Tuesday, January 21, 2014

30 Day Workout Challenge COMPLETE and Planking

and insert happy dance. Can I just tell you that I have NEVER in my life completed a work out program I started? Never. Not once. This is the first time I have stuck through and finished anything like this before. Needless to say I'm stoked.


I really liked the HASfit 30 day challenge, it was a great start! I would totally recommend it to someone trying to find a good, free, under 30 minute work out at home. What next!? After looking through a lot of things I think I am going to try Jillian Michaels 30 day Ripped ( oh gee that sounds nerdy). Its about $9 and they are under 30 minute workouts and I can do them from home. Ill let you know how I like it and want to keep with that program.

What are you all doing? Have you started? Are you liking it?


Tonight I finished day 11 of the plank challenge! I was shocked when I could hold it for 20 seconds so holding it for 1 minute feels like a mini victory. I know I can last longer then 1 minute, BUT 1.5 minutes by tomorrow!? That doesn't seem likely to happen, but Ill give it a big fat try!

Why Plank?

I have read a lot of good and consistent information about adding planking into your exercise routine.

"According to the American Council on Exercise, the plank exercise is one of the top ten abdominal exercises. This exercise is a great way to flatten your stomach, strengthen your core and improve the endurance of your back and stomach muscles. By strengthening your core, you will strengthen your hips and pelvic floor. Having a strong core, stomach and back muscles will lead to improved posture and may help prevent injuries. The only equipment that you need for the plank exercise is your own body and enough floor space to lie down on."



FYI  - the image used on the 30 day plank challenge is the incorrect form.... hope this helps! 

For your enjoyment and my embarrassment, here is my first 1 minute plank!


-Kristin

9 comments:

  1. Oh my! I jumped out of my bed in pj's to try this. It's soooo hard! I don't have any muscles at all, the 20 seconds were hard to hold on. I cannot believe I will ever be able to do this 1 whole minute. You did so good!!!! Thanks for being you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you enjoyed your first month and found routines you were comfortable with! Planks are great and a huge pain when getting familiar with them. I tend to rock back and forth a little to help pass the dreadful seconds ;-) best of luck on your next endeavor!

    ReplyDelete
  3. i've been reading along here and am stoked about both of your journey's to better health. i'm currently not exercising due to being pregnant but as soon as i can i'll be going back to the BodyRock workouts. They also have a free 30 day challenge which is awesome. good luck to the both of you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You did it! I tried it and heaved hoed like I was in a lamaze class! T he next day my back REALLY hurt, so I think I did it wrong. My back hasn't fully recovered, but I'm going to heal up and focus on the "right" way! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. i am doing it now!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Does it matter if you are on your forearms or hands? I've always done them with hands flat on ground.....just wondering what the difference is?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read "As for the difference between the two, people who lack shoulder and arm strength will find it harder to hold the plank on their hands, while those who lack core strength will likely find the elbow plank to be more challenging. As the angle of the body becomes closer to parallel with the ground, it becomes harder for the trunk muscles to stabilize and maintain form, though having the elbows bent takes a lot of pressure of the shoulders and arms." so in other words, I read the forearm one is harder :)

      Delete
  7. Staying Healthy Image Gallery A good way to alleviate on-the-job discomfort is stretching -- just one of our five at-work exercises recommendations. dumbbell deadlift technique

    ReplyDelete