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Notorious Elbow Plank Position

Week 1 Recap:

So from the title you can guess that I made it through Week 1. I call it “Shock Week” as it’s the week that you basically manhandle your body into acceptance of the fact that this is going to be long-term. My biggest issue (aside from the glaringly obvious: being overweight and out of shape) was my breathing. It was something I addressed the week before when I went to see my physician. I originally went it because I was having trouble sleeping. I would wake up many times during the night and usually with an extremely dry throat. And according to my brother, who slept over at my place a couple times, I was snoring violently at times seeming like I was gagging on something. I mentioned all this to my doctor along with the fact that I was going to join boot camp to get my weight in check. He observed that my tonsils were a bit enlarged and prescribed some antibiotics. However, he suggested that enlarged tonsils alone wouldn’t explain all the issues I was having. So I had some blood work done. He said that if by Monday (first day of boot camp) I wasn’t sleeping better I should put off boot camp. By Sunday night I was sleeping a bit better so I went ahead with the program. Throughout the first couple workout sessions, though, I noticed that I would be struggling for air after each exercise. My breathing was very labored and I began to get concerned. The Drill Sergeants would try to get me to control my breathing to the rhythm of the exercises so that I’d be exhaling during the hardest part of the specific exercise and inhaling during the easier part. So as I’d kick up, I’d exhale; then inhale when the foot came down. This helped but after I’d finish the specific circuit it would take took long to get back to rest before switching to the next exercise. I’d be still panting and breathing heavily. Also if I did any exercise that caused me to contract my “core” I’d immediately run out of air. For example there’s an exercise called The Elbow Plank. It’s more of a position than an exercise since it involves holding still in a straight line while on your toes and elbows. After about 15 seconds I felt like I had nowhere to put my air. So I’d start gasping for air and eventually break my pose. And then it was Friday and I felt proud of just making it through Week 1.

<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–>Week 2

Day 1

It started off horribly. Just a bit of advice. If you have more than one day in between workout sessions you MUST do some workout activity the days in between or else you will pay for it. Monday started off really sluggish. Mind you, we worked out on MLK Day in order to avoid too much time in between sessions. Did not work! I was breathing heavier than ever. I was collapsing sooner. Couldn’t do push-ups for the life of me. It felt like Day 1 all over again. At one point I was going to just walk out. “I don’t have to put myself through this. I can just join a gym”, I said to myself. Then before I knew it the session was over. Too late to complain. By the end I was mad at myself for being so weak. It felt like that whole week before was a waste of time. I figured I’d stick it out one more day.

Day 2

Next day I showed much improvement much to my surprise after the prior day’s dismal performance. I controlled my breathing better. I was holding up in plank position without collapsing. Breathing was still a bit tight but I forced air down to the diaphragm and it made a difference. I think I may have overworked my self a bit with the high jumps/squats. My calve muscles were bothering me a lot. Fortunately, I would have Wednesday off to recover.

Wednesday- Day Off

I can hardly walk! Both calve muscles are in extreme pain. I cannot push off the ball of my foot or my entire leg collapses. Getting up from a seated position or just going up or down the steps is near impossible. I tried stretching it out but it hurts too much. There’s a possibility I won’t be coming in the next day, which sucks because I feel like I’m losing money if I don’t. I took two Motrins and went to sleep extra early. I’m also worried because one of my troop mates is considering leaving.

<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–><!–[endif]–> Day 3

I got up from bed and decided to at least show up. Everyone expects the out of shape, fat boy to throw in the towel. Can’t give them the satisfaction. I figured at least I could do modified exercises and still be there to motivate the rest of the troop. I reported my injury to the Sergeant so she’d be aware. The session began with jogging. I thought my legs wouldn’t make it but they did. It still bothered me but nowhere as badly as the day before. I decided to work through the pain. Ironically, I think this may have been my best day ever. I was able to maintain roughly the same intensity throughout all the circuits. I didn’t require modified exercises. I was able to keep in push-up position for much longer and didn’t collapse at the end. My breathing was miraculously a lot better. I wasn’t huffing and heaving at the end of the workouts. My calves were sore but still holding up even through the stair runs. End of the third day and I feel awesome; not falling down at the end of the session as usual. For many of the exercises I was able to just tune out the stress I was putting my body through. I would focus on my breathing and forget about the rest. Seemed to work. I still have to work on those sit-ups. Damn belly keeps getting in the way.