I need a little exercise advice.

[buttercup5]

I exercise in phases - I'll be really consistent for a while and then fall off for a while. Lately, I've been lacking motivation and haven't been working out. Even when I am exercising more consistently, I absolutely hate to do things like sit-ups, but I want the results that come from them!

I just started doing ten sit-ups and ten push-ups (using knees, not full push-ups) when I wake up in the morning. I figured if I set a goal that takes less than a minute to complete, I can follow through without much effort.

My question is, how long should I stay at ten each before increasing? Has anyone else slowly built up an exercise program this way? Thanks!

Updates

+1 y

Who just did 5 real pushups in a row!? I did!

[BeerME]

Generally, if you can do more than 12 of something then you aren't really getting much out of it. Not that there's really anything wrong with doing more, but you would likely see better results by increasing intensity rather than volume. I would look at ways to add resistance instead of adding numbers. There are lots of options for push ups. You can move up to full plank position push ups, you can put your feet up on a chair, you can do hindu pushups (which look really awkward but they are beastly workouts), and I'm sure with a little research you could find plenty of other ways to get more out of your push ups. For crunches, you can add weight by holding something on your chest or over your head while you do them. If you have something you can use as a decline board, that would work too.

Anyway, whatever number you are doing, you want to feel like you're really working to get the last few reps. If it's easy, it isn't doing anything for you.

[BeerME]

@update: Nicely done

[buttercup5]

Thanks!

[themastaplan]

do 10 push ups and sit ups one morning, the next do 15 for each...then 20...etc...getting results is about upping the weight you use and distance you run...

the key here to building your core is muscle confusion, mix up the excersizes, how you do them, what specific muscles are being worked...it will show resutls faster than doing the same thing every morning...why? because your muscles will get used to the same thign over and over and it will be "prepared" which isn't good when you want to build on something...you need to confuse them and keep them on their toes, so when you work out it works out more of the muscle as a whole...

[buttercup5]

I understand the idea of builiding muscle, but that's not what I was asking. Doing the same thing every morning in order to build routine and consistency is better than upping it every day, getting discouraged, and stopping.

[themastaplan]

NOT being able to do 10 should be enough motiviation to try it EVERY single time until you can...PUSHING yourself and SEEING results is your goal...how is that not motivation enough? just because you build muscle doesn't mean you have to be jacked. my body is tone, I lift weights, but I'm not HUGE or jacked...mostly due to my genetics, but my point is the motivation should be you not being able to doing it...it shouldn't discourage you, rather the opposite...get your mind straight!

[buttercup5]

"PUSHING yourself and SEEING results is your goal"

Where did you get that?

[themastaplan]

from what you said, nothin you said specifically...but you aren't motivated because you aren't seeing results...so start taking measures with you're work outs to see resutls...when you start seeing results you'll be excited and want to keep going

[buttercup5]

I see what you're getting at, but you're telling me to work harder in order to be motivated to work hard. See how that's easier than it sounds if you don't have much motivation in the first place?

[themastaplan]

haha OK I understand...damn...ummmmm

see motivation should be what your talkinga bout..you WANT to do these things, you WANT to do this and that and blah blah...i know its easier said than done...i don't want to go to the gym tonight but I am...b/c I know afterward I'll feel SO much better, all my stress will be gone and working out feels great...i don't know I love it, just learn to love it! get a work out buddy if needed

[sketchy]

Take up an actual competitive sport, like badminton or tennis or something. Going to the gym or just running for the sake of running is simply not fun for most people, so it's hard to stay motivated.

If you're playing a sport, you'll push yourself much harder (because you won't win if you don't), you'll actually keep it up (because you enjoy it - you'll even be looking forward to it), you'll meet loads of new people, and you'll get a much better workout than you ever would from doing a few push-ups/sit-ups.

[WeaponZero]

While 10 pushups and 10 situps is certainly rigorous for someone who struggles with them, it isn't much of a workout. You need to be doing much more than that if you want to see any sort of real progress.

That being said, your goal should be to get to the point where you can do 10 full pushups. So keep working at 10, just try to do as many as you can on your feet rather than your knees before you switch. Worry about adding more after you can do 10 proper, full pushups.

[buttercup5]

I understand that this won't give me results - the intention, as stated above, is to increase slowly.

[KERMlT]

Sexercise works. You get a workout while doing something (someone) you love. :D It builds cardio, helps with flexibility, releases good hormones, etc. :)

[yagurlnira768]

Usually I would be like...noooooo sex lol..

But this is so true...expecially if you're riding.

[buttercup5]

Sexercise works for what? Increasing the number of push-ups I'm doing? Or building up a routine by slowly increasing my exercise?

Right..

[KERMlT]

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