It’s the new year, which means lots of fitness challenges. So of course we resolved to NOT do a January fitness challenge. Especially one that involves push-ups!
One down; 6346 to go!
But we changed our minds when we met our new Twitter friend Joe Evans. Joe served three tours of duty in Afghanistan; one in Iraq. Alexandra mentioned that she’d do push-ups in his honor. Here’s his response:
(*OEF = Operation Enduring Freedom; OIF = Operation Iraqi Freedom)
Our friend Matthew Poster saw our tweets and put this out there:
Who could resist a challenge from two good-looking, fitness-oriented guys, especially considering that Joe has gone through way more on our behalf than simply having sore muscles?! One push-up for each American killed in action. Then we found out was exactly how high that number is!
Yes, you read that right: 6,347 Americans killed in action. So 6,347 push-ups. In one month. That works out to about 212 push-ups per day if you start today, the 2nd of January. Feeling shocked? Think you can’t achieve it? Perhaps you feel the same way Matthew did when he saw the number. We admit to being a little daunted ourselves, but as we always say here at Fun and Fit, “baby steps count” so we’ll start with the first one and work our way up and down and up from there!
Joe is going to do them too. So are we. You might be thinking, “What do push-ups have to do with honoring our servicepeople?” Probably not much. But when you think of the physical and mental rigors Joe and all his colleagues have gone through, 212 daily push-ups don’t seem so insurmountable, do they?
We’ll be on our knees after the first 50 or so. Possibly on our faces after the first 100. And by 101, we’ll figure out that we don’t have to do all 212 at once. Nor on the floor. Hey, wall push-ups count as real exercise! And keep in mind that the day has a lot of hours in it. You can kick out a quick 10 just waiting in line at the grocery store. We dare ya!
And before your typing finger goes numb from the push-ups, be sure to follow Joe and Matthew on Twitter and say hi. We totally blame thank them for this idea. (We hope you follow us as well at @AlexandraFunFit and @KymberlyFunFit).
BTW, feel lucky Joe said “Americans” in his original tweet. Go here and you’ll see that the number for ALL the coalition forces killed in action is a whopping 7,649. We don’t even want to do the math for how many daily push-ups that would be!
Leave us a comment below to let us know you’re in. And when you tweet about it, use the hashtag #PatriotPushups so our servicemen and women will know you’re thinking about them. And when you’re not thinking of them, your muscles will remind you. We mean your buff, toned, taut, strong pecs, triceps, biceps, traps, and rhomboids thanks to taking part in the Patriot Push-Up Challenge.
This just in: Anytime Fitness has offered a free one-year membership to one totally lucky person who completes the challenge. You have to live within 30 miles of one of their clubs (they have 1,805 locations so chances are good), and not be a current member. Is that cool or what?
To be eligible to win the free one-year membership, you just need to leave a comment below letting us know you’re part of the challenge. It’s on the honor system whether or not you finish, but why would someone lie about doing something to show we’re thinking of our troops? Feel free to tweet tweet (nope, that’s not a typo; check the links) us or let us know on Facebook how it’s going, but that’s not required. We’ve also put links above to Anytime Fitness in case you want to tweet them about your progress! We’ll pull one winner from a sweaty shoe on February 1st, 2012. Okay, we’ll really pull a winner’s name from a shoe, not an actual winner!
Thank you. This means a lot to me, and as word gets out, I’m sure it will mean a lot to many more.
Hey Joe, thanks for your service and support, and we are already totally trying to keep up with you, even though you are a push-up overachiever!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Power Walk with the Butterflies in Santa Barbara
Doing a Vlog of all my Patriot Push Ups. Please check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/GetFitStayingFit
Get Fit Staying Fit (@GetFitStayFit_1) recently posted..Get Fit Staying Fit – Daily dose of fitness
I checked out your videos and loved your excellent push-up form and attitude. I got exhausted by about the 50th push-up. Now I wonder if watching someone else do push-ups counts toward our own!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..No, It’s Not “Perfect Body” Season
No watching doesn’t count, good try
Just remember that all pushups count! I am convinced anyone can do pushups of some level, check out this progression video: http://youtu.be/bUHvjayV580
Get Fit Staying Fit (@GetFitStayFit_1) recently posted..Get Fit Staying Fit – Daily dose of fitness
Fine. I’ll do my own. Be like that!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..7 Reasons to Start Getting Fit Now
Last January I couldn’t do even one push up on my knees… Already this morning, because of your challenge and thinking of those who serve, I’ve done 40. Still on my knees, but it’s helping me get stronger thinking of those who risked all.
Wow, Terry, that’s an amazing feat. You’ve done a lot in just one year. I thought I was great at push-ups, but 212 is quite a LOT! I am now extra-loving the wall push-ups!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..C-c-c-cooking with Ch-ch-ch-chia seeds!
This sounds like a fantastic way to honor the troops.
Lolo recently posted..Apples to Apples XBox Live Game Review
I hope so. I guess there are better ways, but this is the way I know how to remind myself every day, how much other people have done for us.
I like how you phrased it, Alexandra, and because of that I will informally catch up on the burn/hurt/ache I mean fun. We do lots of things in remembrance of others. Why not push-ups? I’m starting a little late, but starting all the same!
Thank you. Your approach is lovely. It doesn’t matter when you start or when you finish (unless you’re trying to win the free Anytime Fitness membership); it just matters that you feel our servicepeople matter enough to try. We hope you keep us posted each day via the hashtag or our FB fan page. And send us some video as we’re putting together a montage.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Seated Posture: Part 6 Sitting Pretty
Wow that is a pretty awesome (and exhausting!) idea! Thanks for sharing this – I love hearing stories like this!
Crystal recently posted..Having A Party?? Saving $$ by PREPLANNING!
Yes, Crystal, I am both exhausted and amazed (mostly at the fact that I’d attempt this). I just wish I only had to do zero push-ups, since that would mean zero servicepeople killed in action.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..All Sizes Welcome: Fitness Pros Want YOU in their Classes and Clubs
I am getting started, doing wall pushups. I injured a shoulder several years ago in a car accident, so wall is best I can do for now, hope it strengthens my shoulder and I can do some regular. I am honored to be able to participate and it will keep me motivated.
@kidshusbandandi
That’s great Angela. You are so smart to listen to your body. There’s such a fine line between pushing yourself to improve and getting re-injured. We’ll be doing a LOT of wall push-ups right along with you!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..7 Reasons to Start Getting Fit Now
This is awesome!
Kerri O recently posted..Things I’m Loving Right Now — December
That’s what I try to remind myself after the first, um, ten!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..All Sizes Welcome: Fitness Pros Want YOU in their Classes and Clubs
I’m totally in. Emm, not the 212, of course. My shoulders would detatch from my body in protest. But shall certainly push it everyday this month.
Yum Yucky recently posted..Here’s My January 2012 Progress Picture. Have You Snapped Yours Yet?
But guess what Miss Yuck – you can do wall push-ups for all or most of them. Not like I’d do that or anything…..heh heh heh. Don’t check for handprints on the wall.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Do Pilates and Yoga Improve Strength? Free offer for right answer!
Keep up the great work everyone, together we can move mountains.
One thought or suggestion would be to start with the hardest push up you can do, max out, then go to an easier version. So if you can only do 2 regular great, then do 3 uphill, then 5 wall type. I sent the video link earlier. This will make you stronger for sure.
Get Fit Staying Fit (@GetFitStayFit_1) recently posted..Get Fit Staying Fit – Daily dose of fitness
WOW this is awesome!
Becca @ Mama B recently posted..My Pregnancy: Week 13
We are all about awesome! It’s the least we can aspire to to meet our readers’ level!
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..Do Pilates and Yoga Improve Strength? Free offer for right answer!
This post is really awesome!!! Thanks for sharing..
Share, share, share the love Tracey! And thanks to Anytime Fitness we get to share that free one year membership with our readers. Are you in for the push-up challenge?
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..Push-ups for Patriots
I’m in. After 6 years in the Army and 3 deployments to Iraq (and my husband’s 7 years and 2 deployments), we have witnessed too many friends, coworkers, and classmates lose their lives. We will gladly and proudly participate (I’ll have him do his own entry). Thank you for doing this -
Michele @ nycrunningmama recently posted..Pushing the pace on long runs?
You’re the bomb Michele! Will the push ups bring back any good memories? I just did 30 full body, and 70 knee push ups. Tonight I’m blasting through the last 112. Thank YOU for participating. Same to your hubby! I bet you can beat him though!
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..Push-ups for Patriots
There were MANY, many more wonderful and happy memories of my time in the army! Truly loved everything about it – got out b/c I wanted to start a family and didn’t want to have to deploy and leave them! I’m at 72 full body right now – my goal is to do them all according to Army standards (no knee or wall)! We’ll see if that happens!
Michele @ nycrunningmama recently posted..Push-ups for Patriots
You can do 72 full body push-ups? Dang, that’s amazing. I cannot even imagine 212 of them full body. Of course, I suppose if you split them up over time – like 4 years! I hereby declare that I am NOT competitive and will not try to beat your attempt. No no no
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..7 Reasons to Start Getting Fit Now
I’m in!!! I’m going to rock the 212!!!! I’m already 50 in and will be finishing up strictly on knees and wall…..maybe shoulders if I can get the feeling back!
Thanking all would never be enough.
Xoxo
Sharon Heaps
I want to rock the 212. So far I rolled a few. Xo XO back to you.
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..No, It’s Not “Perfect Body” Season
I am a day late. But I am committing to this challenge. I will make up the extra day by doing extra push ups till I am caught up. i feel honored that I can do something for our troops… I am starting with the wall!
Hi Susie! You are a lifetime early, not a day late. What a champ! If you start with the wall you are still standing when done! Whoo hoo!
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..C-c-c-cooking with Ch-ch-ch-chia seeds!
I just finished my 212 push-ups on the wall. I hope you don’t mind that I put the link to this blog on my blog. I told people about it and wanted them to be able to read the whole story. Hope they are going well for everyone else!
Angela D recently posted..A Push-Up Challenge Worth Taking
No, we were totally excited to see that you wrote up a post about this challenge. We shared it on our FB fan page even! Thanks so much!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..All Sizes Welcome: Fitness Pros Want YOU in their Classes and Clubs
I am in! I’m terrified, but I’m in.
Tee recently posted..Can I Do 6,347 Push-Ups in 29 Days?
hahah. I’m terrified too. My students will totally rib me if I do a face plant. I made my seniors do a few of them in class today. I said we’d do just 8, but I tricked them into 20!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Are Skechers Sketchy, Steppy, or Peppy?
Haha! So you just kept repeating 7 until you got to 19 and told them it was 8?
Tee recently posted..I’m Still Here
Nope. I just said, “1, 2, 3″ then kept quiet for a while, then said, “and that’s 8″ when we hit 20. They were on to my clever plan though!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Don’t Be Still My Beating (Omron) Heart (Rate Monitor)
If only I could do a push-up….what a great cause though!!
cori recently posted..Happy 3rd Birthday, Emma & Surgery
Cori, you can do a push up! Just about everyone can. If you need an example check out this progressions video page I have put together: http://www.getfitstayingfit.com/video-library/progressions
Get Fit Staying Fit (@GetFitStayFit_1) recently posted..Get Fit Staying Fit-Push-ups for Patriots
More push ups for everyone, Keep up the great work! I created a blog post linking back to this one: http://www.getfitstayingfit.com/get-fit-staying-fit-push-ups-for-patriots-4875
Get Fit Staying Fit (@GetFitStayFit_1) recently posted..Get Fit Staying Fit-Push-ups for Patriots
Great idea to remember all our fallen comrades.
I’m In!
Paul (aka my hubby) – glad you entered! I’m over 100 for the day already! What are you at?!
Michele @ nycrunningmama recently posted..Push-ups for Patriots
You are going to have to hustle to catch up with go-go girl, Michele, aka “your bodacious wife.” I knocked out 50 this morning. How are you coming along?
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..Push-ups for Patriots
Whoo Hooo Paul. Great to see you here. I’m afraid your wife is going to take you down!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Does Working Out Suck?
If I got even close to 50 in a day I would do myself an injury let alone 200 (back to back days aswell!). Good luck!
Krissy recently posted..New Driver Insurance
I have an idea – you look to be with an insurance company. So sef-insure your bod, do the push ups against a wall, and know you are covered no matter what! Brilliant, eh? Oh, and you are so right that the back-to-back day aspect is daunting. I was sore this morning.
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..No, It’s Not “Perfect Body” Season
I’M IN! Been looking for some motivation, and this is certainly it! This beats doing pushups to beat the Air Force or Naval Academies before football games because Army always wins those by a landslide anyway!
My father-in-law was a career Army man and Korean War vet. Go Army! Welcome to our challenge. You can do push ups while watching football. Doesn’t that sound … um, interesting,
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..All Sizes Welcome: Fitness Pros Want YOU in their Classes and Clubs
Oh show me your guns! yes! haha, ever since we’ve been in NZ, my pushups have been neglected. But i can do these anywhere, no excuses. Love the idea and motivation!
Come on Lilndsay. And you know what? In New Zealand, because of its latitude and longitude, push-ups are far easier than in the U.S. Really! That’s my science fact for the day.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Does Working Out Suck?
Just found your blog! This is great. I’m a little late to the game….based on the date I have to do 253 a day. But in comparison to what these people did, I will bust my butt getting them done! Sneaking off to a conference room now at work to get started! Thx!
Jenn (A Runner’s Road) recently posted..With My Peoples
Great to meet you Jenn. We’ve found that splitting them up over the day makes it a lot more achievable. We do 50 at a time on an incline or we’d collapse!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..No, It’s Not “Perfect Body” Season
This is growing in popularity I see
I’m glad to see all the participation and support this has garnered, amazing.
By the way, my count is up to 1800 now and my body is getting acclimated to the new stress. Very refreshing. I wish every one good luck on their own journeys.
Hi Joe: Yes, your great idea has really had a great effect on a lot of people. We know of 4 other people at least who did their own blog posts about this too, so they are all in it with us too! I still think your push-up count is amazing!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Does Working Out Suck?
Joe I am so happy and glad we crossed paths on this journey. You are a terrific inspiration and your hard work and persistence is contagious. Thanks for being awesome!
Get Fit Staying Fit (@GetFitStayFit_1) recently posted..Get Fit Staying Fit – Daily dose of fitness
Dear PatriotPushup participants: if you want to show the world a few of your push ups, send us a short video clip (info@funandfit.org) and we will include it in a post we have planned for late Jan. It can be as simple as 3 seconds of you doing a few push ups. Please do NOT send a long video of 212 though as we have more fitness talent than video editing skills! Be part of the video salute montage!
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..Are you a Good Witch or a Who Which?: Telling Twins Apart