Deb, I guess men can’t relate to the fact that a woman’s body shape and lower center of gravity mean that pushups are really a different challenge for us. A lot of out-of-shape guys can do a few push-ups. I don’t see too many in-shape women doing them. I got down and did a few full-pushups last night, but I still can’t lower myself down to the the point I want to be. I’m going to post a chart to do a few every day and slowly try to increase the number: full and ‘girlie.’
Deb, I’ve totally skipped the pushups for the past 4 months because of my shoulders. Before that I had gotten to the point where I could do 20 to 30 girlie pushups--but I STILL couldn’t do 2 full push ups with correct form. I agree that I don’t think guys realize how hard pushups are in general for us. BTW, I can’t come close to bench pressing 140 pounds. . . . Part of what’s needed for the push ups is a strong core.
While all this is true the bottom line in to keep trying. It may be hard at first but like with anything else the more you do it the easier it will be. That’s my two cents.
Today was supposed to be Yoga Booty Ballet, but I am pretty sore from starting a new weight routine yesterday, so I decided I needed a calming, soothing, gentle yoga. Not in the mood for funky today!
I’m not sure Randy can do a pushup, I’ve never seen him anyway. I get the impression he thinks of me as superwoman for working out and is disappointed when I don’t measure up One thing about the girlie pushups was that they hurt my knees. I’m going to try kneeling on the couch cushion tomorrow and see if that helps any. If not, I’ll have to figure out how to modify a full pushup by not lowering myself very far or something… whatever…
Deb, have you tried doing a plank instead of a pushup? I guess it comes from pilates. Your weight is on your toes and your forearms instead of your hands. It tends to work the core more than the chest, but I’ve done a sort of plank pushup raising and lowering the hips, or raising/lowering the whole body. Or just hold the plank for a count, back and body straight line.
Ann, I do a plank on my hands rather than my elbows in my yoga routine; but since I found a weight routine that called for a pushup, I thought I’d give it a try. I think I could replace it with a plank, although I don’t think that’s the intensity they were going for!
You could do counter push-ups. Stand as far away from the counter as comfortable and do standing push-ups over the counter. Dare you to challenge Randy to a push-up contest.
I was going to suggest what Bree suggested. You can also do them against a wall. Just move your feet out from the wall and put your hands on the wall and push yourself out. That will help you get stronger.
Well Bree, I went to Randy and said Bree says I should challenge you, how many pushups can you do? He said none. I said me too, so we’re tied! I will keep the wall/counter pushup in mind for next Monday.
Today was leg day, I tried a lunge for the first time - didn’t bend as far as you’re supposed to, but I don’t think I hurt my knee in the process either. We’ll see how things feel tomorrow.
I sort of figured that! However, my husband who has been a very reluctant participant in all this was thrilled yesterday that he was actually able to do some sit ups. They had been beyond him for several years.
I got up this morning, started hobbling about, decided I’d worked my poor body pretty hard this week, and decided I needed to take a break. I did something to hurt my lower back, which is most unpleasant.
On a brighter note, we have leaves today! The tree right outside the picture window has leaves (albeit baby leaves); and the grass is green. Tomorrow, if Randy is up to it (he hates planning anything, as he never knows if his depression will kick in or not), and the weather holds, we are going to go to Jay Cooke State Park. Should be nice.
We went to Gooseberry Falls Park today; it was a very nice day. Elijah and I took off down the path, leaving Randy to his photography. We walked to the half way point, crossed a bridge over the river, and headed back on the other side of the river. Then the path divided - one path went on along the river, the other climbed up the steep hill to walk along the ridge. Elijah took off lightly running up the stairs to the ridge, I followed. I was panting by the time I got to the top, but I didn’t have to rest and Elijah didn’t have to wait for me! Then a little ways on and the two paths rejoined, and instead of completing the circuit back to the falls (we must have been 3/4 done), Elijah took off down the stairs to the river path, backtracking the way we’d come. The trip down the stairs was the hardest on my knees, going down always hurts. We went back across the bridge, met Randy who had just gotten to the bridge and Elijah and I took off back to the falls. I got to rest while Elijah played in the water. On the way back to the car, Randy was bushed and had to rest at every bench. I said, “I’m not huffing and puffing!” He said, “I noticed! It seems our roles have reversed. I used to be the one going on ahead, doing all the fun stuff while you sat and rested. Now I’m the one resting.” I didn’t say anything but had a big smile on my face!
One of my goals is to have Scott Energy! I want to be able to run up the stairs with Elijah, climb on the rocks, have fun all day long and still have energy to spare. Sorry to go on and on, but I saw today I am closer to that goal than I had imagined. It was a very nice revelation. A nice day too!
