Ending September with a bang

Week 4, day 1. I listened to POD, Coldplay, and Coheed and Cambria as i pounded out my p-ups.

21 25 21 21 27 (5-second break) 5 --> max = 32, total p-ups = 120

My victory song was none other than "September" by Earth, Wind, & Fire, i thought it was a good way to honor my September pushup effort! Hope you all finished off September satisfied!

Seeya in October
A-Pecs

i just wasn't ready

I tried week 3 column 3. It was too much: 17, 19, 15, 12, 11 (break), 3 (break), 7 (I held the plank position right before accessing my reserves for the last rep).

Chicago helped me today. I'm thinking this could take longer than 6 weeks. Either that or I need to hit the protein shakes.....I'd never do that.

HOW MUCH CAN THIS BODY TAKE! HUAH!!!

21. 25. 21. 21. 22 (finished up last 14 after) Max was supposed to be 32. SO HARDDDD (total max came to 36)

"booya! Booya! HUHHHH!!!! HUAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!"
"BBRRRAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

actual post-rep screams.

Long break before the 32 max set. HOLY HOLY.

Tris are extremely heavy. Filled with lead marshmallow.

What an insane set. I am sweating profusely. I knew that max was daunting, WOW. I may do this day again on wednesday. Arms are so heavy....BLESS THOUST LORDSZZZ.


- Shmallow

Uhhhh...

I never posted about my final set of week one last Friday. I polished off my first week quite nicely. 11-15-9-9-21(max). I was pretty proud of the 21. I'm really excited about starting off week two today!

But here's the most hilarious/disturbing thing. I've been doing these push-ups after I get done running on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. My clothes are drenched in sweat and therefore add about 100 extra pounds to my body when I'm trying to do my push-ups. Last week I was down to my boxers on M and W...but on Friday I went full board and decided to do my push-ups completely naked hahahahahaha. Man, guys. You wanna talk about FREEDOM? Do your push-ups like that. I felt like a Greek Olympian.

There is a down-side though. I was in my room door shut and I pumped out the set no problem. Then I got up and was just walking around naked. But then I ALMOST walked right out of my room NAKED in order go talk to my family. It was as if walking out there naked and having a conversation would have been no big deal, right?

WRONG.

I felt so comfortable in my own skin after working out that I came SO CLOSE to making a hideous error that would have cost me most of my dignity for the rest of my life. I laughed so hard at how stupid I am.

So anyway, good workout. Do it naked.

- Carmello

Serious Ketchup

After day one of the first week, things got really busy and I had to set this program aside. I'm committed to getting back on track and "representing" for the non 2o-something group.  I can't say that stump pulling and boat lift "dead lifts" were good cross training, but I'm plenty sore.

Not So Cocky Now

I've saved my weekly sheet as the background for my desktop, so I think about pushups everytime I use my computer. I'm consumed with this idea and vow to reach 100 pushups. here I go: I'm starting week 2, column 2, based on the very wise Michael and his suggestion.

Set 1: too easy. I'm thinking I should've started week 3, maybe...

Set 2: ok, what just happened. My arms are shaking a little as I type.

Set 3: 8 more. Feeling the pressure in my pecs. I feel like the tinman as I come back up from #7.

set 4: Losing it now... I fight for four as if I'm underwater, "have to surface...so far to go." I breathe.
Again on six, and eight. I let out some battlecry and almost scare myself, "Where'd that come from?"

set 5: I bottom out at six, and think, "I'm gonna have to type that I gave up at six...no way." Keep pushing, keep fighting. Arms buckle at eight, chest bumps the floor and I have to arc my back to overcome. Bad form, I think. I switch to ladies' style and barely push out two more. I feel like such a moron. Too cocky. Look at me now: Ladies pushups.

9,11, 8, 8, 10

Oh, man. What's gonna happen Wednesday?

i missed day 3, so am going to have to try to figure out the best way to make up the time...maybe do day 3 today and start week 2 tomorrow if i can manage it. sigh.

Pillar of Clay

This is tuff stuff. I might repeat week 3 for good measure.

22-30-20-20-31 (last five after 5 sec break.)

initial test

Ok. After Michael reminded me, I went home and took the initial test. At about 15, my arms wobbled and I had to concentrate to push out the last few. "16....17..." my wife was counting. "C'mon, 18..." she said and I almost gave up on 19. I'm telling you 20 wouldn't have happened without my wife. Seriously guys, do your reps with girls present.

I start Monday :-)

Rocky weighs in

OK, I got in on this little adventure late, news travels slow to Colo. My baseline was 32, so I guess that puts me at week 3...right on pace with the rest of you?
17, 19. 15, 15, 20 Sorry to say I'm taking longer between sets than 60 seconds!

i did what i could

I tried my best, but i guess my best wasn't good enough...............to get the last 2 reps of the last set. I even let out a battle cry to get 25 & 26, then i couldn't do anymore. I took about a 7-10 second break and pounded out about 4 more. That was by far the hardest day yet, but i'm glad i did what i did. i had a little bit more rest in between sets this time because it was required. The workout lasted almost 20 min., it was absolutely ridiculous!!

22 30 20 20 26 (then 4 more after a 7-10 second break), total pushups = 122

insanely pec-ed out,
A-Pecs

this is how i do

week 2, day 3 workout: 16, 18, 14, 14, 20 (max). As you can see from the video, song choice was prime (POD: youth of the nation). hahahaha. I did this workout a little later than I planned, so I wasn't expecting killer results. I'm satisfied with this one though. I'm going to go ahead and say it. I think we all agree the best part of the workout is getting done with that last set, then ripping off your shirt and looking in the mirror. Don't pretend like you don't do it.

I'm planning on posting a videos of my milestones: 50, 75, and then 100 in a row.

Shakey McGee

Motivational Noise: "Transformers Theme" by MuteMath

Left tri / pit pain as I reach the top of the push up. Quite frustrating. This set seemed daunting, especially the max of 28. Long breaks needed, slight burn in pit area...uh bbooouuuyyyy.

22. 30. 20. 20. 28

The pecs have about 30lbs of pressure in them. Soon, to bring them to a cool 90 at the top, the firmness of a racing bicycle tire.

WWOOOOOOWWWWWW. Just BARELY got that final 28th push up in. My right arm, all by itself, called upon the stiff palm (no fingers touching the ground) to bring me to the top. I finished with a warrior's yell and a barrell roll to the side. I immediately laughed and got on here to blog. Mute math's "Noticed" brought me through that last set.
HAHAHAHAHAH..... "BBRRRRRRRAAAAAHHHHH!!!" (barrell roll)

elder report

so...i am week one, just did day two which is supposed to be 6/8/6/6 then max, at least 7. i did 6/8/6/6/18...so i'm pretty happy with that. esp. since i'm not a 20-something competitor...just sayin'.

Am I Re-Roofing our house?

No, but I sure do have shingles. Yes, a rash on my back has appeared, probably due to the stress of the pretest. I am taking medicine now (but don't worry, they aren't steroids. DARN!) Anyway, I will persevere. Didn't post last night because I was showered and in bed right after the workout.

However, I discovered a technique that helped me through my 2nd set. I changed the music track for every set that I did. Seems ridiculous I know, but it keeps your mind off of the pain.

Also, I recommend doing the sets earlier in the day. If you don't, your body is tired from just being awake the whole day. Doing the pushups early will also allow you to relax throughout the day when doing everyday things.

week 3 day 2 column 3 ----- 20 25 15 15 27

ps. (if you don't do well reading negative things and staying positive, DO NOT read this next part. It's my vent)

I am going negative on this program. I don't understand why being able to do 100 consecutive pushups will do anything. I'll just have boobs too big for my tiny frame and waist. Besides, doing pushups doesn't even work your upper pecs, which is the area where most people are lacking, resulting in non-self-supporting boobs. Someone pull me out of the discouragement mire.

Don't know how i did it

Wow, i've surprised myself so far and hopefully i can keep going!

20 25 15 15 30

Pectactually yours,
A-Pecs

Rocco gettin' er duhn

MY CHEST IS THE SIZE OF AFRICA

I keep feeling my chest at work. I REALLY gotta stop doing that. I think the kids think either A. "Mr. Chiara is extremely vain. His chest isn't that great" or... B. "Mr. Chiara is extremely creepy. I wish he would stop fondling his chest while he teaches us."

Today went well though. No worries. My set was 10-12-8-8-16(max). I'm feeling real good. I'm liking my pace and I think that if I had started higher I would have quit by now. But this gradual build up is exactly my style. Currently I have no fears of reaching 100 whatsoever. My body continues to ooze out the evil in liquid form.

My workout music has been all the greatest hits from the 80's. The other day I was wandering my library and saw this seven disc set called "Like, Omigod! The 80's Pop Culture Box" I was sold. I've been pumping my body to "Dancing with Myself" by Billy Idol, "Hold On Loosely" by .38 Special, and "Africa" by Toto (<--- a weird choice, I know). Love it guys.

- Carmello

Out of the game: Left Pec Exploded

Well gentlemen. Week 3: Day 2 complete. I did my max of at least 25 right on the money. I was shaking quite a bit by 22, so I just stopped. Michael, yelling as usual while eating peanut butter and oat sandwiches with honey, pushed me onward. I stopped at 25, did a few more, break, few more.

32 Max with a few stops. My left pit and tri was weak and semi-hurting from set one. Uh bouy, got them down, but hopefully day 3 will be painless.

A Blessing.

Europe carried me.

I'm pumped about my workout today. Many factors contributed. #1. I dropped back to week 2, day 2. I was able to finish the workout: 14, 16, 12, 12, 18(max). #2. I had a good night's rest and I did the workout earlier in the day.

Most important factor: "The Final Countdown" by Europe. It got me going. Right as I was beginning my second set, the lyrics rang loud and clear: "we're heading for venus (venus) (venus)." hahahaha. After this track came "Rock the Night." I've found my rhythm.

A suggestion for all of you: In the bottom of the blog post text box is a place for you to label your post. I'm going to start a numbering system that will allow us to track our progress as a group. If you would, label your workout posts in this format: week(x).day(y). So for me today it was week 1 and day 2. My label looks like this: 1.2

Blogging Noob, Firmer Boob

So far I am finding navigating back to the new post page of this blog, more challenging than the PUSH UPS.

Jeff and I with our beefy 30/32 pre-tests, took a look at week 3 as recommended, and opted for the more gradual ramp-up of a week 2 program.

I sort of lost track of what I was supposed to be doing and just did 5 sets of 15 on day 1. Very tender sternum on the day after the pretest, feeling no pain today. We'll see how tomorrow goes. Training for the big 100 looks a bit like training for the 26.2 mile Marathon but never actually running more than 18 miles before race day. 100 seems like a bunch.

I Discovered a New Muscle

So Day 1 is in the bag. I decided that instead of ruining my life by doing my push-ups before bed, I would do them right after going out to run. It was a good decision, and in the end I never realized that my shoulders could ooze sweat like that.

Since I did 14 for my pre-test I'm at week 1 and on step 3. So my set consisted of 10-12-7-7- and maxed at 9. But I'm proud of the beginning. It felt good and it was also hell. This morning I went to work and I noticed that the tearing and rending of heaven has happened in my pectoral region. Even now I can feel the strain all over my upper body.

At one point, when I was heading toward doing the max, I went out of my room and told the whole familiy not to be alarmed if they hear me screaming in my room. Thankfully, there was no bellowing...but it's crazy how I can be going strong and steady in the repititions, but suddenly my arms just give out and it is as if a firey Balrog from the Mines of Moria is pushing me into hell with its hulking and gnarled foot.

Anyway, here's another story. I was standing in the classroom at work and for some reason I was feeling my own chest hahahaha. Just like my man Chris Columbus back in the late 1400's discovered a new land...I discovered a new muscle. I felt this like...WIRE muscle. It stretches across both biceps and feels like a massive vein or something hahahaha. It really freaked me out. Then I noticed one of the students looking at me and so I started pounding my chest in order to imitate Sammy Sosa's homerun ritual. It was awkward.

Looking forward to day 2.

- Mello

P.S. I'm glad I only did 14 for my pretest. I feel for you guys who started higher. I really do.

Solid Start to a Solid Chest

I just finished up the Day 1 exercise, and I feel like my pecs are adequately blasted. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou soundtrack, particularly Ping Island/Lightning Strike Rescue Op has inspired me and Joel many times in the past with our interpretive dancing routines, and tonight was no different in inspiration levels as it spurred me on to greater heights of physical prowess. I'm honored to join in this worthy endeavor. I shall attain the goal of 100 push-ups or admit myself a lifetime of failure.

Harder than i thought

I finished it, but it was difficult. Definitely not easy!

19 17 15 15 27

A-Pecs

STARLOG 84395:

I have journeyed to the depths of space only to find an abyss of nothingness. One hundred seems lightyears away and it appears to be orbiting Jupiter. I've used all my afterblasters and jelly fuel and have run out of clean underwear. I just made a recent discovery recently yesterday. Saturn's rings aren't really rings. They are giant highways for otherworldy autovehicles.

aka. Day 1 not Fun
17 19 15 15 24

pecs be with you,
Jpec.

trading my sorrows.

I was able to get 17, but i was downhill from there. I basically maxed on every set after, and my last set was 12. I'm going to drop back to week 2. I'm just encouraging myself with these song lyrics: "I'm pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck dooooooooooowwwwnn but not destrooooy oy oyed...."

I hope the rest of you aren't slacking.

Puffed Pecs

PEOPLE: Take an initial "bod" shot before you start your first day to see how far the pecs have come once "mountain man" physique is reached.

First day was rough. Because my max was at least 20, i kept saying, "20?! TWENTYYY UH. 20?" After my first set of 17 I was dying. I have done the deed. Day one DOWN.

Max - 24

be aware

The program suggests that those who have done more than 20 on the initial test should start at week 3.

ok, so...the old guy is in...no laughing.

Inflate-o-Pecs

Wow, the games have begun indeed. 12:40am initial push up test. Now people, I ran out of milk today so my game was not on, i'm sure you'll understand

32 total. By 29 my entire body was shaking like a leaf on a tree.

Joel...you serious? WEED!?

- Air Pec

I'm yet to find my apex

Well, even though you may not believe me, I poured out 47 push-ups, while listening to Pillar. All in all, it was a good midnight session.

Till next time,
A-Pecs

I Just Ate Pasta

Well I chose a terrible time to do my initial test hahaha. I just had some pasta and then thought, "Hey, if I don't do those push-ups now...I'll forget." I ended up with a sad 14. More so than ever I am determined now to destroy my body.

jr. beast

17 baby

incase we're feeling really hardcore, check out my pal jeff anderson...

Push-Up Bra Needed

I'm going to keep my shirt on for a couple weeks here until I'm self-supporting.

Initial effort: 32

Thy Preliminary Benchmark

I managed 30.

Got rid of the Bad Blood

Well well well. I figured I would get my test in this morning. I turned on the ganster music with my subwoofer. The track I like to listen to is "White and Nerdy" by Weird Al. The progressive beat just gets me in to a great cadence. It's about 300 bpm, so I'm pretty comfortable doing two reps per beat.

Anyway, I gave blood on thursday (just like my colossal-chested brother) and I wasn't sure how it would affect my performance. I must've gotten all the bad blood out because I managed to squeeze out

45 clean form push ups

for my initial test. I probably won't be able to do ONE for the next couple of days though.

I'm excited to see skiBrian pass up my initial mark,
sincerely,
Joel "How's my Pecs?" Land

initial test

I did 26.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

I think the blog will be the best idea. So far, Rocco Chiara (my roommate) and his brother Carmello are on board. Brian, Darren, Jeff and Joel have also joined the ranks.

I plan to do my initial test on Saturday and then start with week 1 on Monday.

The purpose of this blog is for everyone to post their workout results. It will provide accountability and a way for us to encourage us. It should help get us through those days we don't want to pushup.

Let us go forth.