The 100 push up challenge

[southernsoftie]

10 out 10 for that motivational speech, its enough to make Hetty sweaty

Haha! I used to train with someone years ago, and we used to take protein/creatine supplements. They would have ridiculous 'POWER' names, like Cyclone and Body Fortress. When one of us started struggling, the spotter would growl some of these in an effort to get some more effort out of them. Inevitably though (and not unintentionally), the spotter would have to rescue the lifter, as they lost all their strength in a fit of laughter.

[TheHeathens]

I did think about doing Week 5 Day 1 Col 3 today, but looking at it, I needed another day. Not so much to recover from my Exhaustion Test yesterday, more for psychological preparation: 36/40/30/24/Max (40). No way!!

I think that was pretty much the same when I saw my Week 3 Day 3 programme!

[southernsoftie]

I think that was pretty much the same when I saw my Week 3 Day 3 programme!

Gotta suck it up tonight though!! No more delays.

[BritNick]

Dyson at the ready with new filters?

[southernsoftie]

Dyson at the ready with new filters?

Yup - hoovering my arms back off the floor!!

It just keeps getting harder folks!

Week 5 Day 1 Col 3

36/40/30/24/Max (40) - 170 total!

That was really, really chuffing hard. First time I've had to take a longer rest than stated between sets (2mins between 4th and final), and the last set I had to break up.

I did a 20, then was aiming for four mini-sets of 5. Did 5 and 5 with a usual coupla second pause at top, but before the 3rd and 4th 5, I had to break: get on my knees and sit back on them, head touching the floor, arms stretching out in front. Probably broke for 3-5 secs at a time, before knocking out the next 5.

Only 185 to do on Thurs

Got Week 4 Day 1 Col 2 of the Pull-Up Challenge to do yet tonight! Just waiting for me arms to recover a bit!

[NirvanaBliss]

Quick question for you, thought i'd come in the gym here and ask you all! i bought a running book, and the info on the food and drink i do understand, but it mentions creatine supplements, if i have enough protein foods, do i need a supplement? and what are creatine supplements are they tablets, or will it be a drink formula? thanks x

[Al Fowler]

Quick question for you, thought i'd come in the gym here and ask you all! i bought a running book, and the info on the food and drink i do understand, but it mentions creatine supplements, if i have enough protein foods, do i need a supplement? and what are creatine supplements are they tablets, or will it be a drink formula? thanks x

Creatine come as tablets. Commonly taken by body builders/ weight lifters.

[southernsoftie]

Quick question for you, thought i'd come in the gym here and ask you all! i bought a running book, and the info on the food and drink i do understand, but it mentions creatine supplements, if i have enough protein foods, do i need a supplement? and what are creatine supplements are they tablets, or will it be a drink formula? thanks x

Creatine can come in tablet or as an element of a protein shake. My favourite back in the day was Cyclone, a protein shake but with added creatine. Tasted very nice.

As to whether you need it or not, I'd say probably not. Creatine is used for strength and building muscle mass. I tended to use it as part of a graduated nutrition regime: increasing natural protein in diet; whey protein supplement; then hit the creatine.

I'd only go to the next stage when I had hit a training plateau - i.e. a couple of weeks where I gained no more strength. The best bit for me about the protein/creatine was the increase in strength/power (bound to cause some arguments that debate), and the bulk I was able to add on. It was after one of these progressions that I hit my biggest of 13st. Was very strong at this point, but still had a build that fitted my frame, and I could still run for miles. Ho-hum, happy days!!

Anyway, from what I know about your aims from our little chats:
1) I would assume that you don't necessarily want to add bulk to your frame
2) You're not primarily interested in strength, certainly not the ability to move mountains of metal
3) are not at an advanced enough stage in your training yet, even if you were you interested in strength, to get the most of a creatine supplement.

I would just try at this stage to get as much natural protein in your diet to repair the muscle damage caused by your activity - erring more towards maintaining the balance than building masses of muscle. Though as you are still starting out relatively speaking, you would need to go through a stage of building some muscle. It's just a question of how far you take it.

Nuts, fish, chicken, usual suspects. If you must, especially immediately following a gym session, something like a slimfast shake (15-20g) or a can of Dunns River Nourishment (c26g?). Then there's always pilchards on toast (81g)!!

[BritNick]

Yup - hoovering my arms back off the floor!!

It just keeps getting harder folks!

Week 5 Day 1 Col 3

36/40/30/24/Max (40) - 170 total!

That was really, really chuffing hard. First time I've had to take a longer rest than stated between sets (2mins between 4th and final), and the last set I had to break up.

I did a 20, then was aiming for four mini-sets of 5. Did 5 and 5 with a usual coupla second pause at top, but before the 3rd and 4th 5, I had to break: get on my knees and sit back on them, head touching the floor, arms stretching out in front. Probably broke for 3-5 secs at a time, before knocking out the next 5.

Only 185 to do on Thurs

Got Week 4 Day 1 Col 2 of the Pull-Up Challenge to do yet tonight! Just waiting for me arms to recover a bit!

That's where you're going wrong, ss. I'm not suprised you're struggling with the demanding push-up routine if you're tackling the pull-up routine as well. That's too hardcore and doomed to failure.

[NirvanaBliss]

Thank you, yes i don't want to put bulk on in process of reducing bulk. Slimfast shakes i am okay with and the other one not heard of, and ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww god i rather stick pins in my eyes than eat pilchards! but i have chicken, nuts, eggs, and also occasionally i will eat white fish, was looking into buying a omega 3 supplement, but hopefully one without the taste.