Besides the energy boost, fat burning, strength building, conditioning, full body workout, improved flexibility, a raised metabolism, and no need for equipment, what have burpees ever done for me?

My knee’s mended and the strep throat is gone. The time is right to take on Spartan’s 30 Burpees for 30 Days Challenge. I started the challenge back in January, but a week into it I tore my meniscus.

I was going to start the challenge April 1. After a great muscle workout yesterday, I did 30 burpees as soon as I got home. Presto — March 24 became day one.

Getting Creative
Since I’m easing my way back into a more aggressive workout schedule, I’m doing a modified burpee. Instead of placing both hands on the ground and going into a push up position, I’m using my stairs. Specifically I’m placing my hands on the second step and not the ground. My goal is to do a proper burpee by the end of the challenge.

Yesterday I successfully did 15 burpees before having to take a 20 second break.  Not too shabby. I’d love to do all 30 without taking a break by week’s end. We’ll see.

I did have a small audience – my evil overlord cat and Old English sheepdog decided to watch me. The move seemed so strange to them that they kept their distance. I’m expecting more curiosity as the challenge goes on. Knowing how my cat loves to jump on my back while I do yoga at home, I think I’ll end up doing my burpees at the gym or outside on my deck (if the snow ever goes away!).

Legs On Fire
Yesterday my trainer and I did some minor legwork. I did lunges (for the first time in 3 months!), squats and tried walking with a resistance band around my feet. I felt so great after my workout that as soon as I got home I did my burpees.

Holy moly! I woke up this morning and as soon as I got out of bed my thighs started screaming at me. The screaming continued through most of my morning stretches. With the torn meniscus, my legs were out of commission for 11 weeks. So I did expect some soreness but, WOW…

I’m anticipating more soreness tomorrow as I have a spin class this morning.

But first, I’m off to do Day 2 of my burpee challenge.