The 200 Sit-Up Challenge

I saw someone mention this on a fitness board, so I decided to check it out. In Level 3 of the 30 Day Shred, the second circut's abs minute is sit-ups, which Jillian praises because it works so much more than just abs (like a crunch). I count every now and then when I'm shredding, and usually I get around 23 in her minute, but I think her 'shred minute' is a little less than a real minute because she gives some direction and has to get you in position.

I decided to check out the website, and see what it was all about. However, when I looked at the test, and the "good-form sit-up" it appears to be a crunch, not a sit-up. Since real sit-ups (with no one holding down your feet) are so much harder, I decided to go for a real sit up, but still follow the premise of the challenge. I'm always really sure that I keep my knees bent high, don't use momentum and swing up, keep my hands clawed around my ears, and stare at the celing to keep good form.

I took the initial test, which was to do as many sit ups as you can. I thought it was as many as you can in 5 minutes, so I had my husband time me, and I got 95 REAL sit-ups in 5 minutes! I was totally psyched because I read this on the homepage - No doubt some of you can already do 100 consecutive sit-ups, but let's face it, you're in a big minority. Most of you reading this won't even be able to manage 20 sit-ups. Actually, I'm sure many of you can't even do 10. AND I DID 95! And really, I could have kept going if I actually knew it was do as many as you can, not as many as you can in 5 minutes.

So anyway, I did it again tonight, and did 140 before my stomach started to get super tight. Then I went back to the website, and it says to take a rest on day 2.

I really need to start reading directions before I just jump into something. Really...

I mean, the Shred works the core like no other, but geez, these sit ups are a killer! But a good killer :) I am feeling my abs tonight like never before.

So anyway, I taped myself tonight b/c I wanted to post video proof that I can do it, but I still am not 100% happy with how I look on camera (ugh, theighs) So maybe I'll get the nerve to post video one day, but I promise, I did 140 in 7:40!

I think I'll rest tomorrow night, but Thursday night, I'm going to see if I can get the 200, and complete the challenge in 4 days! (maybe, just maybe, if I can do all 200, I'll post video... )

Biggest compliment ever - My husband, who is Division 1 NCAA Athletic Trainer told me that he thinks I am in better shape and much more fit than some of the athletes he sees come through the training room.

Yeah, I think this week has put me over the hump of feeling low last week!