From the New York Times: Sit Ups Devastate Spines

A professor of spine biomechanics, Stuart McGill, says that sit ups place devastating loads on the discs. Instead, there are other important core strengthening exercises. Not sure 365 Bird Dogs, Planks, and Approved Crunches have quite the same appeal, but this is worth pondering. 

Yes, he really says, If they did hundreds of sit ups their spines would break before they trained to a high level. 

Ouch.

One Hundred Sit Ups

For the past three days, I've done 100 sit ups per day. This is something I've never before thought possible, for me, a "non-athlete." I've also started daily push ups and thrice weekly running. In real running sneakers. 

Bottom line: Adding one more sit up every day works. It works great and is a beautiful way to make significant change. And every change causes a domino effect of more change, with unexpected results, and possibly even dangerous empowerment (this I'm still looking forward to). 

Doing my sit up experiment has also let me learn about my own negative thoughts, thoughts that I believe have been holding me back from doing my best and living my best life. Thoughts that were so much a part of who I have been, that I didn't even notice them until I did that first sit up and distinctly heard you can't do it  in my mind. Now, when I hear that voice in my head saying you can't do this, I immediately start to do just that thing. It's become my clue for finding my fear so I can find my fearlessness. 

I read once that if you can make a change last for 90 days, it is permanent. And, I believe this is true. I have no doubt that at the end of the year, I'll be up to 365 sit ups per day. But, I'm busy writing a novel and teaching and I'm sorry to say that I don't have anything else to blog about without sinking even deeper into pointless narcissism. So, I'll just say thank you. Thank you for your support and encouragement. If you try this experiment, let me know. I'd love to hear how it goes for you. 

Thrill Seeker

This morning I did seventy sit-ups and I realized that I've entered a brand new world. This is unchartered territory, for me, to be able to do 70 sit-ups and to continue doing more and more every day. To run, to do push ups, to be athletic. This is a way of life I've admired without ever thinking I could join in. I've always thought I was not athletic. I believed that voice in my head that told me I couldn't do it. 

Now that inner-mind voice blathers and I ignore it like I ignore the voice of my daughter's annoying little friend, who is always asking me why the backseat of my car isn't clean. As I'm learning to notice but also ignore the voice that tells me I can't do lots of things. I was so used to that voice, that I didn't even realize how much control it had over me. 

I'm 1/6 through the project, with no signs of stopping. It is working. I am thrilled. 

Two words

Sixty-five sit-ups. 

My daughter: That's four words. 

Me: Impressive, isn't it?

Daughter: You didn't say that. 

Me: No, but I thought it. And this is my blog. 

Daughter: Not any more. Mwah-hah-hah-hah!

Me: It's past your bedtime.