Last two sets (27 and 28) for the ACS 25 Pushup Challenge of 2022

Finally posting these although I completed them last week. So proud that I was able to finish the entire series, and moreover, grateful that friends & family donated $835 to the American Cancer Society! Thank you to everyone who watched a video, joined a live broadcast, did their own challenge, cheered me on, laughed, was encouraged, or otherwise helped make this thing happen energetically!

To everyone who is affected by cancer I hope this drop in the bucket and our show of love gives a little support when you need it most. We are out here rooting for you!

Without further ado:

Set 27 in my house

Set 28 at the beautiful Cuyamaca Water Conservataion Garden

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/

American Cancer Society 25 Pushups A Day in February 2022 Challenge

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

Last year it was Pushups for Veteran Support. This year it's the California 2nd Annual 25 Push-ups a Day Challenge for American Cancer Society! Please support me as I raise funds by taking on 25 push-ups to help American Cancer Society achieve their amazing mission. Every donation, big or small, counts. Cheer me on in making a difference!

Event runs from February 1, 2022 through March 7, 2022 (25 days) so get ready for a variety of seating, standing, assisted, propped, and accessible pushups to engage, inspire, entertain (heavy on the entertain BTW), and strengthen (body, mind, sense of humor as well). 

I created this fundraiser because.... it's a personal challenge and one of accessibility and service! If you appreciate what I'm doing, drop a few dollars on the fundraising page and help research into a cure. 

If you are interested in my style of practice, check out more of what I do at at the link up there at the top right (www.byomyogavideos.com) and consider dropping into one of my free yoga online yoga classes (or even joining my Patreon to help pay the bills)

Let's take a little walk down memory lane...

Day 1 of 22: a straightforward incline pushup.

Day 3 going strong with one-legged pushups (so graceful too!).

Day 6, the overhead press for a seated, non-weight-bearing option (but damn those shoulder and triceps were on FIRE).

Day 12 at 1/2 way through, we tried some mountain climbers for variety...

By Day 19 we had modified what I was calling a pushup considerably: sustained side arm balance with hip abduction - PHEW!

Day 22 took us to new heights and lengths with spinal balances: full arm and leg extensions in an inclined plank.

You can view the whole series here: https://byomyoga.blogspot.com/search/label/22pushupchallenge.