First Lady Arms

chirichardson

Hey everyone, I have really, really fat arms...they run in my family. Someone had told me that I should start doing pushups to help burn the fat and tone my arms up. I have bad knees and can't do regular pushups, not yet anyway. I did some research and I found that there are two modifications that I can do.

Wall Pushups - Floor pushups require you to lift a larger percentage of your body weight than wall pushups, which allow you to practice your form without straining through the torso. You can also try these on a stair rail or other raised surface to reduce the amount of body weight you're lifting.

Modified Incline Pushups - When you've mastered wall pushups, add intensity by trying a modified incline pushup, with the upper body elevated on a step or platform.
http://exercise.about.com/od/exercisesformusclegroups/ss/howtodoapushup_3.htm

So, I'm challenging myself to building up to doing 50 pushups a day by March 25, 2012.
I am starting out doing 26 pushups on March 1 and adding an additional pushup each day. On March 25, I will be at 50 pushups and will continue my quest to have "First Lady arms".

I am hoping that I can get a few people to join me in this challenge, it sure would give me more incentive in accomplishing my goal. Or, you can just check in and make sure I'm doing the pushups. Thanks.

kealambert

First lady like Michelle Obama?

i like it! and do you have access to a gym with weights or weight machines? I would highly recommend looking into a routine where you lift weights to build muscle. I'm sure I'm not the first to suggest this, so mind my redundancy

chirichardson

Yes, like Michelle Obama.

kealambert

no response to the other part?

chelljo12

Hey, I'm with you I hate my arms as well. I started doing wall push ups on Sat and I think I did pretty good (did about 40). Would love to start with you on the 1st, just send me a friendly reminder.

Michelle:happy:

meshashesha2012

i started doing push ups by first going from wall to inclined using those steps benches. then i'd gradually lose a bench until i was doing them on the floor, straight legged military style. just give it time and dont be afraid to try the harder version for 1 or 2 reps. you should also check out the 100 pushup challenge.

chirichardson

no response to the other part?

I'm sorry I didn't respond to the second part. I do use the machines at the gym but pushups have always been hard for me, and I wanted to challenge myself to start doing them. I was doing them at one time, and I could see the difference in a small amount of time. I just wanted to see if I could get them to work for me again.

LorinaLynn

She does have gorgeous arms.

chefswife_00

I'm in! My arms look like 2 sides of beef hanging from my shoulders! LOL! I am so in!

triciagall39

Do some dips.
Push ups are great too! Just keep working at it! You will get there!!!!

lauehorn

no response to the other part?

I'm sorry I didn't respond to the second part. I do use the machines at the gym but pushups have always been hard for me, and I wanted to challenge myself to start doing them. I was doing them at one time, and I could see the difference in a small amount of time. I just wanted to see if I could get them to work for me again.

Use hand weights, resistance bands or your own body weight with proper form - all three are better than machines.

Push ups (and there are tons of variations to target many muscles and in different ways) are GREAT. Here are some other toning
workouts you could incorporate into your challenge so that you work out all the muscles in your upper body and core:

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/arms/exercises/how-to-get-michelle-obamas-arms-the-workout-plan/
http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/workout-routines/workout-series-get-michelle-obama-arms-70059#slide-1
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/michelle-obamas-arms-workout

Lastly, you might also incorporate full body strength training, if you don't do it already.

chirichardson

no response to the other part?

I'm sorry I didn't respond to the second part. I do use the machines at the gym but pushups have always been hard for me, and I wanted to challenge myself to start doing them. I was doing them at one time, and I could see the difference in a small amount of time. I just wanted to see if I could get them to work for me again.

Use hand weights, resistance bands or your own body weight with proper form - all three are better than machines.

Push ups (and there are tons of variations to target many muscles and in different ways) are GREAT. Here are some other toning
workouts you could incorporate into your challenge so that you work out all the muscles in your upper body and core:

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/arms/exercises/how-to-get-michelle-obamas-arms-the-workout-plan/
http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/workout-routines/workout-series-get-michelle-obama-arms-70059#slide-1
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/michelle-obamas-arms-workout

Lastly, you might also incorporate full body strength training, if you don't do it already.

OK, I went to this website. Got my exercises all lined up. Can't wait to get started on Mar 1. Found some butt exercises too. Thanks a bunch.

lauehorn

no response to the other part?

I'm sorry I didn't respond to the second part. I do use the machines at the gym but pushups have always been hard for me, and I wanted to challenge myself to start doing them. I was doing them at one time, and I could see the difference in a small amount of time. I just wanted to see if I could get them to work for me again.

Use hand weights, resistance bands or your own body weight with proper form - all three are better than machines.

Push ups (and there are tons of variations to target many muscles and in different ways) are GREAT. Here are some other toning
workouts you could incorporate into your challenge so that you work out all the muscles in your upper body and core:

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/arms/exercises/how-to-get-michelle-obamas-arms-the-workout-plan/
http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/workout-routines/workout-series-get-michelle-obama-arms-70059#slide-1
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/michelle-obamas-arms-workout

Lastly, you might also incorporate full body strength training, if you don't do it already.

OK, I went to this website. Got my exercises all lined up. Can't wait to get started on Mar 1. Found some butt exercises too. Thanks a bunch.

Good luck! Post your progress!

chirichardson

I did the 26 push ups today. I also did the first 3 exercises of First Lady Obama's regime.

kitkat4141

I saw Michelle Obama on the Ellen DeGeneres show and they both did military style pushups. I was impressed! Where can we see the First Lady's exercise regime? I've always wondered about that.

chirichardson

I saw Michelle Obama on the Ellen DeGeneres show and they both did military style pushups. I was impressed! Where can we see the First Lady's exercise regime? I've always wondered about that.

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/arms/exercises/how-to-get-michelle-obamas-arms-the-workout-plan/
http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/workout-routines/workout-series-get-michelle-obama-arms-70059#slide-1
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/michelle-obamas-arms-workout

chirichardson

I did the 27 pushups this morning and also the first three exercises of the First Lady's regime. So far so good. I feel stronger.

WhittRak

I have flabby arms...and am working on that. What has worked for me so far, is a healthy and balanced diet, and tons of weight lifting. I have seen a difference so far..and I am liking it!

kardsharp

You are my new everyday hero! You can do this!

Kristine

HisChild2011

Me! Me! Me! I want First Lady arms!!!!

Articeluvsmemphis

that's a good self challenge, I'm hating push-ups because a muscle in my arm is strained, but you can also use weights and start lifting heavy to tone those areas, I have these ugly flabby arms as well, I fell your pain, lol

AlsDonkBoxSquat

Hey everyone, I have really, really fat arms...they run in my family. Someone had told me that I should start doing pushups to help burn the fat and tone my arms up. I have bad knees and can't do regular pushups, not yet anyway. I did some research and I found that there are two modifications that I can do.

Wall Pushups - Floor pushups require you to lift a larger percentage of your body weight than wall pushups, which allow you to practice your form without straining through the torso. You can also try these on a stair rail or other raised surface to reduce the amount of body weight you're lifting.

Modified Incline Pushups - When you've mastered wall pushups, add intensity by trying a modified incline pushup, with the upper body elevated on a step or platform.
http://exercise.about.com/od/exercisesformusclegroups/ss/howtodoapushup_3.htm

So, I'm challenging myself to building up to doing 50 pushups a day by March 25, 2012.
I am starting out doing 26 pushups on March 1 and adding an additional pushup each day. On March 25, I will be at 50 pushups and will continue my quest to have "First Lady arms".

I am hoping that I can get a few people to join me in this challenge, it sure would give me more incentive in accomplishing my goal. Or, you can just check in and make sure I'm doing the pushups. Thanks.

I think this is an excellent goal. I teach group fit classes and give wall and bench push ups as the modifications for those who find it too difficult to go to the floor. Be aware push ups are a chest exercise and work through the rest of your arms is secondary work. I would also suggest picking up some dumbbells and working bi's and tri's (the heaviest weight you can do at 8 reps or less 3 times . . . low weight high reps is herp derp).
You may not see the gains you're looking for as quickly as you would like, it sounds like you genetically hold your fat in your arms (one of your trouble spots). As you can't spot reduce, you will see greater gains as you lower your bf % over time. Awsome goal, good luck!

MyTime1985

I'm getting a half-sleeve this summer. My consultation is on March 20th and I have MAJOR bingo arm. I've always hated my arms, even when thin. Please feel free to add me because I plan on working my arms every single day to get this under control before I get my tattoo! :bigsmile:

darylinny

A push up challenge? I'm totally on board with this! I too want First Lady Arms and I have a NSV (non-scale victory) of completing the crazy push up routine that my personal trainer can breeze through!!

mleoni092708

bump to check out those links later

ejohndrow

I should get on board with this too, not only to tone, but to get my PRT score better as well. I did 44 push ups this morning for my mock PRT (and I wanted to fall over afterwards). I'd like it to come more easily to me as well. Plus, fat upper arms run in my family, I may be able to do push ups, but my arms are atrocious. The triceps always need more work.

recriger

One other thing you can try with the traditional floor push-up. Instead of being in the full plank position, hands and toes on the ground, try it with your hands and knees on the ground. That reduces the distance between contact points, reducing the ammount of strain through the rest of your body.

flisafakto

Bump for later! My flabby upper arms are a big problem area and only seem to get flabbier as I lose weight and body fat!

kolyn75

count me in!! woo hoo

MsTanya77

I'm with ya. My arms need help too! They have gotten alot smaller, but still not small enough! Thanks for posting this thread!

chirichardson

One other thing you can try with the traditional floor push-up. Instead of being in the full plank position, hands and toes on the ground, try it with your hands and knees on the ground. That reduces the distance between contact points, reducing the ammount of strain through the rest of your body.

I have bad knees. The wall pushups are good for me. I can really feel it when I'm doing them and for a few minutes afterwards.