Operation Arm Flaps: The Final Chapter

i did it. It wasn't pretty, nor was it particularly successful, but i did it.

Mostly.

Original goal was focus on upper body work, built around the push up challenge, and to alternate days with core/lower body work. In the end, i stayed with just the push ups...

Minor moral victory? Let's just cut to the wrap-up.

Final measurements: EXACTLY THE SAME AS WEEK 2.

Yep. No additional shrinkage in the last 2 weeks. But perhaps more tone. There's that. And i can definitely do more push ups! Starting 'exhaustion test' had me at 10. i can now drop and give you 30! Stronger. That is good.

Comparing my first "bingo wings, week 0" pic vs "bingo wings, final" shot? Biggest difference is that my shirt is a little rattier (hey, it's ALWAYS laundry day here...).




Why was this second round of "30 Days" so much harder for us all to stick to? i dunno. The novelty had perhaps worn off... Distractions abound, don't they? We seemed to lose a lot of energy around week 2.

Rather than lament what didn't work, however, i'll cheer for what did... We slogged through. We at least felt guilty when we didn't... And for me, i do feel stronger. And the arms are perhaps marginally less likely to take me airborne in a stiff breeze...



Here's to finding ways to keep stretching a bit. To hold ourselves accountable, even without communal accountability. And to the seemingly endless 'little things' we can all find time for that can make us a bit better...

Operation "Arm Flaps": The Quest Continues!

Although i'm deep in the midst of a holiday dive trip - where i've been trying hard to get in a massive number of dives before the end of the week. This means 4 dives/day for the first 3 days. i'm tired. But....

Managed to get in my Friday push up sets on Sunday morning (Saturday was a travel day) and just busted through my Monday sets on Tuesday evening. So the schedule is a little blown, i'm still working it...

Didn't have a chance to do the measurements/picture, but will do that for my final post -- which should be next Monday, if my 30 day count is correct!

And since i had to work terribly hard at Week 4 of the challenge? i'm repeating it - with a few more reps in each set. Progress. At the end of this series, i will do one final exhaustion test -- to see how far i've really gotten in the past 30 days...

So, not letting the holiday be an excuse... but i'm mildly derailed as i chase fish!

Operation "Arm Flaps" - Week 3 Wrap Up

i'm still at it... and feeling marginally stronger. Haven't done much more than the push up work, and the alternate day abs/core stuff has slid - but i've been bicycling and hiking on those days, so i think i'm still making some progress.

The metrics this week: 13 1/4" / 34 cm

Miniscule progress, but i believe it is becoming real...

In hindsight, i think i should have come up with a different measurement technique. Perhaps something to do with timing the resonance of the flaps? Give 'em a push and see how long it takes for the flappage to stop?

Also, an action shot... A day on the water, playing in river kayaks. Definitely got an extra upper body workout. Not so much from the paddling, but from lifting my drink bottle filled with Crystal Light Lemonade and Vodka. Lunch. Yay...

Operation "Arm Flaps" - Week 2 Wrap Up

And we're still battling the bingo wings!

Did my first "exhaustion" test, and was a little disappointed, but will continue the program. 20 push ups, on my toes, reasonably good form, without resting. My first attempt, 2 weeks ago, was a puny 10, so there has been improvement. i shall be winning no bar bets just yet, however...

Circumference of Arm Flaps: 13 5/8" / 34 1/2 cm.

EXACTLY the same as last week (sigh). i knew it would be infinitesimal progress. But c'mon, i DID it this week, damn it!

Some lessons learned along the way...

- DON'T attempt push ups after backpacking adventure.

- DO attempt push ups earlier in the day.

- DON'T attempt push ups after getting hammered during a theater event.

- DO wait til the next morning and do it when you are hungover and have a terrible headache.

- DON'T skip your abdominal workouts just because you are tired, working longer days, have activities every evening that keep you out late, or are lazy and a slug...

- DO remember that you are accountable to your comrades out here in the blogosphere....

i give myself a C this week because i only did the abdominal work ONCE. Grrr....

Operation "Arm Flaps" - Week 1 Wrap up

Managed to complete the push-up challenge for week 1, which was 3 workouts (M, W, F). Stuck in abdominal/core operations T, Th... but failed on Saturday because i was out of town farting around (not an excuse, really).

Only did the extra arm work on M, which needs to change. And the ab/core work is quite necessary - as i'm feeling the crunch of the crunch, and know that i'm weak in the midsection.

So i'll give myself a grade of B- for Week 1. i can do better.

Circumference of Arm Flaps: 13 5/8" / 34 1/2 cm

Potentially a loss of 3/8", or 1.5 cm - but this could be within the measurement error. Expect to not see something substantial until the end of Week 4. But slow and steady...

and yes. i know that's an ugly tank top. i'm doing laundry, alright?

Operation "Arm Flaps"

My arms. They look like Mom's. This is unacceptable.

Full combat assault for the next 30 days - yes, we're taking on "Bingo Wings", folks. Gonna tone 'em up, and smack 'em down!

Sunday nights i will post my progress, via measurement and photo.

You want personal accountability? Post your fat on the interwebz...

i will be working a program based on "100 Push Up Challenge", augmented with other upper body work. This is a 3 day per week thing, so i'll be doing core/lower body work on alternate days.

i'll keep you posted on progress, but Sunday will be my day to do this...

Circumference of Arm Flaps: 14" / 36 cm