I finally finished my first week of training under the One Hundred Push Ups program.  I am proud to say that I made it all the way through.  It was challenging, but a success.  Now only five more weeks to go before I can do the big 100.  The training program has made me feel like I need to do more strength training.  Since moving to Tennessee I have not had a gym to go to, so my strength training has really just turned into resistance training.  In stead of lifting weights, I have my body weight and resistance bands.  It is at least something, but I feel like I could be doing more.  I guess I feel like that in other areas too.  Like Bar studying…

Speaking of Bar studying, I completely bombed the practice MBE that I took on Friday.  I mean below average raw score bombing.  I feel like I need to be cracking down even harder since I only have four weeks left until the big day.  I am now only 3 lectures behind the in-class study schedule.  I was about 1 1/2 weeks behind when I started.  I just need to practice more questions and focus on some concepts that continuously trip me up.

And finally, the House Hunting.  It is on a semi-hold right now. The Husband left today for three weeks (possibly more) in Argentina for his job.  While I can still keep looking, no firm decisions can be made until he gets back to look at the house too.  The way the market is moving along, I that any house I find will go flying off the market anytime soon.

We did go to three open houses today before he hopped on his plane.  They were mainly disappointing.  It is a combination of not finding what we want and then finding houses that people didn’t take good care of.  I mean, if you are having an open house, the least you could do is clear off the cobwebs from the side entry, toss out the dead plants and put a screw into the loose railing so no one falls down the stairs to the basement.  I mean, you are trying to sell your house, right? *sigh*  We did see one house that was taken care of and was below our price range, but it also meant it was too small for us.  At least we are starting to understand more what we will and will not accept as far as size and condition are concerned.  So the hunt, on a smaller level, will continue.  The massive assault on the real estate of Blount County will occur in August.  I will be done with the Bar, the Husband will be in the country and I want to be settled in a home before Thanksgiving!

I started my first day of training to reach 100 push ups in a row and it was a rough day!  I was able to complete all the push ups required, but I felt like it was a bit more difficult than it should have been.  If you are training too, check out the Week 1 Chart over at One Hundred Push Ups to see what you should be doing.  I am in the middle column so I did 7 + 7 + 5 + 4 + MAX (8).  I guess I shouldn’t complain too much because my max was greater than any one set.  However, when I got out of my shower, I had great difficulty fixing my hair.  My arms didn’t want to reach above my head at all!

Now there has been some chatter on the web about how this training program might not be good for you because all it focuses on is your upper body - mainly chest with some shoulders, back and upper arms.  I understand these concerns, which is why I will point out that I do exercise other areas of my body.  This morning I ran 4.5 miles in 60 minutes.  Slower than what I was doing 6 weeks ago, but that happens when you take an extended break.  I also do yoga and strength training for all of my body parts. 

So if you are going to do this challenge, don’t neglect the rest of your body.  I know everyone out there has seen one of those guys who only do bench presses and curls but never do a squat.  Big chest with chicken legs.  They make me laugh.  Don’t look like a chicken - remember your other body parts.

I would like to think I could do it with lots of practice and increased upper body strength.  Obviously I am not the only one out there who thinks they could do 100 push-ups.  Both J.D. at Get Fit Slowly and workoutmommy have blogged about One Hundred Pushups which is a six-week program that will end in the ability to do 100 push ups.

The programs involves doing sets of push ups three days a week and you only need 30 minutes for each session.The initial test makes you do as many good form push ups as you can.  I was easily able to do 5 and made it all the way to 10 before I thought my arms were going to give out.  Now I just sit tight until Monday when I start the training program.  See you in 6 weeks!