It was just 32 degrees when we started. There were three reps of Arnold presses, squat lifts and mountain climbers followed by two minutes of burpees. Then were was another set of exercises followed by three minutes of burpees. Them, more exercises and four minutes of a routine I have grown to appreciate, if not love. Squat down, jump back, plank slowly, and lie with hands stretched for a nanosecond. Then, push up, slowly jump back, and get ready to do it all again.
Before the Pandemic, I thought of Burpee as a company that produced seeds. I also thought I was pretty good shape, walking around Manhattan, swimming laps at the YMCA, and going around the circuit to push and pull weights once a week. But then, my lifestyle, work-style, and free-time-activities changed dramatically as I hunkered down at home, not even going to a grocery store to walk around! Like so many of us, over the span of a few months, I gained a few pounds and lost a great deal of muscle mass resulting in strained jeans and tight tops.
One Saturday morning late last summer, I joined what she referred to as "Meme" or Grandma boot camp. It was really hard and I was really sore and totally miserable after than first workout, even though she had not introduced the burpee and steered clear of planks and pushups! Over the past few months, I have huffed and puffed through an hour or so of exercise and weights to build strength and agility each weekend. I follow up with daily weights, planks, push ups and burpees because.......I like the way I feel when it is over! Admittedly, I am not in bathing suit shape even now, but my jeans fit better and I can do a lot of burpees, hold an impressive plank, and do a few pushups these days.
7 comments:
Congratulations on your new routine and its effects. Thanks for sharing.
My mind went straight to seeds as well! Thank you for educating me and I am seriously impressed by your workout routine and jeans fitting better. So worth it. :)
Congratulations on your determination and effort! One of the things that I have always liked about exercise is that whatever we put into it, we get out of it. We can measure some results and feel the others, improving our health, body tone, and mood. Well done!
“I like the way I feel when it is over” is my motivation, too, for working out. However, it’s hard to image I’ll ever love burpees. Keep up the good work.
Burpees are just like seeds. Just when you think you've tried them all, there is always a new variety to spice things up.
Rest up for next Saturday.
(Burpee-squat, Burpee-tuck-jump, Double-pump-burpee, Burpee-over-dumbell, Burpee-jack)
Some of the children in my class are obsessed with doing burpees! I have done my fair share this year. I do not love them. :)
Wow, this is quite an accomplishment. I had to give up my yoga sessions during COVID and I really miss my time with yoga friends. We not only benefitted emotionally but also developed tone. I am hoping to get back into a routine soon but it will have to be after COVID and my life move.
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