We started a cool thing at work- every hour, on the hour, we meet and do 25 pushups. It is a fun way to bond and only takes a second. I have no problem working in the estrogen fest, but it is nice to occasionally connect with our inner caveman. Obviously we can't all be there every hour due to workload but we make it most hours.
Of course, one of the charge nurses blew a fuse. I haven't been back to work yet to hear all the details, but I gather she felt it is "not appropriate" for the workplace. (I work in ICU, we would meet at the far end of the unit where there were no patients or family, but can still hear and see the monitors, it's only seconds from our work stations.) Isn't health and exercise promotion a nursing value? Isn't being fit and strong a good example for our peers and patients? Doesn't having fun at work create a better work environment? I understand that doing pushups doesn't fit into the nursing paradigm she learned when she was in Florence Nightingale's first nursing class, but come on!
It was funny to see how confused the other nurses were. "Why would you do pushups?" they asked. How can we be so misunderstood?! lol (We've invited the girls but no takers so far). We also spice it up with the occasional Chuck Norris joke- my fav- When Chuck Norris does pushups he isn't pushing himself up, he's pushing the Earth down. Anyway, this is a call for you to do the same my manly brothers!
I started doing this just a short time ago, except I am doing 10 on the hour, and that is 120 at the end of my shift, which is respectable imho. It is a great idea and something that helps focus. I can imagine someone having an issue with it although I cannot understand it. I have started doing it because I am 46 yrs old and need to try and stay in shape. I need to make a group effort out of it and get a manly push up group started!! Great idea!! Some of the guys in SICU down the hall get together and run the stairs sometimes...
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
I am a chick (can you be that at age 47?) and I would definitely join in. It helps cut stress and any extra exercise I can get in is so beneficial. I wish i could get the nerds here in academia to do this!
dont u ppl get tired of doing that everyday? I ask that cause I do 100 a day and I have to rest every 3 days or so cause my body feels like a train ran over it.
Lots easier to do less reps spaced out than 100 at once!
Yes, this is very true. Although, I can do 100 all at once. My brothers and I use to do push-up for everything competitive. We would make bets when we bowl. Something like: if you don't hit 9 pins or better, you do 20 (per person you bet against, there was 6 of us including me). Another one is playing cards. First place deals the cards, 2nd dose 10, 3rd dose 15, 4th dose 20. Lets just say that at the end of these days, everyone is hurting!
dont u ppl get tired of doing that everyday? I ask that cause I do 100 a day and I have to rest every 3 days or so cause my body feels like a train ran over it.
If you do it regularly your body gets used to it. They you do more... :)
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
I am a 47 year old woman and i do them right (not on my knees) so no way can I do 100. I can crank out 10 to 20 at a time depending on depth and speed - LOL!
We also spice it up with the occasional Chuck Norris joke- my fav- When Chuck Norris does pushups he isn't pushing himself up, he's pushing the Earth down.
"When Chuck Norris went to nursing school, He didn't have to read the books....He just stared at them til they told him what he needed to know...."
ImThatGuy, BSN, RN
2,139 Posts
I can't stand situps. It kills my tail bone even when lying on a pad.