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

[Yraen]

You got a pretty good starting point. When I started out I couldn't even do close to one. Same with sit-ups.

[Xena]

^^ Ditto. Don't think I can do any right now.

[weaver]

Nowhere to go but (push) up!

[Mando Baxter]

Go Suzy go! You're inspiring ME to get healthier. Plus I'm digging all these Simpsons gifs.

[Terra]

Your starting point is awesome!  You can do a few and have room for some amazing growth.  I believe that you have the hard part already completed: The first one (or five) is a pre-challenge victory!!!  

[suzyQlou]

You know, it's humbling thinking that everyone starts out with just one push up.  Even Yraen who's rocking the one-handed push up for this challange.  And Xena who is in incredible shape.  When I get discouraged, it is nice to look back to around January - when I was using the back of the couch, and struggling through incline push ups.
 
Speaking of being discouraged, it was a bad morning for me.  I try not to moan, complain, vent, and make excuses too much.  But, yeah.

 

I'm going to moan, complain, vent and make excuses today.

 

Only one measly little push up to add to my count.  At least that makes it 6 instead of 5 but still.  grrrrrrrrrrrr.

 

So, twice-a-week push ups aren't going to be as easy as doubling once-a-week push ups.  Reality isn't matching up to my hopes and dreams.

 

I am sore.  I've been sore since I got back from the beach.  Not sure if I over-did the assisted dips or piled too much sand on the sand castle(s).  Whatever it was, my upper body (especially triceps) scream.  I couldn't even do side planks this week - and the arms aren't really too involved in side planks.

 

Even though I was sore this morning, I was determined to work out anyway.  I gritted my teeth.  I told myself I wasn't a quitter.

 

And then, half way through my circuit, I was doing assisted split squats on the leg with my bad knee.  I felt a quad muscle just give way.  OUCH!

 

So that was it.  Only one half of a circuit completed (so 30 knee push ups instead of 45).

 

And I really need my quads to run my race next Saturday.  I felt pretty doomed.

 

 

Ok.  Back at it.  With a Simpson gif to keep Mando coming back

 

 

PS.  Writing this out helped me to realize the day is not yet over.  The quad is feeling better.  It's not the end of the world (even though it felt like it in the moment).  I might just do 15 more knee push ups after work this afternoon.  Even if I don't finish the whole circuit, I would feel better about myself if I get the push ups in.

[Emerald_Dragonfly]

 

Even though I was sore this morning, I was determined to work out anyway.  I gritted my teeth.  I told myself I wasn't a quitter.

 

...

PS.  Writing this out helped me to realize the day is not yet over.  The quad is feeling better.  It's not the end of the world (even though it felt like it in the moment).  I might just do 15 more knee push ups after work this afternoon.  Even if I don't finish the whole circuit, I would feel better about myself if I get the push ups in.

 

You are flat-out amazing.  Injuries happen, but your attitude is ACES. 

 

Remember when you told me that my tough work-out counted for double? 

Psst...so did yours!

 

A little Shaun T encouragement:

[Peace]

Hey suzyQ,

As someone trying to get back into it after an injury, let me just say, "listen to your body". It's one thing to push past mental barriers. It's another thing to push past the pain and cause injury. There is no shame in revisiting plans and goals if that is necessary. Get back on the horse even if it is a different horse. :-)

You've been inspiring me to do push ups! Keep it up up up!

[suzyQlou]

Ok, I'm officially off the clock and DONE with that last set of push ups.

 

Thanks for the encouragement, Emerald_Dragonfly and Peace.  It means a ton on days like today!

[Yraen]

Great work pushing through the soreness. I'm glad you weren't injured worse. And adding one pushup to you're total is nothing to scoff at. It means that you've put in hard work and are stronger than you were.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Everyone else is right about everything they said. You are awesome. I love that you were honest with yourself and let yourself vent, and then came back and kicked adversity where it really really hurts, stole it's lunch money, gave it a wedgie and set its hair on fire by coming back and not giving up. 

[Mando Baxter]

Not sure if I told you this before but I really admire your toughness. Always have.

[suzyQlou]

Great day today.  I'm counting one more push up for the craziest reason.

 

I went to the science museum with my kid today and found a new exhibit about how movie animation works.  There was a stop motion animation room set up.  I could tell I was fitness-obsessed when I just HAD to film myself doing a (fake) burpee.  Yep, that's right, I could not help myself!  The film is awesome.  It looks just like I'm doing a burpee, but really, the camera just took 16 photos of me in various poses of a burpee.  It even loops, and I look like I'm doing a ton of burpees.  I'm having way too much fun, laughing and embarrassing my kiddo when it dawns on me.  Hey, I did a real push up in the middle of that fake burpee.  In my flip flops.  In the middle of a public space.  Without even thinking about it. Whooooooa, my confidence has come a long way.

 

No, I'm not sharing the video.  Even though I really, really, really considered it.

 

Plus, I ran my longest run ever this morning.  3.25 miles in 38:46.  That's a 11:56 minute mile which hits my goal of a 12.  Woo hoo!  I am optimistic for my 5k race next week.

[Yraen]

Way to go! Share the video, please.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Good for you for doing a pushup in public, bonus points for embarssing your kids. If they don't roll their eyes and say "Mom" with multiple syllables at least once a week you're not doing your job. It is so cool you got a PR on your run, you'll nail that 5k.

[Mando Baxter]

Wow, awesome run!  3.25 miles is a 5K and then some!  Hm, maybe we should do a 10K in a few months?

 

PS:  I saw the video.  It was impressive on several levels.  :^)

[aimless]

I'm back in civilization and getting caught up on everyone's threads... 

 

AWESOME START!!! GO YOU!!!

 

And yes... I totally think the video needs sharing!

 

 

[suzyQlou]

I'm so flattered at all the calls to share the video, but nah.  Maybe next time the Rangers take on the world in a burpee challenge I'll be ready to video the real deal.

 

...bonus points for embarssing your kids. If they don't roll their eyes and say "Mom" with multiple syllables at least once a week you're not doing your job. 

 

Ha!  This is the best.  Glad to see I'm doing my job - some might say I'm over-achieving by this standard 

[suzyQlou]

Week 1 Results - Feeling good about my healthy eating.  Mixed feelings about the push ups - what have I gotten myself into?

 

Push up counts:  This Week: 7  Total Challenge: 7

 

Goal 1 - Push ups with each strength workout Pass

I did it!  But it wouldn't have happened without your support.  Thanks for talking me out of a dark place last week, and encouraging me along.

 

Goal 2 - (weeks 1 and 2) Work towards 5k race on August 8 Pass

I'm up to running 3.25 miles with my cardio workouts.  It feels really great.  I'm tired at the end, but I can do it!

 

I also took a drive through the neighborhood where the race will take place on Saturday.  There are even less hills than I thought.  Phew.  I am ready

 

Goal 3 - Push up less by losing a pound a week Last Week: 192.5  This week 190.5 Pass 

I passed this one by both metrics.  I'm down 2 pounds, and have 5 perfect days on my checklist.  Vacation was lovely, but nothing is better for healthy eating than being under my own roof.

 

Mini Challenge - Combat- battling my kids for 5 days of healthy eating in a single week.

Well, this went mostly well.  It reminds me that changes are best made bit by bit.  We stuck to the plan for the most part.  I made up a menu (with kid input) for each day.  I said NO to all sorts of pleas for extra junk.  I must admit, however, by the 4th day I had lost inspiration.  The food choices in our house are pretty boring.  I like boring, but the kids were rolling their eyes, denouncing their family membership, and attempting to re-quit the challenge every hour.  I think rather than go with a full menu approach to healthy eating, we'll be trying mini-challenges in the near future.  First up:  Sugary drinks.

 

This Week

The coming week looks like a good one.  The highlight will be the 5k race on Saturday.

Also looking forward to the kids going to piano camp on Monday - Thursday evenings.  This gives my hubby and I four straight date nights.  Woo Hoo!  At some point, I'm going to have to fit in the endurance mini challenge, too.  I'm walking 10k, so I need to find a couple free hours for that.

[Emerald_Dragonfly]

I'm so flattered at all the calls to share the video, but nah. 

 

I'm with you.  The assassin mini has a place for bonus points if we post a form check video.  I just...can't do it.  I want to...I'm just not ready. 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

The comfort in posting videos will come with time. Those wanting a video now will just have to suck it up.  Great job on week 1. Look forward to hearing how you killed week 2 and to see your results from the race.

[Peace]

 

 

The highlight will be the 5k race on Saturday.

Yay!  5K  I have one on Saturday too.  

 

I'm impressed with how quickly you ramped up to 5K.  I look forward to hearing about your race.  

[suzyQlou]

I'm with you.  The assassin mini has a place for bonus points if we post a form check video.  I just...can't do it.  I want to...I'm just not ready. 

 

Oh, man, bonus points!  The assassins don't make it easy to resist, do they!  Comfort zone vs bonus points.  Such a hard call.  But, yeah.  I'm still with you

 

The comfort in posting videos will come with time. Those wanting a video now will just have to suck it up.  Great job on week 1. Look forward to hearing how you killed week 2 and to see your results from the race.

 

Thanks!  Yeah, time may help.  Although, I think maybe I'm just too old for this video nonsense.  My kids film their lives and share with as many eyes as will look.  Just not me.  I like to hide under a rock.  Good thing I'm getting strong enough to lift big rocks now.  

 

Yay!  5K  I have one on Saturday too.  

 

I'm impressed with how quickly you ramped up to 5K.  I look forward to hearing about your race.  

 

Saturday must be a good day for running!  Hope you have a great one, too.  Will you miss the mud, though, after the last race?

[suzyQlou]

It was a happy morning for push ups.  5/2/1 toe push ups today, which brings my challenge total up to:

 

Plus, I used Xena's wisdom and started adding negative push ups instead of doing all knee push ups.  They felt really productive.  10/8/8 negative push ups and 5/7/7 on the knees.

 

Looking forward to playing tennis with my husband tonight on our date.  It has been YEARS since we last played together.  Wish me luck!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Has your husband been getting into shape the way you have? Because if not, I predict him gasping for air while you bounce around the court doing backflips.

 

(Well, maybe no backflips, but still.)