CyclePUPs Week 3

[OakLeaf]

Overall, I'd say the new week 4 is tougher...going from a max of 29 on the 3rd day (old plan) to a max of 40 (new plan). I suspect I'll be dropping down in that week. Yikes.

I haven't looked beyond week 4. Do I want to?

Yeah... I think calling it a 6 week plan was not very realistic for most people. People would probably feel more successful if it were a 10-12 week plan starting out, rather than making it almost inevitable that people will have to repeat weeks (which has a negative psychological connotation).

So y'all... DO feel like you've succeeded if you've increased the number of pups you can do! DON'T feel like you've failed if you have to step down a column and/or repeat several weeks!

[bluebug32]

This is difficult to do in conjunction with my normal weight workouts. I don't want to do them both on the same day, but then my recovery time is shot if I do one one day and the one the next. Anyone else having this problem? Maybe I need to scale things back on my weight workout.

[Flur]

This is difficult to do in conjunction with my normal weight workouts. I don't want to do them both on the same day, but then my recovery time is shot if I do one one day and the one the next. Anyone else having this problem? Maybe I need to scale things back on my weight workout.

I don't have a separate weight workout (I know I should, I NEED one!) But I'd recommend doing them on the same day and then decreasing your regular workload of the primary muscles used in the push-ups (pecs, triceps, anterior delts). Then you still get a full weight workout and have a rest day in between.

[spindizzy]

I was teaching a course (Mon/Tues), drove 1.5 hours home but I stopped along the way at a workout place (20 min from home) that I want to try for the next 2 months. Did a hideous workout with kettlebells and running (my legs were throbbing when I left that gym). It was 9:00 p.m. when I got home and 10:00pm when I remembered that I had to do the !!##*! PUPS. Struggled, but did them and fell asleep for about 30 minutes beside the vanity in the MBR.

I just look at the plan when I need to do those PUPS, don't want to fret about it. (after reading these posts, I'm fretting...but not looking!)

[yellow]

Well, I just did the modified version of week 3, day 2 for column 3. It is overall 5 less pups than the "original" version.

I'm going to try to stay in my group but repeat weeks if I feel I need to.

I think maybe starting next week I'll have the PUS hide the "min goal" row on the spreadsheet. I think the important thing is that we keep going, regardless of whatever column or week we are in. I like having a program to follow; helps keep me focused. But I'm not going to get too worked if I get off the program. None of us should worry about that!!

[yellow]

This is difficult to do in conjunction with my normal weight workouts. I don't want to do them both on the same day, but then my recovery time is shot if I do one one day and the one the next. Anyone else having this problem? Maybe I need to scale things back on my weight workout.

Pups are resistance training, just like weight training. Can you modify your weight workout to have less emphasis on those same muscle groups? I do quite a bit of weight training in the winter as well as pups...but my weight training usually focuses on other areas. For me, the pups cover most of what I need for upper body.

SadieKate has heard me say it before: my personal experience is that the two best exercises in the world if you don't have a lot of time, access to a facility, or are dealing with crappy weather are pushups and sets of long wall sits. Throw in crunches, too, if you have time.

[NoNo]

Thank you for alerting me to the revisions! I now feel more confident about being able to move on and complete week 3. It'll still be tough, but I think I can do it.

As for my goals, I'd like to complete the plan, but I don't care how long it takes me. I'm already pleased with the progress I've seen so far, and I'd like to see how far I can go with this.

[OakLeaf]

ugh... spent my "rest" day today doing community service with the bike club, clearing storm damaged trees and breaking two beaver dams to get the water off the bike path. And I still have to teach a half cardio/half strength class tonight. Pups tomorrow are going to be fun

[Becky]

Today was supposed to be day 2 for me, but nope....giant FAIL here. I got down on the floor to do my pups, looked at DH, and said, "nope, it's not happening". I've just been so physically worn out and mentally frazzled lately....this week may be a washout.

[Grits]

Day 3, Week 3: 127!

That 30 was tough.

I am glad I finally went to the website and looked at everything. After weeks 2, 4 and 5 there are exhaustion tests where you wait a couple of days after day 3 of the previous week and then do PUPs to exhaustion. How many you do determines what column you start on the next week. I guess that means I will need to go from a MWF plan to THS those weeks in order to give myself a break between day 3, the exhaustion test, and day 1. If that isn't right, someone please tell me how I am supposed to do it!

I can't believe I can do this many PUPs, even not consecutively!

[NoNo]

Day 3, Week 2 repeat: 10+10+8+8+10=46! I can't tell you how hard those last 10 were. Heck, I was even struggling to get the second set of 8. I told my friend I've never been able to do that many in a day, let alone a 10 minute span.

[OakLeaf]

(which is the only muscle I could think of that starts with "G," but also one of the only ones that DIDN'T hurt after today's pups - although I'm sure they were working a little to stabilize my legs!)

22+30+20+20+31 = 123

[Aggie_Ama]

Oh my that hurt! I tested in group two still but wow, I barely was able to do the max set. I guess that is why they call it a challenge. Ooofff!

Even worse I told my husband that since I am only able to do the knee pups, I will repeat the challenge with the toe style. Eeek.

[Flur]

So I had to drop down to column 1, halfway through today's set. So I'm a combo of columns 1 and 2, week 3, day 3: 70 pups.

I'll be in column 1 for week 4.

[Pedal Wench]

Everyone take another look at the plan! It has been edited.

Most notably for us this week, you're not doing so close to your max on day 1 of week 3. Seems to me that's a good idea especially with all the concerns everyone has expressed about the big jump between weeks 2 and 3. But there have been changes every week (I haven't looked at them all yet.)

Wow! I thought I was losing my mInD!!! It was so tough on Monday, then when I did Wednesday, suddenly it was easy again. I couldn't figure out how I messed up so badly.

Good. I haven't lost my mind. Yet.