Day 15

The pain from yesterday hasn't subsided. However, mobility is back. Took the day off from work. Kept myself busy with household chores. Rocking my son to sleep was done by climbing up and down the stairs. A semi-workout that. Towards the evening, not wanting to lay off the pushup routine for two days at a stretch, did a set of pushups. This actually felt good. Kept doing stretch exercises in between.

Day 14

I am jinxed at some level. I woke up with the kind of upper shoulder strain that kills a whole week. Ice-pack and hot-pack and hot-shower and the pain lingered. The left shoulder throbbed through the day. So, long story short, today is a day-off

Day 13

Week 1, Day 2 of Hundred pushups
I did it. It is getting harder now. The last iteration requested 10 pushups minimum and I only met the bare minimum. I did do a few stretching exercises prior to the routine but straining of muscles did happen in a part that I figured will not get involved. I don't know how but my lower back had a small niggle following the pushups. This lasted till the evening. Planned to accentuate the workout with a small jog. Didn't happen. Maybe tomorrow.

Day 12

A scheduled day-off. I let go a little too much. Granted that it is difficult to not splurge in a typical south Indian dinner party but man... I really let go. I don't think I can find an article that advises on staying on course during south Indian dinner parties.

Day 11

week 1 day 1 of hundred pushups routine

I am on level 3 based on the 18 I managed in the initial test the day before.

week 1: pick the appropriate column depending on your initial test results

Day 1 rest 60 seconds between each level (longer if required)
	up to 5 push ups	6 - 10 push ups	more than 10 push ups
level 1	2	7	10
level 2	2	7	10
level 3	2	5	8
level 4	2	4	6
level 5	max (at least 3)	max (at least 5)	max (at least 7)
Day 2 rest 90 seconds between each level (longer if required)
level 1	4	9	12
level 2	3	8	12
level 3	2	6	10
level 4	2	5	10
level 5	max (at least 4)	max (at least 7)	max (at least 10)
Day 3 rest 120 seconds between each level (longer if required)
level 1	5	10	15
level 2	4	8	13
level 3	4	8	10
level 4	3	5	10
level 5	max (at least 5)	max (at least 10)	max (at least 15)

So, managed 10,10,8,6,8 with a one minute interval between each set. The last two sets were tough.

Day 10

Day off

Just some basic stretching

Day 9

Okay - my actual pushup limit before falling down on the floor is a weak 18. Yesterday evening, after 5 pushups, I felt some strain on my side. I did not want to start a new 'side' issue. So stopped. This morning, while being relatively fresher, I did some stretch exercises and went on to do 18 pushups. I figure I could have done a few more but did not want to overdo it. Already, felt some welcome tightening of biceps.

According to hundredpushups.com 's table my rank is now at a respectable 3.

Got a pleasant surprise at the weighing machine. The plan is to check only once a week. This week's reading was 175.5 lbs - a decent drop of about 2.5 lbs. I am sure the tolerance levels of this difference are being stretched.

The BMI is at a decent enough 24.5 now. The next milestone is at 24 kg/m2. This means that I have to drop down to 172 lbs.

Day 8

Chanced upon this great site - hundredpushups.com
This has now worked itself into my plan. Seeing how work is interfering with regular jogging schedule, I want to add push ups to the mix.

Started off with five pushups only to discover that they are the bare minimum.

Is it just me or am I eating in moderation?

Day 7

Did not improve on the previous morning's stroll. So there.

Day 7 morning was again hindered by a conference call. Guess what? The committed professional that I am, I had a jog of about 500 points on the pedometer. Nothing earth shattering but hey kept up with the routine. Another conscious decision is to wear clothes that fit well. As they say, 'it is all in the mind'.

Day 6

Implemented the plan of combining day-to-day activities with walking/jogging etc. Had to run some errands - literally did that - well I walked. Still... 1578 on the pedometer. Will try to improve upon it in the evening.

Day 5

Had a family outing. Hoping that enough calories would have been burned therein. I did have plans to come back and have a little jog. Wifey - commendable - did just that. I didn't.
Back still a little sore. On top of it, banged my knee on the corner of our bed. It appears that my sub-conscious is definitely protesting against the exercises.

Day 4

Well, the day was not entirely lost. Wifey and self did manage a good brisk walk together. Did not take the pedometer to jot down statistics. Regardless, the joint effort was rewarding. A small incline through a bridge was crossed back and forth. Some good banter during the walk. A decent workout. No stretching though - back still sore. Is my body resisting the new found exertions? Bad body.

Day 3

This is shaping up to be another off day unless I inspire myself to run in the evening.

Today, was devoted to stretching exercises. Came across this useful tool for those who have to be reminded about stretching.

Check out http://www.rsiwarrior.com/stretches.html

I am trying the trial software now.

Day 2

Today is a day off. Yeah. This early. Thanks to a conference call at 7:00 AM that went on for an hour and a half. Off days are dedicated to resource links.

A good article that helped me on the way.

How YOU Can Become a Runner


Mentally

1. Decide that you want to try jogging. Don’t over think it. You can always go back to walking tomorrow if you don’t like it.



2. Focus on the reasons why you want to become a runner or jogger. Some good reasons: improve your cholesterol, improve your body shape, lose weight, feel better, gain more energy for daily life, etc. Whatever your motivations are, write them down and post them where you will see them every day. This will be very helpful on the days that you don’t feel like running.



3. Fail-Proof it. Create a time in your schedule when you’ll be sure to have the ability to do this. For me it means mornings. If I wait until later in the day, then my energy is lower not to mention all the other activities competing for my attention.



Physically

1. Get the OK from your doctor. Have an annual checkup where they check your heart. Don’t skip this part. You don’t want to have a heart attack when you’re trying to become healthy. Find out what is an OK level of exercise for you. And while you’re at it, get your cholesterol tested so that in 4-6 months you can go back and see the wonderful improvements you will have made!



2. Just do it. Don’t wait to feel energy or to feel like you’re in the mood. Just put on your sneakers, bring your mp3 player (or not), and go!



3. Start slow. Try very slow. In track we used to call it the “Buffalo Shuffle.” Run at whatever pace that allows you to go the farthest distance possible. On day one, maybe this will only be a quarter or half mile. That’s totally OK. You will be so much more likely to stick with it if you start small and build a little bit each day.



4. Distance. Go as far as you can comfortably go and then turn around. Don’t pay too much attention to your watch. If you need to walk a little and then start jogging again, do that, but if you can keep going slowly, that’s what you should strive for.



5. Increase distance each day. Each day, pick a new landmark that is past where you went the day before. Use that as your turnaround point. And then the next day, go yet a little further.

The full article is available at http://lifelearningtoday.com/2008/07/04/how-to-become-a-runner-a-simple-method-for-beginners/

Day 1

What do you know? Lack of stretching exercises and I have a mild back strain after the very first day. Still managed to run 668 on the pedometer and a further 2000 by walking. A good 36 minute workout.

Slight stretching. And there it is at last... some sweat!

Day 0

I've officially stopped sweating on a daily basis. It is time to regain... or should I focus on losing... let's stick with regain. It is time to regain an active life style and shed those extra layers of adipose tissues.

What is my BMI index today?

24.8 kg/m2

Not a bad start - considering I am closer to average weight than otherwise.