Planking... by maggiemae

Planking...

To understand the exercise of “Planking’ you have - have to do it! It looks straight forward but here where I demonstrate, you have to have this straight back. I find it incredibly challenging and can only get to 30 secs at a time. But I find all parts of me benefit by becoming stronger!

Three good things:
1 Our great garden helpers came - or one of them did to take rubbish away. I honestly said, ‘How are you” and said I wanted a genuine answer! Well, for the next 3/4 hour we heard about his life - an unwelcome guest who found fault with everything but a daughter that was on the road to destruction - into drugs alcohol and not obeying court dictates! So hard! I made us a cocktail (because its Sunday and we often do this) and called in ‘TGFOL’ Thank goodness for our life!
2. Grey day with no sun - but found a half dead spider on the floor to photograph. We had sprayed outside for spiders.
3. Finished my 600 page book - so sad that I have!
I'm afraid all I could muster would be wet-noodling. You have my admiration and respect.
January 8th, 2017  
@featherstone26 I had to google wet noodling! Thought it might be some sort of swimming exercise! Haha!
January 8th, 2017  
that's a very fine plank maggie. i too find it extremely challenging! i agree that it's good for us though. like your b&w edit
January 8th, 2017  
Congrats on finishing your new book and on being able to plank. I thought planking was lying on top of hedges or other unlikely places??
January 8th, 2017  
@pistache Actually never seen myself planking of course! I do have a good straight back!
January 8th, 2017  
@snaphappi It is, Maggie - but this is a easy exercise.
January 8th, 2017  
@maggiemae I hope it was nothing obscene! I was thinking of how limp a wet noodle is. :)
January 8th, 2017  
@featherstone26 No - just a 'wimp' and "Don’t be such a wet noodle. Don’t let them push you around"
January 8th, 2017  
Good on you for planking! There are many out there who shudder at the thought of just getting into position, let alone reaching 30 seconds!
January 8th, 2017  
An excellent plank Maggie, very straight & firm. I am quite good at the plank myself, must try again as I do it far too little! You feel better for it then? Might have a go each day myself!
What a trying visit you had, does make you count your blessings though, some people have a tough life!
January 8th, 2017  
@happypat They recommend that you should try planking at least once a day, Pat. Doesn't make you fit, just stronger! I think this guy was pleased to be able to talk to someone about his woes!
January 8th, 2017  
Good on you!
January 8th, 2017  
Wow...your plank is so straight! I keep reading that the plank is a great exercise; I need to start trying this.
January 8th, 2017  
Well done it looks a good work out, congratulations on finishing your book
January 8th, 2017  
Way to go Maggiemae, what an awesome demonstration!
January 8th, 2017  
@snowy Its actually quite agonising, Diana! I can't breathe properly doing this! ...and I'll have to get another 600 page book from the library!
January 8th, 2017  
Hmmm not for me but will try excercise sit up with the medicine ball this year , glad our spiders 🕷 are not poisonous that's one good thing !
January 8th, 2017  
@philcameron59 Apparently this exercise is better for you than sit-ups Phil?
January 8th, 2017  
I am totally impressed! I am sure I would collapse in a crumpled heap in the middle!!!
January 8th, 2017  
Wow...I would say that you're a strong lady :). Great shot
January 8th, 2017  
@seattlite @pixiemac I can only hold this position for 30 secs, Sarah and Gloria! You are supposed to be able to hold it for 1 minute - then 5 minutes!!!
January 8th, 2017  
Good for you Maggiemae, what a straight back you have. I have tried but, not good. I go to the Gym 3 times a week & Zumba for 3/4 hour, great exercise & fun & keeps me in shape.. How kind you were to give that man a chance to "talk"
January 8th, 2017  
I like this in black and white. It is not an easy pose but you are doing well to hold it. You do have a good straight back. I can see your trampoline too.
January 8th, 2017  
@happysnaps So many people say, "How are you" and so many do not expect an answer, Valerie!
January 8th, 2017  
@adayinmallacoota Yup, thats the one I just jump up and down on - can see into the neighbours property when I do!
January 8th, 2017  
@maggiemae ha,ha! The young boys next door can see me in the backyard when they are on their trampoline too although I am usually just hanging out the washing.
January 8th, 2017  
Textbook plank Maggie and 30 seconds is better than all those sitting on their sofas!
January 8th, 2017  
@jackie8 Its good for me too - sitting too long in front of a computer all day!
January 8th, 2017  
Bep
I'm impressed, Maggie!
January 8th, 2017  
It would be great if this would inspire me to do it! Good for you!
January 8th, 2017  
Wow I am so very impressed with your plank! Well done! You must be a good listener - it's a gift! Fav for your effort!
January 8th, 2017  
@pamknowler I don't talk much myself, Pam so its easy to listen!
January 8th, 2017  
I think I'll stick to brisk dog walking and cycling....
January 8th, 2017  
What an inspiration. You look marvelous doing it too....and to set the timer and get into position is a feat unto itself! My hero!!
January 8th, 2017  
@shepherdman Couldn't be better Mr S! See something new every time. I just see the floor each time!
January 8th, 2017  
I count the seconds till I get to 30, Katy then I collapse! @grammyn
January 8th, 2017  
Great form, Maggiemae.
January 8th, 2017  
You deserve a gold medal for this Maggiemae. My colleague and I tried it with the children at school last month (she is super fit and plays hockey) and thankfully I didn't disgrace myself but it was a once in a lifetime experience. Think I'll stick to walking.

So, a gold medal winning fav for your stamina and a great b&w photo.
January 8th, 2017  
Grand capture.
January 8th, 2017  
@flowerfairyann You start out by just holding the position about 10 secs! Then gradually increase but only if you can!
January 8th, 2017  
I thought this looked familiar - it's Phalakasana, forearm variation - a yoga pose! You rock it, Maggiemae!
January 8th, 2017  
Absolutely challenging! The processing makes your subject stand out.
January 8th, 2017  
Impressive capture
January 8th, 2017  
Great form!
January 8th, 2017  
Way to go!! You've inspired me to try!
January 8th, 2017  
I'm impressed
January 8th, 2017  
Well done you If I got down , Id never got up let alone plank it -- I only wish I could !!
January 9th, 2017  
@beryl Sometimes I look at the floor, Beryl and say to myself - I'm not getting down there - its too much of a struggle to get back up!
January 9th, 2017  
Well done on the planking!
January 9th, 2017  
Difficult, good for you. !!
January 9th, 2017  
Oh wow, Maggie, this is most impressive. I don't think I could even get myself into position--let alone hold it for 30 seconds.
January 9th, 2017  
Very good form
January 9th, 2017  
@skstein Give it a try, Sandy - it gets easier! And so good for deportment!
January 9th, 2017  
Very impressed, I can only do about 10 seconds before I collapse in a heap!
January 9th, 2017  
@inthecloud5 That's all I could do when I first attempted this, Christine! You have to build the back muscles as well as the stomach muscles up gradually!
January 9th, 2017  
Great selfie! I find planks very difficult. I can hold that position for a few seconds and I can do only a few. I should do planks on a regular basis.
January 9th, 2017  
@daisymiller I need to do it on a more regular basis too - better than going to a gym!
January 9th, 2017  
This is a very hard position to hold! Good job!
January 9th, 2017  
Do not thing I could hold this even that long. Good job.
January 9th, 2017  
Good for you! Nice, straight, back. :) So many of us have lives to be grateful for. Nice to see that you recognize and appreciate it. :)
January 9th, 2017  
@miata2u I am 74 years old Peggy! Everyone should be able to do this! Perhaps not those who have serious disabilities though!
January 9th, 2017  
Great shot!
January 9th, 2017  
@maggiemae Oh no - is that another challenge for me?? Is a knee replacement and the second knee starting to give out on me considered a serious disability? I'm so impressed with your strength and 'give it a go' attitude. Trampolining pic coming up soon?
January 9th, 2017  
I wish I heard of it years ago. my back is often killing me. when I get down on my knees on the floor I need help to get up. how much better I would be of if I tried doing more exercises when I was still younger. you're doing great and are an inspiration to many. I wish I could turn the clock by a few years to before all my heart problems showed up.
January 9th, 2017  
@bruni This just strengthens muscle and tendons, Bruni - no work on the heart at all! If you want to do that a bit more easily just get the position but bend the knees and this is less hard on the knees, @kiwinanna
January 9th, 2017  
I'll have to make sure Hans is home to help me get up. will try.
January 9th, 2017  
@maggiemae I'll let you know if I can even get off the floor.
January 9th, 2017  
Fun shot - and you have hidden talents, and athleticism. It's a great planking shot.
January 9th, 2017  
@bruni @skstein Its not at all like press-ups, which I absolutely can't do!
January 9th, 2017  
Very impressive...I need to add this to my routine, thanks for the reminder
January 9th, 2017  
I really like this shot! Like composition, idea and great execution!
January 9th, 2017  
Very impressed, and here I am thinking it's just somewhere strange you lay like a plank! I got that wrong!!
January 9th, 2017  
I'm impressed also.
January 9th, 2017  
Never heard of planking...but am going to give it a whirl...and add to my to my routine
.
January 9th, 2017  
Planking is incredibly hard! Good for you!!
January 9th, 2017  
So impressive that you can hold this position for 30 seconds -- I don't think I could!
January 9th, 2017  
do not know if I could even get in that position....lol must try soon
January 10th, 2017  
Fav that you can do planks.
January 10th, 2017  
Lee
30 seconds is probably long enough, you'll risk being sat on.
January 12th, 2017  
I am so impressed that you can do this. I tried it when you first demo strated it and it was horrendously difficult!
January 18th, 2017  
@jennywren It is to start off with, Jen but your muscles gradually get stronger - this exercise makes it much easier to get out of that chair!
January 18th, 2017  
Impressive!
February 10th, 2017  
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.