M2M — Week 4–100 Pushups Challenge Completed!
This month I aim to complete the first two challenges of my Month to Mastery (M2M) accelerated learning program. These are:
- memorise the order of a shuffled deck of playing cards in under four minutes
- complete one continuous set of 100 push-ups
In this post, I’ll be breaking down my methodology, learnings and attempts from Week 4 of the 100 Pushup Challenge.
In case you missed them, you can also view my post from Week 1 (where I introduce the challenge), Week 2 & Week 3.
Recap — 100 Pushups Attempt No 6
On Day 21, I recorded my sixth attempt at completing 100 continuous push-ups:
I managed 84 pushups, which means I’m only 16 pushups away from reaching my goal of 100 and completing my first challenge!
22.12.19 — Day 22 — Technological Oversight
After feeling very positive about my chances of completing this challenge before I leave for Gran Canaria on the 27th, I was planning to film my latest attempt today. However, once I was done and checked my phone, I realised I had not started filming the video… classic…
Not to be discouraged, I instead carried out my daily pushup schedule with a loaded first set, completing over 200 pushups across 5 sets.
Today’s log: (2:00 minutes between each set)
- Set 1–70 pushups
- Set 2–44 pushups
- Set 3–41 pushups
- Set 4–40 pushups
- Set 5–28 pushups
Total: 223 pushups
23.12.19 — Day 23 — Mental Shifts
We‘re getting there!
In my latest attempt, I managed 88 pushups, only 12 off my goal.
In the last few days, I’ve experienced a powerful mentality shift. Last week, while I had been stuck on 75–77 pushups, I was feeling fairly negative about the prospect of completing this challenge.
However, the 1-day jump from 77 to 84 pushups on Day 21 appears to have convinced my brain that my body is capable of reaching 100 pushups within the next week. This is a crucial milestone in this month’s challenge. Despite being categorised as a physical challenge, because my brain controls my body, it is, therefore, more in control of the outcome.
Now that my brain is convinced, the only remaining barrier is pushing the physical side of the equation a little bit harder.
24.12.19 — Day 24 — Flying past 90!
Today I filmed my latest attempt. Check it out below.
Once I finish my pushups, I excitedly run to the camera and start counting from the recording. I’ve been purposely avoiding mentally keeping count in my head so I had no clear estimate of the number of pushups I had managed. But it felt close.
I watch fully-focused as I power through the first 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 pushups with no sign of slowing down. Will I make it?
I reach 80, 81, 82, 83, 84. Will I make it?
At 85, I momentarily stop and take a breather. It’s going to be close, I think.
One more mini-set takes me through to 89! Come on.
A more controlled routine now as I attempt to recover and conserve energy. One deep breath. One Pushup.
90, deep breath, 91, deep breath, 92 deep breath, 93, deep breath, 94, deep breath, stretch out those arms, deep breath, 95! Is this it?
I look like I might collapse to the floor. No! Deep breath, one more stretch, 96!
The reprieve was short. My arms give out. I fall to the ground.
96 pushups.
So, so close!
Although it wasn’t to be today, I believe it’s only a matter of time. My confidence level is now at 99%.
At this point, I’m feeling pretty unstoppable from all the adrenaline, so, after resting 10 minutes I decide to push myself further physically and continue with the pushups schedule, using my new PB as the first set.
Today’s log: (2:30 minutes rest between each set)
- Set 1–96 pushups
- Set 2–51 pushups
- Set 3–47 pushups
- Set 4–40 pushups
- Set 5–30 pushups
Total: 258 pushups
25.12.19 — Day 25 — Rest Day — Xmas Day
I took the day off today in preparation for tomorrow’s attempt at completing the challenge. I fly to Gran Canaria the next day, so it would be great to complete this challenge before I leave.
Also, it’s Xmas! Time to enjoy some quality time with my family.
However, I seem to be coming down with the beginning of a cold, which is not ideal. Will I finish the challenge before the cold finishes me? Take me back to the 30 degrees Celcius in Nicaragua, please.
26.12.19 — Day 26 — Challenge Completed!!
Today, I felt good, blasted some motivational fitness music, and cranked out 104 glorious push-ups, officially completing this month’s challenge!
Although I’m not super pleased about the range of motion for a few pushups, I’m very excited to have completed this month’s goal and, consequently, my first M2M challenge. As expected, I had to work hard for it.
Time to celebrate!
26.12.19 — Day 27 — It only took 7.5 hours
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem I’ll be able to film any better video before the end of the month — I’ve been hit pretty hard by the flu which has sapped away a lot of my energy. I think my body kept it at bay until I could complete the challenge…
Nevertheless, I’m buzzing to have completed this month’s challenge. Let’s have a look at how much time I spent on it.
Over the month, I completed 11 pushup workouts using the Just 6 Weeks app, lasting 15–20mins each. I paired these with another 5 workouts to strengthen my core, lasting 10 minutes each. The 10 pushups PB attempts over the month lasted approximately 2 minutes each. Finally, let’s also take into account 10 minutes for stretching and warming up on the days I did pushups (16 days).
Thus in total, I spent 7.5 hours on this month’s challenge, or about 15 minutes on average each day.
That’s the equivalent of watching 3 films on Netflix. Undoubtedly, I would say this was time well spent.
Furthermore, this challenge has helped me introduce small changes to my lifestyle that I had failed to implement previously. By setting a clear goal, and committing to it publicly, I was able to persevere even when I didn’t necessarily feel like working out. Also, I now have a good basis from which to return to the gym in January.
I hope that over the next few months, as I maintain this practice, it will become a habit I no longer need to think about.
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