A model holds the push up position while being sketched by the students in an art class. This young dancer has no trouble staying still for a few minutes in this way.

![push up stretching model model by @bxlphabet.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/Qmbj2wF1cygPNuY61EKviKbZ7hfKNVUQRhzPCUwZncbhSj)


I see this as an impossibility and would not even try it. My wrists and feet do not have the strength to hold me like this for a moment, much less long enough for others to get a sketch. 

I wrote a [post for freewrite today](https://steemit.com/esteem/@fitinfun/weekend-freewrite-muscle-single-prompt-option-nov-17-2018-d6e3f1a04421eest) about “Muscle,” something obese people lack. But that does not mean we cannot improve. Here is a way to do modified push ups to help you get going on your journey to health. 

### Wall Push Ups
Wall push ups are something I do at least five times a week. I’m usually going for 5-10 minutes and get a good workout even in such a short time. 

#### Instructions

##### Stretch first!
- Swing your arms back and forth.
- Lift your arms overhead.
- Cross each arm over the opposite shoulder and hold for a moment. Use your other hand to brace your elbow if needed.
- Lift your toes and heels back and forth. You can do this seated if it is easier.

##### The Wall Push Up Exercise
- Find a wall with a few feet of clearance in front of it.
- Start at any comfortable distance away from the wall.
- Position your hands at shoulder width and height.
- Position your feet about shoulder distance apart.
- Engage your abdominal muscles.
- Start deep breathing.
- Bend your elbows as much as you can (a little bit is just fine).
- Hold the bend a few seconds.
- Push back up.
- Are you still deep breathing?
- Repeat as many times as you like – 5-15 repeats is good for a set.
- Be sure you are not swinging back and forth – use a controlled motion in each direction.
- Walk away for a minute or two.
- Come back to the wall and repeat.

##### Modifications to the Wall Push Up Exercise
- Press your fists to the wall instead of open hands (good if you have wrist pain).
- Move your hands wider apart.
- Move your hands closer together.
- Move your hands higher.
- Move your hands lower.
- Stand with your feet closer together.
- Stand with your feet wider apart.
- Move your feet farther away from the wall.
- Stand on one foot and hook the other behind it.


##### Stretch after!
- Shake it out!
- Swing your arms back and forth.
- Lift your arms overhead.
- Cross each arm over the opposite shoulder and hold for a moment. Use your other hand to brace your elbow if needed.
- Lift your toes and heels back and forth. You can again do this seated if it is easier.

That’s it! You have spent just a few minutes time out of your day and gotten a bit of a workout. If you do this most days, you will see great improvement over time. You may not ever be down on the floor doing pushups, but it does not matter. Strength will come from this action if you take it every day. 

The text of this post was inspired by @bxlphabet’s wonderful sketch. We all have talent in many ways and the untalented tag is a great place to post your ideas. Many thanks to @surpassinggoogle for his support of this excellent idea. You cannot be a steemit blogger without blogging and here is a place for you.  

~ @fitinfun





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