Workout Wednesday

Just the name of this sends shivers down some people's spines, I know I am one of them.

BURPEES!!

 

 

Doesn't it sound just awful. Well trust me it is. Your whole body will be sore after a few of these, but when you are done you will feel fantastic! This exercise is great to workout the whole body. So what exactly is a burpee? Do you remember in high school when we did squat thrust? That is a burpee. Typically for each burpee you do you burn about 1-1.5 calories depending on how much you weigh.

 

 

Looks easy right? Go try a few you won't think that anymore. You do not have to add the push up in. I sometimes do, and sometimes don't. Obviously if you want to make it more challenging you should add the push up, but trust me even without it you will still get your heart racing and break a sweat. There are a lot of different variations you can do. Of course with or without the push up is a variation. Here is a website with lots of different variations on them. Some are easier, and some are harder. I'm sure you will find one that you like. http://www.fitbodyhq.com/strength-training/17-awesome-burpee-variations/

 

 

 

So now that we know how awesome they are we are all ready to work them in our routine right? Try out this burpee challenge for the month.

 

 





Workout Wednesday

I think it is important to have a variety in what you eat. That will help keep you interested in the healthy foods you are eating, and you will want to keep eating them. I think it is just important to have a variety in your workout routine for the same reasons. If you are doing the same exercises all the time you will get bored with them, and want to stop doing them. Now we all know that I prefer strength training. That is what has gotten me to my goals, but the other evil (for me it is evil :) ) end of the spectrum is cardio. One great and fairly simply form of cardio is running. You do not have to have a lot of money to do it, belong to a gym, have equipment, or a training partner. You just grab some shoes and go outside and run.

Even though I do not like cardio I will never deny there are benefits from it. That is why I do incorporate it into my routine as well. I try to run when I can even if it is just for 15-20 minutes at least I got some in. I know a lot of people say that running is a great stress reliever for them. You can just get out there by yourself, and be alone with your thoughts. It is great for your cardiovascular health as well.

We cannot deny those are all great benefits. The best thing to do in running is try to incorporate interval training in. Run sprints you will definitely get that heart rate going. You will improve your mood, burn calories, and increase your cardiovascular health.

 

 

 

I try to do 45-60s of running then 75-90s walking. Repeat this for at least 15-20 minutes. You will get in a great workout for sure. If you can breathe at the end of it go for more :) Obviously you are not going to get off the couch today and run a 5k for your first time running. So just like with everything else take your time and do it at your pace. Start with a program like couch to 5k or something similar. Here is an easy routine to follow to get you started as a runner.

 

 

 



So go grab your shoes and raise that heart rate!!