So. Day 3 of Week One: The One Hundred Pushup Challenge comes to an end. When I started this, the inital goal was to do as many good form pushups as possible, and then start the program based on that. I was able to eek out 12 that day, and man did that hurt. Continuing on, my partner in pushups at my side, we blew through day one, had a bit of a rough time with day two, and today, I was sure I wasn’t going to be able to do our 3rd, 4th, or max set because my arms were throbbing, and my right bicep gave out on the 7th pushup of our 3rd set. With that, we did our cardio training (Biggest Loser Season 4 Workout DVD WOO!) and went back in to finish our 4th set, then do our max.

I surprised myself. I didn’t think I was going to be able to do 10, let alone our minimum of 15. However, I pushed hard and managed to do 21 good pushups. I just couldn’t get back up for #22. But, thats a stronger showing by far than 12. I’m gaining confidence that this program is actually GOING to work! Now, we have 2 days off (and I definitely need it) and we’ll begin week 2. This is an awesome way to get stronger on a schedual. I’m so glad I found this.

So today was day 2 of week 1 of One Hundred Pushups. It was really rough to knock out the 3rd and 4th set. I didn’t think I was going to be able to pull it off. With much effort, however, I managed to push myself to finish it, so that was cool. I don’t know how I’m going to do day 3, but we’ll figure it out when we get there on Saturday. I only did 11 for my “max” set today, I was hoping for a higher number.

On another note, I have decided to increase my weight lifting weight…stuff, so I knocked out 85 pounds on the tricep machine, and revved up to 80 pounds (a 15 pound increase) on the bicep curl machine. I actually managed to knock out 15-15-7 on the bicep thing before having to drop the weight back down to 70 to finish, but damn that felt GOOD. It’s nice to know I’m getting stronger.

However, after doing a pretty good ab workout on tuesday, I haven’t been able to get to the level of Cardio I wanted to this week. I basically tore up my midsection, and since your core is a major component of .. well.. everything.. I’m sure you can imagine what portion of my body ended up giving out long before the rest of me.

Looking forward to a “repair day” tomorrow. Perhaps I’ll go in and do some light cardio. Nothing taxing. Sunday I’ll probably be back in doing some weight training on upper body/abs. Tuesday will start week 2 of the One Hundred Pushup Challenge, should we be comftorable enough with week 1, otherwise, we will repeat week one.

No, no one was pregnant and I didn’t have a child. I did, however, attempt to do 2 pushups. Not only did I fail miserably, I pinched a nerve in my neck, which led to the 6 most agonizing months of my life. Specifically, one month wherein it felt like white hot metal was being jammed into my forearm. I lost feeling in my fingers and to this day I get numbness and tingling in my pointing finger on my left hand.

Long story short, after my recovery period, I started lifting weights and getting more cardio in. I’ve decided to take the 100 Push-Ups Challenge along with my workout partner, and we’re on day 2 tomorrow. Our first test, I was able to eek out 12 good pushups, which was shocking, considering my last outing. I guess I AM getting noticably stronger. Awesome. I will keep a blog about this going as the days go by. I’m interested in seeing the final results.

Ok. Game over. I lose. I’m broke and living paycheck to paycheck. This SUCKS. But fortunately, there’s still money in the bank, food in the fridge, and gas in my tank. I’m not in dire straits here, in fact, far from it. When I say broke, I mean I have under $1000 liquidated for any number of things that need taken care of. Sure, that money may be spoken for in the form of travel I have to do for the holidays, but it’s still there should anything happen. Let’s see if I can tally up expenses, my current system and really explore my situation.

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So I just got done watching a 3 hour marathon of shows on Discovery Channel, Food Network, and … something else. The main highlight was a series called “Human Body: Pushing the Limits”. A show on the Discovery Channel detailing how our bodies have developed and advanced themselves to take on amazing feats when needed and survive some of the most extreme situations and I got to thinking… here I am, sitting on 50 million years of evolutionary perfection. My body is capable of regulating itself to the point of being able to enter survival mode on a seconds notice, burning excess calories and fat if I should go without food. It will force me to sleep to repair itself. It can absorb shock, magnify its strength, and agility in dire situations. This body, my body, the vessel of my consciousness is the ultimate survival portal. This thing that I only have a limited amount of conscious control over really is the peak of perfection, one of nature’s greatest marvels.

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Over the next few days, it is my hope to be able to write some interesting content. That being said, we’ll start off with the easiest.

On the Economy:

I keep hearing about how the economy is slow and how gas prices are going up, up, up, and how we have to relinquish control of foreign oil here at home in the USA to help drive prices for gas back down. One line that keeps creeping up into the news is drilling in ANWAR and piping the gas down to the conventional USA. Read the rest of this entry »