Monday Workout: Burp

This week we’re getting some compound exercises in to burn extra calories and get the metabolism moving.  Yes, that means we have to do some burpees.  We will live.  Three rounds.

plyo/reg/mod jacks	30
bench press	20
Arnold press	10
suitcase swings	30
flies	20
burpees	10
Xiser	30
squats	20
quadruped	10

Sorely needed...

When we get all enthused about working out, sometimes we end up… sore.  Here are some things to do to deal with the discomfort (if there is actual pain:  go to the doctor!).

1.     Take ibuprofen.  Unless it is not an all right drug for you.  It will help.  And don’t ignore the thing about taking it with food—we don’t want to trade one kind of discomfort for another.

2.     Use ice.  If there is swelling, ice will help it dissipate.

3.     Use heat.  Sometimes our muscles just want to be cozy.

4.     Take a bath with Epsom salts.  This is like heat, but better!

5.     Rest.  Rest days make us stronger in the long run.

Not the Enemy

Another way we get tired around now in our resolution journey has to do with food.  We’ve lost those first few pounds of mostly water.  We are heartily tired of celery.  We dream of pizza.  And we will cheerfully mug someone for their afternoon snack.

Usually, this is because we have been overly strict with ourselves.  We’ve tried to change every single aspect of our diets at the same time while severely limiting our calorie intake.  News flash:  food is not the enemy.  We all need to eat to live.

Early weight loss is almost always faster than the later weeks.  Some of this is enthusiasm, some is physiological.  We have to be patient.  And maybe we compromise with ourselves just a bit.

I’m not advocating for a return to fast food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a side of buttered popcorn.  What I am saying is that it might be all right to have that tablespoon of Parmesan on the whole grain spaghetti with marinara sauce.  We want to approximate our way to greatness, cutting the easy stuff first and taking time to let our tastes adjust.  Eventually, we may find that doughnuts no longer appeal because that much fat and sweet at once upsets our stomachs.

So let’s drink our water, eat our veggies, and make slow but sure progress.