The FastDay Forum

Well, I did me a plank this morning in my mini workout, did 2- 30 secs, then one full minute, every thing burns in the minute one and then I see a plank challenge on here. So I'll continue, has to be good all round, back, abs , core. Cannot imagine doing 200 seconds, One minute kills me.

I'm joining in today, and did Day 1. Not too bad. But had problems with the app, couldn't get any volume from it, and it didn't mark the day as being complete, until I went back in and did skip workout - hopefully will be OK tomoz.

[carieoates]

Any recommendations for the plank app please. @MaryAnnThere are several.
Thanks

I'm using 30 days. I use it for the reminder but I'm following the schedule I originally posted.

Up to 2:30 (150 seconds, day 18-ish) this morning right before going out for a very windy 10K. It definitely tightens up core muscles. Good to remember too whenever pushing for that last little bit.

I'm doing the challenge that MaryAnn posted on page 1 too. Have also started the LBD challenge and am looking at some of the others. Last day of the Plank for me tomorrow.

[carieoates]

@AnnieW whats the LBD challenge. Please share.

Sorry @carieoates it's the Little Black Dress challenge - probably more appropriate for November but after looking at the beach body challenge (my holiday is in June) I thought the LBD challenge was more do-able - the beach body one looked far too scary. Here's hoping for some miraculous results as I'd like my body to look a bit less in need of an iron on the beach .

On MaryAnn's first post there are lots of challenges on the link.

The 30 day app has multiple challenges in it too.

I finally managed a 90s plank.

Excuse the late arrival, the plank is something I have done on ask off (an awful lot of off) for the last 50 years. I decided to join you all and started by timing myself this morning. I did 90sec so what I have decided to do is about 3 days at that and then start the next stage up. I should look at the push up challenge as I can't even do 2 of those.

This is a great exercise and a good challenge!! Thanks for sharing, I'm in!

[wildmissus]

I think my plank is a bit faulty as its is very wobbly . I started at Day 1 and have just completed Day 8, 45 seconds. Tomorrow is 60 seconds and I just don't know if I'll manage it but I'll give it a go. Well done you lot that are doing more than a minute.

Some tips to ease the strain:

1. Warm up first. Doing them cold, first-thing in the morning makes it quite a bit harder.

2. Holding your breath makes it somewhat easier for a while, but obviously you will still need to breathe.

3. Moving your body back back and forth using your toes - like doing toe raises, only horizontally - adds a bit of variety.

One thing I've learned from this challenge: If you'd like more determination and conviction into this and other aspects of your life, decide to add 3-4 more seconds past today's target time right when you're just dying to quit - will do it.

Do be careful, @wildmissus. I think good form is really important to prevent injury. Can you get someone to look at it or use a mirror? @jools7 is much more of an expert than me, but I think the main thing is to keep your back straight (i.e., don't sag or stick your bum up).

For the 60s and 90s, I didn't manage it on the first day I was supposed to, but hit it on the next day.

Good luck!

p.s. I am now convinced that it wasn't the plank that cause my sciatica flare-up. The doctor suspects tight hamstrings, and it's true that my right hamstring has been bugging me for awhile now (just after running--it always clears up quickly). I was feeling better for awhile, but after weight lifting two days ago and running yesterday, I'm in a bit of pain again. Not debilitating, but worrying. I'm doing loads of stretching, and am going to take it easy on the exercise for awhile...

Bump...

Managed to reach 183 seconds this morning before collapsing into a heavy-breathing heap. I am beginning to understand what happens when approaching the event horizon of a black hole.

Update May 4: Now at 3:13 (adding that last-moment 'character building' 3 seconds. BTW, for runners/walkers these work really well as a pre-outing warm-up from the shoulders down.