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