Okay, so with my week two exhaustion test resulting in 22 push ups, I start week three doing the middle column.
Day 1 (3rd November 2008):
The sets are 12, 17, 13, 13 and at least 17, with at least 60 seconds of rest in between.
I struggled to finish the last set and only managed the minimum of 17. I was panting. My arms are starting to hurt and the muscles feel locked. Maybe it’s because I’m not supposed to do this after dinner?
This week is starting out hard.
Day 2 (5th November 2008):
The sets are 14, 19, 14, 14 and at least 19, with at least 90 seconds of rest in between.
The first two sets were ok, but I started hurting from the third set onward.
As I felt I did not do the fourth set properly, I repeated it half an hour later and it didn’t feel so bad. Maybe all I needed was a longer rest in between.
For the final set, unlike the first day where I did the minimum specified, I managed to do 22 good form push ups.
My arms are staring to feel it in areas I’ve not felt before. I’m noticing that the muscles under my armpit are starting to hurt. The same muscles that hurt when I learnt the butterfly stroke.
I am wondering if I focus on keeping my butt and stomach tight while pushing up and down, it is actually easier to do the push up. I shall continue to keep tabs on that and report back.
Day 3 (7th November 2008):
The five sets are 16, 21, 15, 15 and at least 21, with at least 120 seconds of rest in between.
I suggested yesterday to tighten the butt and the stomach will follow tightened. This helped a great deal in keep the body straight in order to do good form push ups.
I was able to do the first 3 sets without issues. The fourth I struggled a little bit. And the last, I managed to eke out 24 push ups.
My arms do not seem to ache as much as in Day 2.
Weekly Conclusion:
I’m noticing that I have not found a good position for my arms. The placement sees to affect how easily I can or cannot keep with the push ups.
Although I feel prepared to go into Week 4, which is halfway through the programme, 100 push ups at this stage still seems a distant possibility.
At the end of Week 4 is another exhaustion test. I guess this will give me a real idea of what I can do.