The Road to 100
I ended yesterday's post with a smart-alecky comment about how I love a good challenge. Sure enough, before the sun set, I'd learned about a special challenge opportunity, thanks to fellow healthy-living blogger Sagan. It's called the 100 Push Ups Challenge, and it's a program designed to help you work your way up to 100 push ups (assuming you're not already there, of course) in just a few weeks. As someone who's always looking to build upper body strength and definition -- and avoid driving to the gym -- this seemed like just the challenge for me to take on this summer.
Here's the part where I have to confess that when I do push ups -- which isn't often -- I normally do the girly on-the-knees version instead of full-body style. But I figure this program will be a great time for me to switch over to the more challenging (there's that word again) full-body style.
Having said all that, I had no idea what to expect when I performed my "initial test" for the challenge -- an assessment of your "rank," which determines what program you'll follow to build up to 100. There I was, on the floor in plank-esque position. I took a deep breath, pushed with all my might and suddenly found out that damn, full-body push ups are hard.
I did exactly three of them. Clearly, it's going to be a long road to 100.
But that's what challenges are all about, right? So thanks, Sagan, for the inspiration. I'll keep you all posted on my progress.
Aw, thanks for the shout out:) I'm so happy that you'll be doing the challenge too! It's going to be tough but SO satisfying.
Posted by: Sagan | June 24, 2008 at 07:07 AM
Oh, dear. 100 push ups? Probably out of my league.
Did anyone see the push-up contest on The Bachelorette earlier this season? All the big, buff guys pooped out and the small snowboarder dude won. Cracked me up.
If you're looking for a new way to build cute shoulders, I find a classic yoga headstand works well.
Posted by: Roxanne | June 24, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Here's another challenge you might be interested in--especially since what you learned with your year at SHAPE is that this is a lifestyle--not a diet or "program." Holly Rigsby, creator of the "Fit, Yummy, Mummy" system has a 12 week Transformation Challenge. . .If I hadn't followed the last challenges results, I wouldn't have believed them myself. clubfym.com
So worth checking out!!!! I was happy to get to 33 in honor of my birthday. . .100???
Posted by: J Frank | June 24, 2008 at 03:12 PM
you KNOW Im in on that as well.
glad youre on board!
pushing onward to greatness (or at least 50 ;)),
Miz.
Posted by: MizFit | June 25, 2008 at 02:10 AM
Hey, thanks everybody! I did my first training day yesterday and although I'm sore today, I'm so thrilled that I actually did it.
Sigh...it's the little accomplishments ;-)
Posted by: Dara Chadwick | June 25, 2008 at 04:53 AM