I'm so excited to see so many bloggers doing the 100 Push-Up Challenge. I think it's a great upper-body workout, and complements running so well. Last night I finished the final workout (WOO-HOO!) and, um...I still can't do 100 push-ups. No real surprise there, I'll be honest. I thought I would share with you what I learned from the process:
1) The "6-Week Program" might take a little longer than 6 weeks. Mine took me 9, actually. Some workouts were really tough, and I repeated them. Other times I only managed 2 workouts (instead of 3) so I was further behind. One week (I think week 4?) I completely repeated because I wasn't ready for the next one. Don't worry about this, just keep at it!
2)YOU WILL IMPROVE. In the beginning, I could do 11 push-ups. I was exhausted afterwards, but I managed. Now I can do 50. There has never been a time in my life where I could do 50 real push-ups and I'm so excited.
3) Don't be afraid to move down a column. Of the three columns, I started at 2 (the middle) and moved to 1 (easy). I couldn't complete the workouts in Column 1, so rather than feel bad about it, I adjusted my plan.
4) Push yourself. Especially on the final Max-out set. I had a complete mental conversation each time. "How many should I do? It says at least 30. Ok, 30 then. How about 31? No way, 30 is hard enough." In the end, the best thing is to literally MAX OUT. As in, do as many as you can until your arms physically give way and can't push up anymore. Sounds tough because it is, but a few seconds of discomfort for huge guns? Worth it.
5) The end of Week 6 is not the end. I've technically finished the program, but no way am I stopping. I have decided to head back to Week 4, this time in column 2, and go from there. I WILL make it to 100!
Believe it or not, I have never made spaghetti squash before today but Emily over at eat.drink.run used it in an amazing recipe lately so I decided to give it a try. I just microwaved the massive guy and then cut in half, scraped out the seeds and keep nuking.
In my ridiculously slow microwave it took maybe 15 minutes for the whole process. Then I scraped out the insides and covered in marinara sauce. Served with a spinach salad and a rye crisp bread. Perfect meal! The whole meal clocked in at 275 calories, which is amazing when you consider how much food there was (and it really was filling). This is a perfect meal when you're starving but don't want to splurge on a big bowl of pasta.
1) The "6-Week Program" might take a little longer than 6 weeks. Mine took me 9, actually. Some workouts were really tough, and I repeated them. Other times I only managed 2 workouts (instead of 3) so I was further behind. One week (I think week 4?) I completely repeated because I wasn't ready for the next one. Don't worry about this, just keep at it!
2)YOU WILL IMPROVE. In the beginning, I could do 11 push-ups. I was exhausted afterwards, but I managed. Now I can do 50. There has never been a time in my life where I could do 50 real push-ups and I'm so excited.
3) Don't be afraid to move down a column. Of the three columns, I started at 2 (the middle) and moved to 1 (easy). I couldn't complete the workouts in Column 1, so rather than feel bad about it, I adjusted my plan.
4) Push yourself. Especially on the final Max-out set. I had a complete mental conversation each time. "How many should I do? It says at least 30. Ok, 30 then. How about 31? No way, 30 is hard enough." In the end, the best thing is to literally MAX OUT. As in, do as many as you can until your arms physically give way and can't push up anymore. Sounds tough because it is, but a few seconds of discomfort for huge guns? Worth it.
5) The end of Week 6 is not the end. I've technically finished the program, but no way am I stopping. I have decided to head back to Week 4, this time in column 2, and go from there. I WILL make it to 100!
This shows the final workouts in all 3 columns. I many have finished column 1, but 2 and 3 are still on the agenda!
Believe it or not, I have never made spaghetti squash before today but Emily over at eat.drink.run used it in an amazing recipe lately so I decided to give it a try. I just microwaved the massive guy and then cut in half, scraped out the seeds and keep nuking.
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| A whole spaghetti squash |
On the agenda later today is a 6 mile easy run. I'll let you know how it goes!
Are you doing the 100 Push-up Challenge? Tell me about it!
Have you ever cooked spaghetti squash? Send me your recipes please, I know I'll be cooking it again soon!
*** Sam over at Run with Sam is having a giveaway with some great prizes. Plus, it involves bad race photos. Every has one of those, right? :)
Found your blog from getting click happy with the mouse, and I love spaghetti squash! Way to rock the push up challenge!
ReplyDeleteI'm intimidated by the push-ups. Maybe I should give it a try. Glad your squash turned out good!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you tried spaghetti squash! I love it! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not doing the push-up challenge but I'm starting to think that I should! Need to tone up my guns for summer haha.
Wow awesome low-calorie meal! I might have to try that!
ReplyDeleteI just started the 100 push up challenge and I'm doing good so far but I am so intimidated by the upcoming weeks! But I'm going to push myself and get it done!
I have never even heard of the 100 push up challenge but I think I'll give it a whirl. And spaghetti squash is one of my faves! Yum.
ReplyDeletenever heard of the 100 push up challenge...
ReplyDeleteor spaghetti squash! I have some researching to do... LOL
That's a very cool way to look at the push-up challenge. I was skeptical of the workout from the beginning because there was no way I could imagine myself doing 100 push-ups in 6 weeks.
ReplyDeleteStill, 50 real push-ups? That's baller. :)
i am just on week 1 of the push-up challenge and it is SO tough...thanks for the advice though. It gives me courage to get back at it and stop giving up!!
ReplyDeletenever tried spaghetti squash before but sounds interesting!!
good luck on your run!
That is a great looking meal for 275 calories. I haven't tried spaghetti squash, but now I might have to!
ReplyDeleteWow completeing the 100 push up challenge is amazing! I can't even imagine dong tha many push ups! I'm truly amazed I can only do like 5!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about doing the 100 push up challenge!! My mom makes spaghetti squash and I've never been able to make myself try it. I think it's because it contains the word squash! Ha!
ReplyDeleteI always bake my spahetti squash, didn't know you could microwave it. Good to know!
ReplyDeleteI have not tried the 100 push up challenge. I have printed it out...more then once, but have never really started it. Maybe I will print it out again tonight.....maybe. I love spaghetti squash, it makes a great replacement for noodles.
ReplyDeleteI am a total spaghetti squash fan! Although the downside is that it's giant and does take forever to cook - even in a microwave. I've tried experimenting, but salt, pepper, and a little bit of oil is the way I like it best. This post totally made me hungry though :)
ReplyDeleteI've always baked it too! I've had it with marinara, pesto and a vegan (cashew) "cheese" sauce... all were amazing! I used the recipes from the book "Crazy Sexy Diet" by Kris Carr.
ReplyDeleteAs for your comment on cottage cheese... I couldn't agree more! I feel the same way about my BF when he's eating meat. If I'm not gonna eat it, I'm certainly not gonna kiss it...
I love spaghetti squash but haven't had it in ages.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the pushups!
Thanks for the link back to the push up challenge. I've been reading about it but didn't know where to start! Totally doing it now!
ReplyDeleteYEAH for trying spaghetti squash!! It's pretty much an everyday food for me!! (;