Thursday, July 19, 2012

Want Change? Then Change!

Recently I have been hit by a realization - If I want to change the way I perform I have to change the way I workout.  Duh!  Watch me vlog about this realization and what I am doing about it.  

My newest workout Mantra:
If you follow me on Instagram (find me at) @BackatSquare0 you saw this last night after it suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks.
Seriously guys, I am busting it.
This is after doing sprint sets on the treadmill for 30 min.
Then following it up with burpees, squats, lunges, push ups, and kettlebells swings.
Things I didn't even know could hurt... HURT!

I decided to also take this inspiration and apply it to something I'd been thinking about for a while - The Plank a Day Challenge.

I have no core strength (or upper body strength FYI) and thought maybe that is why I have been having back problems.  
This seemed like a great way to push myself to work on my core, something I don't normally do.  I started on Monday and here are days 1-4.  I think at first I was not trying hard enough hence why the numbers were so low.  It is getting harder now so I think the times they will be creeping up very little from here on out.
My goal - 3 min plank by January 1st.  

One of the things that is motivating me most right now is the Twitter #PlankADay group we formed.  We  motivated, encourage, and occasionally tease, and challenge each other.  I am pushing myself even further knowing they are holding my accountable.  Thanks @MomonEmpty @robertwbriggs @mindybobe @runwithkate @FauxRunner @SolanaLeigh and all the others who are encouraging me.

Want to join in the conversation?  
You can encouraging me to plank, share you time with me, gain support through this crazy Twitter group, or just hassle me about how your planks dominate mine.
Find me on Twitter 
@BackatSquare0

Let me know - Are you interested in the #plankaday challenge?
Also, a friend of mine brought up a great question - What do you consider fitness?  
I just revealed I can run a marathon, but not do a single push up! (embarrassing, working on it)  Am I fit?  
I'd love to know - How do you define fitness?




18 comments:

  1. Great realization (and a great reminder to me) to switch it up so we can become better!

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    1. That is my new goal, to keep changing things up.

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  2. Woohoo!!! I love our plank peeps too!!! Thanks for the shout out!!!

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  3. Great blog and vlog! :-)

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    1. Thanks so much, I'm still a bit intimidated by vlogging.

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  4. I could not agree more! You are rockin' it girl! I've got your back whenever you find the creator of burpies...they seriously need some sense knocked into them ;) My upper body strength sucks and my mom can beat me in arm wrestling...not a proud moment. Thanks for sharing your realization because it would take me at least 2 years to realize that myself. Keep it up Abby!

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    1. Yes, burpees are the devil. Maybe we can do something about this upper body together.

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  5. i learned "nothing changes if nothing changes" ... insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. so easy to say, so hard to even realize that you are just in a cycle of doing what you are comfortable with! I want to be a part of #plankaday. I like you, can go long, but cannot do a push up (and I've been consistently going to bootcamp for 6 months already!) so doing this would be great for me!

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    1. You're right, totally easy to say, very hard to do something about. #plankaday is one small step in the right direction. I just Twittered stalked/encourage/harassed you about it.

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  6. I could totally getting into doing a plank a day! I've been slacking on my yoga classes (yay, getting free classes as a student at the campus gym) which means I've been slacking on my core work, which could be a recipe for disaster.

    I really, really love your mantra, by the way!

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    1. You should totally jump in.
      Free classes were the nest, didn't even realize how good I had it.

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  7. Go girl! You rock. Lots of people talk about switching it up, but you gave proof - you've got so much grit :-)

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    1. Thanks Kate. I really appreciate your support through all of this.

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  8. I don't think I'm dedicated enough for plankaday. I'm doing Tara's Plank, Push Up, Squat challenge (w/o the squats), and barely keep up with that. On the other had, I can plank for over 3 minutes, and do 25 push ups. Sorry if that sounds like bragging, but if I can (age 54, btw), you can too. Just gotta do it!

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    1. I am hoping I can get to your level. That is not bragging, it is awesome. I have never done anything except run so I lack core and upper body strength, but I am working on it:)

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  9. Woot! I look forward to seeing your progress with you high intensity workouts. The track workouts will make a huge difference, I promise!! Also, before CF I couldn't do a push-up, seriously, not even on my knees! My husband thought I was sad. I was sad! Now I can bust those suckers out back to back, chest all the way to the floor, for about 10 reps. Still working on more. All it takes is dedication. You've got it Abby!!!

    (PS- you sounded very natural on the vlog, I'm jealous. I'm still all sorts of nervous about doing them and being comfortable in front of the camera. I'm cool being behind it, but I'm afraid my true spaz will show too much on camera!!)

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    1. I love reading your blog Meg because the fact that you're a kick butt runner who now also does crossfit really inspires me. It is great to hear how you worked your way up and can now do push ups too. Trying hard to get there.
      Thanks for the vlog compliment. It's scary at first, but you just have to go for it.

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