Faithful, Fit, and Fierce

Fitness Test. Mountain Style.

2012-10-17T15:01:00.001-07:00

This week me and the family made our bi-annual trip to Arkansas to check on our farm. This has been a tradition for Jason's family since I don't know when. His Grandma Judy was raised here, and Morgan Farm has been a part of the Klepac family ever since. They used to all stay at the house, ride four wheelers, visit nearby neighbors that Grandma Judy knew, and kist hang around the fire. But as the house becomes more and more "uninhabitable", we've tried to make a mini vacation out of it. For the past year or two we've stayed at Mount Nebo State Park. We have LOVED looking out the back porch to see Mt. Magazine, the deer, the breathtaking sunset, walking the many trails, roasting marshmallows, and seeing what new adventures we can come across as the kids get older.

I swore I wasn't going to "workout" the entire time. I needed a nice long break. :) But come to find out, it was a pretty rigorous few days after all.

The first day was a lot of driving, buying groceries, and settling in. But after that we went on nice walk along Rim Trail. Climbed a few rocks, but mostly just took in the view.

Day two was time to go to the farm and get things cleaned up. I could've helped mow, but that's the boys job :) so me and the girls just supervised. We also took the opportunity for a "sexy chick holding a gun" photo.

After coming home from farm clean up duty, we went for a hike on Summit Park Trail. It was your typical "what goes down must come up" type of hike. It was a great glute endurance test! Then we went to a nearby park, where I was challenged that I couldn't do an inverted push up. So I did a few. :) We also had a cartwheel competition.

Day 3 was the jackpot. We drove to Mt. Petit Jean looking for Cedar Falls, a 95 foot waterfall. After seeing what we could of it, we decided to follow the trail a little further.....and further....all the way to the bottom. (With a 15 month old, and an 11, 9, 5, and 3 year old in tow.) The things we saw along the way were absolutely breathtaking. I could've stayed there forever. In fact, we're booking a cabin there for our spring trip the minute we get home!

So the moral of the story is this. You never know when life's going to have opportunities for you, so it's smart to be prepared for anything. I would have been so disappointed if I couldn't have climbed down the rocks, or jumped across a creek, or carried a 30 pound kid because her legs were tired, or helped a friend enjoy the hike by being able to take the baby when they needed.

Putting my fitness to the test in such a practical way was so refreshing. I challenge you to find a way to use your body in a way that you haven't before. And if you can, find an Arkansas mountain, and just go.......

Mountain Climber Workout:
50 Weighted Step Ups onto bench
(Alternating Legs, you're climbing a mountain with a kid on your back)
Feet-Elevated Push Ups to failure
(You've been challenged, don't be a sissy)
30 Long Jumps
(You're crossing the creek and the water's ice cold. A big jump is necessary)
20 Cartwheels
(Or burpees, but cartwheels are way more fun.)
300 steps on a stairclimber or staircase.

Complete the Mountain Fitness Test and post your time on the Crush Fitness Facebook page!

Words To Live By - Part 2

2012-10-09T00:05:00.000-07:00

Keeping with our word theme, I LOVE these words and I'm flattered that others used them to describe me!

adventurous |adˈven ch ərəs; əd-|

adjectivewilling to take risks or to try out new methods, ideas, or experiences :let's be adventurous | an adventurous traveler.• involving new ideas or methods : they wanted more adventurous meals.• full of excitement : my life couldn't be more adventurous.

I'm reminded of a bike trip we took to Eureka Springs a few years ago. We went on this trip with a general idea of what we were doing and where we were going, but ended up with the adventure of a lifetime. (For me at least.) This story could take some time, so I'll just get to the high points. :)

Hop on the bikes and motor down the road with friends Chad and Cathy. Crisp fall weather leads the way.
Take our time as we continue towards Eureka Springs.
About 9 hours later (on a trip that should've taken no longer than 5)...........
Arrive at 1876 Inn approximately 9:30pm.
Step into our room, and have an overwhelming feeling that a lot of people have turned tricks and smoked crack within those 4 walls.
Fight with the manager to get our money back.
We call the cops to deal with the hotel because our friend Chad is royally pissed off and we don't think a 350 lb., 6' 5" cop is a thing to mess with.
11pm - Decide to find the nearest acceptable hotel and get a room.
2am- 40 miles later, after freezing my A** OFF, we find a place.
Spend the next several days letting the people we meet on the highway direct us as to where we should go next.
We cross a swinging bridge, eat the best peach cobbler known to man, visit the oldest fuel station in the state of Arkansas, ride in the rain, get a tattoo, ride the legendary Pig Trail, and drink a SUPER STRONG Long Island Iced Tea in a room full of people high on weed. Crazy.
Ride home completely fulfilled and ready to sleep for a week.

If we had made a rigid plan, that trip would have been hell, because nothing worked out like we had expected. But since we had friends that were up for anything, it turned out better that we could have ever planned it to be.

Life is much the same. Our "plans" often severely underestimate what we are capable of in life. It's great to have goals, but most of the time achieving those goals takes more of a curvy, hilly road, than a smooth interstate. You must be patient, the lessons learned while struggling through a pothole can be essential in reaching your final destination.

Be CrAzY! You're free to live outside the box, and believe me, life is so much more fun there!

Most recent trip to Eureka Springs, AR in Sept. 2012

And now a word from my friend Cecilia, Contender.

contend |kənˈtend|
verb1 [ intrans. ] ( contend with/against) struggle to surmount (a difficulty or danger) : she had to contend with his uncertain temper.• ( contend for) engage in a competition or campaign in order to win or achieve (something)2 assert something as a position in an argument : he contends that the judge was wrong.DERIVATIVEScontender nounORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense [compete for (something)] ): from Old French contendre or Latin contendere, from con- ‘with’ +tendere ‘stretch, strive.’For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. -Ephesians 6:12 AMP (emphasis added)What have you had to contend with? My list is lengthy, as I'm sure most everybody's is. I can assure you that the hardest struggles in my life have come straight from the enemy himself. Yes, Satan. He is real, and he's out to destroy. Have I not had my faith and was able to understand when an event, thought, feeling, was from him, I'd be lost. We MUST at some point rise up and become a contender in life, recognize the times in which our feelings are lying, that the bad thing that happened was not God failing, it was the work of the enemy in our fallen and broken world. When we struggle to surmount, we must STRETCH and STRIVE to overcome. Don't get me wrong, STRETCHING and STRIVING are not easy things, but they are necessary in living the best life possible. And really, life would be so freaking boring if we didn't get up and stretch our adventurous little legs every once in a while......stretch |stre ch |verb [ intrans. ]1 (of something soft or elastic) be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking• last or cause to last longer than expected• [ trans. ] make great demands on the capacity or resources of• [ trans. ] cause (someone) to make maximum use of their talents or abilities• [ trans. ] adapt or extend the scope of (something) in a way that exceeds a reasonable or acceptable limit
strive |strīv|verb ( past strove |strōv|or strived ; past part. striven |strivən|orstrived) [ intrans. ]make great efforts to achieve or obtain something• struggle or fight vigorously
Take a minute and think of whatever it is that you are contending with in life right now. Recognizewhere your struggle comes from. Is it your lack self confidence, your financial position, your relationships and/or marriage, your habits, the way you speak to yourself about yourself, your dislikefor other people, etc......... All of these are lies from the enemy. And honestly, Jesus is the only one able to really contend with him. Those of us that have His Spirit within us are also able to be contenders with the enemy. He's already been defeated. If you need some of that in your life, let me know, I'd be happy to help. :)
Just as we can take a simple word and read into it some great, revealing point, we can take it down to the smallest and seemingly insignificant space in our life. So as I've challenged you to be a contender with THE ENEMY HIMSELF!, I challenge you also to contend with the small struggles. (If there is such a thing as a small struggle.) When taking charge of your health, you MUST get down and dirty and FIGHT! Otherwise, you'll let your goals fall into space as they always have before.
If you're bored, find something new. If you're tired, make a plan to eliminate "stuff". If you've given up, DON'T, and ask for help. With everything in life, you have to make a choice. So make a choice today to be a contender in every area of your life, your marriage, your parenting, your career, you get the point.

Elite Boot Camp, 24 Hour Fitness - Olathe

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't. You can, and you will.

Words To Live By - Part 1

2012-09-13T23:08:00.002-07:00

I've recently decided to start blogging again due to the fact that my Facebook statuses have recently turned into these lengthy books. I've found myself having to edit my thoughts just to save space. It was time I let my thoughts speak for themselves in an unedited environment.

In an effort to revamp the blog, it was time to change the name. It's been about 2 years and things have changed. Quite a bit. I needed something that described me well. So I posted (again, on Facebook) a status asking what words people would use to describe me, and what I am about. I was overwhelmed by what kind, and humbling, things that people had to say about me. Some of the words made the final cut, Faithful, Fit, and Fierce. Although I believe I will use those words in a more creative phrase, whenever that phrase comes to me. :) The other words were still great, and I didn't want them to go to waste. So what better way to start things off than writing about them. I present the first two now, we're going in alphabetical order.

boost |boōst|

verb [ trans. ]help or encourage (something) to increase or improve : a range of measures to boost tourism.• push from below; assist : people they were trying to boost over a wall.• amplify (an electrical signal).• Informal steal, esp. by shoplifting or pickpocketing.nouna source of help or encouragement leading to increase or improvement :the cut in interest rates will give a further boost to the economy.• an increase or improvement : a boost in exports.• a push from below.ORIGIN early 19th cent. (originally in the sense [push from below] ): of unknown origin.Boost. This word is brought to you by my friend, Emily. Starting from the top: to help or encourage (something (or someone)) to increase or improve. As a trainer, this definition pretty much hits the nail on the head. My job, and calling, is to bring people from a low place, usually one that's full of self-loathing, insecurity, and discontentment, to a place better than that. Physical goals are always at the forefront when you start working out and living healthy. But deeper than that should be a desire to improve one's self. Wholly. Most of the time it's hard to find the motivation to change from within. We typically have to look to an outside source to find the strength we need to achieve change. God and His Word are always the best to look to when we need strength, and He will give it freely, if we choose to accept it. {Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth.}and this one's so good I got it in ink....{Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.}We're also relational people, so finding strength from a human person comes naturally to us. We look around us and try to find the qualities that we desire for ourselves, in someone else. When you see them, it's natural to look into their lives and try to figure out how they achieved it. We've all had someone that we've looked up to at one point or another.To be thought of as someone who give's a "boost" (or a push from below as stated earlier in the definition) is truly an honor. I'm blessed to have the gift and privilege of lifting other's up. It's hard wired in me to find good in people and encourage them to see it, and use it. Sometimes it comes in sweet, small doses. Like a smile, or a compliment on a small achievement, therefore leading to larger ones. And other times it comes like a freight train. Stopping someone in their tracks and turning them upside down and inside out. I've also been blessed to have the discernment to know who needs which form of motivation. Get it wrong and it'll have the opposite effect of what it was intended for.We're all capable of being a boost for someone on any given day. Just look around. I'm sure there's opportunities laying in wait that you can pounce on. The saying that giving is better than receiving is true. The feeling that you had a positive impact, even the smallest one, on someone else is truly fulfilling.I too have plenty of days in which I need a boost. Okay, all of them. Most of the time it comes in the form of coffee, or Spark :) But a human boost is always a need in my life. Feeding others comes naturally, being fed myself takes a little more effort on my part. My family is always there to lift me up. Jason, the girls, my parents, I'm super duper blessed to have such a great family. Professionally is where it's lacking, so that's a hole I'm going to try and fill in the near future. Maybe it'll be more Zumba jam sessions with my friend Dee Dee, or maybe I'll take a dance class, who knows. But I'll make an effort.boss 1 |bôs; bäs| informal

nouna person in charge of a worker or organization : I asked my boss for a promotion | union bosses.• a person in control of a group or situation : the boss of the largest crime family in the country.verb [ trans. ]give (someone) orders in a domineering manner : plump old battle-axesbossing everyone around.adjective [ attrib. ]excellent; outstanding : she's a real boss chick.
Boss. Now this is good stuff right here! This word is brought to you by my Facebook friend and fellow Gardner resident, Tyson.
By nature of my career as a trainer, I fall into an authority position for people when it comes to their fitness. I take control of the fitness situation, whether it be personal training or group class, and lead them in the direction that I believe will help them achieve a positive end result. The verb as described earlier (give someone orders in a domineering manner) is a little harsh, but I have been known to yell at some people like........"KEEP YOUR BUTT DOWN, BILLY!!!!!" or "MAKE IT BIG LADIES, DON'T BE BORING!!!!" I just hope that no one would describe me as a "plump old battle-axesbossing everyone around".
She's a real boss chick. I like that. Feel free to refer to me as a real boss chick any day.
More words to come. Thanks for the inspiration guys.

Bikini Progress!!

2009-04-11T05:30:00.000-07:00

Me and the fam went to an indoor pool yesterday for my niece and nephews birthday and I got a chance to break out the bikini!! It felt great to show off all my hard work. It really does pay off when you drag your butt to the gym even when you're beat, and to say NOO!!! when you're tempted with that drive-thru or junk food.

Me and my baby Brenley

Me and the gang....I can't believe how big Morgan is.

So ladies, keep up your hard work, remember why you're doing what you're doing. To be a healthy example to your kids, to show them that they do not have to conform to the norm. People expect that when you get married and have children you just automatically turn into a fat frump, giving up all of yourself for the family. I give all to my family, but make the time to fit me in too. I encourage my kids every day to be the best that they can be, being fit and healthy is a huge part of that. I challenge you to be the example to not only your kids, but your entire family, friends, co-workers, any random person you run into at the store!! YOU be the person that everyone sees and says, "Wow, I think I can do that too." It's gonna be beautiful today, get outside and go for a walk.....no run. :)

It is worth it...really

2009-01-21T20:26:00.000-08:00

So it's been a week, since my last post that is. My life is a bit, no a lot, like a tornado. Kids, dogs, jobs, housework, you know, all the stuff Mom's are responsible for. It is just a never ending whirlwind. So I'm sitting down and getting this out, I need it.

I've been doing great with the workouts, every day this week except for tonight (church) but will take my friend Tiffany's advice and squeeze in some push ups and abs before bed. I'm feeling stronger already, like the cobwebs are getting worked out. My weight loss has halted a bit (128 give or take), I'm still eating really well, I think that with all the lifting I've been doing it's replacing some of that fat with muscle. I hope! I've been doing 30 minutes of cardio everyday followed by weight training. I might up the cardio a little, and cut down on the carbs even more. Overall, feeling good about my birthday goal.

A tip I've found helpful is to get my workout lined out before I leave for the gym. When I go without a plan, I feel lost like I don't know what to do next, but when I've got a plan in hand I'm much more confident and feel like I'm better prepared. Google some workouts, there's millions of them, find one and stick to it for a week or two, then switch it up. Also write down how much weight you're lifting, so you know what to grab when you're ready, and up it a pound or five :)when you start to feel comfortable with that weight.

Like the rest of you I'm ready for spring/summer to get here. I've got so many fun plans for my workouts when it gets warm. Bike rides, running while the kids ride bikes, taking the dogs to the dog park with the HUGE hill, swimming, motorcycle rides (okay, that's not a workout, but tons of fun), mini triathlons (maybe, with church friends!), it just all sounds like so much fun, I can't wait. But till then, I'll keep it up so when that season comes I'll be ready to wear all those fun summer clothes!!!!

Throw several chicken breasts in the slow cooker with some salsa and keep the leftovers in the fridge for a quick lunch. Shred it for wraps, slice it up in to strips for salads, or just throw it on top of some brown rice. YummY!

On a different note, Mom's, I have to say that getting the kids to the gym in the evening has been a workout in itself. Physically and emotionally. The effort it takes to get the kids fed, pack the diaper bag, get shoes on, coats on, go to the bathroom, get buckled up in the car, then make it to the gym while playing referee to the arguing going on in the backseat. The thought starts to run through your mind "Is it really worth all this, all this work just so I can do something for myself?", and "I feel so bad for leaving the house in such a mess and dragging the kids out for this." Yes, you are worth it. Yes, the kids will be fine. Yes, the house will be a mess no matter if you are home cleaning or not. Do this for yourself now, there will never be a better time, the kids will appreciate having a Mom that takes care of herself, really.

So set those thoughts aside, focus on you, love yourself for this next hour or two.