Sets 21 through 26 for the ACS 25 Pushup Challenge

 Phew - a large update for all these. I can't believe I'm at 650 thing-a-ma-jigs already. Check out Set 26 - the incline pushups are getting more inclined and less unstable (I think).

21

22

23

24 & 25 (one set on each side)

26

Sets 18, 19, 20 for the 25 Pushup ACS Challenge

 Two sets for the Triceps and shoulders, and one for the chest and biceps. OH this is getting hard! But we are at 500 on day 20 so THANK YOU for everyone supporting the effort!

Dolphin Tricep Pushups

Tricep Dips

Set 20 Incline Plank (both on the toes and on the knees) - repeated the set because I felt like I hadn't "earned" it! 

Sets 13, 14, 15, 16/17 for the 25 Pushup Challenge from Facebook Live

 Next round of 125 pushups for you - I did 50 for the last video but only recorded 25 of them (had a practice run during class and FOR SURE I'M INCLUDING THOSE IN MY TALLY I'M NOT DOING THIS JUST FOR FUN).

13 Wide Knee-to-Elbow tags in Plank

Set 14 Sunbirds!

Set 15 Incline Side Plank Trunk Rotations

Set 17 (16 was off camera) - getting stronger at those incline pushups!

Click here to make a donation (or link to start your own challenge!): https://www.facebook.com/donate/468981768005845/

Set 12 for the American Cancer Society 25 Pushup Challenge

 Valentine's Day set - Mountain Climber Incline Pushups. Enjoy!

Sets 8, 9, 10, and 11 for the 25 Pushup Challenge from Facebook Live

 I recorded four of my sets on Facebook Live while I was out and about town. I am starting to call them sets because I occassionally skip a day (or half a day) and do a makeup set in the morning, or even do two sets in a row just to make sure I'm on track for completing all 700 pushups (which is 28 days worth of pushups but they allot for missed days by having the fundraiser go into March). 

You can follow my progress here: https://www.facebook.com/byomyoga

https://www.facebook.com/donate/468981768005845

Anyway, here are videos of all the days! My next post will be the new video with captions for Set 12.

Set 8

Set 9

Set 10 and 11

Day 7 of the 25 Pushup Challenge for the American Cancer Society

My left shoulder is still feeling a bit sensitive, so I wanted to do something that was a bit more supportive for those oh-so-mobile joints. Today I had my forearms flat to the ground and braced together for "shoulder pushup." You get a lot of trapezius, latissimus dorsi, leg and core work, and a little less work for stabilizing the joints themselves. 

The shape is like a downward dog but on the forearms, then you lower your nose to your thumbs (or the space in front of your thumbs) by bending more into your elbows. 

Stabilization of the arms is key to prevent mat-rash (ouch), and good body control. Neck in neutral so you don't hyperextend the cervical spine, and of course, BREATHE!

As I saw in the video - practice these against a wall, on an incline, on the knees... all good ways to strengthen through the upper body and build control! Thanks for tuning in - click the link here to make a donation https://www.facebook.com/donate/468981768005845/477002703870418/. 

Day 6 of the 25 Pushup Challenge for ACS

 Today I'm back to incline pushups but offering the modification of have a single leg raise. This adds a bit of a core stabilization challenge and a glute strengthener for some "fun." Less intense options would be to not lift the leg, to put the hands on a wall (to decrease the angle).

I didn't struggle as much as I did yesterday so hopefully that means I'm recovering and getting stronger! Thanks for watching. 

Day 5 of the 25 Pushup Challenge

I was finally able to even THINK about doing the challenge by Sunday (just took a day off) and took it down a notch to Sunbird pushups. I know I call them Sundogs in the video, so forgive me. They are actually SUNBIRD so... tomato/tomAHto, it's still a modified single leg pushup on the knees. 

Without further ado, here's the video for your practicing pleasure.

Day 4 of the 25 Pushup Challenge for ACS

This particular video left me aching all day the day after (which is why I skipped one day so the next post is on Sunday).

I recorded the first set of 25 during class, but the audio wasn't great. Then I set up to record again, but I FORGOT TO HIT RECORD.

Finally on the third try I got it right. I think. So, here you go!

Day 3 of the 25 Pushup Challenge for the ACS

 Triceps Dips! (when I dip, you dip, we dip)

On a chair, make sure you watch the angle of your elbow (no higher than your shoulders). Brace your core, hug the elbows in towards the midline.

Funny how it looks so easy on video - I was really struggling by #20. Thanks for watching!

Day 2 of the 25 Pushup Challenge for the ACS

Tag-Team Partner Style Plank Hi-Fives with Bonus 25 from Eli.

FWIW my form in this is not that great. My hips should be in line with my shoulders and heels and my body should NOT be rocking side to side (as much). 

Be that as it may, we did it. 

Donate here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/468981768005845/

Also, the YMCA of San Diego County is running their annual campaign (I wore my "Power Up" FitnessPalooza tee shirt for this challenge) so if you'd like to donate to their amazing organization, here's that link as well: https://give.classy.org/RRuiz

Day 1 of the 25 Pushup Challenge for the ACS

 Incline pushups on the knees using a chair:

Donate here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/468981768005845/