Autumn McKenzie

View Original

100 Days of Burpees

Daylight savings time just passed. With warmer weather and more sun on the way, it is the perfect time to get a little more serious about shaping up!  I am struggling getting into the swing of things.  My last fitness goal bored me to pieces and I had difficulty gaining traction. 

I thought I had found a winner when I signed up for an indoor triathlon.  A month ago, it was the perfect excuse to step up my game.  It would be my third year in a row that I have done it.  Unfortunately, I have a scheduling conflict.  No indoor triathlon for me.  Bittersweet.  Finding an outdoor triathlon is not on my radar.

Full Body Work Out

I have to find time to work out.  I need an activity that is a full body work out in a fraction of the time.  Burpees!  It's not really a short cut.  These are hard.  There are no excuses.  There are no fancy requirements or equipment.  Just me vs gravity.

Throw in a few miles a week on the road or treadmill and I believe I will have the results that I want- improved posture, tighter/stronger core, and muscle tone.  

Burpee Day One

Day one was awkward.

I did one burpee on day one and it felt miserable.  In part due to deconditioning and the other part technique.  I promised myself that I would check out videos on form to refresh my memory on technique.  The conditioning will come. 

 Burpee Day Two

My form and technique will improve with time. (Pretend there were pushups in there). Sounds effects courtesy of my girls.

Two burpees on day two.  I was so excited about burpees that I decided to make a quick video- complete with demonstration.  I am sharing the imperfections of my early technique despite my ego.  I forgot the push up on the ground.  My form demonstrates a deconditioned core.  All of this is about to change.  

I am refining my technique from the following videos.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tJrdJBWBu08 

I like the way this guy address the common aches/injuries associated with burpees and prevention.  I like pushup at the bottom instead of rolling myself on the floor.  I may feel different about this- in practice.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B3pfaQ2sDPA 

I like the jump at the end.  It is a little more robust than typical.  Perhaps I will modify my jump with each set of 20.   

Burpee Day Three

Three burpees on day three.  Everything hurts except for my face.  For the video, there were numerous takes and I easily did 30-40 burpees while filming.  That is no way to ease into anything, especially burpees.  Getting through three burpees today was an ordeal.  The next few days are going to be rough, as I will be sore.  I imagine there will be plenty of soreness over the next 100 days- but that means progress!  

The Challenge

Day 1 is one burpee.  Add a burpee every day until you reach 100.  This will be a great full body, aerobic, strength building, and body toning work out.  Join me on this challenge, if you dare!  You can follow my progress on You tube!

Whatever you do, may you find the inspiration to get up, move, and work it out.

 

See this content in the original post