4 Minutes, 28 Days – A New Body!

Plank is a simple but effective total-body exercise. This simple exercise tones and strengthens your core muscles along with those in your arms, thighs and calves. It’s a great full-body workout that you can do in under a minute to improve your health and fitness.

THE PLANKING CHALLENGE

You need to do the plank challenge for 4 weeks. At first, you simply start out in the plank position for 20 seconds. Easy, right? Slowly, you build up your stamina until you are planking for four minutes during the final days.

Follow this plan:
Day 1 – 20 seconds
Day 2 – 20 seconds
Day 3 – 30 seconds
Day 4 – 30 seconds
Day 5 – 40 seconds
Day 6 – Rest
Day 7 – 45 seconds
Day 8 – 45 seconds
Day 9 – 60 seconds
Day 10 – 60 seconds
Day 11 – 60 seconds
Day 12 – 90 seconds
Day 13 – Rest
Day 14 – 90 seconds
Day 15 – 90 seconds
Day 16 – 120 seconds
Day 17 – 120 seconds
Day 18 – 150 seconds
Day 19 – Rest
Day 20 – 150 seconds
Day 21 – 150 seconds
Day 22 – 180 seconds
Day 23 – 180 seconds
Day 24 – 210 seconds
Day 25 – Rest
Day 26 – 210 seconds
Day 27 – 240 seconds
Day 28 – Until failure

Although the plank Challenge must be completed in 4 weeks, continuing to do it and adding it to your workout is the best way to continue to build your strength and endurance, and to watch your body transform. It is a slow progression toward amazing results, and it’s not exactly a quick fix.

WHY PLANKING?

You may be wondering why the Planking Challenge makes for such a good workout plan. Here’s what planking does to your body:

• Tones your stomach
• Planks burn more calories than other traditional abdominal exercises, such as crunches or sit-ups.
• It also works on your metabolism and daily practice makes sure metabolism remains high all day.
• Improve your posture
• While building strength, planks also increase flexibility.

HOW TO PROPERLY PLANK

The key to getting great results comes down to perfecting the proper planking position. This is how to do plank Properly :

Step 1: Lie on your stomach on the floor and hold your elbows directly under your shoulders and place your wrists in line with your elbows.

Step 2: Push your body up balancing on the elbows (arms) and toes while contracting your stomach, tailbone and thigh muscles. Avoid pushing your hips up too high or letting them sag to the floor. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your feet.

Step 3: The breathing is very important and it should be slow and deliberate so that your core is fully engaged and your body is relaxed.

12 Habits of Unhappy People (and How to Avoid Having Them)

Happiness is something that we all strive to attain. As human beings we can accept the fact that: (a) life is short, and (b) unhappiness makes our lives difficult. As is common knowledge, our habits have a big impact on the quality of life that we live; specifically, these habits directly impact our happiness (or lack thereof). To make a clear distinction, there is a strong difference between clinical depression and chronic unhappiness. Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, while unhappiness is a disposition that is often acquired through how we choose to live our lives. Similar to depression, however, unhappiness can be diagnosed and treated.

Here are 12 habits that can cause unhappiness, all of which can be avoided.

1. Chronic Complaining

Happy and successful people do not complain much. On the other side, it seems that chronic complainers always have something negative to say… even when those around them are happy! The bottom line: we all have different circumstances that we are given in this lifetime, but in the end these circumstances are ours – fair or unfair, wanted or unwanted. Instead, seek solutions to problems instead of complaining, which leads to nowhere.

2. Being critical – of self and others

How we talk to ourselves shapes our self-image, for better or worse. Self-worth is an essential component to our happiness, and feeling good about ourselves is a right that we all have. Realize when mistakes are made, accept them, and move on…don’t engage in negative self-talk. Further, respect the inherent differences of others and recognize their right to live happily and without undue criticism.

3. Living beyond means

We live in a materialistic society, one where we are constantly bombarded with advertisements for the latest car, gadget, or credit card; all promising an easier, more fulfilling existence. Don’t believe it for a second. While purchasing a new product may provide a needed emotional boost, it doesn’t last. Ever heard the term “buyer’s remorse”? It exists for a reason. Instead, seek out something to do that doesn’t involve whipping out a piece of plastic – exercise, reading, sightseeing, etc. – anything brings satisfaction without the debt.

4. Negative addictions

Most things are good in moderation – food, a drink or two, entertainment… it’s when these things take center stage in our lives that it becomes a problem. Unfortunately, many good people have met their end through addictive habits, especially through dependence on alcohol and drugs. A great preventative measure and remedy to these addictions? Finding and living our passions to the greatest extent possible (see #8).