... that's for sure.
Week 5, Day 3. All good until that final set (again). I pushed out 20 after a 60 second, instead of 45, break, then took another 45 second break before doing that last 25.
Rather than my shoulder, where I usually feel the weakness set in, this time it was all chest that let me down.
Progress test Sunday. 46 push ups puts me in Week 6, but yeah, good luck with that, I'll be seeing you around. I think 40-42 is more likely, putting me back in Week 5 Group 2 (40) or advancing to Group 3.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Getting there
For the record, (all calculations assume 30 seconds per set except for Week 3, Day 1 - where I used 15 seconds)
Week 3 Day 1 - 80 pushups in 6 minutes
Week 3 Day 3 - 120 push ups in 10 minutes
Week 4 Day 1 - 120 pushups in 6 minutes
Week 4 Day 3 - 160 pushups in 10 minutes
Week 5 Group 2 Day 1 - 140 pushups in 6 mins.
Week 5 Day 2 - 160 pushups in 10 minutes
Week 5 Day 3 - 172 pushups in 10 minutes
So despite some concern to the contrary, I AM getting stronger, if only because I can now do quite a few more push ups than I did before in the same time. I still couldn't get anywhere near 100, and I don't feel like I could do that many more pushups consecutively than I could before, but I CAN do more in the same time, so that's the right direction.
I know one of the best ways to increase body weight exercise challenges, like pull ups, push ups etc. is to decrease the time between the same sets. In other words, if you do 10, rest 15 seconds, then do 10 more, to up the challenge do 10, rest 12 seconds, do 10 more. This is pretty much what this is doing. The workout keeps your rest times the same, but adds a few more pushups. Same concept.
A month ago (Christmas time) 80 push ups in 6 minutes was somewhat of a challenge - in fact I failed it the first time around, only getting 21 of my final 28 - and now I'm doing 140 in roughly the same time. That's progress.
Week 3 Day 1 - 80 pushups in 6 minutes
Week 3 Day 3 - 120 push ups in 10 minutes
Week 4 Day 1 - 120 pushups in 6 minutes
Week 4 Day 3 - 160 pushups in 10 minutes
Week 5 Group 2 Day 1 - 140 pushups in 6 mins.
Week 5 Day 2 - 160 pushups in 10 minutes
Week 5 Day 3 - 172 pushups in 10 minutes
So despite some concern to the contrary, I AM getting stronger, if only because I can now do quite a few more push ups than I did before in the same time. I still couldn't get anywhere near 100, and I don't feel like I could do that many more pushups consecutively than I could before, but I CAN do more in the same time, so that's the right direction.
I know one of the best ways to increase body weight exercise challenges, like pull ups, push ups etc. is to decrease the time between the same sets. In other words, if you do 10, rest 15 seconds, then do 10 more, to up the challenge do 10, rest 12 seconds, do 10 more. This is pretty much what this is doing. The workout keeps your rest times the same, but adds a few more pushups. Same concept.
A month ago (Christmas time) 80 push ups in 6 minutes was somewhat of a challenge - in fact I failed it the first time around, only getting 21 of my final 28 - and now I'm doing 140 in roughly the same time. That's progress.
Week 5, Days 1 & 2
Update - My exhaustion test netted me 39 push ups. An increase of 9 over my previous best and putting me in the second grouping as represented here.
Day 1 (28, 35, 25, 22, > 35 [60 sec rests]) went well, though on the last set I took a 30 second break between 20 and the last 15 in the set.
Day 2 (18, 18, 20, 20, 14, 14, 16 >40 [45 sec rest]) has been, perhaps, the most challenging and tiring of the entire challenge. My arms are achy and TIRED. I pushed the last rest period t0 60, but remember, the chart says "or longer if required," so I feel I'm well within my rights. Maybe more importantly, I did all 40. Two short rests to catch my breath, but I'm guessing not more than 3 or 4 breathes, so about 5 seconds.
Day 3 occurs Friday and pretty closely resembles Day 2 until the last couple sets, where its 17, 20, > 45. Then its a progress/exhaustion test. After that it will probably be Week 5 Group 3 for me. You need to do 46 to get into the final week, and I'm just not sure I see it.
The great news is that after last week's post about possibly getting weaker, its obvious I'm not. A 39 on the exhaution/progress test, and 40 today after all those other push ups is something I COULD NOT HAVE DONE, before.
Day 1 (28, 35, 25, 22, > 35 [60 sec rests]) went well, though on the last set I took a 30 second break between 20 and the last 15 in the set.
Day 2 (18, 18, 20, 20, 14, 14, 16 >40 [45 sec rest]) has been, perhaps, the most challenging and tiring of the entire challenge. My arms are achy and TIRED. I pushed the last rest period t0 60, but remember, the chart says "or longer if required," so I feel I'm well within my rights. Maybe more importantly, I did all 40. Two short rests to catch my breath, but I'm guessing not more than 3 or 4 breathes, so about 5 seconds.
Day 3 occurs Friday and pretty closely resembles Day 2 until the last couple sets, where its 17, 20, > 45. Then its a progress/exhaustion test. After that it will probably be Week 5 Group 3 for me. You need to do 46 to get into the final week, and I'm just not sure I see it.
The great news is that after last week's post about possibly getting weaker, its obvious I'm not. A 39 on the exhaution/progress test, and 40 today after all those other push ups is something I COULD NOT HAVE DONE, before.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
FYI - Week 5
If I get 40 or more, like I think I should, I'll fall into the third column of week 5. If I just miss 40, say 36 or more, I'll fall into column 2. I'd like to not get less than 36, that puts me in column 1.
Then again, if I get less than 31, I repeat week 4. I just can't see that happening though, since I just did 33 after a minutes rest from doing 29. Ain't. Gonna. Happen.
After week 5 though, the exhaustion test is 45. 45!
Then again, if I get less than 31, I repeat week 4. I just can't see that happening though, since I just did 33 after a minutes rest from doing 29. Ain't. Gonna. Happen.
After week 5 though, the exhaustion test is 45. 45!
A disaster of Day 3
Got through the first part, 29, 33, 29, 29. A little problem at toward the end. And the good news: the first 29 came pretty easy. I think my exhaustion test should yield somewhere in the neighborhood of 40. I'm thinking to the North of that, but we'll see.
The last 29 were tough. I tried to phsych myself up for those final 40, but to no avail. I did 12, took a minute, 13, took 30 seconds, and finished off the last 10.
Is it possible I'm getting weaker?
Not really. First off, 30 used to be my high water mark. I actually used to do 30, 20, 10. Then, I was doing other exercises mixed in. Even so, 29 is now just a blip on the way to 120 push ups in 8 minutes and 160 in probably 10 or 12 minutes. I could have done 120 before I started, but the last few sets would have been 10s. And there probably would have been 2 or 4 sets of them.
I just seem to lack that "upper" gear I had last week and during Day 1 this week. I think maybe it is because I'm working out on my non challenge days. That ends today.
Saturday I'll run my test and post my results. Sunday or Monday morning, I'm not sure which yet, I'll start the next week & work out in the evenings of those days, so I have an entire day of rest, instead of working out in the evening and doing the challenge the next morning.
The last 29 were tough. I tried to phsych myself up for those final 40, but to no avail. I did 12, took a minute, 13, took 30 seconds, and finished off the last 10.
Is it possible I'm getting weaker?
Not really. First off, 30 used to be my high water mark. I actually used to do 30, 20, 10. Then, I was doing other exercises mixed in. Even so, 29 is now just a blip on the way to 120 push ups in 8 minutes and 160 in probably 10 or 12 minutes. I could have done 120 before I started, but the last few sets would have been 10s. And there probably would have been 2 or 4 sets of them.
I just seem to lack that "upper" gear I had last week and during Day 1 this week. I think maybe it is because I'm working out on my non challenge days. That ends today.
Saturday I'll run my test and post my results. Sunday or Monday morning, I'm not sure which yet, I'll start the next week & work out in the evenings of those days, so I have an entire day of rest, instead of working out in the evening and doing the challenge the next morning.
Push up, up & away
Morning - I've just had my oatmeal, with peanut butter & milk, YUM. I'm about to finish off the last of my first cup of coffe and go and finish off this week's push ups. Once I'm done I'll post to let you know how I did.
In the meantime, I'm now listed on the 100 Push Up Challenge page. Check it out here.
In the meantime, I'm now listed on the 100 Push Up Challenge page. Check it out here.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Less success...
Day 2 went, well, less successfully. I did the push ups Tuesday morning. I was a bit tired (perhaps from shoveling the night before). It was before work. After a 3 day weekend.
The only ones I couldn't do were the last "challenge" set, but the last set of 25 was pretty tough as well.
I'm hoping to close out this week with a good day Thursday, get all my push ups done, take my test Sat. or Sun. and move on.
I'm seeing improvements in muscle size. As for total number. I could do 30 when I started, I'm almost sure I could 40 or 45 now. We'll see this weekend.
The only ones I couldn't do were the last "challenge" set, but the last set of 25 was pretty tough as well.
I'm hoping to close out this week with a good day Thursday, get all my push ups done, take my test Sat. or Sun. and move on.
I'm seeing improvements in muscle size. As for total number. I could do 30 when I started, I'm almost sure I could 40 or 45 now. We'll see this weekend.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Success, Part Deux
Day 1 of this week's push ups - done on Sunday - was a success. Did 'em all.
Unfortunetly, the Eagles wouldn't have as much success. And yes, I'm still bitter.
Unfortunetly, the Eagles wouldn't have as much success. And yes, I'm still bitter.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Just realized...
I think the "actual" 100 push ups program wants you to move on from Week 4, EVEN IF you haven't successfully completed each of the 3 days. After week 4 you have an exhaustion test, and you progress into one of the three "branches" of week 5 based on that.
Actual, Smacktual, I say.
Anyway, I'm going to do Week 4 AGAIN next week. Based on Day 3 this week, I think I can get through it. Then again, I pretty much thought the same thing last week. Though I'm more confident this week. Whatever.
Week 4 next week. Do 'em all, or not, I'm going to take the exhaustion test and move onto week 5, unless my test comes so far under radar that it forces me back to week 4, whcih I see as unlikely.
Actual, Smacktual, I say.
Anyway, I'm going to do Week 4 AGAIN next week. Based on Day 3 this week, I think I can get through it. Then again, I pretty much thought the same thing last week. Though I'm more confident this week. Whatever.
Week 4 next week. Do 'em all, or not, I'm going to take the exhaustion test and move onto week 5, unless my test comes so far under radar that it forces me back to week 4, whcih I see as unlikely.
Hey, just weight a minute (or 20)!
I started a new workout yesterday - all body weight, no actual weights. Its one I found at a site I LOVE, Men's Health - and for the ladies, Women's Health.
Anyway, here it is, the Body Weight 200. 200 reps using only your body weight. All you need is your body (weight) and a swiss ball. A place you can pull ups/chin ups. I don't have the later, so I've substituted swiss ball push ups instead. Not a great swap, but doable, I think. Also, my basement work out area doesn't have the clearance for me to do the jumps, so I've been doing woodchoppers with an 8 pound weight instead.
The entire 10 exercise, 12 set, 200 rep program should take 20 or so minutes. I'm timing my second run through the program to see. If its accurate, that's 60 minutes of exercise a week. Certainly not "over doing it," but a nice amount. Its a good mix of muscle building and cardio, too.
I'm a bit worried that it doesn't have enough focus on the "mirror muscles" in my upper body, not that I have a great ones anyway, but we'll see. Looking at the workout I was doing, I was getting about 300 reps, so this new one isn't a huge drop off. Day 1 was challenge. I don't hurt this morning, and I'm not sore, but I could tell after the workout that I was getting some work in. Also, I couldn't/didn't want to do 30 of the split lunges - I did 20 with a goal to work up to 30.
I figure this more balanced work out might be a better compliment to push up challenge. It seemed like I was maybe getting a little weak in the challenge because of all the upper body work.
Anyway, here it is, the Body Weight 200. 200 reps using only your body weight. All you need is your body (weight) and a swiss ball. A place you can pull ups/chin ups. I don't have the later, so I've substituted swiss ball push ups instead. Not a great swap, but doable, I think. Also, my basement work out area doesn't have the clearance for me to do the jumps, so I've been doing woodchoppers with an 8 pound weight instead.
The entire 10 exercise, 12 set, 200 rep program should take 20 or so minutes. I'm timing my second run through the program to see. If its accurate, that's 60 minutes of exercise a week. Certainly not "over doing it," but a nice amount. Its a good mix of muscle building and cardio, too.
I'm a bit worried that it doesn't have enough focus on the "mirror muscles" in my upper body, not that I have a great ones anyway, but we'll see. Looking at the workout I was doing, I was getting about 300 reps, so this new one isn't a huge drop off. Day 1 was challenge. I don't hurt this morning, and I'm not sore, but I could tell after the workout that I was getting some work in. Also, I couldn't/didn't want to do 30 of the split lunges - I did 20 with a goal to work up to 30.
I figure this more balanced work out might be a better compliment to push up challenge. It seemed like I was maybe getting a little weak in the challenge because of all the upper body work.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
SUCCESS!
Week 4, Day 3 - SUCCESS.
I did all my pushups today. It's the first time I've completed all the sets and reps in this week's program.
29, 33, 29, 29, 40 with 120 seconds in between.
Not too shabby. 40 is a new personal high. In full disclosure, I should mention that I took a rest in the last set at 30 & 35, but that is expressly permitted under the program rules.
Sunday I restart on Day 1, determined to complete them all and get through this week!
I did all my pushups today. It's the first time I've completed all the sets and reps in this week's program.
29, 33, 29, 29, 40 with 120 seconds in between.
Not too shabby. 40 is a new personal high. In full disclosure, I should mention that I took a rest in the last set at 30 & 35, but that is expressly permitted under the program rules.
Sunday I restart on Day 1, determined to complete them all and get through this week!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Pushing back ...
Well, the push up challenge is certainly living up to its name.
Day 1, week 4 (take 2, or is it 3, now) is 21, 25, 21, 21 >32. I hit them all (as usual) except the last, in which I only got to 20, took a 30 second break, then got the last 12.
For Day 2, I'm thinking about taking a longer break. The break is usually 90 seconds. The plans themselves say "longer if necassary," but I'm the kind of guy who plays through a video game on the hardest setting the first time, the kind who won't increase the break until its absolutely necassary. What does that make me? Stubborn? Stupid?
Anyway, today I'll probably, I don't know, go to 120, maybe 180, on my break in an attempt to hit the number. Then next week, maybe I'll take the break before the last set in Day 1 to 90 or 120.
Day 1, week 4 (take 2, or is it 3, now) is 21, 25, 21, 21 >32. I hit them all (as usual) except the last, in which I only got to 20, took a 30 second break, then got the last 12.
For Day 2, I'm thinking about taking a longer break. The break is usually 90 seconds. The plans themselves say "longer if necassary," but I'm the kind of guy who plays through a video game on the hardest setting the first time, the kind who won't increase the break until its absolutely necassary. What does that make me? Stubborn? Stupid?
Anyway, today I'll probably, I don't know, go to 120, maybe 180, on my break in an attempt to hit the number. Then next week, maybe I'll take the break before the last set in Day 1 to 90 or 120.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
One more thing
Ok - much needed update
First off, Congrats to the Eagles for beating hte Vikings. Hard to believe its been since that game that I've posted. This week its the hated Giants. God I hate the Giants. Go EAGLES!
100 push up challenge...
I failed this week pretty much in Day 1, so I've known all week that I would be restarting Week 4 next week. Having said that, I also failed Day 2, though I did all the push ups (albeit with an extra set).
Day 3 I also failed, though again I did all the push ups (again, wiht an extra set).
I'm working in different and unique push ups into my afternoon work outs to try to strengthen "other" areas that are used in push ups, like the back, to try to gain some strength. I'm using push ups I found at men's health.
The biggest news is that I feel stronger. Day 3 saw me do 160 push ups in 12 minutes (in sets of 29, 33, 29, 29, 25, 15). Now, 30 was my previous high, so hitting so close to 30 so many times has me psyched and I really do feel like I'm stronger and can do more pushups now. I think once you complete Week 4 you do a test, so I can't wait to see how many I do.
The other thing that makes me think I'm making gains, Day 1 is 21, 25, 21, 21 >32. That seems easy as I sit here typing it. Heck, Day 2's 25, 29, 25, 25 >36 seems easy until that very last set right now. I'll probably post again on Sunday. By that time I'll have done my push ups and watched the Eagles hopefully gain entrance into the NFC Championship!!!
100 push up challenge...
I failed this week pretty much in Day 1, so I've known all week that I would be restarting Week 4 next week. Having said that, I also failed Day 2, though I did all the push ups (albeit with an extra set).
Day 3 I also failed, though again I did all the push ups (again, wiht an extra set).
I'm working in different and unique push ups into my afternoon work outs to try to strengthen "other" areas that are used in push ups, like the back, to try to gain some strength. I'm using push ups I found at men's health.
The biggest news is that I feel stronger. Day 3 saw me do 160 push ups in 12 minutes (in sets of 29, 33, 29, 29, 25, 15). Now, 30 was my previous high, so hitting so close to 30 so many times has me psyched and I really do feel like I'm stronger and can do more pushups now. I think once you complete Week 4 you do a test, so I can't wait to see how many I do.
The other thing that makes me think I'm making gains, Day 1 is 21, 25, 21, 21 >32. That seems easy as I sit here typing it. Heck, Day 2's 25, 29, 25, 25 >36 seems easy until that very last set right now. I'll probably post again on Sunday. By that time I'll have done my push ups and watched the Eagles hopefully gain entrance into the NFC Championship!!!
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