Update on the push ups training

I’m now well into the training, so I thought I’d post a little update with some of my observations. Most importantly, my training is coming along well and I am going to complete it. I feel great about this! However, I had my first setback yesterday.

It turns out that I misunderstood a detail about the initial test which determines how tough the training is going to be. My mistake caused my training to be too intense and essentially impossible. I repeated the test and found a proper training level which works very well.

Every training day requires more push ups than the last one, and the increase is moderate — most of the time. So far, the daily sum has increased by 3-6 additional push ups. Yesterday there was a significant jump, from a sum of 32 to a sum of 45. I checked it, and that’s really what the training requires. This turned out to be too much at once; for the first time I couldn’t complete a training set no matter how hard I tried. I decided on a simple solution: I will stay on this training set until I can manage it, and then continue from there.

So maybe the training takes more than six weeks, but who cares? It’s not about speed, it’s about fitness. I already feel fitter, and it shows, too. My biceps and triceps (front and back upper arms) have grown some, as have my pectoral muscles (upper front torso). I never imagined that muscles would develop so quickly — I was expecting months, not weeks for that to happen. I won’t be needing new shirts anytime soon, but it’s very satisfying to see a change already.

For this reason, my motivation is automatic. Like when I started running, I am actually looking forward to the next training. I don’t need to do anything special to persuade myself to do this. I think the motivation really comes from seeing that the training helps me, and makes me look better. And my wife appreciates that, of course!

Side note: The training sets thankfully have 60-to-120-second breaks at strategic points. What is one supposed to “do” during these breaks? Should I stand? Lie on my back? Stretch? I decided to mini-meditate. I sit on the floor with my eyes closed and my hands in my lap, thinking “in…out” in tune with my breath. This helps me relax and focus, and not start worrying about what I should do during the break or about anything else. The timer tells me when I need to do the next set, so I can relax very well that way.

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One Response to Update on the push ups training

  1. Doug says:

    Hey there. Glad to see you’re trying out the HundredPushups plan. I created a site that helps you track the number of push-ups you do. Check it out at GiveMe27.com. My log is here. It’s helped me stay motivated on (mostly) on task. I’d love it if you would try it out and let me know what you think.

    Regards,
    Doug

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