I finally finished week 3, but barely. I had to postpone two of the workouts and this week was tough. If you look at the numbers, you see that the reps doubled from the previous week, but I somehow made it through. One more week, then I'll be out of commission for 2 weeks. I'll probably take the test when I recover and see where I am at, or just start a regular routine. We'll see.
Showing posts with label crunches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crunches. Show all posts
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Push Ups/Crunches Exhaustion Test 2
I did my 2nd exhaustion test this morning and below are the results, compared to the initial test.
I feel like I cheated or something because these numbers seem too large. When I was doing the crunches, I lost count the first time at 30 or 40, so I rested and then tried again and pushed it to 60. For the push ups, I was tired and my arms hurt but I paused at the top for a second a few times and was able to keep going. I think that counts no because I could still physically do more. In fact, I physically could have probably done more of each, but whatever. I gotta tell you though, column 3 of week 3 looks very scary so we'll see tomorrow if I cheated myself for not.
I feel like I cheated or something because these numbers seem too large. When I was doing the crunches, I lost count the first time at 30 or 40, so I rested and then tried again and pushed it to 60. For the push ups, I was tired and my arms hurt but I paused at the top for a second a few times and was able to keep going. I think that counts no because I could still physically do more. In fact, I physically could have probably done more of each, but whatever. I gotta tell you though, column 3 of week 3 looks very scary so we'll see tomorrow if I cheated myself for not.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Push Ups/Crunches Week 2 Update
I finished week 2 of the challenge today, instead of yesterday, because I was just too tired and sore from biking to do them yesterday. Of course, today I did it after my 5K run and I was tired, but not nearly as sore. Still, I managed to do at least the minimums each day and my weekly total is still growing! I plan to do the test tonight after I'm nice and rested.
Below are my stats. I'm playing with embedding Google spreadsheets, so let me know if you can't see this chart. View Chart
Below are my stats. I'm playing with embedding Google spreadsheets, so let me know if you can't see this chart. View Chart
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Push Ups/Crunches Week 1 Update
Week 1 is done! (I finished it on Friday, but I was camping and couldn't post and then I got lazy =P). I think I will post my progress weekly with a nifty little chart like this instead of after every work out. I love seeing the comparison and seeing the total numbers grow, so I'll probably just keep adding rows at the bottom of the table.
Modified push ups / Rank 3 / Column 3
Crunches / Rank 3 / Column 3 (doubled)
Modified push ups / Rank 3 / Column 3
| Max | Total | Diff | |
|---|---|---|---|
| w1d1c3 | 10 (+3) | 44 | -- |
| w1d2c3 | 10 | 54 | +10 |
| w1d3c3 | 20 (+5) | 68 | +14 |
| Week 1 Totals | 40 (+8) | 166 | -- |
Crunches / Rank 3 / Column 3 (doubled)
| Max | Total | Diff | |
|---|---|---|---|
| w3d1c1 | 20 (+5) | 69 | -- |
| w1d2c3 | 20 | 108 | +39 |
| w1d3c3 | 40 (+10) | 136 | +28 |
| Week 1 Totals | 80 (+15) | 313 | -- |
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
I'm going to feel this tomorrow
Summary of today's activity
Today started great (except for the fact that I did not wake up in time to run). I was ecstatic that I weighed 131.4 this morning--finally showing a .6 loss since my 132 weigh-in on 5/30. Ever since then, it has either stayed the same or gone up and hovered near 133. We'll see if that holds tomorrow--I somehow doubt it. I drank 24 ounces of water, ate an oatmeal bar and banana for breakfast, and ate a tuna sandwich for lunch, all before noon. But, then ...
"Fried" Ice Cream, Yikes!
Jason said they were going to Maria Bonita (local mexican restaurant) with a friend of ours from Melbourne that is in town. I decide to go and just munch on some chips and salsa and maybe a bite of his food. I figured that since I had already eaten, and I am not a big fan on Mexican food anyway, it would be ok. WRONG! I got a free chicken soup (it comes with every meal--and apparently even if you don't order anything), which was actually really good. But then I spend the rest of the time eyeing the dessert menu and order "fried" ice cream. Is basically a ball of vanilla ice cream, covered in crumpled graham crackers and corn flakes (they supposedly then deep fry this but I had them skip that part). It was SOOO good. Thankfully, I had 3 guys to helped me eat it, but I should have just stayed in my office.
Running, Take I
I had every intention of running on my way home from work, but since we leave tomorrow after work to camp, I needed the bike at home to switch out my tires. So I rode my bike home and promptly went for a run before the rain started. The rain decided to just stay away and it was so hot that all I managed was 1 mile, but I also was running pretty fast (12:41).
Push Ups/Crunches
So I came home and did day 2 of the push ups/crunches challenge. I decided that it would bother me to be in different weeks for crunches, so I am going to do the same week/day for both and just double the numbers for crunches. This was tough, but totally doable. Last time we did the entire push up workout and then the crunches workout. This time I had the brilliant idea of alternative between the two so I would do the crunches during the push ups rest and vice versa. I also did a modified plank for 30 seconds. I was exhausted when I finished, and I could only do the minimum for the max level for a total of 54 push ups and 108 crunches. Not sure if the alternating thing was a bad idea, or if it was just that I had biked 2 miles and ran a mile before this workout.
Running, Take II
Once the sun disappeared, and my dinner settled a bit, I went for another mile run in a light drizzle. It was kind of nice running in the rain, but I don't think I could do it if it was any heavier. I just don't like being wet and cold. I ran this one a lot slower (14:35), but it felt great. Man I had missed running. This is the first time I run since Saturday. I am hoping to get up tomorrow morning and run some more since I've been a slacker lately. We'll see how that goes.
Goals Update
- run/walk: 2.65 miles
- bike: 4.58 miles
- push ups: 54
- crunches: 108
- squats w/weights: 10
- plank: 30s (modified)
Today started great (except for the fact that I did not wake up in time to run). I was ecstatic that I weighed 131.4 this morning--finally showing a .6 loss since my 132 weigh-in on 5/30. Ever since then, it has either stayed the same or gone up and hovered near 133. We'll see if that holds tomorrow--I somehow doubt it. I drank 24 ounces of water, ate an oatmeal bar and banana for breakfast, and ate a tuna sandwich for lunch, all before noon. But, then ...
"Fried" Ice Cream, Yikes!
Jason said they were going to Maria Bonita (local mexican restaurant) with a friend of ours from Melbourne that is in town. I decide to go and just munch on some chips and salsa and maybe a bite of his food. I figured that since I had already eaten, and I am not a big fan on Mexican food anyway, it would be ok. WRONG! I got a free chicken soup (it comes with every meal--and apparently even if you don't order anything), which was actually really good. But then I spend the rest of the time eyeing the dessert menu and order "fried" ice cream. Is basically a ball of vanilla ice cream, covered in crumpled graham crackers and corn flakes (they supposedly then deep fry this but I had them skip that part). It was SOOO good. Thankfully, I had 3 guys to helped me eat it, but I should have just stayed in my office.
Running, Take I
I had every intention of running on my way home from work, but since we leave tomorrow after work to camp, I needed the bike at home to switch out my tires. So I rode my bike home and promptly went for a run before the rain started. The rain decided to just stay away and it was so hot that all I managed was 1 mile, but I also was running pretty fast (12:41).
Push Ups/Crunches
So I came home and did day 2 of the push ups/crunches challenge. I decided that it would bother me to be in different weeks for crunches, so I am going to do the same week/day for both and just double the numbers for crunches. This was tough, but totally doable. Last time we did the entire push up workout and then the crunches workout. This time I had the brilliant idea of alternative between the two so I would do the crunches during the push ups rest and vice versa. I also did a modified plank for 30 seconds. I was exhausted when I finished, and I could only do the minimum for the max level for a total of 54 push ups and 108 crunches. Not sure if the alternating thing was a bad idea, or if it was just that I had biked 2 miles and ran a mile before this workout.
Running, Take II
Once the sun disappeared, and my dinner settled a bit, I went for another mile run in a light drizzle. It was kind of nice running in the rain, but I don't think I could do it if it was any heavier. I just don't like being wet and cold. I ran this one a lot slower (14:35), but it felt great. Man I had missed running. This is the first time I run since Saturday. I am hoping to get up tomorrow morning and run some more since I've been a slacker lately. We'll see how that goes.
Goals Update
- [9.66/16] Bike: 16+ miles
- [3/10] Run/walk: 10+ miles
- [0/45] Yoga: 45+ mins (20 or 45 min sessions)
- [2/3] Meatless Meals: 3+ for lunch or dinner (breakfast is always meatless)
- [4/5] Eat Out: <=5 (this means eating out AND leftovers)
- [2/3] Strength: week 1 (3 days) of Push Ups & Crunches Challenge
- [4/7] Water: 64+ oz per day
Monday, June 16, 2008
Day 1 of Push Ups/Crunches Challenge
After much deliberation, I decided to do the push up challenge with modified push ups first so I could actually get through the program. I did another test this morning and managed 18 modified push ups. I probably could have pushed it to 20, but either way I would still be at rank 3.
So I did week 1-day 1-column 3 (w1d1c1) this afternoon and I made it. Jason and I alternated counting for each other so we could rest while the other did each level. The first 2 levels were easy enough (well, easy is relative). It definitely got harder at the end, and I didn't know where I was going to find the strength to do at least 7 for the last level. But after my boyfriend pushed his max to 20, I had to try for at least 10, and I did it!
I am using the same progression for crunches, but since I could do 25 in a row this morning, I started on week 3-day 1-column1 (w3d1c1). Jason thinks I may not be coming up far enough, but I think he was actually doing sit ups, while I was doing crunches. But it makes me wonder because I got through this fairly easily and managed a max of 20 at the end. Maybe I should have just started in column 2?
Below are my current stats for both. For the "Max" row, the number in parenthesis denotes how many of the total listed is above the minimum required for that day. I sure like seeing that total number at the end there. I think that is what will keep me going through this process. Regardless of how many we are doing in a row, that total number is going to go up every single day we do this and that is pretty damn empowering and encouraging.
Stats:
If you are taking on the challenge, be sure to sign up and be listed on the site. Also, there is an LJ community for each to share your progress and stay motivated:![[info]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_shq7HYVne4gXwrIv9RsYbyf7n7kQdUaGS2-epooBymWJJ-qm8yJfoeEOSs6VdEnY86wdc_WwH4hDFE2PIN76a2tnaXz921dlJJt1bDQrX1YT-d=s0-d)
100_pushups and 100_crunches .
So I did week 1-day 1-column 3 (w1d1c1) this afternoon and I made it. Jason and I alternated counting for each other so we could rest while the other did each level. The first 2 levels were easy enough (well, easy is relative). It definitely got harder at the end, and I didn't know where I was going to find the strength to do at least 7 for the last level. But after my boyfriend pushed his max to 20, I had to try for at least 10, and I did it!
I am using the same progression for crunches, but since I could do 25 in a row this morning, I started on week 3-day 1-column1 (w3d1c1). Jason thinks I may not be coming up far enough, but I think he was actually doing sit ups, while I was doing crunches. But it makes me wonder because I got through this fairly easily and managed a max of 20 at the end. Maybe I should have just started in column 2?
Below are my current stats for both. For the "Max" row, the number in parenthesis denotes how many of the total listed is above the minimum required for that day. I sure like seeing that total number at the end there. I think that is what will keep me going through this process. Regardless of how many we are doing in a row, that total number is going to go up every single day we do this and that is pretty damn empowering and encouraging.
Stats:
| Version | Modified Push-Ups | Crunches |
|---|---|---|
| Rank | 3 (18 in a row) | 3 (25 in a row) |
| Progress | w1d1c3 | w3d1c1 |
| Max | 10 (+3) | 20 (+5) |
| Total | 44 (+18=62) | 69 (+25=94) |
If you are taking on the challenge, be sure to sign up and be listed on the site. Also, there is an LJ community for each to share your progress and stay motivated:
100_pushups and 100_crunches .
Saturday, June 14, 2008
100 push ups & crunches
I just stumbled upon this and thought I'd share, and try to persuade you to try it too ;)
Jason and I plan to start the the hundred push ups training program next week and thought some of you may want to join me. In 6 weeks, we should be able to do 100 push ups in a row! We are going to adapt the program for crunches as well, realizing that we'll probably start at a different level for crunches than push ups as those are easier to do.
Now, this is supposed to be 100 real push ups. However, when I tried the initial test (to see where in the program you should start), I found that my arms can barely hold my body weight and I can't seem to do a single one. However, I can do the girl push ups (with knees bent), so I might complete the program twice. I'd start with girl push ups, and once I can do 100 of those, I'd do the program again with full push ups.
When I tried the test again, I managed 2-3, but I can't come all the way to the ground or I can't lift myself back up. I come pretty close, so maybe I'll try full push ups on day 1 and see how it goes. If not, I'll go back to my original plan of doing girl push ups. I can do 8-10 of those. With crunches I think I'd start at column 3 because I can easily do 10+
So, who's with me!?
Jason and I plan to start the the hundred push ups training program next week and thought some of you may want to join me. In 6 weeks, we should be able to do 100 push ups in a row! We are going to adapt the program for crunches as well, realizing that we'll probably start at a different level for crunches than push ups as those are easier to do.
Now, this is supposed to be 100 real push ups. However, when I tried the initial test (to see where in the program you should start), I found that my arms can barely hold my body weight and I can't seem to do a single one. However, I can do the girl push ups (with knees bent), so I might complete the program twice. I'd start with girl push ups, and once I can do 100 of those, I'd do the program again with full push ups.
When I tried the test again, I managed 2-3, but I can't come all the way to the ground or I can't lift myself back up. I come pretty close, so maybe I'll try full push ups on day 1 and see how it goes. If not, I'll go back to my original plan of doing girl push ups. I can do 8-10 of those. With crunches I think I'd start at column 3 because I can easily do 10+
So, who's with me!?
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Fitness Update: no change
I didn't lose any weight this week. I may have put on a pound, but my scale was being temperamental, much like my body because my TOM is here. However, I was very active this week and over achieved all my fitness goals, so I probably also gained some muscle. I bought new running shoes yesterday and some other running gear. I didn't get up early enough this morning, but I plan to run tonight and try to reach that 5k distance. I'll just start really slow so I can cover the distance. I'll work on speed later in the week, but my goal for Sat is to run the whole thing and to hopefully do it in under 42 minutes (I would love to do it in under 40, but I think that may be a bit ambitious since I'll have to start slow to make it. We'll see).
I finally did some strength training this week. Instead of weights, I am just going to focus on my core, so I came up with this routine (mostly based on this article and exercises from the Metabolism Booster segment of 10 Minute Solution - Carb and Calorie Burner).
Accomplishments for week of 6/1 - 6/7:
I finally did some strength training this week. Instead of weights, I am just going to focus on my core, so I came up with this routine (mostly based on this article and exercises from the Metabolism Booster segment of 10 Minute Solution - Carb and Calorie Burner).
- Push Ups (2 x 10)
- Standard Crunches (10)
- Bicycle Crunches (10)
- Reverse Crunches (10)
- Basic Plank (30 sec)
- Plank Weight Shift (10)
- Plank Knee Drop Crunch (10)
- Plank Knee Drop Oblique Crunch (10)
- Plank Leg Lifts (10)
- Side Plank Dips (10)
- Supermans (10)
- Heel Touches (10)
Accomplishments for week of 6/1 - 6/7:
- Ran 2.5 miles & then 2.85 miles without walking
- Biked: 24+ miles
- Ran/walked: 12+ miles
- Core exercises: 3 days
- 45 Min Yoga for Weight Loss: 2 days
- Ate out only 3 times: brunch at Sweet Tomatoes on Sunday, dinner at Macaroni Grill on Wednesday, Olive Garden for lunch on Thursday
- Run 3.1 miles (5k) without walking
- Complete my 4th 5k race without walking in under 42 minutes (preferably in under 40)
- Bike at least 20 miles
- Run/walk at least 10 miles
- Core exercises at least 3 days
- QF Cardio Kick at least 2 days
- 45m Yoga at least 1 day
- Eat at least 3 vegetarian meals (meatless monday)
- Eat out at most 3 times
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