improved skin tone – I think all that sweating is some form of a facial!  Also Shaun T, the creator of the program and the instructor, is so positive and motivating – you can not help but want to wake up and workout.  He has been a great positive source of energy and influence on my mental attitude the last two months.

If you are looking for a program to change your body as well as your life I would recommend Focus T25.  It is a workout that you can do in less than 30 minutes per day 5 to 6 days per week and get great results.       Note:  I am not affiliated with Focus T25 or BeachBody.  I am just a 40 something mother of 3 who has been working out on my own to various books or dvd programs for the past 10 years and decided to share my experience.

I hope you enjoyed my reviews on the weekly progress of T25.  Currently I am doing another challenge called Rocktober from the Betty Rocker.  It is for the whole month of October so I will be posting updates on that each week.  I will also be starting my new Cathe Friedrich workouts that I received last week – I had preordered them back in March.  There are 8 dvd’s and I can’t wait to use them in the coming weeks!

Have a great weekend!

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Week 1 of Rocktober Challenge

I have completed 3 days of the Betty Rocker, Rocktober challenge this week.  Let me tell you it is tough.  The exercises don’t look too hard but they are a challenge when you have to do them for 1 minute each.  There are 7 different exercises that she emails you at the beginning of the week and you are to do them at least 3 times in one week – 3 rounds of each set of exercises, for one minute each.  A video showing the exercises was also sent with the email.  Below are some of the photos of me doing some of the exercises in the challenge.

rocktober challenge wk 1 day 1

 Rocktober day 3

 

In addition to doing the Rocktober the last 3 days I have also been keeping up with my last week of my Focus T25 challenge group.  It has been tough doing both workouts in one day and my inner thighs are killing me the past two days but I didn’t want to quit my other challenge when this is the last week.   I will be posting my weekly T25 post at the end of the week and give you my overall feedback on the workout program.   I will post again next week on Rocktober after doing the new grouping of exercises I receive from Betty Rocker the beginning of the week.

I hope everyone is having a good week!   photo dbaf2cd4-dd2b-49d6-8838-f9aff3fe3cbb_zpsca4b926e.jpg