I Must Be Planking Mad

Well I have been planking now for 26 days!!! Today is another rest day and I really do feel like I need a rest.

If you don't already know what I am talking about, take a look at my previous post, it explains what plankvember is all about. Well the end of plankvember is now in sight.

I really am starting to feel the burn from all this planking, I can't believe just how hard a short exercise can be.

Here is what I have done for the past week :

Day 20 - 2.5 minutes
Day 21 - 2.5 minutes
Day 22 - 3 minutes
Day 23 - 3 minutes
Day 24 - 3.5 minutes
Day 25 - 3.5 minutes
Day 26 - Rest Day

I have to say, I have noticed a bit more muscle definition in both my upper arms and upper legs and my mid section has been pulled in slightly. I measured my waist and I have lost one centimetre since I started doing the planking exercise. That might not seem like an awful lot but a change is a change so I'm pleased.

Now 3.5 minutes was extremely tough, it was touch and go as to whether I was going to be able to hold the plank position for that long so I'm not quite sure how I'm going to manage holding it for 4 minutes tomorrow.

Wish me luck!!

xxxx

I Can and I Will

I am still making my way through Plankvember, it is now day 19 and thankfully this is a rest day!!

Here is what I have achieved since las weeks update :

Day 13 - Rest Day
Day 14 - 1.5 minutes
Day 15 - 1.5 minutes
Day 16 - 2 minutes
Day 17 - 2 minutes
Day 18 - 2.5 minutes

I was surprised with myself that I managed to stay in the plank position for that amount of time. I have been using an interval timer on my phone to tell me when to start and finish the exercise.

I think the key for me is to not actually look at the timer. I can't believe just how long 2 and half minutes feels when I am trying to do the plank. By then end of it my legs and arms are shaking a lot. 

I am noticing that both the tops of my arms and the tops of my legs are left with an aching feeling after doing the exercise so my muscles must be getting a good work out. 

The other difference that I have noticed is that my stomach seems to have pulled in slightly, I've lost the "roundness". I would recommend any of you to give it a go, takes next to no time out of your day, so no excuses for not trying!!

xxxx

Plankvember is hard!!!!

So last week I told you that I was starting Plankvember. I thought I would give you all a little update. I am now 12 days into Plankvember and I can't believe how hard I am finding it.

For an exercise that takes very little time, it definitely takes some strength to complete, this is what I have done so far :

Day 1 - 20 seconds
Day 2 - 20 seconds
Day 3 - 30 seconds
Day 4 - 30 seconds
Day 5 - 40 seconds
Day 6 - rest day
Day 7- 45 seconds
Day 8 - 45 seconds
Day 9- 1 min
Day 10 - 1 min
Day 11 - 1 min
Day 12 - 1.5 min

Today was tough but I manage to hold the position for a whole 1 minute and 30 seconds, my arms and legs were shaking by the end of it!! It is also made harder by a 15 month old wanting to "help".

Now the idea of Plankvember isn't to lose weight, it is to help strengthen your core, now I've never been able to hold a plan position for longer than 30 seconds before so it must be working.

I've tried keeping up with some other exercise too. I started Jillian Michaels ripped in 30, I lasted 3 days and then fell ill with a cold and cough so shamefully I didn't do any other exercise the rest of last week but I am back and determined this week and restarted ripped in 30 yesterday!!

Has anyone else joined in with Plankvember? How are you finding it?

xxxx

Move over Shredtober her comes Plankvember

Last month saw me joining in with Shredtober. This meant doing the 30 day shred by Jillian Michaels every day throughout the month of October.

I didn't really lose any weight but there were slight changes in my body shape and my clothes definitely fit better.

The best thing about doing the exercise was the energised feeling I was left with, I really did feel better for doing it!!!

So this month I have decided to join in with Plankvember. Simple enough to do and takes next to no time out of my day. Just have a look at my pin on Pinterest. The idea is that you get in the plank position and hold it for a certain amount of time. Day one sees you starting at just 20 seconds, it doesn't seem like a lot but if you find it easy then you are advised to do it 2 or 3 times in a day rather than just the once.

Here is my body at the beginning of November :

The last day of the November, you are expected to hold yourself in plank position for five long minutes, I am up for challenge, fingers crossed I see some more changes.!!

As well as joining in with Plankvember, I am also going to continue with other exercise. I have decided to have a go at another Jillian Michaels workout, Ripped in 30. I completed the first day of that yesterday, it was tough so I am hoping I see results this month.

Wish me luck :)

xxxx