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Suzy Q pushes it - up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up.


suzyQlou

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I've decided that push ups are going to be my focus for the next challenge.  Fellow rebel Emerald_Dragonfly is a bit of an inspiration for this challenge.  She has been rocking the push ups since we were recruits together.  Now it's my turn to make them count.

 

king-size-homer-exercise-e1356883481694.

 

I've decided to shoot for 10 push ups.  On my toes.  In a row.  All the way down.  Wise rebels have shown me that it's best to make my challenge goals reflect my effort and let the results take care of themselves.  So, instead of focusing on the big number ten (ha!  you haven't seen me focusing on the number ten anywhere, have you?), I'm going to break my challenge down into three behavior changes:

 

Goal 1 - Do more push ups

My strength workout is the the Bodyweight Level 3 workout from the NF Academy (with plenty of modifications since I can't do things like pull ups yet).  Anyway, the workouts include push ups, but only every other workout.  I haven't been progressing with my push ups as I'd like, so I'm going to add more.  With every strength workout I do, I will do push ups.  If they aren't listed on my plan, I will do them anyway.

 

When I first started push ups, I walked myself down the stairs.  Unfortunately, I'm too tall for my landing (or my landing is too short for me) and I don't fit on the last step.  So, I switched to knee push ups, and have been adding toe push ups as I can.  Progress has been slow, stalled, or negative.

 

On my knees at first, I was been doing as many toe push ups as I could and then finishing the set of 10 on my knees.  When that didn't show progress, I changed to doing as many toe push ups as I could, and then doing 15 knee push ups.  I'm going to stick with this second method.  Eventually, it should pay off.

 

Since each strength workout is a circuit, I will be doing three sets of push ups for each workout.  My baseline for toe push ups right now is about 4/3/1.  If I can get that first set up to ten, I'm going to be a happy camper.

 

Goal 2 - Do more push ups

Yeah.  I know I already said that, but I'm SERIOUS.  I am determined to do more push ups!

 

For the first goal, I am adding push ups to workouts that didn't include them.  For my second goal, I'm adding more strength workouts to my week.  Instead of my old routine of cardio MWF and strength TTh, I'm going to do a switch-a-roo.  I will do strength MWF and cardio TTh.

 

Disclaimer:  This goal will kick in after I run my first ever 5K on August 8th.  I feel like I need to keep running three times a week until I get the race under my belt.  Until then, I'm going to use Goal 2 as a place to track my running progress.

 

Disclaimer 2.  I considered adding cardio on Saturday to keep the heart going, but I'm just not willing to do that (yet).  Since I've brought my running time up from 20 minutes to 30+ a day, I rationalize that two times a week is still going to be better than the old three times.  20 + 20 + 20 < 35 + 35 .  Of course it is!

 

Goal 3 - Push up less

This is where I say that I'm going to lose weight.  So...each week, I will be pushing up less weight.  See how easy that's going to make my push ups?

 

This is my standard lose-a-pound-a-week goal that I've been using for the past few challenges.  I call it "healthy eating", and I used a daily checklist of good eating habits.  I eat lots of vegetables, reasonable portion sizes, and limit snacks.  If I do everything on my checklist, I lose about a pound a week.  Yeah, that's the tricky part.  I really need to do everything on my checklist.  I blame summertime lack of routine for all my slip-ups lately :)

 

I've decided to tweak my challenge for this go-around.  I'm not going to base my weight loss goal completely on the scale.  I am going to award myself points if I either lose a pound a week OR hit five perfect days on the checklist.  In theory, they go hand-in-hand.  In practice, I make up lots of excuses.

 

Life Goal ?

I may fill one in later this week.  I haven't really thought about this too much.

 

This challenge is tricky timing.  It starts off the week I recover from vacation, and ends during the first week my kids are back in school.  Both these weeks are times of transition for me, and I'm going to do my best to rock the challenge right through them.

 

  • Like 7

suzyQlou * Ranger    

Old Challenges: #1(2015) * #2 * #3(push ups) * #4 * #5(food) * #6 * #7(2016)* #8(nerdiversary) * #9 * 10(animal) * Battle Log * 11(2017) * 12(garden) * 13 * 14(biking) * 15 * 16  * 17  * 18 * 19(2018) * 20(2019) * 21

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Yay!!! One of my goals this challenge is to get my push-up count to 10-REAL-from-the-toes-with-good-form-no-cheating!!!  :onthego: YAY FOR PUSH-UPS!!!!

  • Like 1

Level 1 Centaur Scout / Ranger

STR 2 | DEX 2 | STA 1 | CON 1 | WIS 2 | CHA 2

Challenge 1 Challenge 2 Challenge 3 Accountability Spreadsheet   Current challenge

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway."

~Earl Nightingale

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Yay!!! One of my goals this challenge is to get my push-up count to 10-REAL-from-the-toes-with-good-form-no-cheating!!!  :onthego: YAY FOR PUSH-UPS!!!!

 

Oh goody!  Someone with which I can share the pain joy!  But I see you have oh so much more to work towards in your own challenge.  I'm following you for the fun, aimless.  We can cheer each other along!

  • Like 1

suzyQlou * Ranger    

Old Challenges: #1(2015) * #2 * #3(push ups) * #4 * #5(food) * #6 * #7(2016)* #8(nerdiversary) * #9 * 10(animal) * Battle Log * 11(2017) * 12(garden) * 13 * 14(biking) * 15 * 16  * 17  * 18 * 19(2018) * 20(2019) * 21

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Oh goody!  Someone with which I can share the pain joy!  But I see you have oh so much more to work towards in your own challenge.  I'm following you for the fun, aimless.  We can cheer each other along!

Absolutely!!! Following you back!!  :semi-twins:  We can DO it!!!!

  • Like 1

Level 1 Centaur Scout / Ranger

STR 2 | DEX 2 | STA 1 | CON 1 | WIS 2 | CHA 2

Challenge 1 Challenge 2 Challenge 3 Accountability Spreadsheet   Current challenge

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway."

~Earl Nightingale

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You most certainly can do 10 pushups by the end of the challenge.  I'm putting $10 NerDollars on late week 4 to early week 5. It's pretty cool Steve's pushup article came out after you posted your thread.

 

Coincidence? 

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Current Challenge

"By the Most-Righteous-and-Blessed Beard of Sir Tanktimus the Encourager!" - Jarl Rurik Harrgath

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Thanks for the vote of confidence, Tanktimus. My jaw totally dropped when I read the push up blog post yesterday. Push ups are everywhere around the rebellion. There's no way I can fail now. 😀

  • Like 2

suzyQlou * Ranger    

Old Challenges: #1(2015) * #2 * #3(push ups) * #4 * #5(food) * #6 * #7(2016)* #8(nerdiversary) * #9 * 10(animal) * Battle Log * 11(2017) * 12(garden) * 13 * 14(biking) * 15 * 16  * 17  * 18 * 19(2018) * 20(2019) * 21

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Your challenge is P E R F E C T

 

You can totally reach 10 push ups - and I am so flattered to be on this journey with you! 

I'm working on my push ups (still), too.

We CAN DO IT!

4100305_std.gif

Us, in 6 weeks. 

Wait, which one of you is going to be Milhouse? I feel like that is an important distinction to make early on.

  • Like 2

Current Challenge

"By the Most-Righteous-and-Blessed Beard of Sir Tanktimus the Encourager!" - Jarl Rurik Harrgath

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Not so sure my disguise is clever enough. I'm nerd enough to be Milhouse any day. 😜

Having a great beach trip so far. Figured out how to read the message boards on my phone, had an awesome run this morning (on the streets, though, the sand was too much), hit the fitness room for stretching, and have been eating remarkably well. It helps knowing the challenge is waiting for me on Monday!

  • Like 1

suzyQlou * Ranger    

Old Challenges: #1(2015) * #2 * #3(push ups) * #4 * #5(food) * #6 * #7(2016)* #8(nerdiversary) * #9 * 10(animal) * Battle Log * 11(2017) * 12(garden) * 13 * 14(biking) * 15 * 16  * 17  * 18 * 19(2018) * 20(2019) * 21

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Feeling over-the-top excited that my dear husband is joining the fun in the recruit 6 week challenge.  He's been so supportive of all my sweaty socks and other fitness perils over the past few months.  His habit of running through the neighborhood all the time got me started.  Plus, he's the real expert on anything nerd in our house.

 

Mando Baxter's recruit challenge

 

Ha!  I knew you wouldn't be able to resist a Simpsons based thread, Mando.  It's gonna be a fun ride

simpsons-homer-simpson-marge-simpson-lar

  • Like 4

suzyQlou * Ranger    

Old Challenges: #1(2015) * #2 * #3(push ups) * #4 * #5(food) * #6 * #7(2016)* #8(nerdiversary) * #9 * 10(animal) * Battle Log * 11(2017) * 12(garden) * 13 * 14(biking) * 15 * 16  * 17  * 18 * 19(2018) * 20(2019) * 21

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Happy to be officially kicking off the challenge this morning.

 

My run was slow today, but I made it for my 3 miles.  It reminded me that Pennsylvania has hills and humidity.  No wonder I felt so great running on the beach last week.  Flat with cool breezes!

 

Starting weight for this challenge is 192.5 (up 1/2 a pound since the end of last challenge) which is close to where I wanted to be.  Only one night of emotional eating (ummmm drinking?) so I feel good about most of my vacation eating choices.

 

Tomorrow starts the first of the official push ups.  I'm strangely excited to get them under way.  WooHoo!

GIF-excited-happy-homer-hop-hopping-The-

  • Like 4

suzyQlou * Ranger    

Old Challenges: #1(2015) * #2 * #3(push ups) * #4 * #5(food) * #6 * #7(2016)* #8(nerdiversary) * #9 * 10(animal) * Battle Log * 11(2017) * 12(garden) * 13 * 14(biking) * 15 * 16  * 17  * 18 * 19(2018) * 20(2019) * 21

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Well, I'm a little bummed at my push up starting point.  Three sets on my toes at 3/2/0.  But I decided I'm going to do a grand count-up over the course of the challenge to help me stay focused on the positive.  I bet I can do a whole bunch of push ups in six weeks.  Here we go:

9D9_green-doll-number-5.gif

 

  • Like 4

suzyQlou * Ranger    

Old Challenges: #1(2015) * #2 * #3(push ups) * #4 * #5(food) * #6 * #7(2016)* #8(nerdiversary) * #9 * 10(animal) * Battle Log * 11(2017) * 12(garden) * 13 * 14(biking) * 15 * 16  * 17  * 18 * 19(2018) * 20(2019) * 21

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Well, I'm a little bummed at my push up starting point.  Three sets on my toes at 3/2/0.  But I decided I'm going to do a grand count-up over the course of the challenge to help me stay focused on the positive.  I bet I can do a whole bunch of push ups in six weeks.  Here we go:

 

Dude.  You are ALREADY higher than my starting point.  I did a grand total of TWO floor push ups when I tested myself the day before the last challenge. 

 

YOU.  GOT.  THIS. 

 

Edited to add:  Not to compare us (I'm really not at all competitive), I just wanted to let you know that your starting point is really good!

  • Like 1

~Emerald_Dragonfly

Level 13 Warrior

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Dude.  You are ALREADY higher than my starting point.  I did a grand total of TWO floor push ups when I tested myself the day before the last challenge. 

 

YOU.  GOT.  THIS. 

 

Edited to add:  Not to compare us (I'm really not at all competitive), I just wanted to let you know that your starting point is really good!

 

Oh, Emerald_D, you are the best kind of competitive.  The kind that is inspirational and encouraging.  Thanks (yet again) for the vote of confidence!

 

Totally admiring the positivity in your starting point assessment.

 

Positivity!  Yep, I think I'm learning some of that from you, Tanktimus  :)

  • Like 2

suzyQlou * Ranger    

Old Challenges: #1(2015) * #2 * #3(push ups) * #4 * #5(food) * #6 * #7(2016)* #8(nerdiversary) * #9 * 10(animal) * Battle Log * 11(2017) * 12(garden) * 13 * 14(biking) * 15 * 16  * 17  * 18 * 19(2018) * 20(2019) * 21

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