MORE On Push Ups

I came across an interesting informative site on technique for doing push ups to get the most benefit from your exercise. I will pass it along to you here, and be sure to watch the short video on technique. The more push ups I do, the better I feel.

Dan

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/training-day/201103/killer-abs-try-some-push-ups

EXCERPT:

Not many of us love the push-up. Sure, it’s relatively safe and effective, but let’s face it, it's kind of boring. It's something we did in P.E. class.
But what if you realized that the push-up would not only help you get a stronger upper body, but also a stronger midsection?
It's true. The push-up incorporates the stabilization muscles of your core, combining an upper-body pushing movement with a plank -- one of the best and most basic exercises for your midsection.
In fact, according to Nick Tumminello, trainer and owner and operator of the Performance University gym in Baltimore, Md., the push-up can effectively replace the sit-up.

“The push-up is basically a plank position," Tumminello says, "so it’s actually a great abdominal exercise and there’s no reason to do planks if you can do (a significant number of) push-ups."
Push-ups are a higher value plank. You’re not only strengthening your abdominals by holding them still while gravity’s trying to push your hips towards the ground, but you’re also strengthening your upper-body pushing muscles: your chest, shoulders and triceps.”
What else can a push-up do for you?
For many men, the bench press is a temptress -- the key to getting a big chest and, sometimes, an inflated ego.
“How much can you bench?” is ingrained in our fitness conversations because of the tangibility of numerous 45-lb. plates on the barbell. “How many push-ups can you do?” is not, however, even though push-ups are a much better indicator of relative strength, since you’re forced to push the mass of your body against the forces of gravity and stabilize your core.
For many women, a full push-up is a tease, a noble fitness goal that’s rarely achieved despite countless sets of knee push ups and other push-up variations.
“I have seen women who can hammer out forty plus kneeling push-ups who still can’t do one regular push-up," Tumminello says. "I’ve never trained a female who can bang out forty plus or even ten plus incline push-ups at about a bench height and not be able to hammer out at least one or two push ups from the floor."
So what's the best way for both men and women to perfect the push-up? Here are some tips -- no As-Seen-On-TV equipment needed:

Push Ups and Walking

Hi There. I just returned last evening from a 5 week trip to Ireland doing ministry work. While there, we moved living quarters three different times and for the most part I did not have access to a gym or any workout equipment. What I did have is a couple of pairs of walking shoes and two arms. From 8/21/12 up to and including 9/20/12, I averaged an hour or more a day walking and I did 1600 military style, straight back, chest to floor while balancing on hands and toes push ups. I share that with you, NOT to brag although I take a certain amount of pride at my age in doing that. I turn 65 on 10/6/12.

I did 100 push ups on 3 different days, however I averaged 53 push ups a day for the trip. I was sick with a bad cold and flu like symptoms for almost a week and I did take a couple of days off. From 8/21 to 8/31 I did exactly 50 a day. On 9/11, I did my first day of 100 push ups. From 9/2 to 9/6 I did 50 per day again and after that bumped it up to 60 a day with 70 per day on a couple of days. The first 10 consecutive push ups I did had me thinking I am too old for this and it has just been tooooooooooo long ago. I persisted and it got better. The push ups became easier and I continued to PUSH myself to goals I did not think I could do. The first day I did 100 was a confidence builder.

I have not done that many push ups in a month since perhaps boot camp for the US Navy at Great Lakes Illinois back in 1965. My first day home today I did 60 and will probably settle on doing 60 a day on average along with continuing the walking and adding in some abdominals and working with the dumb bells. I FEEL GREAT. It has made a difference in my overall appearance and well being and certainly increased my UPPER body and overall strength.

I am NOT a fanatic about doing them or missing a day and yet on the other hand, if you don't stay focused and start making excuses why you can't do them today, you will quit in a hurry. I honestly feel I can do three sets of 20 each for a round figure of 60 per day almost indefinitely. It gives you a great sense of well being and it is good for the testosterone levels and BG readings.

EXERCISE IS IMPORTANT. If you are not already into a program, try the push ups and walking. I think you will grow to like it and everyone needs some sort of goal setting to keep you in the game.

God Bless,

Dan

http://pushups100.blogspot.com/2008/03/benefits-of-push-ups.html

Eat Right, Stay Fit, Die Anyway

The above quote is sort of funny along with the joke about the guy dying while jogging to the health food store etc.

I have a sense of humor and they are funny, however I think they miss the point. While is is true that with the exception of being raptured during these last prophetic days by the Lord, we will all die a physical death eventually, what is missing in my mind to the, "Eat Right, Stay Fit, Die Anyway" phrase, is that although you may not necessarily add years to your life, you will add LIFE to your YEARS if you do eat right, and exercise to stay fit.

There is a great deal of evidence that eating the right foods, taking certain supplements, and walking for 45 min's or so every day and doing some weight resistance training will make your life more enjoyable and give you flexibility and strength you otherwise would not have had.

You do not have to be a fanatic about it, however you do have to make exercise (both cardiovascular and weight resistance exercise) a part of your life. You also need to get OFF the refined, nutritionally deficient carbs that are loaded with sugar, fat and unhealthy additives. You need to build your diet around protein, the right kind of fats and UP your intake of fresh raw veggies in the form of green smoothies along with steamed broccoli and green beans, squash etc. You also need to drink more water and get OFF the PH destroying soft drinks whether diet or not. You need more fiber in your diet which can be fixed by a bowl of oatmeal every morning with a tablespoon of organic cold pressed ground flax seeds and a handful of blue berries.for STARTERS. Eliminate french fries and other over processed foods from your diet. Learn to LIKE vegetables. Stop drinking orange juice and other processed store bought fruit juices as the are full of SUGAR and little else. Instead eat an orange, eat an apple, eat a handful of grapes or put those items in a smoothie along with baby spinach, celery, a raw carrot, etc. Your body will thank you for it.

REMEMBER that 90% of people in nursing homes are there because they cannot get up out of a chair without assistance. Walking a lot and weight resistance training will help you from becoming one of them.

Dan

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened" Winston Churchill