More progressions, this time in pushup form!

(* = basic, ** = intermediate, *** = advanced)

Basic: *Standing incline → *On knees → *Standard → *Diamond → *Pause → **Feet Elevated Stable → **Feet Elevated Unstable (stability ball)

1. Pushup on Knees: Hands and knees contact the ground, both of which are perpendicular to torso. Keeping body erect, bend elbows and allow body to descend towards ground. Press up. Increase difficulty by increasing the distance between hands and knees.
2. Standing Incline Pushup: From standing position, lean forward onto a stable surface (desk, smith bar). Keeping body erect, descend towards bar. Press up.
3. *Standard Pushup: Hands and toes contact the ground. Feet together. Hands shoulder-width. Head to feet should form an angled downward but straight line. Descend to ground. Press up.
4. *Wide Grip Pushup: Hands and toes contact the ground. Feet together. Hands wider than shoulder-width. Head to feet should form an angled downward but straight line. Descend to ground. Press up.
5. *Diamond Pushup: Hands and toes contact the ground. Feet together. Hands narrower than shoulder-width, should form a diamond or triangle. Head to feet should form an angled downward but straight line. Descend to ground. Press up.
6. *Pause Pushup: Hands and toes contact the ground. Feet together. Hands shoulder-width. Head to feet should form an angled downward but straight line. Descend to ground. Press up.
7. **Feet Elevated Pushup: Hands in contact with ground, shoulder-width grip. Feet together and raised minimum of six inches, resting on stable surface. Head to feet should form an angled upward but straight line. Descend to ground. Press up.
8. **Unstable Feet Elevated Pushup: Hands in contact with ground, shoulder-width grip. Feet together and raised minimum of six inches, resting on unstable surface (stability ball). Head to feet should form an angled upward but straight line. Descend to ground. Press up.

With life being the way it is (ridiculous, chaotic, occasionally overwhelming), we all need an escape. It may be a daily thing for some, while only a monthly thing for others. Without an escape, we’d go nuts. I’m sure, if I wanted, I could find a study or two to back me up.

My escape is reading. My fantasy nerd fiction takes me to an entirely different world, one so foreign to what I know in real life. As in reality, I care for the characters I meet and the environment around me. It might sound insane, but even a short session with a good fiction novel can rouse from within more emotions than a full day of my usual routine. Without my daily journeys into this other-world, I’d probably be a much bigger asshole than I already am.

The good news for you? I rarely miss my escape.

Every now and again it’s nice to sit down and take a look at the parts of your life that make you happy.

1. Odell Brewing Red Ale. Hoppy, but not so much as an IPA. Very tasty. Definitely one of the best beers I’ve had recently.

2. Loaded burgers. It’s one of the most American meals you can fuel yourself with. Tonight’s special? Sauteed sweet onion, tomato, KC BBQ sauce, southwestern style hashbrowns, and smoked provolone.

3. Nintendo 3DS. In my opinion, the portable system to own. Some may argue the current game lineup is lacking, but I’m doing just fine with Ghost Recon, Legend of Zelda, and Lego Pirates. Not to mention Star Fox, Harvest Moon, and Driver due in September, plus the 20 free games Nintendo is providing me with for being an early-adopter.

4. New Mexico thunderstorms. They’re glorious. One minute it’s sunny and warm, the next it’s darkness and downpour. I’ll be sad to see the end of monsoon season.

5. Bodyweight workouts at Sunset Park. Without current gym access, I’m getting a little creative with my workouts. Luckily, the Albuquerque park system is wonderful.

It’s different here in Albuquerque. People ride bikes to work. People run the trails before the sun is even up. People hold daily boot camps in any of the several developed and undeveloped parks found around town. It’s like I’m on a different planet.

I walked up to a local park yesterday, expecting to find little more than a small playground and some benches for parents to sit while their kids play. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I was greeted by not only a playground and benches, but a small basketball court, parallel bars, rings, and a pull-up station. And not to mention lots of green, green grass surrounded by a short paved trail.

Parallel bars, rings, and a pull-up station at one of the smallest parks in the city and within walking distance of my apartment…New Mexico clearly is the land of enchantment.

My backyard in 33 days. Excited? Obviously.