Weights and Burpees

Whoo Hoo for Workout Week #2 – Weights! This week’s weight routine, created by Melissa Bierman, our program’s fitness guru, consists of exercises I do at home with free weights and an exercise band (things I already had and you probably do too). As I mentioned in a previous post, I alternate the weight routine with a cardio workout every other day with Sunday off. One of the numerous positives of this program is that I cannot use the excuse that I just couldn’t get to the gym. Bwaaahaaa! Can’t say that when I’ve got everything I need at home to get my exercise in!

The best thing about a weight routine is… knowing that my body is working even after I’m done. I took a shower last night after the workout, and I swear, I was sitting on the couch and could feel my muscles still…. doing something.

Do you think that doing weights is easy and doesn’t get your heart pumping? Yeah, that’s what I thought too, but I was so wrong. I did the Workout Week #2 routine last night two times (one routine is 4 weight exercises and 3 sets of burpees) and at the end, my cheeks were sweaty-red. In fact, my horrible picture is right over there to prove it to you! I took it shortly after my workout. After I had caught my breath and drank a big glass of Diet Coke. Just kidding. Water! Seriously, water.

Now onto burpees…. I’d much rather talk about them then actually do them anyway. Although a burpee sounds baby-related, it is actually a very painful exercise that I now officially hate. Ok, hates a strong word, but burpees aren’t easy. Especially when you weigh what I do and have the lack-of-strength that I do. They are, however, an effective way to keep your heart rate up while pumping iron.

Instead of me explaining it to you, take a look for yourself here and you’ll see what I mean.

Um, ouch! And I love how that site says “athletes will average between 12 and 15 repetitions per 30 seconds.” Well, my barely-8-in-a-minute makes me definitely not an athlete then.

Well, here’s to my cardio workout tonight! (And seriously, what progress I’m making to post that horrible picture of myself…. because I know I’m OK cause I’m working to change and get healthy!)