Tag Archives: exercise

Juneathon 2012 – Day 1 and June Fitness Challenge

Posted on by Run DMT
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June 1 is a triple threat for me.  It’s the start of the hurricane season, which actually started early since we’ve had two tropical storms roll through already.  That’s not a good sign and I fear we may have a very wet and windy summer.  I don’t run in the rain.

Juneathon dude logoJune 1 also means the start of Juneathon, which started off great.  This morning, I began the Juneathon with a 3.1 mile run between thunderstorms.  It was a great run, but I’m just glad that I didn’t flake on Day 1 because of the weather because I was really tempted to stay in bed when I heard that storm.  And look, I even managed to blog about it.

3.1 miles

Time 31:20

Ave Pace 10:07

Max Pace 8:13

And finally, June 1 also starts the next Run DMT fitness challenge.

In a few more days, my kids will be home for summer break and we’ll spending many days at the pool and the beach, which also means I’ll be spending many days in a bathing suit.  I’m not ready to strut my stuff across the sand like I’m working a catwalk.

Even with all the miles on my legs, they still need a lot of work.  I really want to firm and tone up my legs and leave the waves in the water where they belong.

Therefore, selfishly the next Run DMT fitness challenge will be Sexy Legs for Summer and this can be accomplished with 6 simple sculpting and strengthening exercises.  If you’re not familiar with these exercises, I’ve included some videos to assist you.

1. Squat


2. Alternating forward lunges


3. Burpees

4. Inner thigh leg lifts

5. Jumping jacks


6. 60-second wall sit

Although #sexylegs blog button has a set number of reps for each exercise, feel free to do more reps or add some weights to the sets if you so desire.

To make the squats more challenging go wider and lower, but remember to watch your form and not let your knees lean over your toes.  To raise the bar even higher on this sexy those leg squats, add a leg lift to each squat to really work that outer thigh.

So besides me, who wants sexy legs this summer?

If you’re in, share 6 Steps for Sexy Legs This Summer challenge with others by adding the #sexylegs button to your site.  Then, follow #sexylegs on Twitter for motivation and support throughout the challenge.  Good luck!

Random Tuesday Thoughts about a Super Sloth with a Cough, a Sociopath, Some Hot Stuff and Track Tuesday

Posted on by Run DMT
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For the past two weeks, I had been suffering from a really nasty cold that I just couldn’t shake.  One of the fantastic symptoms of my cold was a horrible, wet hacking cough, like a smoker’s cough. No exaggeration, I sounded as though I had been smoking unfiltered Lucky Strikes for 20 years. With the cough, I also had this horrible tightness in my chest, which made it very difficult to breathe.

Despite not being able to breathe, I decided to go ahead and run in the 5 Miles for Moffitt race.  I already had skipped out on the Crazy Sombrero 5K the week before due to my cold and I didn’t want to miss another race.  Besides, my aunt spent the better part of two years fighting lung cancer, the least I could do was suck it up and run with a little chest cold.  Admittedly, that wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.

Just as the experts warn you, you shouldn’t run with a chest cold.  A runny nose or sore throat is a different story.  Limited breathing due to chest congestion is not a good thing and I truly believe running in the race extended the life of my cold.  So, let this be a lesson to you. Learn from my mistake.  Always listen to the Livestrong Gods.

So while I spent the time recovering from my cold, my blog suffered.  Actually, everything suffered.  I didn’t have the energy to do much.  I missed out on the superhero challenge.   I missed out on the Track Tuesday speed work.  I missed out on logging miles for the Joggermom Marathon. It made me sad to miss out on it all.  For almost two weeks, I was a super sloth with a cough.

Then when I woke up on Saturday morning, I could breathe, but I waited a couple more days just to be safe. I started running again on Monday and today it was back to business as usual with my speed work.  I am happy to be back on “track” now.

Now that I’m all healthy again, I’m a #superhero once again doing my Spiderman and Superman sets as well as running and blogging again.  The first half of the month may have been a loss, but next couple of weeks and the Joggermom Marathon will end on a high note.

Although my running may be back to business as usual, my blogging still had a slow start because yesterday, I totally flaked on a Music Monday post, which is a first in almost 3 years.  I’ve been playing catch up now that I’m feeling better and blogging a music post didn’t make the must-do list.  I felt horrible about it too since I’m an honorary co-host this month with Xmas Dolly and 4M crew.  Plus, this week’s theme was a song from a movie and movie soundtracks are my thing, a lesson I learned from the late John Hughes.  And I had such a good one in my head, but it just never made it to the blog.  Aw hell, I’ll share it now.

Is anyone else sad that all the shows are ending?  I am not happy about all these season finales and cliff hangers.  I am completely addicted to Once Upon a Time and that cliff hanger was the worst best.  Of course, if the show is not renewed for another season, I would be happy with the ending, without giving too much away.

Please tell me I’m not alone with my Once Upon a Time obsession!  I can’t wait for the Season 1 DVD to be released (August 28) so I can watch it all over again.  Seriously, it’s that good.

Once Upon a Time: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]

When I am really into a show, like I am with this one, I visit the show’s website and read all the actors’ bios and watch the interviews.  I love reading where the actors studied and what other shows they’ve done.  Since I’m a bit entranced by the actor who plays Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold, Robert Carlyle was the first I investigated.  Imagine my surprise, when I learned he was the actor who played Begbie in Trainspotting.  Actually, I wasn’t truly surprised, because Rumplestiltskin in pretty creepy as is Begbie.  But Begbie gave me nightmares.

In case you aren’t familiar with it, here’s a glimpse.  Warning: Begbie is a psycho sociopath and these clips are violent and riddled with vulgarities.

Robert Carlyle may be better known for his role as Gaz in The Full Monty. (Be sure to click on that link and watch the movie clip.  Gaz is one sexy thing. lol)  Truthfully, I prefer to remember him as Gaz than Begbie.  It also demonstrates the depth to his acting ability.  Plus, with Donna Summer’s passing over the weekend, this scene and song seem very fitting pretty fitting.

 

So, there you have it. My Music Monday post may be a day late, but Track Tuesday is now literally Track Tuesday.  And now for the sprints…

1.1   Mile

Time 11:05

Ave Pace 10:05

 

Lap 1 –  0.25 mile

Time 1:73

Ave Pace 7:37

 

Lap 2 – 0.25 mile

Time 1:73

Ave Pace 7:37

 

Lap 3 – 0.26 mile

Time 2:01

Ave Pace 7:53

 

Lap 4 0.24

Time 1:52

Ave Pace 7:39

 

1 mile

Time 10:14

Link up and share your speed work and some music for your Track Tuesday/Track Tuesday post.


*Also linking up at*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Thoughts about Sweets, Sweats, Burpees and Track Tuesday

Posted on by Run DMT
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For my New Year’s resolution, I swore off sugar and was doing really good with it.  I survived Valentine’s Day without going overboard.  I even made some delicious brownies for St. Patrick’s Day without falling too badly off the wagon.

Then, Easter came and all the stores were stockpiled with scrumptious Easter candy like Peeps and chocolate covered Peeps and Robin Eggs and Cadbury eggs and not-so-great- generic store-brand jellybeans and oh-so-delicious Starbust jellybeans.

I’d like to say I ate all of the above in moderation, but I didn’t.  In fact, I fell so hard off the no-sugar wagon that I got a headache from the volumes of sugar I ate.  Man, I was jonesing BAD, like a crack addict.

I seriously had no idea that sugar and sweets could affect me like that.  I was a mess.  I had successfully eliminated sweets from my diet and in a matter of days, I couldn’t get enough of it.  I would eat one Peep after another followed a fistful of jellybeans, followed by countless numbers of Cadbury’s mini-eggs.  It was CRAZY how fast I was ingesting it all!

So, guess what I did with all that candy?

No, I didn’t throw it out.  There are children starving in this country, for heaven’s sake!  I hid it, so the temptation is no longer in my line of sight when I open the pantry.  It’s a mind-over-matter thing for me, you see or don’t see.  Whatever.  The point is this works for me.

I’ve also been making Easter trail mix with pretzels and the leftover jelly beans for my kids’ lunches.  Don’t judge.  I know it’s not the healthiest lunchtime snack, but I’d like to believe their sharing it with their friends at school like good little sugar pushers.

But then guess what I did?  I found Cadbury mini-eggs 50% off at Target the other day, so I simply had to buy two bags.  Don’t you worry!  I hid them in pantry, too.  As long as the bag stays sealed, I’ll be all right.  Truth be told, I think I’m going to bake some Candy Bar Shortbread Bars with the mini-milk chocolate candy coated eggs for a brunch I’m going to this Saturday.  I pinkie-promise to only test them one.

The burpee challenge is going well.  What I mean is it’s getting tougher but I can definitely feel myself getting stronger.  At the end of the challenge, I’d like to perform another push-up exhaustion test, but with real push-ups not alternate push-ups to see how many real ones I can do.  At this point, I can do 17 push-ups as part of a burpee, then I should be able to do at least than many or more.

And let’s not forget the running!  Last Wednesday, I wanted to run 6 miles but my legs hurt so bad from Amy Dixon’s ass Kickin’ Strength work-out that I could only manage 5 miles.

5 miles

Time 52:56

Ave Pace 10:36

Max Pace 8:33

My legs were still sore on Friday when I tried to run 3 miles, but I ran with my stroller for what I like to call resistance training.  Running with a stroller is like running up a hill…both ways.

3 .1 miles

Time 33:30

Ave Pace 10:49

Max Pace 8:25

All that soreness and a stroller may have slowed me down a bit, but I made up the time on Sunday when I finally did run 6 miles.  I inserted a lap at mile five just because I was curious if my time had improved from Wednesday.

6.2 miles

Time 1:02:13

Lap 1 – mile 5 – 50:05

Ave Pace 10:03

Max Pace 7:42

Today, I decided to do some speed work instead of subjecting myself to another Amy ass kicking and then I ran a couple of easy miles with my kids’ running club.

1 mile

Time 9:46

Ave Pace 9:47

Max Pace 5:53

Lap 1 – 0.25 miles – 1:49, Ave Pace 7:12

Lap 2 – 0.25 miles – 1:52, Ave Pace 7:30

Lap 3 – 0.25 miles – 1:47, Ave Pace 7:11

Lap 4 – 0.25 mile – 1:54, Ave Pace 7:37

1.1 miles

Time 10:55

Ave Pace 9:56

Max Pace 7:47

Speaking of speed work…Starting next week, Ricole Runs and I will be hosting a running linky party called Track Tuesday and we are so super stoked about it.  Well, not about the sprints, but we’re definitely excited about what we believe to be the first speed work blog hop ever!


Calling all runners!

Every Tuesday, Ricole and I will perform some sprints and we’d like you to join our torturous Track Tuesday efforts.  To join our Track Tuesday Team, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post.  Then, link up your post at either Ricole Runs or Run DMT to share Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions.  To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party.  Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.

So, I hope to see you back here next Tuesday to join our new runner’s linky party, Track Tuesday!

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pushing Our Luck Challenge: Final Exhaustion Test

Posted on by Run DMT
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On Wednesday, I finished the March Pushing Our Luck Challenge (also known as the Hundred Push-up Program) by performing my final exhaustion test.  I completed 70 push-ups.  Not, quite one hundred but pretty good, I suppose.

I vlogged my final exhaustion test for your amusement and yes, I did 70 alternate girlie push-ups.  Don’t judge.

 

Although I only completed 70, there has been some definite improvement.  At the initial test, I could only do 30 alternate push-ups, so I’ve more than doubled my maximum set, which means I’ve increased my endurance and strength. In the end, that’s what it is all about, isn’t it?

How did you finish the March Pushing Our Luck Challenge?  Did you show some improvement too?

For our next challenge, we’re springing into April with Run DMT’s 30 Day Burpee Challenge.  We’re only on Day 5, so there’s still plenty time to join the fun.  Found out more about the burpee challenge and join the linky party here.  Also, follow #30burpees on Twitter track everyone’s progress.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Thoughts about a Break or Two, Burpees and My New Shoes

Posted on by Run DMT
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My plantar faciitis began bothering me again which I believe to be a result of old shoes.  I’ve put a lot a miles on my shoes since November when I bought them.  Since my left heal has been giving me trouble, I haven’t ran since last Wednesday and I ordered myself some new lavender Trace 10 running shoes from Brooks.com.  They should arrive tomorrow, so hopefully I can get at least one 3 mile run in and break them in before my 5K on Saturday.

The Hare Racing Experience this Saturday is the only race I have one this month.   Although I never ran it before, I’ve heard great things about it so I’m excited about it.  This race will be even more fun since I’ll be joined by family members running/walking their first race.  We’re all participating in this race to benefit epilepsy in honor of my niece, Meghan.

I’ve had some amazing opportunities fall into my lap lately and I’m feeling so blessed for each of them.  I’m a grateful for every opportunity and the doors they have opened for me.  Thank you.

And speaking of opportunities, did you hear that I was featured on Another Runner Mother?  Go read my interview and leave some comment love.

On the subject of things I love…last week I received some new sandals from The Walking Company which my PF feet totally love. My ABEO sandals are so supportive that I don’t feel any heel pain at all.  I’m going to do a full review of the shoes, but here’s a sneak peek.  I really love them. 

shoe

 My girls are on spring break this week and we have lots of fun planned, however, my husband thought I was planning too much fun and the girls would need a break from their break.  So, today we’re having a quiet lie in and we’ll go to our community pool around lunch time.  I’m really looking forward to swimming since I haven’t run in almost a week and I have all this energy pent-up inside.  I’m going to have to tread water to expend some of it.
Speaking of expending energy, I’m almost finished with my push-up challenge.  I finished Week 6/Day 3/Level 1 yesterday, but I still have to complete another exhaustion test tomorrow.  I’m really nervous about it, which is so silly because it’s not like I could “fail” the test, but I’m afraid I won’t be anywhere near 100 push-ups.  At my last exhaustion test, I did only 50.  I’d like to be somewhere between 60-70 push-ups and beyond the half-way point, but we’ll see.

I’m excited about my next challenge for April! This month, we’re ”Springing into April with a 30 Day Burpee challenge“!  Yay.  *sound of crickets chirping*

 Although I received a lot of resistance to this challenge at first, the response has been quite the opposite which is really motivating.  Follow #30burpees on Twitter if you need some motivation.  People hate burpees but their strong detest for burpees pushed them to be part of the challenge.  It’s pretty funny.

Basically, we started with one burpee on Day 1 and we’ll add one burpee each day after that, ending with 30 burpees on Day 30.  Simple, right?  hee hee  Find out more information here and join the linky party while you’re there.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Spring into April with a 30 Day Burpee Challenge

Posted on by Run DMT
10

When I proposed burpees for our April challenge, my Twitter challenge crew was not happy.  There was a lot of resistance to a burpee challenge.  Yes, burpees suck and they hurt and they’re exhausting, but they make you strong, lean and tone and they are totally worth the effort, especially with swimsuit season sneaking right around the corner.  So, let’s do some burpees for those bikinis! (Or burpees for beer, if you prefer.)

*Photo borrowed from alive.com*

We’re springing into April with burpees for our next fitness challenge.  For the next 30 days, start at your burpee ability level (beginner, intermediate or advanced) and slowly build up by adding one burpee on each day after that.

For a beginner (or someone like myself who doesn’t do burpees daily), start with one and add one burpee each day after that.  So, on Day 1, perform one burpee.  On Day 2, perform two burpees and three on Day 3 and so on.  By April 30, you should be able to do 30 burpees.

Now, if you can pull off 3-5 burpees successfully, you are at an intermediate level and you should start with 5 burpees on Day 1 and add one on each day after that, like the beginner level.  For Day 1, you perform 5 burpees.  On Day 2, you perform 6 burpees and so on.  By Day 30, you should be at 35 burpees.

For an advanced challenge, start at 15 burpees on Day 1 and add one on each day just like the beginner and intermediate levels.  On Day 30, you should finish with 45 burpees.

Depending on your fitness level and ability, you can choose to perform the burpees consecutively or you can perform a set and then take a break and perform another set.  For example on day 20, if you can only do 10 burpees without falling over, then take a walking break for a minute or two and perform another set after a rest period.  Or do 10 burpees in the morning and ten burpees at night.

Yes, this is a challenge, but by just taking that first initial leap into burpees, you’re already ahead of the game.  Therefore make no excuses, but make the challenge fit into your lifestyle.  If you allow it to frustrate you, you won’t finish the challenge.

As with any exercise, proper form is important to avoid injury.  If you’re not familiar with this exercise, here’s a video to demonstrate how to do proper a burpee.

 

So, are you ready to spring into April with burpees?

If you want to join the Run DMT 30 Day Burpee Challenge, add your blog url or Twitter ID to the linky, which will stay open until April 30.

Blog and tweet about it to get others to join the Run DMT 30 Day Burpee Challenge.

Visit other participants blog’s to show support and offer encouragement.

Follow #30burpees on Twitter give and receive additional support from the challenge crew.

Today is April 1, which means we start TODAY! Now, spring onto your feet and give me one burpee (or five or fifteen)!



Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pushing Our Luck: Week 4 Recap

Posted on by Run DMT
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If you’re just hearing about March’s Pushing Our Luck Challenge for the first time, it’s not too late to join in the fun.  Basically, we’re following the One Hundred Pushups Program and tweeting about our achievements: #pushingit.  Then, each Thursday, I host a linky party for you to link up and share your recap post or add your Twitter handle.

Week 4 was pathetic.  With my dog dying, adopting a new dog, organizing a Tampa Bay Blogger meetup and baking for Purple Day, I didn’t know which way was up!  I was a complete slacker last week.

With all of that, I never completed the last two sets for Week 5/Day3/Level 3 and although I pinkie swore to do my exhaustion test on Sunday, I didn’t actually get around to doing until Tuesday.  See, I was a total slacker, who could barely push out 50 pathetic girlie push-ups for my exhaustion test.

However, my slacker behavior had some benefits once I realized new my placement after the exhaustion test: Week 6/Day1/Level1.

Postponing my exhaustion test means that I’m now behind and I won’t finish the final day of the Pushing Our Luck Challenge until Monday, April 2 with a final test on Wednesday, April 4.  Did I mention my girls have spring break next week?  Lord only knows how I’ll pull all this off!  Oh the pressure I put on myself!

How are you doing?  Are you in better shape than me?  Do you plan to finish the last week of the Pushing Our Luck Challenge strong?

Psst… My #pushingit posse (@ForrestGump49er ,@acraftychick ,@runningmom2boys , @amanda_mowry, @RunningRealtor1 , @runmama2girls, @SeeKateRun1 ) and I are planning a new challenge for April: “Spring into Spring with Burpees”!  Details to be announced on April 1!  Stay tuned!



Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pushing Our Luck: Week 3 Recap

Posted on by Run DMT
1

If you’re just hearing about March’s Pushing Our Luck Challenge for the first time, it’s not too late to join in the fun.  Basically, we’re following the One Hundred Pushups Program and tweeting about our achievements: #pushingit.  Then, each Thursday, I’ll host a linky party for you to link up and share your recap post or add your Twitter handle.

Before I could begin Week Five (my week three), I had to perform an exhaustion test.  Just like it sounds, I had to do as many push-ups as my little girlie arms could do. And yes, I am still doing alternate push-ups. Don’t judge.

I finished 46 push-ups.  Anymore and I may have landed face first onto my yoga mat. As @jellisfl1 would tell you, I’ve been known to kiss a gym floor with my forehead and I rather not do it again.  I love fitness and all but my forehead doesn’t need to feel the love.

Based on my good form pushups (46 total), I would begin Week 5/Level 3.  Truth be told, I wasn’t happy about making Level 3.  I wanted an easier, less vigorous, fewer reps placement.  Oh well.  There ain’t no rest for the wicked and I’m going to have some wicked arms in a week.  BOOYAH!

Due to a busy St. Patirck’s Day, I didn’t perform the exhaustion test until Sunday and then I had to rest for 2 days before I could begin Week 5.  On Tuesday, after finishing Week 5/Level 3/Day 1, I had such Jell-o arms.  Holy gelatin mold, Batman! But the next day, I had no pain, so I guess Level 3 was a good fit.

This morning, I finished Week 5/Day 2.  Even though I been through this program before, I don’t remember the increased number of sets.  I was worried, but I like more sets with fewer reps.  I pushed out those bad boys and showed them who’s boss honey badger.

Since I started the week a little late due to late start on my exhaustion test, I’ll do Day 3 on Saturday. Pinkie swear.  Then, it will be time for another exhaustion test (and another vlog, of course).  After that, I should be able to start Week 6 on Monday and have two days done for next week’s linky party.

So far, I’m excited about my progress!  On Saturday evening, my friend, Tara, complimented me on my back muscles and asked me what I was doing.  How freaking awesome is that?!  Of course, I told her all about the Pushing Our Luck Challenge and the Hundred Pushups program.  I think she’s going to give it a try.  Why not?  It doesn’t cost anything but a commitment to a better you.

What about you?  How are you doing?  Did you have to repeat a week or are you pushing forward?

Link up and share your pushup progress.  Also, remember to tweet #pushingit to share your reps and progress.



Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pushing Our Luck: Week 2 Recap

Posted on by Run DMT
3

If you’re just hearing about March’s Pushing Our Luck Challenge for the first time, it’s not too late to join in the fun.  Basically, we’re following the One Hundred Pushups Program and tweeting about our achievements: #pushingit.  Then, each Thursday, I’ll host a linky party for you to link up and share your recap post or add your Twitter handle.

Wow.  Week Four (my week two) was brutal, but I pushed through it. Day 1 started simple enough (under 25 reps), but Day 2 was much harder.  I also pushed myself with the last max set by finishing 40 reps rather than 36.

But I’m not going to lie.  I dreaded Day 3 and its set of 33 reps in the middle.  I rested for the appropriate 120 second between sets, except for the third and fifth set.  For those two sets, I rested for 3-4 minutes before performing the longer sets.

The max set of 40 just about did me in.  As I pushed out the last two pushups, the pushups became slower and my arms shook, but I finished 40 reps.  Surprisingly, my arms aren’t killing me yet.

And just for the record, I’m still loving my abs with 200 ab exercises (80 crunches, 60 bicycles and 60 cross-over crunches) on my rest days.  I’m still doing planks too.

So, now I rest for two days and perform an exhaustion test.  I’m excited/nervous/anxious to see how I’ll do.  Of course, I’ll record it again so you can see my foolishness how I did.  I’m hoping to be higher than the 30 reps in my initial test.   I should be higher, right?  But then, I would be happy to be in the middle column or column one for Week Five rather than column three again.

I’d be ok with that.

What about you?  How are you pushing it? Are you happy with your progress?

Link up and share your pushup progress.  Also, remember to tweet #pushingit to share your reps and progress



Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pushing Our Luck: Week 1 Recap

Posted on by Run DMT
3

If you’re just hearing about March’s Pushing Our Luck Challenge for the first time, it’s not too late to join in the fun.  Basically, we’re following the One Hundred Pushups Program and tweeting about our achievements: #pushingit.  Then, each Thursday, I’ll host a linky party for you to link up and share your recap post or add your Twitter ID.

So, I performed the initial test and vlogged about it which placed me at Week 3/Column 3.  Even with the multiple sets, Day 1 and Day 2 was a piece of cake was a cinch.  (I suppose I shouldn’t use cake metaphors when describing my workouts.)  I had a bit more difficulty with Day 3, but I finished each set strong.  Onto Week 4!  WOOT! WOOT!  Awwwwww….push it.  P-P-Push it real good!

Since the pushup challenge is only 3 days a week, I also threw in some ab exercises (200 reps) and planks (2 x 30 seconds) on my rest days.  I’m not crunching every day, but at least I’m still loving my abs.

How did you do?  Are you moving on or are you repeating a week?

Link up and share your pushup progress.  Also, remember to tweet #pushingit to share your reps and progress.


Denise Mestanza-Taylor+