Reader Questions; Laughter for Health; A Fun Picture!
This pic is for the laughter/Levity part of this post! I was helping Cory (from Australia & the lady that paid our way to Colorado) down & we decided to have some fun with it!!!!!
Tuesday, I did a post on push-ups . I got a some great questions I want to share here. One I have an answer for, the other I want to solicit your input and the third was an entry by FJ.
1. What the heck is a prison push-up?
I had not even heard of these so I Googled them. This is the answer I found for a prison push-up: Apparently you get a deck of shuffled cards. Turn over the first card & do as many push-ups as the number on the card. Face cards are 10 push-ups & Aces are 11. Beginners can try 3-5 cards then a 30 second to 1 minute rest. I guess it would be quite a challenge to finish the whole deck! WOW!
If anyone else does these prison push-ups differently, let us know!!!!
2. I'd be interested to get your opinion. I'd love to start integrating more core work in to my routines but I'm still 240 pounds and the concept of a push-up is still slightly beyond my grasp. What's the best way to work up to this particular exercise that is so dreaded by many a workout buddy of mine?
OK, I have never been close to this weight so I wanted to solicit my readers out there that have been there done that & let me know what YOU have done to work up to a push-up. This is what I wrote back:
I have never been that heavy but I do see The Biggest Loser contestants doing push-ups... many start by doing the knees on the ground type OR against a wall or counter as I mentioned in my post. I would always stress perfect form as it is easy to injure the shoulder joints if you don't do these right & your back if you don't hold your core in proper form. Also, an OK by your doc may be in order. I am going to ask my readers since I do have many at your weight or have been there.
OK READERS, let me know your thoughts!
3. FJ mentioned Hindu and dive bomber push-ups. I had not heard of them either! These & prison push-ups all new to me! I learning post for me too! So, here are 3 links I found on the hindu/dive bomber push-ups & chime if you have something to add!
http://www.trainforstrength.com/ex-1.shtml
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-perfrom-dive-bomber-push-ups-full-body-workout-245800/
http://www.mattfurey.com/hindu_pushups.html
On to laughter and health. It is a proven statistic & I have lots of posts on this. Here is a good one!! So, Lance from The Jungle of Life has a Laughter Project going on. He writes:
World Laughter Day!
I've teamed up with a couple of super-fantastic women. Along with Katie West and Ina Lukas, we are looking to spread a little extra playfulness, fun, and laughter out into our world.
This is all part of a movement we are creating, called The Levity Project.
In honor of World Laughter Day, on this coming Sunday (May 2nd), we are taking to the streets of New York City to create some of this playfulness and fun, with the idea that through joy, we can all experience a bit more peace in our world.
Do you live near New York City? Do you have friends, relatives, acquaintances that live there? You are all invited to this celebration of fun! (please share this with those you know who live close to NYC!)
What We Need:
- YOU! (and those you know!)
- Your registration - right here
- About two hours of your day on Sunday, May 2nd (10 AM - 11:30 AM)
There's no cost.
It is important to register, as the finalized meeting location will be sent out to registered participants.
We are looking to get as many people as we can to join in this celebration of life!
Thank you for all your support, not only with this, but for all that you do.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
With much appreciation,
Lance Ekum
Jungle of Life
lance.ekum@gmail.com
Hey, if you want to join in with Lance, check it out! OR maybe you just start your own movement in your own home or the gym. HAVE FUN!!!!!
Most likely will have more reunion pics this weekend! I know you enjoy the pics!
PS: Just a reminder to not forget the FitDeck Cards Giveaway. It is open through end of day Saturday!
Categories: Reader Questions, Fun Stuff, Motivation/Support, Push-Ups
Tags: feel good laughter The Jungle of Life The Levity Project Fun Stuff World Laughter Day push-ups
I like the prison push-ups! I also appreciate the question about being obese and trying out push-ups. I started out against the wall (10 reps/3 sets). Then progressed to the floor when that became easy. I put a pillow under the knees. My goal was 10/3, but I usually don't make it to 10 on the 3rd set. (That's okay; I'm getting there). IF that ever gets "easy," then I'll move to my toes. Hopefully, I'll be thinner by then.
Good luck with the dental work. I imagine a dental school has all the latest technology. You'll be in good hands.
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Thx Gina! I love the pillow suggestion!
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I have 3 things to say:
-Love that picture - too cute!
-We did Hindu push ups in my Boot Camp class a couple of summers ago
-Goooo Lance!
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THANK YOU Sahar!
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I just love the NAME prison pushups!!
(have you read the book ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK? you must...)
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Miz, now I have to find that book.. have not heard of it!
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A real potpourri of information today Jody. I never realized there were so many different types of push-ups.
Have a great weekend!
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Karen, push-ups are KING or Queen depending on how you want to look at it!
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ugh, sorry about your dental issues!
i didn't even know there was such a thing as world laughter day. i think that should be every day, don't ya think?
btw, forgot to mention the other day how cute the 'staged' photos of you holding up the boulders were.
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lovetoeatinpa... I think the laughter day is cooked up by Lance & his friends working to make the world better! Yes, should be every day!
Glad you liked the crazy pics!
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Prison Push Ups? That sounds like a way to add an interesting twist to a good workout.
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Thanks for answering the push ups questions..good luck at the dentist!
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Sian, thx for the great question. Obviously we were not the only ones that have never heard of them!
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When you are really heavy, you have to take into account your body weight when doing something like pushups. I would start with wall pushups, then move to incline pushups on a bench, then kneeling pushups and work your way up. That's what I did when I was heavier.
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Thx for your input Lori!
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I have worked with heavier clients for nearly 30 years. And this will be unpopular to say I know, but for obese people, I don't think it is a good course to push exercise at all -- least of all the push-up. This is why I'm not a fan of the Biggest Loser; they have made a reality show out of my livelihood.
The first phase, in my opinion, is the "getting in shape to get in shape" phase. This includes a great deal of walking, gentle strength exercise, and is a phase where a majority of the effort comes at the dinner table.
A lot can go wrong when an obese person gets pushed too hard -- much is compromised and also, it can make the idea of exercise seem overwhelming. Push-ups are hard enough for thin people who don't workout.
If your reader that asked that question would like more information, he or she is welcome to contact me, by way of my website Jody, and I will gladly give them all the time they need for free.
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Roy, thank you so much for offering up your help & knowledge!!! You are awesome!
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OMG dive bomber push ups are brutal! I do P90X and one of the dvd's focuses on push-ups & pull-ups and those are one of the many! You are in a regular push-up stance but your arms are out more and you move in a "climbing-under-barbed-wire" movement. It's killer but one hell of a work-out.
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Amanda, they sure look hard. I will have to try them!
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