Plank Update

My body has been screaming once again. It's tired... I developed this annoying itching sensation in my nose on Friday night that has now progressed to a cold. Hence, I tucked into bed with a scarf around my neck and didn't go running in 4C weather this weekend. I was smart to stay at home all of Saturday and just do homework. However, I had a conference to attend that I was organizing on Sunday so I was out of the house for good 8-9 hours. Blah! That made me feel even worse. I came back home on Sunday and slept for 11 hours!!! I usually get 6-7 hours a night! Well I took a day off on Monday and just stayed at home. In the morning I emailed a bunch of profs for nutritional sciences, did a bit of cooking, chilled with family, read, watched a show with my mom, and played Sims 3 for like 2 hours! Uber relaxing and much needed rest day! Oh.. I drank a lot of tea today! Yummy Roobois!

Since I've done an update on barefoot running, I though I'd should give an update on my planking.


I'll start with the good news. My side planks have been doing awesome. Holding them for 1 minute on each side is getting pretty darn easy. Now here's how I should feel about it.

Well... The problem is that it doesn't burn anymore. Time to make things harder, aka bring that dumbbell. What's great for side planks is that you can easily incorporate dumbbells as one of your hands is completely free. This week I'll start off adding in a 3lbs and if that's still really easy I'll bring on the 7lbs! YaY!

As for full plank... I've noticed a difference in my shoulders. They feel harder especially closer top of the spine and shoulders. Probably it's my trapezius muscle getting stronger. Also, my mom noticed that my biceps have gotten significantly bigger. Yay! Now I don't know if these are exactly from planking or hot yoga, but it's still exciting. 

On the other hand, my plank times have been stagnant if not even a bit worse. My culprit is overuse because I basically do a plank everyday when I don't do Bikram Yoga. That might just be too much to handle as you pretty much engage the core muscles in most Bikram Yoga postures. Maybe a bit of rest is needed. Alternatively, it might all just be in my head!

Now a bit of planking motivation. This picture is the coolest thing ever!!!

PS: Post for next week. Back exercises to compliment ab training. I do a whole back set at Bikram Yoga so I never talk about back exercises, however they are highly important!

If you plank, how have your planks been progressing? Do you do back exercises?