1st and 2nd Day

So, mayor fail on my first day. Well, maybe not so fail, but here is what happened. I followed the instructions based on my initial test and started on Week 3 on the last column. I stretched and did the routine. By the time I was on the third set my arms where shaking and were really tired. Then on the 4th I had to pause a lot in between the actual pushups and barely finished it. I was going to leave it there, since I could not do any more "good form" pushups but on a snap decision I convinced my self to at least try to finish using my knees to do the final set. After all, the last set is the most important one. With the minimum of 20 pushups on the last set I was thinking that if it I didn't make that at least I tried. Again, at the end of this last set I had to pause between pushups but I finished the 20 required!

My lesson to take away was that while I was able to do more than 30 pushups on my initial test, I seem to not have enough strength for the third week. Also I think might not be doing the pushups correctly.

On Tuesday and Wednesday I felt really sore on my upper body and even down to my upper abs. That was good, because it means to me that I had a really good workout. Anyways, I was at a crux as to whether to go back a week or try a different column on the third week. In the end I decided to go for the second week.

The last column in the second day for the second week had almost the same amount of push ups as the previous day/column I had done. So, I tried that one. To my surprise I was able to do it with less difficulty and I wasn't as sore. I definitely gained strength. Today is Thursday and I don't feel as sore anymore. Tomorrow I will continue on the same week/day/column and perhaps repeat the week just so I can be fully acclimated to the routine.

Coolness!

Today I start

In a few hours, I will start day 1 of this pledge. I was going to start when I woke up, but since I don't know exactly how much time the routine is going to take, I postponed it for when I get back from work. Since I did more that 30 pushups on my initial test, I get to start on week 3. That's almost half of the program. I'm still going to do the full 6 weeks regardless of results.

-C

Another Pushup Pledge ?

Yes, this another pledge. However, this one I'm very interested in doing. I'm going to try and accomplish doing a 100 pushups in a row. The target time is a range of 6 to 8 weeks. I am going to follow the program at hundredpushups.com that I read about in lifehacker.

This program is very simple. It's based on weekly progressions and keeping track of your maximum yields. I once started a program similar, but more complex to try and increase my vertical jump. I did about 60% of it and it did make a difference in my jump. So I have faith in this program.

As for the reasons for doing it, I have several.

• General Health


• Vanity


• Muscle Toning


• Motivation

Very simple. I want to be healthier, stronger, leaner. This is a solid and clear way to do it. It may not be easy, but you know the saying: No Pain, No Gain. I also want to look good, at least fit. I have accumulated some fat and extra weight from my time at Google and all the free food, so I need to "purge" my self from that. As for the muscle toning goes, I have more muscle in my legs, so this is a way to balance that a bit. Pushups are a well rounded exercise and help tone all of your upper body down to the core too. The motivation has to do with the fact that I can commit my self without sacrificing too much time and be able to consistently do something extra. This way I can get momentum to then go on to something else.

Sound good? Good. Ciao.