2007 Push-up Challenge

Announcing the 2007 Push-up Challenge
(Add one push-up per day, every day for one year)

Dan Ciruli completed the challenge in 2006, and now he’s issuing the challenge to everyone. I like Dan’s approach. It doesn’t take much time. It is a simple but effective way to boost your daily activity and increase your fitness. Most of all, it is a powerful tool for developing a habit of self-discipline.

The plan is simple: Do one push-up on January 1st, two push-ups on January 2nd, three push-ups on January 3rd and so on throughout the year. On December 31st you will complete 365 push-ups. The difficult part of this challenge is the consistency. As Dan points out, the daily push-ups don’t take long to complete. It’s setting a goal and meeting it day after day that makes this event a challenge.

Don’t overanalyze this project. Doing push-ups everyday will not hurt you. You will still be able to do the blog workouts that are assigned Monday through Saturday. If you miss your assigned push-ups one day, don’t worry about it. Keep on pace and make up those missed reps some other time. This is about self-discipline and self-improvement. Don’t make it more complicated than it actually is.

Dan chose crunches as a complementary exercise to his daily push-up regimen. You might prefer walking, body rows, squats, or simply stick to push-ups and the WOD. You make the call.

You know that you’re going to wonder, “What if? What if I had tried the challenge? What if I had stuck with it?” Right now, ask yourself, “Why not? Why not do a few push-ups every day? What have I got to lose?”

The challenge starts January 1st.

Post commitments to Comments.

You can read about Dan's 2006 Push-up Challenge here, here, and here.

115 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm in. I'll track it in my log on Bryce's forum. It will also give me reason to not slack on posting in my workout log.

Fun, fun.

GB

Anonymous said...

I'm in. I might miss a few days in July. (my 4th child is due then)

Anonymous said...

I'm in

JME said...

I'm looking forward to it. This should be fun.

Joel

Alexander said...

that is so awesome, it's got to be the best workout i have ever read. reminds me of an anecdote somewhere on dan john's website, about a boy who lifts a calf everyday and as the calf grows bigger the boy grows stronger.

anyway, i was wandering what plans you might have for the tmfs site in 2007, and what kind of developments you wish to make?

it is quite possible that tmfs has a totally unique place on the internet, it's the first blog i ever found that actually makes sense getting top loaded, the information is exactly what i want, and yet it took me about 3 years of researching even to find it.

there is no reason why tmfs shouldn't be the most popular site for fitness on the web. i'm sure it would be pretty easy to get tmfs posted on the 1st page of a google search for instance, hell i'm sure the folks at google might even put a button up on their toolbar for you. one button browsing is the future man. (i've got loads of ideas about marketing on the web, if youre interested.)

as things stand, fitness, gpp, functional fitness etc are a sort of cottage industry on the net, lacking in accessibilty, functionality and appeal. plus it's hard to break into this info if you dont have specific knowledge before hand.

i would hope for a postive change to take place on the web, basically a united web space for the convergence of masters such as bryce lane and ross enemait to disseminate their information to trainees like me. unity is the key. unity = conformity = accessibility. accessibility = growth.

tmfs should be a household name man. everyone who goes to work and checks their email should be thinking; 'dude, i better check my tmfs before the coffees done'

anyhow, merry christmas!

Anonymous said...

I'm in. I tried for the military earlier this year but damaged my knee in training and have had to take it very easy with running, etc, since. But thinking of going for it again next year, and this simple program will certainly give me a boost in the right direction. =)

Anonymous said...

I´m in too!!! Looking forward to it!!!

Chris said...

I'm in too.

.....no problems so far!

Anonymous said...

Joining late - started the 23rd. Glad I found the challenge before starting mid-cycle would be daunting.

Also doing the same number of crunches as pushups. Its nice I'm noticing some improvements in tone already.

Anonymous said...

This looked like the kind of simple challenge I could deal with at the moment. I am on 32 today.

After thinking ahead about how I would break up the sets, I decided that I would do the sets in months. For example, January is over so today I do one set of 31 (January) and I will do 2 more (for February 2nd).

Example;
May 16th, if I have stuck with it, my sets will look like this: 31 (January), 28 (February), 31 (March), 30 (April), and 16 (May 16th).

When I can do bigger sets, I'll probably change my sets and go bigger. Ten or eleven sets of thirty don't appeal to me.

Tom

Anonymous said...

I hadn't had an opportunity to reply here yet though wanted to say that myself and a couple of guys I know have taken on the challenge -- doing bw squats and crunches in addition to the push-ups. Everybody has a different strength and it will be interesting to see what happens in a few months.

- Terry

JME said...

As the year progresses and the daily number of push-ups increases, you may be wondering how to divide those push-ups into manageable sets that won’t create burn out and won’t take all day to complete. Dave Walmsley has posted information on several fitness boards on “coaxing your muscles” to increase your single set numbers in various exercises. Dave’s plan requires you to perform three sets of half your max reps, gradually adding reps to each set until you have achieved three sets of your previous personal best. John Peterson has also shared a similar approach using four sets.

This same method can be applied to the Push-up Challenge. Depending on your goals and current level of ability you may decide to perform your daily push-ups in three to seven sets. Each day, add an additional rep to one of those sets. For example, if you are dividing your push-ups into three sets, you would do: Mon – 15, 14, 14; Tues – 15, 15, 14; Wed – 15, 15, 15; Thu – 16, 15, 15; etc. If you are dividing your daily reps into seven sets, your daily sets would be: Mon – 1x7, 6x6; Tue – 2x7, 5x6; Wed – 3x7, 4x6; Thu – 4x7, 3x6; etc.

Choosing a greater number of sets will allow you to progress more slowly and guard against burnout. Choosing fewer sets will enable you to add reps to each set more quickly while still giving your body a few days to adjust to the higher numbers.

December 31st Sets
3 sets: 122, 122, 121
4 sets: 92, 91, 91, 91
5 sets: 5 x 73
6 sets: 5 x 61, 1 x 60
7 sets: 1 x 53, 6 x 52

Joel

Anonymous said...

Hi all I've been doing the challenge since Jan 1st with push ups,squats and crunches.I'm currently doing my reps as a single set and not thinking too much about how to break things up.Todays 56 reps went well I think I've a few more reps in the tank before I have to use sets but time will tell.Good luck to all others taking part.

cheers Mark(uk)

Anonymous said...

I've been doing the challenge since 3 Jan. I missed 2 days due to the flu, but I've met the goal every other day and I'm feeling great! I also watched 5 other people start the challenge at my office, and none has survived except me.

I'm a computer geek who can't bench 1/4 of my own weight, and this is one of the best things I've ever done for myself! Thanks for putting it out here for people like me to find!!

-Bernie W.
zenbernie@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Just posting back about my personal challenge. We're on 172 and I'm still sticking with it. I tend to do sets of 25 to 45, depending on how much energy I have. It's changed my arms and I am getting definition in my chest and arms I've never seen before.

Again, I am thankful I found the website! Best of luck to everyone else on the challenge!

Bernie W.

Anonymous said...

Is there going to be a 2008 push up challenge?

d.

JME said...

I'm not planning to do a 2008 version. I am, however, considering doing monthly challenges focusing on different objectives.

Joel

Anonymous said...

Joel,

I believe that I have seen you over at the Transformetrics forum. I am seriously considering doing the push up challenge in '08 along with some other power cals. I was wondering how you felt about the challenge now, closer to the end? Were the results as expected? Is it too much? Just right? I appreciate your feedback and allowing me to glean from your experience with this prior to my starting. Plus, I will most likely talk some friends of mine into this as well. :o)

Thanks,
d.

JME said...

D.,

The PU Challenge is a great tool for self-discipline with side benefits of improved fitness. Several participants have reported improved push-up performance and muscular development. Do not expect the challenge to be an adequate fitness program on its own, but if you incorporate additional exercises, the challenge will work nicely as a personal fitness program.

Unfortunately, I am not finishing the challenge this year, but I enjoyed it during the time I was on it. I would like to do it again and see it to completion. One word of advice: do your push-ups early in the day, rather than late. As the numbers mount it can be very disheartening to realize you still have so many push-ups to do when you are tired and ready to go to bed.

I wish you success.

Joel

Anonymous said...

Joel,

Thanks again for your feed back. I will definitely take your advice and get them done as early as possible!

d.

Anonymous said...

I finished the PU challenge for 2007. I agree Joel it was difficult at the end to keep going as the volume mounted.

I'm very glad though of the results. I noticed marked change in my pecs and triceps and overall much better tone in my upper body (I never managed to get my self consistent in any other exercise -- so these results are for an almost PU-only workout).

2008 I'm trying to keep up a moderate amount of PUs (perhaps 50-150 per day) but do a more balanced workout consistently.

NoBite said...

I am in the midst of this challenge for 2008, along with several guys at work. I need to ask a question about the chart. Today was the first workout in March. As such, there are now 3 columns on the chart. I have not missed a day or the required number of p/u and I have entered them correctly on the chart each day. However, my middle column on the chart is calling for 1 additional pushup over the quantity indicated in the left-most column. Why is that? I thought the middle column would have a variance from the daily amount ONLY if you had missed some pushups and the amount missed was being spread over a five-day period. What am I not understanding? Thanks!

JME said...

NoBite,

I'm not certain I understand the problem you are having, but my best guess without looking at the spreadsheet is that the leap year (2008) may be throwing the numbers off. The chart was built for 2007, so there would be a one rep discrepancy for 2008.

Joel

NoBite said...

JME - I don't think the leap day affected anything because as a group our folks decided to ignore FEB 29, act as if it did not exist. IOW, it was a day off! So, unless the chart is somehow connected to real world time, I can't see how leap year could affect a thing. What I see looking at the chart is, starting in March, a new middle column titled "Reps Req." For March 1, Daily Reps is 60, Reps Req. is 61. One rep is added for each day of the five-day group. Then, something even stranger happens on March 6. On that day, Daily reps is 65, but Reps Required is 116. Again one rep is added to Reps Required consecutively in that five-day block. On the next day, March 11, the number of Daily Reps is 70, but Reps Required has catapulted to 188. This oddity repeats throughout the entire remainder of the chart, for all months. For instance, on the last day of the year, there are 365 reps in the Daily Reps column, but an astonishing 12,729 reps in the Reps Req column.

JME said...

NoBite,

The only other thing that occurs to me is the original spreadsheet had a bug in it that was fixed in a later release. If you have the original version, it may explain what is happening.

The Wiki that archived the spreadsheet seems to have lost it. I will try to track the later version down and send it to you.

If you are familiar with Excel, you should be able to create a workable solution to logging the challenge, albeit maybe not as slick as the one Gunnar put together.

Sorry for the difficulties you are having.

Joel

NoBite said...

Hey, Joel, I think I have fixed the sheet! It is protected, so I copied it and pasted into a blank worksheet. One of the hidden columns, K, had formulas entered for March 1-5 that simply needed to be erased. Once that was done, everything else fell into place. My correctly entered amounts for March 1 and 2 now act as they should - - - the cell turns blue and the totals are shown at the bottom of the column. I think all is well now. My future posts will be relevant to the task at hand, not recording it! LOL!

NoBite said...

Today is Day 68. On Day 30 I tweaked the bursor (sp) in my right shoulder and have been unable to do Hindu Pushups painfree since. I have dropped them from my routine. I have been able to do Atlas I and Atlas II pushups and that has been my mainstay.

Lately, I have rediscovered the Miracle 7 tiger Moves. The first 5 have really helped my shoulder! In a short four days I feel much better!

At work, only one of the three fellas that joined me in the Challenge is still consistently hanging in there. The other two occasionally do their pushups. I thought they would have been gamers longer than this!

NoBite said...

Well, tomorrow is 100! Only one guy at work still hanging with me. Possibly his sister is still in, too. Everyone else is history. I have had ticky-tack shoulder problems on and off with my right shoulder, but still going strong. I've been alternating Atlas 1 and Atlas 2 pushups, using cinder blocks. All exercising done outdoors in fresh air, unless there is ice on my blocks. Also using a strap device around a tree limb to do body rows as a pulling exercise to offset the pushups. Is this the right place to be posting 2008 results?

JME said...

You're doing great. Keep it up!

Joel

NoBite said...

Joel, is there another place where folks are posting updates to the 2008 pushup challenge? Not much activity here except you and me!

JME said...

Last year there were update threads on several Internet forums. You might check around with Google, or find a forum you like and start your own! :)

Joel

Anonymous said...

I am going for it.Have not missed a day so far!

NoBite said...

Hey, way to go! I am on track, too!! I have been splitting my numbers into four sets. First set is Atlas I. Second set is Atlas III, then back to Atlas I and finish with Atlas III. At home I am using concrete blocks out in the yard. On the road I use chairs in the hotel room or what ever is available.

Keep posting your results! We may get some conversation going in 2008 yet!!

Anonymous said...

I am the anonymous one!Seriously it is quite motivating to see the numbers go up.Generally I do sets of 20-25.Still cannit quite imagine 300 aday!

Anonymous said...

Did them all in Hindu style today and it was tough.Triceps feeling it abit.
I now add in 75-100 pull ups 2-3 times a week.
I am going to Spain for a month in the Summer so I will be doing 200 a day them.I will need to do them first thing so that it is not to hot!

NoBite said...

Guy, that is fantastic. On Day 30 I tweaked something in my right shoulder doing Hindu Pushups. I have not been able to do one since. Only recently has my shoulder quit hurting. I have been mixing in pull-ups with a nylon strap device around a tree limb. Not 100% body weight, but what I can manage. I think you really do need a pulling exercise to complement all the pushups. I, too, prefer to do my pushups in the morning. We are avid trail riders (horses) and have a big week-long ride scheduled for early October. It will be interesting to see how I can blend in the pushups with the daily activities on the road!

Good luck. Thanks for continuing to post your results!!

Anonymous said...

Going well.Alternating Hindus with normal push ups( or press ups as we call them in the UK).I am planning to split them up morning and night soon.

NoBite said...

Hey, Guy! I am currently doing four sets. 30 -30-30 and then the balance in set four. I'd like to do this until the fourth set gets to 50 reps and then start building up the third set, up to 50. My goal is to eventually be able to do four sets of 50. That takes me up to 200 total. I am not sure how I will go about adding to that. Can't think any farther ahead than that right now!

Anonymous said...

Still going and turned a corner I think as they seem to be getting easier.As I mix up Crossfit and ideas from this site I thought the push ups might initially be to much.However going well !

NoBite said...

Hey, Guy, good morning to ya!

Instead of pushing my fourth set to max reps, I have gone to five sets of 30. Well, the fifth set is at 40, well below my max. Then, I am adding to set four. Today was 33 reps in set four. First three sets @ 30 each.

This seems to work well. I can honestly say I feel stronger and the reps feel easier. I walk my dog, briskly, about 30 minutes EVERY morning following my pushups. And, since we live in the country with our horses, there are plenty of other outdoor chores! Feels great!

Oh, one more thing. I am doing all my pushups outdoors, always. Only exception was a very few days in the winter when there was ice on my cinder block pushup station! Otherwise, it's the great outdoors.

How is it going for you??

Anonymous said...

Going well,thanks.As I said I believe that I have turned a corner as I seem to fly through them now.Today I did a set of 80 followed by sets of 20-25.Now it is a real challenge.Cannot wait for the days of 300 plus !
It is encouraging to know that at least one person out there is going for it!

NoBite said...

Guy, let's report in! I have moved my sets to 3X50 then the balance for the 4th set. I alternate Atlas 1 and Atlas 3 pushups.

Last Wednesday we hauled 128 bales of hay out of a field after work. Stacked it on our flat bed trailer and then stacked it in the barn when we got home. Those were some very heavy bales. I tweaked a tendon in my right elbow. Of course, my very first fear was that it would affect my pushups. Thank the Good Lord it does not!

Funny how the PU challenge is pretty important by now. I think it is about 50/50 mental and physical.

How is it going for you?

BTW, where are you located, in general? I am in western KY.

Anonymous said...

Hello,
I am in a place called Eastbourne on the far South coast of England.
Push ups are going well,now a daily habit!

Usually sets of 30 but should get to sets of 50 in a few months!

JME said...

Great job, guys. What an incredible feeling of accomplishment to be on track after six months!

Joel

NoBite said...

Joel, this IS great! I'm glad to have a "pushup pal," with the bonus being he's halfway across the globe. That's pretty darn cool.

Hey, Guy. Just for kicks, how old are you? I'm 54, pushing 55 in a few months.

Anonymous said...

You have a decade on me.I am 44.
Hey where are all the studs in their 20's ?!

NoBite said...

Apparently, all the 20-somethings are on the sidelines.

Anonymous said...

Still on track ,doing sets of 30 now,on the minute.Soon be up to 200 a day!

NoBite said...

You must have been reading my mind! I was getting ready to post to you. I was wondering if your sets/reps were going to be modified once you hit the magical 200 in a few days? I am currently doing 50-50-50-remainder. Now I do Atlas3-Atlas2-Atlas1-Atlas3. So, I am not sure if I will simply add a fifth set or try to push one of the sets past 50, or even break up the workout into two workouts - morning and evening. Are you still doing it all in one workout? So far, I am. But, I do rest between sets enough to get the next one done!

Anonymous said...

Yes all one workout but I think that at about 250-300 I may split it.
Off to Spain for a month next week so may not post for a while but I do not want to think of you slacking as the thought of you doing the reps as well does help to keep me on track...something along the lines of...

"**** I bet that bloke in the states has done his push ups today"

NoBite said...

Guy, I WON'T be slacking! Ha!

I have found that vacations are the toughest times. Breaks the routine. We ride horses. Trail riding is our pastime. On the mornings I fail to do my PU, I have to do them when we return from a six-hour trail ride and I would really rather have a beer. But, the pushups come first. It doesn't help that the wife is enjoying her brew!

Have a safe trip to Spain!

Anonymous said...

Raining here on the south coast of England but off to sunnier climes soon.Last post for a month but hitting the big 200 in a day or so.Looking forward to running early morning in Spain and doing my push ups on the beach.
I know you will not slack.....7 months in and going strong!

NoBite said...

Guy, it may be a bit early for your return, but just a note to let you know all is going well on my end. I am now doing 3 sets of 50, a set of 40 and the balance in the fifth set. Alternating Atlas 1 and Atlas 3 pushups. I have finally moved indoors as the humidity finally got to me.

Anonymous said...

Just curious guys, have you experienced a noticeable improvement in your physique from doing the pushup challenge? I just knocked out several sets of burpees and I feel sick to my stomach lol. Just trying to gauge the sort of results I can expect from bw exercises.

NoBite said...

Hi, Cody! Heck, yes! I have moved from wearing Large T-shirts to XL, simply because of the increase in chest and shoulder size. Now, I've got other areas to develop and I'd like to lose some weight, too. But, the unexpected benefit of the push-up challenge for me is the feeling that I CAN accomplish those goals. There is something very good about knowing that you have kept your pledge to yourself. Even on the days when you were drop-dead tired, you did your pushups. So, I find myself now setting other goals and working on them. Adding things to my routines. But, to simply answer your direct question, absolutely YES you can change your physique with BW exercises!!

NoBite said...

GUY - just a note to say that this week I changed my sets and reps format a bit. Now, I am doing 4x50 and the balance needed in set 5. If outdoors, I use my cinder block station to create three different levels for my feet, with hands always elevated. If indoors, I am using pushup handles to elevate my hands and am using a couch or chair to elevate feet. The 50 reps for each set used to be tough. Now, it is getting much easier. Still, that is a good top-end number for a set for now. Just now starting to consider what I will do when I reach past 250 reps. As has been the case with each milestone so far this year, the answer usually reveals itself when I reach the milestone! Hope your vacation was great and that you are still on track.

Anonymous said...

Hey!

Just back form sunny Spain feeling fit and well.Kept on track and feeling good.
I must say that since I have been doing over 200 a day I am starting to see a real significant physique change.
Hope all is well.

NoBite said...

GUY - Just wanted to welcome you to September, buddy! Going strong! I've decided on a protocol when we eclipse 250. I've been doing 4x50 and then the balance in the 5th set. When we get to 251 I'm going to keep 4x50. The 5th set will drop to 40 and the balance in the 6th set, until it equals 40. At that point I will go to 5x50 and the balance in set 6. Still varying my feet elevation with every set and keeping hands elevated. If outdoors, I am using cinder blocks. If indoors, I use pushup handles. Better stretch with elevated hands.

How are you doing?

supertommy said...

I think this push up challenge is quite intimidating..maybe it's the idea of doing 365 push ups in a roll. For those who actually accomplished this feat, you might be interested in 100 push-ups in 100 seconds challenge: http://www.parttimepersonaltrainer.com/2008/09/05/100-push-ups-in-100-seconds-challenge/

NoBite said...

Hey, TOMMY! You don't have to do 365 consecutive push-ups!! Just 365 push-ups in one day (24 hours).

NoBite said...

GUY - time to check in!!!!

Today was a milestone day - 250. Five sets of 50.

How 'bout you??????????

Anonymous said...

Hi,hope alll is well.Still working out.Mixing up various styles,some left me sore though i.e diamond push ups !Glad to see you are on track.Bad cold last week so missed a day but added them onto other days to make up!!
An unusual side effect is that my shirt collar size has gone up half an inch!
Keep it up.

NoBite said...

That's interesting. I have struggled with a cold of some type, too. Not bad enough to miss a day, but a struggle. Had to sleep quite a bit this weekend and ran a fever Saturday morning. Much better today.

You had me worried, mate!

Good to hear from you!!

NoBite said...

GUY - tried an interesting experiment this morning. We live in the country with horses. I pull early morning duty and after feeding and grooming the horses, I had pretty much decided not to do my pushups this morning. But, after the usual limbering up exercises I felt differently about it and it was a cool 59 degrees this morning, which felt great. I had wasted a bit of time, but still wandered over to my pushup station (cinder blocks) when the idea hit me. Why not see if I could rip of 100 consecutive reps of Atlas pushups. Remember, I have been doing sets of 50 for some time now, but actually had never tried for more than that. Well, I am happy to report that the 100 reps weren't that big a deal. I likely could have done 20 or so more, but that would have been venturing into close to the max-out zone, something I want to avoid while do the Challenge this year. Sure felt good to find out I can handle 100!

JME said...

NoBite,

That's great news! It must have been very encouraging to rip through 100 reps when you hadn't tried a big set in a long time.

Thanks for sharing your experiences throughout the challenge with us. I've enjoyed reading your posts.

Joel

Anonymous said...

Yes,a great effort.The big 300 will be on us before we know it!

Anonymous said...

Hey,
Its all gone quiet!Still hammering out push ups over here....!

NoBite said...

Hey, Guy! I'm at it, too! Changed my sequence up a bit. Now I am doing my "short set" first, followed by five sets of 50. Still alternating feet elevation with every set. We leave for a week-long horse camping trip this Sunday. Vacations are always difficult. Especially the horse trips as I will guarantee that no one else around the camp will be performing pushups! LOL! There are lots of activities surrounding riding and new aches and pains, as well as folks telling you "You are on VACATION!" So, I know I will be the odd man out. But, I'm as ready for the challenge as I can be. I will try to get my sets in early in the morning so as to be able to relax when returning from the trail rides. When everyone else is enjoying a cold, adult beverage, I don't really want to be cranking out my pushups! The numbers are fairly serious now. Still, it is a mental challenge. Let's go!

NoBite said...

Back from vacation. Had a blast and really surprised myself at how convenient it was to keep up the pushups. For once I was getting plenty of sleep. The pushups were actually easier than when I am in the work routine at home and not sleeping nearly as much. Good, fresh air. Plenty of exercise all day long. Man, that was GREAT!!

Anonymous said...

I actually did 300 yesterday,put some in the bank!
With some busy days coming up I may have to do 400-500 aday to keep on track for a few weeks!

NoBite said...

Guy, what protocol are you using right now? I really like sets of 50. Right now I am doing the "extra" first, then 5x50.

Anonymous said...

Sets of 40 with 90 seconds between is suiting me.I always do the last set as hindu push ups.Twice a week I do 10x 50m hill sprints with 25 push ups after each run.25 seems a lot after the 8th run!!

NoBite said...

Sweet routine, Guy! I am very cautious with the Hindu pushups. I used to do mass quantities of them, but at one point (day 30 in this contest) I injured my right shoulder doing them and it still isn't 100%! I like the Hindu pushups, but will not be doing them again this year. The idea of the hill sprints is intriguing. That is missing from my program. I do walk, very briskly, every day for 30 minutes. I have a Doberman who simply loves his walk, so it is something I'd do anyway.

Anonymous said...

Off to The Netherlands for a week so I will doing my push ups on my decking for a while.

NoBite said...

Have a safe trip! I've got a 3-day business trip next week. So, I am taking pushup handles with me and will use a chair in the hotel room to assist in the Atlas pushups. The weather here is finally starting to cool off into fall. Great for outdoor exercising!

Anonymous said...

Back and feeling good.Missed one day so had to crack out 500 plus on my return!

NoBite said...

500+ !!

Good grief. That's insane, Guy. Glad you are back. Happy to hear you are in the race still. Heck, I'll feel like I'm slacking to get 300 in two days.

Anonymous said...

How can i change the database to start on a different date? Also, I want to add two other exercises, if possible.

Thanks!

tom_hotz@hotmail.com

JME said...

Tom,

Which database are you referring to? You should be able to create a custom log for the challenge in Excel or a similar program. And yes, I think adding another exercise or two is a fine idea. Dan Ciruli originally did both push-ups and crunches.

Joel

NoBite said...

Tom, if you are simply wanting to start on a different date and keep everything else intact, then the solution may be simple. If you are competent with EXCEL, you are simply re-configuring the sequence of months and days. I would have two copies of the layout, one to keep in the original format and the other to tweak. Get all the months lined up in the desired sequence. Then by copying and pasting the formulas in the original chart, you should be able to create a new chart with the desired start/finish points. Tedious, but it should not be difficult.

Anonymous said...

Going well.Push ups are flying along now at a rate of knots.Soon be the end of the year and the need for a new challenge....!

Anonymous said...

Hello people.. i'm thinking i'm going to start my push up challenge on Jan 1, 09.. is it safe to say that doing push ups daily for an entire year, will not cause over training, cause i would really like to take this challenge.

NoBite said...

Welcome aboard! It is hard to answer your question as you are really going to be conducting your own experiment! Depending on your current level of fitness, how well you know your body and your ability to manage stress in your life you may handle this challenge with little fear of over training. Or, you may find yourself catching colds easier, constantly fatigued, fighting chronic soreness and dropping out. I can only say with certainty that I have found this to be a wonderful challenge and I have had to draw upon resources I did not know I had to complete it up to this point. We are not done, but I expect to finish the challenge strong.

Anonymous said...

Some good points.I had a struggle at the 200 mark but it requires simple planning.Once you get to a certain point then you do not want to stop because you really do start seeing the benfits.Posting on here helps a lot and also telling friends --you will not want to fail because of your pride!

NoBite said...

GUY - time to check in.

I had perhaps my toughest test recently. We traveled to my inlaws for Thanksgiving day. One of my wife's sisters was hosting the party and did all the cooking. When we arrived, she told me "Don't get too close, I'm sick."

Sickness is one scourge I have been able to avoid all year. Until now. Returning home on Thursday, we looked forward to an extended weekend and had horse riding plans on Saturday. Friday was a day filled with shopping (online) and decorating the house. When Saturday morning came, I felt odd. By the time to depart I felt real bad. Stomach unrest is the most polite way to describe the ailment. I let my wife go by herself.

Over the course of the next few days I battled a bad cold, taking Monday and Tuesday off work.

Fortunately, my daily regime of pushups had created an ability to "push on." I had quite a long recovery period after each set, but I did not fail to complete any day's measure! Wednesday was by far the most difficult day. When you have great congestion in your chest and all that junk in there coughs loose, it is hard to have much endurance. But, I made it through.

I am looking forward to New Year's Day! It will be most rewarding to reflect on this accomplishment. Not there yet, of course. But, we are seeing the finish line!

Now, Guy, what's your situation?

NoBite said...

Uh-oh! No response from Guy!

This is serious.

All-page: Guy, are you out there??????

Anonymous said...

I am here but out of the challenge.Last week I was in hospital with an abcess and am only resuming exercise at the weekend.I am 2 weeks behind and some 3000 push ups behind.
However life does throw stuff like that at you.But I have a plan....

Basically I am going to run into the New Year and get them done by Mid January as I have come so far with them.
Annoying but just an obstacle to be hurdled!!
All the best!

NoBite said...

Guy, as always, I appreciate your honesty. I am sorry for your malady. This challenge requires more than a little luck to avoid serious illness or injury. I know you will finish out the reps into next year. I'll be rooting for your completion!

Anonymous said...

Hey Nobite,
Finally back to some push ups ,did 215 today and felt ok.Very fustrating about been waylaid but you know what I think I will aim for 2009.........

NoBite said...

Always good to hear from you. I am pulling for you to hit your goal!

For me, I am counting down the days. Have to tell you I am anxious for the challenge to be completed. I have received a pair of Warrior Ts that I look forward to using. I want to experiment with slow Atlas pushups and see how deep I can go with them. Some day I want to be able to do a handstand pushup. I would like to play around with one-arm pushups. More than anything right now, I look forward to a day off! LOL!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to you Nobite I wish I could have stayed with you on the challenge but my body decided otherwise..but 2009 is only a few days away!!!!!Maybe I will renew the challenge.
God bless.

NoBite said...

Guy, you are truly my friend! Thank you for the nice thoughts. I have no doubt you will exceed your goals. This challenge has given us both real mental strength. My wife wonders about my sanity sometimes, but I will not be denied this accomplishment! Down to the last seven days. I have a knot of soreness just inside my right shoulder blade. But, I can grit my teeth and do my daily allotment. It will be done.

2009 will bring new challenges. I am going to concentrate on a better diet. I want to incorporate some pull-ups, always a weakness of mine. I would like to be able to do handstand pushups, maybe just one! LOL!

Most of all, I hope to keep in touch with you. You said once you kept at it at times knowing there was a Yank overseas doing his daily duty. Well, you also inspired me. I've appreciated that quite a bit.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

NoBite said...

Down to the last day, tomorrow! I've been fighting a knotted pain just under my right shoulder blade for the past week or so. Three days ago the pain was intense. Had to grit my teeth and gut it out to get the pushups in. Tomorrow, though, it will be worth it. No one at work even asks me about the Challenge any longer. They don't think they have it in them. It's in there, but maybe tough to get out. I have enjoyed this challenge. It has pushed me farther than I thought it would. So many days when it would have been easy to slack. Last summer after a long trail ride and my wife already with her Bud Lite and me wanting one. Pushups first, though! The various aches and pains, some just a bother, others a real issue, like the shoulder blade now. Living on the edge of exhaustion at times. Being almost Monk-like in wanting to avoid folks with colds so as not to acquire one and thus put a crimp in the pushups. Yes, this has been an obsession. I still look at myself and see the areas where I fail. My eating habits are not good. This and that can be improved. But, I also now look at myself with satisfaction of a goal achieved, a real bit of accomplishment that just feels good.

NoBite said...

10:15 AM CST. Mission accomplished. 365 today. I have successfully completed the 2008 pushup challenge.

Anonymous said...

Let me be the be first to say well done.I will complete it by 21st Jan if all goes well.
Happy new year and have a rest now...you have earned it!

JME said...

Both you guys have done an outstanding job.

Well done.

Joel

Anonymous said...

Anyone doing the challenge in 2009?

Anonymous said...

I've been doing it. I do 'em as soon as I jump out (or roll out) of bed in the morning. Gets the blood flowing. I can definitely see how the real challenge will not be doing the pushups, but doing the pushups every day. I'm looking forward to it, though!

NoBite said...

GUY! Hey, my friend, report in, please. Are you ready to celebrate completion of your mission?

Anonymous said...

All done.It was actually hard to motivate myself since the new year but I knew it would be worth it even if I was a few days late.
I will now settle into a routine of harder push ups every other day i.e feet raised etc.

NoBite said...

Guy, FANTASTIC! Hooorah!!

Happy to hear about your success. Thanks for being there for support all year long. We made it!!!!!!


I am typing this by running a generator. We are out of power and have been for the past 12 days. The worst ice storm in Kentucky history hit us hard. Over 10,000 families still without power in our county alone. My wife and I are doing better than many as we have camping gear due to our horse camping habit. So much tree damage. It will be months to get all cleaned up I fear. But, next five days will be above freezing, so spirits are up!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear that.I have never been to Kentucky but I am sure you will overcome your present trials.I went to Key West for my Honeymoon and have spent time up and down the East Coast.North Carolina was nice,we stayed in Asheville and I loved Maine and New Hampshire.I climbed up Mount Washington and it was very windy!
Anyway my triceps are still sore so I am running and doing pull ups.Try to google Recon Ron which is a great pull up workout to try over several months!
All the best

NoBite said...

GUY - Just hoping you find the Facebook Group recently created! If so, please join up. This is a great way to keep in touch.

BKon said...

Started the Challenge on 05/24/2010. I am up to 29 push-ups today for a total of 434 on the year! Great challenge! I hope to do the full year in 2011 and then maybe... just maybe graduate to one arm push ups or pull ups for 2012.

Anonymous said...

I'm doing the challengei in 2012, anyone else?

Mike said...

I'm getting a late start, but I'm in for 2012.

Guy said...

No bite, are you still around.? would like to hear how you are doing!

NoBite said...

Guy! Hello, my friend. Yep, still kicking. I have set some aggressive goals for this year. Or, actually for my next year as I turn 60 in September of 2013. Currently, I am concentrating on the Miracle 7 exercises and Atlas III push-ups. I'll be perfectly honest with you (that hasn't changed) and tell you that keeping a positive attitude plays a big part in my workouts. When I am down on myself, it is hard to be productive in the workouts. Life throws us challenges, of course. Been pushing through some recently and I have let it affect me too much. But, I will persevere.

Hope you are doing well. Always good to hear from you!

Guy said...

Yes I am well thank you.I hope the storm is not affecting you.
The miracle 7 is from the Transformetrics site is it not?

I used to post there but was banned ,not much open discussion allowed on there!

Anyway I will do the push challenge this year ,starting in January 2013 and hope to make it through first time.

Stay safe!!

NoBite said...

Yes, Miracle 7 is from Transformetrics. I wondered why I hadn't seen you there lately. Sorry to hear that.

The storm is not affecting me. But, my daughter and her family are right in the middle of it with no power. Fingers crossed for them.

Good luck on the p/u challenge. You can do it!

Guy said...

Going well on the push ups. Some inner elbow pain though which is annoying! However it comes to us all every now and then.

No bite, hope you are keeping well across the ocean.

NoBite said...

Guy! Great to hear from you. Congrats on your early progress in the challenge. I have been bothered lately by a thyroid imbalance. Still working out regularly, but not feeling all too well. Things will get better. Tweaked my right shoulder a month ago and have been carefully working around it. I have a push-up contest in May where I am the defending champion. Need to get my ailments solved long before then to have a good chance at it. Still loving those push-ups! I look forward to reading your updates here, my friend.

Guy said...

Hey no bite,

I hope you are well. Have a good Christmas!

Remember " ride your best horse !"

All the best , Guy

NoBite said...

LOL - Just never know when you're going to pop up, Guy! Thanks for the good wishes. I am well. Turned 60 this past September. Still exercising and out-push-up'ing the youngsters! Thanks, also, for remembering my byline.

Hope you are enjoying life on your side of the pond! It's great to keep in touch.

ken from canada said...

I stumbled upon this thread through google. I started with ten pushups a day in mid March and I'm up to 53 now (my age). I wasn't sure what my goal should be but having read your comments top to bottom I obviously have to try for a year. You guys are truly inspirational.