Fitness Goal Accomplished: Do A Proper Pushup

by Mary on January 25, 2012

in Fitness

I’ve always done modified pushups. Even in gym when I was in school (I hated physical fitness tests with pushups and situps). It just never made sense to do a proper pushup when I weighed so much and had very little upper body strength.

Oh how times have changed!

Okay, they haven’t changed that much. I still weigh more than I should and I can’t do many pushups. But I CAN DO THEM!

This morning I wanted to test it out and see if I was strong enough to do a proper pushup instead of modified ones like I normally do. I tested it out and did two. I was SO PROUD OF MYSELF.

That meant I had to do another one or two later for video just to show that I can do them. Here’s my video of my pushup:

It’s a small thing to most people I guess but it’s huge to me. It’s so exciting to be able to do something that you couldn’t before. That’s what this journey is really all about for me – opening up my life to the things I couldn’t do before. Whether it’s doing a pushup or finishing a triathlon or just sitting in a lawn chair, I’m amazed at how healthy living has enriched my life and enabled me to do more things. I can’t wait to do more!

Yay pushups and accomplishing a fitness goal. YAY!

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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Kepa January 25, 2012 at 9:53 pm

So super proud of you! It was so cool when you came in and said “I wanna do a pushup”, and then you did two! And then you did two more later, with excellent form (I’m sure others will agree).

GO YOU!

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2 Mary January 25, 2012 at 10:39 pm

Thank you for encouraging me! :)

<3

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3 Diana @ frontyardfoodie January 25, 2012 at 10:05 pm

I am seriously impressed…like, seriously.

I have never been able to do a real push up! It’s one of my goals too and after I have this baby I swear, I am going to work to that goal hardcore.

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4 Mary January 25, 2012 at 10:40 pm

Once you have your super cute little baby you will totally be able to do it!

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5 Jess January 25, 2012 at 10:19 pm

That is AWESOME. I used to be able to do them. Now my arms are weak, but I’m working at it again.

Super proud of you! Keep at it. Pretty soon you’ll be pumping out 100 :)
Jess´s last [type] ..One Day At a Time

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6 Mary January 25, 2012 at 10:40 pm

Haha, maybe not 100 but I definitely want to do more!

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7 The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh January 25, 2012 at 10:24 pm

Kepa’s right, perfect form! Congrats on the accomplishment!
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh´s last [type] ..Empty guest nest and being domestic

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8 Marshmallow January 25, 2012 at 10:27 pm

AHHHHH!!!

Being able to do a full push up is something that I have always aspired to also – you are seriously inspiring me with your strength, girl!

You are AMAZE, *BIGTIME* amaze!

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9 Clarence January 25, 2012 at 10:38 pm

I hope that you will be able to achieve that goal. The great thing about that is that you got the right attitude, so I believe you can make it.
Clarence´s last [type] ..photography lessons

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10 Tiffany January 25, 2012 at 11:05 pm

That is AWESOMENESS Mary!! And to do it again for the video… you rock! Full pushups is on my list too. You give me hope! :)
Tiffany´s last [type] ..The Cycle of Motivation

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11 Meegan (redstar5) January 26, 2012 at 4:58 am

So awesome! Congrats Mary! It is a big deal and I’m super excited for you. Those are some seriously awesome push ups! xo

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12 Mom January 26, 2012 at 6:30 am

Way to go baby!!!! You are something and when you set you mind to anything it will be done. I am so very proud of you!! Love you and keep up the good work, believe me three or four pushups is a hugh accomplishment, next video I guess you will try the one handed one? Right? Ha… Love you Mom

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13 Mary January 26, 2012 at 2:07 pm

Haha yeah right!

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14 jen January 26, 2012 at 7:44 am

you are a ROCKSTAR!!!!

Pushups are ridiculous and you DID IT!!!!!!

Now that I am in the getting-back-into-shape post-surgery, I am wanting to finally be able to do pushups. I still have some work before I can use my knee for pushups, but you have inspired me to not give up!!

XOXO

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15 Mary January 26, 2012 at 2:10 pm

You can totally do it! A long time ago I did wall pushups. Then I did modified pushups. Now I can do regular pushups! It totally can happen if you work on it! :)

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16 Randi January 26, 2012 at 9:02 am

This is AWESOME. I’m doing a squat training program but as soon as I’m done i’m working on my pushups. I used to be able to do 1 but now not so much.

you are such an inspiration.

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17 Mary January 26, 2012 at 2:11 pm

Thank you! I love squats and I’m starting to love pushups too. If you could do one before you will be able to do it again in no time. :)

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18 kwithme January 26, 2012 at 10:17 am

Congratulations! They did look great! Proper push ups were a big goal of mine. Now, you can start all your push up sets with full pushups until you can’t and drop to modified. You’ll be surprised at how fast you add more.

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19 Mary January 26, 2012 at 2:11 pm

That’s exactly what I’m going to do! Pushups are included in my workout each week so I’m going to start each set with regular pushups then drop to modified. It’s going to be awesome!

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20 lauramich January 26, 2012 at 10:44 am

You? ROCK! To be candid, pushups are even harder when you have more weight to push. When I was your size, I was pleased with myself for being able to do modified pushups; I struggled with those at my heaviest (BMI 40+).

Now, at a BMI of 23(ish), I can do big-girl pushups if I’m relatively fresh. If I’ve already burned out my arms with other upper-body work, I might be able to crank out a few on my toes before dropping to my knees. And variations such as triceps pushups? Uh-uh.

So you, my friend, are strong. Keep working it! :D

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21 Mary January 26, 2012 at 2:19 pm

I’m excited to weigh less so they are easier, but it is pretty cool that I’m strong enough to do them on this side of 200. Haha.

OMG tricep pushups are the worst! I’ve done those modified and even that way they suck.

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22 Roz@weightingfor50 January 26, 2012 at 12:33 pm

You are FANTASTIC!!!! I’m very envious of your powerful upper body!!! Enjoy your day pushup maven!!!

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23 Ari @ Ari's Menu January 26, 2012 at 2:17 pm

Congrats!! Those were really good ones too, and it totally looked like you could do an other one! :)

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24 Deb January 26, 2012 at 2:41 pm

That’s awesome Mary! I can’t do one. And doing planks? I last 45 seconds, max before I start shaking so hard I go down in a heap. Upper body strength? What is that?

That’s one reason I was glad my friend and I decided to add strength training to our routine! I need to work on that!
Deb´s last [type] ..Day 102 – 235.5

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25 Kyra January 26, 2012 at 2:43 pm

Congrats on attaining the goal! :) I hate push-ups too, and then I found that part of the reason was how my arms and wrists and hands felt. I got ahold of some nifty push-up bars, and it made all the difference for me. So if there is any tweaking, you might look into that.

Nice form!

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26 Liz January 26, 2012 at 7:00 pm

You look really, really strong in the video! You’ve mentioned weight lifting, and feeling stronger….but you really look powerful here!

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27 Mary January 26, 2012 at 8:27 pm

Thanks Liz! That’s such a compliment and it really makes me feel good to know that I’m looking – as well as feeling – strong. :)

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28 Jody - Fit at 54 January 26, 2012 at 7:46 pm

Mary – you know I love me push-ups of all kinds! You go!!! Doesn’t it make you feel strong & amazing!!!!! Congrats & looks AWESOME!
Jody – Fit at 54´s last [type] ..The 65 Pound Soda!

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29 nikkianne January 26, 2012 at 9:19 pm

Awesome!

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30 Kelly-100 day diet January 26, 2012 at 9:55 pm

Congrats! You have a really form for someone who just did her first push up! I’m blogging my weight loss journey, too. I just started and haven’t actually loss any weight but I had a fitness breakthrough of my own recently, they are amazing!

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31 merri January 27, 2012 at 5:54 pm

Congrats good job! Unmodified pushups are hard! i can only do a couple then i switch to my knees. im horrible at tricep ones too, even on my knees. its great how you’re able to make a goal and then do it!
merri´s last [type] ..Are You Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead?

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