Fitness needs to be fun. You are more apt to stick with something if it’s fun. If it’s not fun, at least find something about it that motivates you!
I was chatting with a fellow blogger, Matt from https://techchucker.wordpress.com about my son and I challenging each other to a push-up contest. He had to do double what I did. We were playing video games that night and every time he’d “die” or do a bad move, we’d have to drop and do push-ups. During about 2 hours of game play I did 300 push-ups which my son happily did 600. We both still had more push-ups in us, but decided we might regret the soreness the next day! Surprisingly we both weren’t that sore. Though on day 2 we could feel it in the pecs! It was a fun challenge I won’t forget.
Matt and I decided to challenge each other to do push-ups! The rules are really relaxed…just do as many as you can in a day. Now both of us made a base line video to kick off the challenge. He did a whopping 50 in one shot. I got in 25. You can see his here. And mine below.
The challenge started on June 17, 2015. It’s to go for 20 days straight. I started that day (6-17) doing 85 push-ups (Not on my knees but “military” style or otherwise known as “guy” push-ups) with reps of 10-15. I continued with doing 85 on the 18th and 19th. On 6-20 I had to switch up and do incline push-ups, using a chair as my incline, gripping the sides so my hands/wrist placement can be altered. As I mentioned on the video I am trying to heal a bad injury to my left elbow. The pain was getting pretty bad that I couldn’t sleep on day 3. This ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury is a long time healing process. The elbow also dislocated too. In the beginning the injury was so bad I couldn’t move it and for almost 2 weeks I couldn’t really use the arm. I’ve actually come a long way. I have full use of it, but in certain positions it will remind me very quickly that it isn’t 100%. I know what you are thinking…, “Then why the heck are you doing push-ups?” Believe me I’ve asked myself the same question. The short and simple; I was challenged! More so, I love the fun it brings.
The new incline chair push-ups: side grip did wonders for my elbow (as well as for my neck and traps. Another injury I won’t bore you with). No intense pain or outward swelling. I really wanted to do this challenge justice for the sake of the challenge, but I also had to take care of my elbow. On 6-20 I did 180 push-ups with new grip doing reps of 20-40.
On 6-21 I finished the day with 260 incline chair push-ups: side grip
I know my elbow isn’t happy and it has started to dislocate a couple of times on me, even with that, and some shooting pain before I started the different position, so far, it’s been worth it. The incline isn’t agitating my neck and traps too badly either. I’m already noticing a difference in my body and that is what it’s all about. Shocking muscles! If you keep shocking your body to do different things, amazing things happen. I’m excited to see how I feel and how I look on day 20!
Come on join us. You’re already a winner! There’s no pressure, so just have fun with it. Challenge yourself; do as many as you can in a day!
Follow me on twitter as I will be posting my push-up numbers using the tag #PushUpChallenge
I believe in you! Come on let’s spread the good energy!
Thank you for supporting me with your kind words, your follows, and shares! My followers are the best. I really mean that!
Monday’s around the corner, make it awesome!`
Best, Koko
At Koko's Place 
You are AWESOME!!!!
Hahaha. It’s been fun and interesting to see how far you can push yourself. Thank you for popping in! Have a great day! 🙂
I totally agree!! You go! I did a push-up challenge myself (you can check it out here http://younfolded.com/2015/08/24/move-it-monday/ ) and it is amazing to see what you didn’t know you were capable of;)
So true! I made gains in such a short time. I really was amazed how doing one exercise changed many body parts! Pretty neat! Thanks for stopping by. And awesome of you for doing your challenge! 🙂
Nice video. Very good that you and your son are meeting your challenge. Keep up the good exercise. I exercise also, including push-ups. –jim
Thank you Jim! My son is in California at the moment but he did send me a video of him doing this challenge from afar! I’m shooting for 300 today hahaha. Though we shall see…I have plenty of yard work to do in between! Good to see you here Jim and glad to know you are taking care of yourself! Enjoy your day! Koko 🙂
I served 24 years in the US Army. So, I’m accustom to doing push-ups. I am also 69.5 years old. I can do a set of 100 in less than 2 minutes. I have not recorded video of me doing so. I’m not bragging, but happy my body seems to remain fit. Thanks for the article. –jim
That’s awesome Jim please brag away. I’m sure you could teach me a thing or ten about fitness!!!! Well done Jim! 🙂
You look very fit and did your push-ups well. It is good you do so. Many do nothing. Keep it going…
Jim
Thank you Jim! Gotta keep trying and keep it up is one of my mottos. Plus I have kids that think I can do anything, so I’ve got to keep up! 🙂 Matter of fact I need to put some miles on my bicycle. Elbow is able to hold some weight now. Have you been on any cycle adventures lately?
Good that you have motivation. It certainly can help. Also good that you ride. I have not been on cycling adventures in years–5 now. Maybe I’ll do so in the near future. Thanks!
Jim
You’re a better person than me. 😉 Push-ups have always been a problem for me. I have shoulder issues. Truth is that most exercises like push-ups and core exercises are things that I just have never been able to get in the regular habit of. Ergh.
Believe me I’m hurting. I too have some problem areas. The old saying if I knew than…. I might have been able to avoid some of these injuries. It’s like a vicious cycle… One thing hurts and then another body part compensates which end up hurting because it’s compensating… And for me things take way longer to heal because I am a super busy person that doesn’t have much choice but to be super busy. Take today… Mow and weed whip and garden stuff which will take a few hours. Elbow, neck, traps say heck no! However grass still grows! Hahaha. Awesome as always to see you here Kingmidget! In a few days there’s a furniture build. Come back! Have a great day and take care of yourself!!!!! 🙂
wow!
Teehee! You do crazy things when challenged. Hahaha. Happy to see ya here! Have a great day! 🙂
Glad to see someone writing motivational blogs to get people moving. Exercise can and should be made fun. People need t realize that it is NOT just an activity for entertainment, however. It needs to be incorporated into a realistic lifestyle event. This is part of healthy living. I wish more people would be willing to understand this. Good luck with the challenge. Be careful of that elbow. (Side Note: I love the way your dog is resting in the bed while you’re doing your pushups!)
Interestingly enough any post on fitness doesn’t garner many “looks”. I do think fitness should be a part of life just as good food, rest, and laughing! I make most things I do about fitness first. I believe when you don’t use it; you lose it! When I mow for instance, I will hand now parts of my two acres and run with the mower for some cross training exercise. It’s all in how you look at things too and my day will often dictate what type of exercise I will be doing. The only days I don’t “workout” are days where I’m sick and can’t get out of bed…hmmmm been a long time since I’ve had a day off! Take care of yourself and keep spreading good energy of yours! And yes the dogs are used to me jumping around that they don’t even lift their heads! You are seeing two fur-babies out of thirteen I have! 🙂
I rescued a beagle last July. I have a very soft spot for animals and animal lovers. I am convinced your little ones are tired from watching you in action ALL DAY!
Stay healthy and happy 🙂
It’s funny you say that…. The whole pack will follow me from room to room or yard to yard and sometimes when I look at them I feel like they are saying, “Mom will you sit down already?” A beagle! How awesome! They are just adorable. Does your pooch howl? Lemon color or tri? I have a pet blog that I have on the back burner. So hard to do it all, but I love animals. 🙂
Did I read it correctly? 300??!! Challenge accepted…although I’ll be lucky to knock out a whole 10 🙂
Yeah it was good fun! My kid is super active so we do stuff like this all the time. Knowing others are doing it with you makes it all the more fun! Hey, 10 is awesome; do 10 daily! You just may surprise yourself! Stop on by for motivation! 🙂
You look great!
You are my new BFF! 🙂 I try that’s for sure…I’ve got to keep up with my kids. I am happy at their age 22-23 they still want to do stuff with me! We skate, play football, kayak, generally good off. You made my day! 🙂
Hey there. I figured I’d check in to see how the challenge was going for you. I was doing pretty good until the weekend, and then WHAMO! I didn’t do any push ups from Saturday to Monday. I was travelling with the kids and things just got in the way. Yesterday I got back into the swing of things and did 195. It’s no 300, but not too bad since about 120 of them were done after 8pm.
I’ve been posting my push ups as I do them on Twitter, so if you wanna make sure I’m staying on track, that’s the best place. I watched my video again and realized my video doesn’t follow the plan I put in place. When I recorded it, I wasn’t sure how I was going to do the challenge, so yeah, pretty confusing.
Ok, good luck and have fun.
Nah the video was great…I made mine the same way so we have a fun baseline. This has been awesome for me so far. I too have been having trouble with scheduling it into my day and find sometimes I’m doing them at 10 pm! All in all, I’ve been making a point to do them in between life; ie, after feeding dogs, between yard work, going places, I’ve even done them at my daughters work! Hahahaha. Last night I was only able to get 200. (I had a very sick cat to tend to.) I am trying for 300. (Though it is lofty goal…it gives me something to shoot for.) Since they are inclines they don’t aggravate my elbow as bad. I don’t know about you but I feel so much stronger! It’s awesome. Super glad for this challenge. I like the videos; it shows us having fun! Off to do push-ups! Hahahaha………..
I had a blast doing mine last night during commercials while watching TV. Made me wish for less commercials even more than usual.
I’ve done some push ups between the cubicles at work, which is a little weird, but nobody gave me any flack for it. It’d be pretty lame if they did.
300 would be awesome. I still haven’t really consistently hit 200 per day yet. That’s my first goal, then I’m going to shoot for 300. I’ve never really done push ups much so it’s a pretty unnatural exercise for me, but yeah, I love the way I feel after doing em.
I will post a picture on Twitter of these handles that you can use hat might make it more comfortable. Sometimes I do my push-ups by making fists and turning my hands so they are in line with my arms. It helps! Doing them between commercials is soooo smart. I don’t watch tv unless I’m doing an exercise. I will do squats during the show and rest on commercials. I usually use tv as something to get my mind off what I’m doing. Like when I’m on the treadmill I will watch Netflix and running doesn’t seem so dreadful! :)keep it up Matt. Seriously you’ve done me a favor!
I think I know what handles you’re talking about. My gym has some that look like this https://techchucker.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/20150610_223335.jpg that are called Perfect Push-Ups or something like that. I find they make it a little more comfortable, but I can’t do nearly as many pushups at one time so, obviously it’s working more muscles which is good, so I’ve been mixing some of those in with the regulars. I’m amazed at the difference I’m feeling in my body in just a few days. Granted, I’ve been doing a lot of other weight lifting too, but I know it’s all helping.
That’s great! I know crazy huh? My low back feels so much stronger and same with. Super excited! 🙂
Waw, a lovely video.
Thank you! My very first one. My son isn’t around to help me edit so I got lucky with one take! I need to learn about filming and editing. 🙂
😉 Cool!
I do yoga with my Mum when I’m home and we encourage each other.
That’s wonderful! So nice to have someone to cheer us on! And nicer it’s with mum! Keep it up! 🙂
Wow, not bad. I usually do around 30 at a time. You definitely feel better after exercising!
Indeed! I know I feel better the better shape I’m in. It’s tough sometimes to get a workout in with all the projects and life happenings. I do feel accomplished when I do. Awesome on the 30 at a time. Quite an accomplishment! Thank you for commenting. Have a great Thursday! 🙂
Brilliant idea making exercise fun. If more people could learn this we would have a lot healthier population. Keep up the good work!
I agree with you! Exercise has to be fun! I have to push myself daily but hopefully I can stave off any health issues! Take care of yourself Tony and thank you for the encouragement! Best wishes, Koko:)
I just started working out to have lean and strong body. I must say that one of the most difficult routine for me…Push ups! Gosh! I can barely go 5. This here is a motivation. Awesome blog, koko.
Thank you for saying so. My blog is a bit of this and that. Pretty much my life…! Fitness is a huge part of me. Being healthy is a lifestyle for me and I coach it. Five push ups are great. Start by doing them with your hands on a counter top height. Great way to start doing push-ups without it being super hard. Best wishes to you and your health. 🙂