Fitness Challenge during June

[iceman]

As part of a Black Belt Martial Arts (http://www.facebook.com/blackbeltmartialarts) challenge, I'm going to do (http://www.mikesalway.com.au/2011/06/01/taking-the-fitness-challenge-during-june-2011/) 2000 pushups, and 1500 slow kicks each leg during June.

In the same vein as Shelley's weight loss challenge (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=76354), by making it public and having people join in, it keeps you accountable and keeps you motivated.

It's perfect for me right now too, because during June and July I’ll be travelling for work quite a lot, so won’t be able to attend my regular karate classes or do my normal fitness work. So by taking part in some challenges, it’ll keep me motivated to exercise – especially when I’m on the road in hotel rooms.

I'll be updating my progress on my blog and on the Facebook page.

Taking the Fitness Challenge during June (http://www.mikesalway.com.au/2011/06/01/taking-the-fitness-challenge-during-june-2011/)

Who's with me? :)

[koputai]

So Mike, is that 2000 push-ups and 1500 kicks per day, or over the entire month? That would be 67 push-ups and 50 kicks per day. - EDIT - Just read the site, it's the latter thank <insert deity of choice>.

OK, I'm in for the push-ups at least. I'm in and out of hotels all the time too. I'll probably start with 2 push-ups tonight and go on from there!

Back in the olden days when I was fit, I did a progressive program of sit ups over an 8 week period. During the last week it was over 1000 sit ups per day, culminating in 1800 sit ups in one session. Talk about boring!

Cheers,
Jason.

[iceman]

heh yeh, for the month - not per day.

1800 situps in one session! Wow that is boring :) I did 200 last night (in 2 x 100 lots) and even that got boring :)

Great to see you'll join in!

[strongmanmike]

Do you do'em with feet held under somthing or not Mike?

Feet under something is easier and largely works the longer and stronger hip flexor muscle group (used in kicking - so good) here pivoting at the hip joint is the goal and a faster more powerful movement is recommended for martial arts.

Feet not under anything is harder and makes the abdominal wall work harder, here the key is to do a slightly slower "rolling-up" action rather than a plank like situp and going all the way up is to be avoided - keep the tension on and don't allow a rest at the top...oh and controlling the downward "unroll" will really test your metal!

Just some ideas, may as well get the full benifits of what you are doing :thumbsup:

Mike

[iceman]

Cheers mate.

I usually do a bit of both.
When my feet are not under anything, I mix it up with crunches, feet up pulling the knees in at the same time, obliques etc.

I need stronger hip flexors, so the slow kicking will be good for that too.

[strongmanmike]

Ah yes they were the days.....:lol:

Porky :sadeyes:

[koputai]

Well we're a week in to June and it's going slowly, but better than expected. I thought I'd get back to the hotel on the 1st and struggle to do 10 push-ups, then battle on from there, but it went ok.

Daily tally so far:
1 - 20
2 - 25
3 - 30
4 - 0 (went out drinking....)
5 - 40
6 - 50
7 - 50

That's 215 down, 1785 to go. We started with an average of 67 to do per day, and now I have to do 78 per day, but I'll get there!

Cheers,
Jason.

[iceman]

Nice one Jason! Well done for sticking at it.

I've been doing well until yesterday, when I succumbed to the head cold I've been fighting for 3 weeks (my wife and one of the kids has had a cold/flu for 3 weeks).

I'm also doing a "Plank" challenge for June as well (not 'planking', but being in the plank position working your abs/core). The challenge was submitted by someone else in the BBMA community, and the goal is 60 minutes for the month of June.

It's been good - I've enjoyed doing it and I'm trying to do everything in the one session to push myself more - rather than 30 pushups here, 40 there etc during the day - doing all of them at once.

I'm ahead of schedule for kicks and pushups so if I have a couple of days off because of the cold I should still be fine, but I'll still try and get some in.

Great to see your progress!

[koputai]

Well done Mike, good to see you have a few in the bank.

So you're doing a few challenges all at oce, good on you! You're right doing all your exercises in the one session, I think your body works better that way.

The push-ups alone have been a good start for me, I was extremely fit up until 2003, but an accident put an end to that and I've essentially been sedentary since then, so I don't want to push too hard and not enjoy the change. My wife and I are starting with a personal trainer tomorrow, so things are heading in the right direction!

Gambate!

Cheers,
Jason.

[Gem]

I've been jogging... does that count?? 7.2 km every third day on average. I am trying to get the 7.2km runs done in 34 minutes at present. The aim is to get it down below 30 over the next couple of months.
I am still putting on too much weight though! Being a stay at home dad/student is too close to the food!! I have always found situps hard, but I do a 40 push up set each week.
I am getting fitter and fatter at the same time!!! :lol:

Keep it up!! :)

[iceman]

Well done Jason, a personal trainer will certainly keep you motivated.

Jogging is great Grant! I usually try and do a 5km run every week, but trying to improve the time rather than the distance. I've been getting in the 21's for the 5km but am a bit out of practise in the last few weeks, so getting in the 22's.

Here's my progress, 11 days in:
http://www.mikesalway.com.au/2011/06/11/june-fitness-challenge-progress-11-days-in/

[Brian W]

I accept the fitness challenge and I will do multiple arm curls hoisting my coffee mug and walk around my garden as often as possible plus my regular tai chi workout as often as the body will allow.

Know it doesn't sound like much but after 30 years with M.S. it is not too bad.

Brian

[koputai]

OK, the second week is done, and quite an improvement on the first week.

The daily score for days 8 to 14:

60
50
100
80
80
80
100

That's 765 done, 1235 to go.

The daily average from here is 77.

Cheers,
Jason.

[koputai]

Week three down:

80
100
0
0
100
100
100

Plus yesterday and today at 100 each, that's 1445 down 555 to go.

Cheers,
Jason.

[iceman]

Nice work Jason, great progress.

With my cold and lots of travel for work, it's been difficult some days to keep it up, but the challenge is actually helping to motivate me and do it even when I really don't want to.

So for that fact, I'm enjoying it. And hopefully it's habit forming - hopefully I'll keep it up (or at least, some of it) after June.

I'm keen to have some different challenges for July - maybe squat kicks, situps etc.

[leon]

Well guys, i am not in that league of physical activities due to spinal surgery a few years back, and a crook leg to boot.

However I did give up smoking 6 weeks ago, ;) and drinking 12 months ago, :D so at least that is some achievement in its self.

I do feel healthier and am much richer.:thumbsup:

Leon :thumbsup:

[koputai]

Wow Leon, giving up smaking AND drinking, well done, you must feel great!

Other challenges sound good Mike, it does keep you at it when you don't really want to. Like you I've been away a lot, but each night in the hotel room before I go to bed I make sure I get them done.

Cheers,
Jason.

[TrevorW]

Hey Leon hope you have kept the other vice's

I'm currently doing the Corporate Challenge step thing, plus playing soccer three times a week

so the only other excercise I do is bend the elbow to have a drink or two

Mike when I was doing my karate training we'd do bunny hops, knee jumps, star jumps, squats, finger push ups just to make it that little bit harder

[koputai]

All done!!

The last 9 days went like this:

100
100
50
0
0
150
120
165
81

That makes 2011 push-ups for June 2011 !!

Now I can rest until next year!

Thanks for the suggestion Mike, having a goal really makes a difference.

Cheers,
Jason.

[iceman]

Nice work Jason! My final days are here:
http://www.mikesalway.com.au/2011/06/27/june-fitness-challenge-nearing-the-end/

I agree it was great to have a goal. I hope you're going to join us for the July challenges ;)

For July, my goals are:

- 2500 pushups
- 3000 situps (whether it be full situps, crunches, side crunches, leg raises. Will mix it up to keep some variety)
- 600 chinups/pullups (not sure on the number here yet, should be able to increase it by the end of the month)
- 3000 squat kicks

Habit forming! Just keep telling myself :)

[koputai]

I'll get back to you on that............

Cheers,
Jason.

[strongmanmike]

Well done boys, impressive ...I'm proud and jealous of you both :thumbsup:

Mike

[Gem]

Did a 12km jog yesterday (1hr 8 mins) - the furtherest I have done in one run since I was 21 (when I did 17km with pack and rifle in 32 degree Adelaide heat).
Up to now I have been doing one to three jogs per week of 5 to 9 km each in length.
Not blinding pace, but at least I am getting there... :)