Planking...PLEASE plan appropriately...

     Good evening, Fam…  I am just dropping by to check on My AB CHALLENGE comrades.  I am a few days ahead of you for all that started on or after June 1st.  The exercises involved are sit-ups, crunches, leg raises and planks.  A few days of doing this challenge and I realize that I am going to have to start breaking this mess up.  First of all, I suggest that you do these exercises after warming up.  I am convinced that your muscles need to be ready and willing, so that you are able to follow-thru.  My other suggestion is that you plan appropriately.   Either do the planks prior to any other exercise or at least take a NICE semi-long break after conquering the other challenge exercises before attempting the planks.  I found that what “little” muscles I do have in my core, just couldn’t handle the planks AFTER dealing with sit-ups, crunches, and leg raises.

     So, let’s start with the basics.  What the heck is a “core”?  The muscles around your trunk and pelvis make up the core.  Wikipedia gives the definition of your core as, major muscles that reside in the area of the belly and the mid and lower back (not the shoulders), and peripherally include the hips, the shoulders and the neck.  Our core is pretty much the stabilizer for our body.  Core exercises improve your balance and stability by the way your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen work together. Most movement, exercises and sports are dependent on stable core muscles.

     This AB CHALLENGE requires that we only do four, yes, only 4 exercises and you do not need any special equipment or a gym membership to do them.  It’s just you and the floor.  My biggest problem is the PLANK… There was a recent picture on Facebook that highlighted the areas of the body that are affected when doing a plank.  It made you see a little better, why it should be a part of this challenge.  What’s a plank???  Well, it’s a strength exercise that involves maintaining a difficult position for a length of time. The most common plank is the front plank which is held in a push-up position with the body's weight b on forearms, elbows, and toes.  Now, I must tell all you folks with bad bunions.   It’s going to hurt a little, but it will be worth it in the end. 

Here is how you do a PLANK:
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1.Get down on your knees and elbows.
2.Now straighten your legs, one at a time, so that you are supporting your body on your elbows and toes.
3.Hold the position.  As you continue to do planks daily, you should build up you time.
4. You should rest for several seconds between Planks if you are going to do a series of them.

      

This is the position you should be in when starting to time your PLANK.  Good luck!!!  The AB CHALLENGE is officially, ON!!!  SMOOCHES...