If you want me to do something, just tell me I can’t. Or better yet, it’s only for boys.
“Reverse psychology,” what’s that?
Now I realize it’s been a bajillion hot minutes since I’ve talked about working out, but the truth of the matter is I’m still hitting the gym every chance I get, which is about three to four days a week. In November, I literally went 50% of the month or fifteen days out of thirty. Sorry I work in Accounting; numbers are my thing; excel spreadsheets too. 50% of the time isn’t my greatest stat this year, but considering we’re in my busy season at work and I’ve had far too many lunch meetings, I’ll take it. You see, I hit the gym on my lunch hour(ish), and it’s the perfect break in the middle of my busy workday to blow off some steam and alleviate stress.
Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of spinning sessions and even filling in for the teacher, who has missed a bunch of classes the past few weeks, which is pretty much my dream job. I love creating a playlist that’s going to amp everybody up and then yelling at them (nicely) to get that last bit of remaining strength. Most people in the class know I’m not an actual instructor, and they happily (I think) let me do my thing. We had one new girl two weeks ago though, who didn’t know. After class she told me, “You’re crazy, and I like that.” Someone, not me, might actually be offended by this statement, but truth be told, I relish it. In my book, it translates to, “you kicked my ass, and that’s why I’m here.”
In addition to spinning, I’ve been doing boot camp classes again, which I’m really not supposed to do. Pretty much anything where your foot leaves the floor is a bad idea for me. I have arthritis in my knee and what the medical folks call, “unstable patella,” which means my kneecaps are bound to pop put of place. Good times. It happened on a few occasions, when I was still a gymnast and again in the doctor’s office last year, when he examined me. He was messing around with my knees and oops, pop, there the cap went. I think I freaked him out a little and that’s also why he diagnosed me as being “hypermobile,” and told me the only exercise I could safely do was swim. He sent me to physical therapy for eight weeks and by the end, they told me your kneecaps are no more stable now than they were weeks ago. You’re just loose all over, which is likely why the Hubby was originally attracted to me.
So I go to boot camp classes where everyone else is hopping across the floor like Mexican jumping beans, and I’m stuck in the corner squatting it out.
I’ll be honest, it sucks watching everybody else complete the full exercise, while I merely do squats. I want to explain myself at every class and be like, “I could totally do all that if I wanted, but I’ve got bad knees. Seriously, my knee cap could pop out; it happens. I swear” and on and on, but I say nothing. I keep doing my corner squats while feeling just a trifle stupid or worse, weak. I can tolerate a lot of things, but being seen as weak isn’t one of them.
So lately, I’ve scaled back on the boot camp classes and been hitting the weight room instead. Alright truth time, I cut down because my gym reduced the number of boot camp classes they offer, but who cares the reason. I’m back in the weight room, where I need to be.
While I may be a cardio junkie, I also love how my body feels when I have muscle tone: strong, tight and like world domination might not be far off. I relish lotioning up in the morning (What? It’s really dry here in Ohio.) and feeling that hamstring in the back of my leg or could it be, some tricep action going on. Strength, in any form, feels good.
I mentioned before, my family and I are checking out doing a Tough Mudder (every time I watch this video, I get pumped), and it’s looking like it may happen this summer. As a part of that, I need to work on strength training, especially my upper body. The Tough Mudder website offers several training plans, and of course I haven’t looked into any of them. Instead I’m doing my own thing, at least for now, and a big part of that is Boy Push Ups. Girl Push Ups are no problem for me, but Boy Push Ups are something else entirely. You are literally supporting your whole body weight with just your arms and chests, and to get through a Mudder, I need to be able to do that.
So my plan is simple. I’m going to conquer Boy Push Ups.
Yesterday, I was able to knock out three sets of ten (my personal record), and I’m going to keep going until my chest gives out or the Tough Mudder comes, whichever happens first. I’m hoping for the Mudder. Since nothing gets me going like a good competition, who wants to join my self-created Boy Push Up Challenge? The goal is to be able to do One Million Boy Push Ups in a single day.
Alight that might be unrealistic, so I’m shooting for one hundred Boy Push Ups in one day. I’d sure like some company on my weird personal journey, so anybody game? You could set your own daily goal, whether it be five or five hundred; the only rule is they have to be boy style.
Oh and by the way, when it comes to balls, I don’t throw like a girl. My Dad raised me to play catch with a hard ball, and the Hubby proposed the first time he saw me pitch a softball (I kid). I may not be the MVP of any leagues, but I can throw the ball just as good as any boys I know.
What’s your favorite way to exercise, and what’s you favorite pump up song? Have you ever done a Tough Mudder, and do you want to do boy push ups with me? Pretty please….it’ll be fun or sadistic or something.
As usual, your post today had me laughing my butt off! Lovely way to start my day!! My favorite way to exercise is a very fast paced walk or a nice long bike ride! My favorite pump up song (these days) is, “Sexy and I know it”–mainly b/c it says, “I work outtttt” and when I actually AM working out and I hear that song I’m like, “yeah baby!” But on the down side, when I hear that song and I am not working out–or haven’t in a while, I’m like, “shut the F up…” My own fault though! LOL!
I’ve never done a Tough Mudder–I think I’d like to try it someday though…it’d definitely be something to strive for as a work out goal because it is no joke! And as of right now I can barely do a girl push up sooooo……yeah…………..
Have a great stress-free day!!!
That’s a great song. I’ll have to add it my playlist for sure. I was moving to Party Rock earlier today, but that’s so 2011.
Yeah, I think the Tough Mudder is going to kick my @ss, but I’m still game. In fact, I’m kind of excited.
I can attest…the girl is tiny, but mighty! Meghan can take on the persona of a drill sergeant at the gym and then rock the sexiest stilletios in town. She is a motivator extraordinaire!!
Katy, you sure know how to make a girl blush! Thanks; I’m missing you.
I love a girl who throws a hard ball! My dad taught me from an early age too.
Can’t wait to see how you so with the push ups. They are my favorite. 🙂
Why am I not surprised?! I’m thinking after I master the push ups (because I will master them damnit), I’ll move on to pull ups, which are probably your second favorite.
I cant do a boy push up….or a pull up either. Very neat that your family wants to do a tough mudder with you….I don’t think anyone in my fam would be even remotely interested if I asked them!
I can’t do pull ups either. I just dangle like a fish on a hook; it’s really embarassing. They’re next on the list to tackle.
That’s too bad about your family not being interested. It was actually my step brother’s idea, and he got the rest of us involved. You are more than welcome to join us. Wouldn’t it be kind of cool to have Jared cheering you on while you competed?
As you may expect from someone who wears Crocs in her yard, I prefer to exercise lying down.
At my spouse’s urging, I bought myself a Stott Reformer 11 months ago and now I work out in my basement. I love Pilates.
However, I like a challenge and will consider this one–if I can figure out how to do them on the reformer. I just tried doing a push up from Control Front with a half a spring on . . . I can do 5 but my arms are sliding in and out with the carriage and my wrists were not super thrilled with the idea. Perhaps holding onto the frame with heavier springs so no carriage movement.
You will be unsurprised that my spouse already does 100 push ups and sit ups a day.
As you may expect from someone who wears Crocs in her yard, I prefer to exercise lying down. I LOVE this sentence, and I had no idea what a Stott Reformer was so I googled it. Yeah, I think push ups on that thing are dangerous, unless you can get it stay steady. While I want you to do the challenge, I want you alive at the end to tell the tale. I started taking a Pilates class at the gym, and I’m hooked. I can see why you like it. It’s a great workout but very calming at the same time.
I got hooked on Pilates by taking a mat class with a great instructor at the county rec center. Then Denise sold her house and moved way out into the boonies, and the mat class wasn’t the same challenge. Conveniently, the rec center got some reformers, so I started taking a reformer class. Hooked. Bummed after we moved here and the only place to get on a reformer is in fancy gym with a personal trainer sitting next to you, (too rich for my blood) so I had to DIY.
I’m impressed and may have to hunt out a class based on your recommendation/opinion. I’ve never been a fancy gym girl either.
So sad, I can literally do 5 boy push ups. That’s it! I’ll take you up on this challenge!
YEAH! Boy Push Up Challenge here we come. By the way, I could only do five two weeks ago so you will get better.
I definitely can’t do a pull-up. I want to try spinning still. I have never tried a class yet.
I can’t do a pull up either, but those are next on my list. You should try spinning. It’s my favorite.
I’m with you girl! I’ll go for 20 real deal Military push ups a day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihvdd0rPTiU
Glad to have you in the Challenge and love the youtube clip. It’s very helpful, and the instructor’s easy on the eyes.
Meghan, I seriously love EVERYTHING about this post! I loved that the new girl told you you kicked her bootay! What an awesome compliment. I love that I learned something new about you (I don’t think I knew about your knee.. or maybe I did, but if so I had forgotten). I love that you & your family are thinking about doing the tough mudder together. && I love that you are challenging yourself with push ups. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that you won’t be able to achieve any goal you set for yourself!!
Thanks Jessie! The Hubby said this was his favorite post in awhile. People like a good workout, and I know you do too. Soon you will be kicking ass in that department.
I love the quotes! I am a CrossFitter true and true and can’t go back to conventional ways of working out. I love to push myself as hard as I can and do things that I never thought possible!
Exercise is such a great release and really pushing yourself is where it’s at. I’ve never done crossfit but would love to try it…even if I shouldn’t.