100 Push Ups

So last night, week 3, day 2, I did 5 sets that totalled 100 push-ups, it was uncomfortable, but cool that I did it!  The sets were 20-25-15-15-25.  Needless to say my arms were jello afterwards, but my arms have a shape I have never seen before which is rewarding.

I feel strong, but the sets are rapidly increasing and I hope I can do it.  In the instructions for the challenge, it states that if a week is super difficult, you can repeat until it's not.  This may be in my future.  One more day to finish this week, I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...I KNOW I CAN!!!

First Push-Up "Test"

So with the push up challenge that we are doing, they periodically have you test to see how many you can do before falling to the ground, tonight is the first one.  I started the whole challenge being able to do 30, I hope there is some sort of improvement when I do it tonight....

I just did 50 in a row!  

I am half way there with 4 weeks left of the program!  :o)

On another pleasant note, I am down 2 pounds since the beginning of the year!  (I finally lost what I found around the holidays!) Things are looking good!  I have learned that I personally HAVE to work out everyday to keep in control of my weight!  This month has been quite busy and I am a little embarrassed to say that all my workouts haven't been 30 minutes.  I have committed to 1 chapter of HP a night, which means that my workouts are between 15-30 minutes.  Small payoff to be at peace at the dinner table.

It's working...

It is so easy to do 30 minutes when reading a good book. About the time I am done with the chapter, it's time to hop off the machine. What I am finding is that when the time is up, I am not ready to put down the book. I need to start earlier so I can workout longer when the story line gets moving.

Also, great suggestions from friends online on how to show the 100 push up goal when I make it. (Thinking optimistically of course!) 4.5 more weeks and we'll see what I decide to do!

Habits

So the habit of last year's 365 day work out goal has stuck with me. So far this year, I have worked out everyday but Sundays. It's my sabbath day and I am going to rest! Keeping with the "Can't miss a day" is really motivating for me. It's amazing to have a workout goal stick for a change. I am indeed grateful!

One week down with the push-up challenge and I'm feeling good. I feel hopeful and strong. The thought of busting out 100 push-ups in a row still seems like crazy thoughts, but I am up for the challenge. 5 more weeks to go!

As for eating, the holidays found a few bothersome habits, namely, sugar. It takes me several days of determination to get that stuff out of my system so it no longer bothers me, and I haven't had the chance to really focus on that. So I am going to give up sugar entirely for awhile. Can't promise that tomorrow will be the first day of sugar abstinence, but it's coming soon.

Week 1 Day 1

So far so good. Did the first day of the challenge after my elliptical workout and it was great! Did a total of 56 push-ups. I can't even imagine doing 100 consecutive push-ups. I will be pleased if I could do 100 in one work out with breaks. To just bust out 100 without stopping, that seems crazy!! But I am willing to give it a try...

Here is the plan..

Read up on this site, take the initial test and then join in with me on this challenge starting Monday, January 11th. What a great time to work on the upper body! By summer, everything should be looking great in time for suits and summer tops !!

Great Recommendation!

I posted on Facebook what I was doing in regards to the push-up challenge and a friend recommended hundredpushups.com It's a program that trains you to do 100 consecutive push-ups within a six week period. I am excited to give this a try and see where 6 weeks will take me!

Upper Body

Something new to add to the mix. A friend and I have challenged each other to do push-ups everyday and to be accountable to each other. We have to do a minimum of 30 and we are starting by doing 3 sets of 10 each day. Last night was the first night, I never realized I was so crunchy before. I am not sore today, but we'll see tomorrow.

Harry Potter is My New Best Friend

I really enjoyed the last Harry Potter movie. Knowing that even good movies lack all the finer details of a book, I thought I would get the set and use it as an opportunity to spend some quality time with the elliptical. I love to read, but I just don't have time for it this month and after the holidays, I need some special time with the machine. So, it's a win-win. Time to get lost in a fascinating story while burning some serious calories. I made last year's goal and I intend on making this year's goal, despite my alternate personality who enjoyed the holidays a little more than she should have.

Bring on 2010

A whole new year, full of possibilities! I think I have the regular working out habit solidly formed, but I need to amp things up this year! This Christmas I learned that although I might have overcome the working out regularly obstacle, I still have to work on my eating habits. For the most part, they are good, but that 190 pound lady can still be found inside from time to time. I was really surprised to find myself "feeling" heavy again. It really is a mental thing and if one isn't careful, they can sabotage themselves simply by giving into their feelings.

I keep saying this and I am using this as motivation. My weight is good, but I would like it to be better. For instance, in the morning, my BMI is "healthy" but by the time the evening comes my BMI is "Over weight." Talk about messing with the brain! I want my BMI to be "Healthy" no matter what time of day it is.

So for 2010, I am going to work at getting my brain in a healthy mode. To have my brain match my weight. There are days that my brain feels 190 and starts acting like it. I know this all sounds like crazy talk but it's true. When a person looses physical weight, they need to make sure they are loosing the mental weight too. Now I am not talking about emotional hang-ups and issues that can also act as "weight." I am talking about the perceptions we have of ourselves.

If you have gone decades being a certain body type, you get used to eating, exercising, shopping and living in that body type. I see this happen to others - it happened to me! You get on a program or you do something that works and the weight drops. You are surprised because you can't believe it actually worked. Then you find yourself in unfamiliar territory. Clothes fit. Your body feels good. Things are just different, different for the good of course! But if you are still seeing the world through an overweight perception, you will find yourself back at the familiar weight when you get off the program or start changing the habits that gave you success. It happens all the time!!

So this year, I am going to keep with the daily workouts (minus Sundays) and going to amp them up a bit. For that last part of the year, being so busy, I just didn't have my 30 minutes to exercise in the evening so I started to bump up the level and cut back on the time-level 15 for 15 minutes. (This works great in building muscles) but after the holidays I need to focus on the cardio. I just "feel" so heavy! So I am going to keep the level up and now also bump up the time. My goal is to start February doing 30 minutes at level 15. I love a good book and when I don't have time to read I try to do two things at once, workout and read. A good book keeps me on the elliptical longer by passing the time and I can get some good reading in too. It's a win-win!

I am also going to try to purge my body of sugar by reducing it dramatically. The holidays can be so indulgent with the sugar. I need to get rid of these cravings!!

So my big goal of 2010 is to have an OFFICIAL "AFTER" picture to share on this blog. One that I am proud of where my body and brain match in weight with a healthy BMI 24/7!!