Inspiration comes in many forms. One of my favorite forms is Ren.
Ren is way smart. And I’m way lucky. Between the two of us, I’m pretty sure we’re going to figure out a way to solve the world’s energy problems. Or maybe I’ll make a lot of money when he solves the problem. Something like that.
There’s an ability Ren has of being able to discuss a subject devoid of annoying emotions that get in the way of logic, without coming across as if he’s Spock or Sheldon Cooper. In fact, probably what makes Ren most endearing to me is his ability to not get annoyed. That’s probably why we’ve been able to be friends so long.
A number of years ago, he impressed me by losing some weight when we worked together. I ended up finding the weight he lost and now I’m ready to lose it. Recently, Ren blogged about the one hundred pushups plan. This is how he went from “impressed me” to “inspired me” in the fitness category.
I’ve now started the program.
The plan is a 6-week regimen of being able to do one hundred consecutive pushups. you do an initial test (where you max out how many you can do) and then choose three days a week to do a few sets. It starts out easy enough, so it should be within reach of anyone.
My first suggestion, for those of you planning on trying this, have at least a full day between the initial test and your first day of the plan. I did my initial test Sunday and chose Mon-Wed-Fri as my 3 days. Of course, my abs and arms hurt like heck Monday afternoon when I tried the first set.
Also, since I play pool on Wednesdays, I figured out too late that it’s not a good day to actually do a lot of strenuous upper body work. Therefore, I’m switching to Tue-Thu-Sat for my chosen days.
So far, I’m of two minds – on the one hand, I’m elated at the pumped up feeling my arms have after the first real set (Day 1). I’ve been through Army Basic Training and I’ve also worked with personal trainers three different times in my life at a gym, so it’s not like this is an alien feeling. I’m a little high from actually having my body be happy for being used up a little. It truly is an uplifting feeling, if you forgive the pun.
On the other hand, I’m a little shamed at how bad I’ve let myself get, both weight-wise and physical strength-wise. Some of it is that I have a 20 year High School reunion coming up. Some of it is how big I look in pictures or the mirror. Some of it is a nagging suspicion that it’ll only get harder as I get older, and I’d better grab that steer by the horns now if I’m going to make this analogy work in my favor.
If I have success, I’ll share some incredible before and after pictures 
PS: thanx for the inspiration, Ren!
That Ren is so hot right now…
.-= Dave2´s last blog ..Diapered =-.
Dave2 – I didn’t hear how many pushups you can do.
I’ve endured the same battle, and I can promise you that it, indeed, it does get more difficult as we age. I can also promise you that I will NEVER be able to do this program because even in my youth I couldn’t do a dang push-up. OK, maybe 3 of them consecutively.
You’re a handsome fella, Wayne. You’ll be even more handsome if you feel better about yourself. You deserve to feel good, and your family deserves to have you healthy and happy!
.-= Geeky Tai-Tai´s last blog ..Bacon-Flavored Vodka Comes To Town – Digital City – Local Lifestyle & Entertainment News =-.
Geeky – I may be unable to do my pushups today because all my blood has rushed to my cheeks.
*blush*
Oh wait, that could be construed as an emotion…
The hundred push ups plan told me to skip to week three. That didn’t work out based on the first day, so I backed up to week two. I did OK for day two of week two, but struggled with day three. For my end of week test, I only did four push ups more than my initial test. I may do week two over.
One problem I have with the plan is that the schedule doesn’t seem to account for the fact that you’re supposed to redo the test after certain weeks, so you need a couple of extra days for that.
.-= Ren´s last blog ..Macro Monday #14 =-.
Ren – and tomorrow, I can install the iPhone app! I can thank you for that, too. thanx, Renspiration.
I’ve always wanted to be able to do push ups. What I need is a plan that will help me do one. Some of this really is gender specific but I ought to be able to do at least one real push up. I think.
marilyn – there’s no reason not to do the “half-way” pushups, where you use your knees instead of your feet. Even if you can just do one, follow the plan. If you look day 1, week 1, it just has 2,3,2,2,max as the 5 sets. That’s definitely doable by most.
That’s awesome that you have an ispiration! I’m so sick of my muffin top, I FINALLY started working out again tonight. My problem is I still think I’m young & playing sports, so I always push too hard to start. I’m trying not to this time, so I’ll keep this up more than one day in a row.
.-= Tug´s last blog ..Pray… =-.
Tug – best of luck to you!
Ren really is an inspiration!
.-= Sybil Law´s last blog ..I Am The Suckiest Suck That Ever Sucked… =-.
Sybil – wait until you meet him.
He is an inspiring fella, that’s for sure
Raganator – me and Dave2 are the only commenters so far who can join you in the claim. Ren is going to Avitaween 2009… so it seems a lot more people can get the experience.
I can do 32 normal push ups and 70 girly push ups. So I’m totally going to blame you for how sore my arms feel later, dude.
Really it was kind of hilarious that I just started doing push ups in the middle of the day.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Saturday. =-.
Sarah – THAT’S AWESOME! Impressive… keep it up so you can get to a 100!
Ooohhh…. Sarah can do 32. I’m going to do this.
marilyn – ain’t nothing like a little competition to get ya goin’. Good luck!
I actually decided to start the 100 Pushups program this week as well. I figured that it would give me something to do on the days when I’m not doing the Couch to 5k.
At this point though, I’m not going near the 200 Crunches program. I’m not that masochistic.
.-= Crystal´s last blog ..Stuff, because I can’t think of anything =-.
Crystal – I thought about doing the situps too, but I didn’t want to do both. I’m going to do the pushups combined with cardio (elliptical) and then do the situps.
I was inspired by Ren, too. Full details coming soon to a post on my blog.
.-= martymankins´s last blog ..Scooter Sunday – Season 2 Ep. 07 =-.
martymankins – hmm, I’m intrigued.