Curing What Ails You

Over the course of my 28 years on this planet, I'd say I've been pretty active. Whether it be little league, pee-wee football, or even running the wrong way on a soccer field, I grew up playing sports. One thing most active people will tell you, is that when you've grown up being involved in athletics, you've probably experienced your share of bumps and bruises along the way. One consistent "bump" I experienced around my later years of high school football and soccer unfortunately happened to be my back. I've thrown it out so many times over the years that I considered applying for an early entry AARP card...

Because of this issue, over the years I've been to massage therapists, chiropractors, and even considered doing acupuncture at one point. However, even with those visits, I still continued to throw my back out just about every other month doing simple things like getting out of my car...

Pictured: Pure Agony

But if there's one thing I can say about this Experiment, it's that since I've started, I have not had a single back issue. That's right. In just about 7 months, my back has been right as rain, and I owe it all to the core strengthening movements the Burpee provides. So, if you're looking to fix your back pain, maybe try strengthening your core by doing some Burpees.

In the meantime, you can check out my results from this past week below:

Date	Workout	Sets	Total Time	Beak Time Per Set	Total Burpees
7/23/2012	Day Off
7/24/2012	Ladder	15	12 min 44 sec	30 sec	120
7/25/2012	Pull-up	6	7 min 11 sec	30 sec	50
7/26/2012	REST
7/27/2012	Lunges	7	9 min  12sec	30 sec	70
7/28/2012	Mix	7	10 min 04 sec	40 sec	60
7/29/2012	REST

Today, I'll leave you with a quote from the 17th Earl of Derby, Lord Edward Stanley:

"Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness."

L&R,
Drew

Working Back Down

As I've said in several of my previous posts, the goal I set for my ladder sets was to reach a target of 240 per day (15 sets x 2), while only having to take 30 second breaks in between each set. While I've finally reached that goal in terms of quantity, I still have much work to do if I want to match that number while shortening my breaks. As of this week, I started at 70 seconds, and over the next few months I plan on working my way back down to 30 seconds. This will be the pinnacle for me. Any more than this, and I feel I will have pushed my body more than it needs to be pushed.

You may also notice in my results from this past week that I decided to add one more day of rest in order for my body to get the full break it needs and to get the most out of my workouts. This extra day of rest will only be added during the weeks I have two-adays.

My results from this past week are listed below:

Date	Workout	Sets	Total Time (Morning)	Total Time (Night)	Beak Time Per Set	Total Burpees
7/16/2012	Ladder	15	21 min 32 sec	21 min 29 sec	70 sec	240
7/17/2012	Ladder	15	21 min 29 sec	21 min 32 sec	70 sec	240
7/18/2012	REST
7/19/2012	Ladder	15	21 min 31 sec	21 min 42 sec	70 sec	240
7/20/2012	REST				70 sec	240
7/21/2012	Ladder	15	21 min 39 sec	21 min 36 sec	70 sec	240
7/22/2012	REST

Since I didn't have much of a theme for this week, I'll just leave you today with another inspirationally funny quote from the late pro wrestler and fitness trainer, Chris Adams:

"People say that losing weight is no walk in the park. When I hear that I think, yeah, that's the problem."

L&R,

Drew

Homer's Beverage of Choice

Before this experiment ever started, I made a list of food and beverage items in which I would no longer be indulging myself. But based on a fairly recent article written by best selling author Lisa Collier Cool, I can now scratch one of those items off the list of "can't haves". When it comes to this week's shout-out, it just so happens that Homer Simpson may have been on to something with all the time he spent down at Moe's...

"Homer no function beer well without..."

You read that right folks. This week's shout-out goes to beer. Per Ms. Cool's article, there are 10 surprising health benefits to drinking beer. All of these benefits are explained in the article by studies that were performed by different universities and facilities all across the world. I've listed those benefits as well as a link to the article below:

1.) Stronger bones
2.) A Stronger heart
3.) Healthier kidneys
4.) Boosting brain health
5.) Reduced cancer risk
6.) Boosting vitamin levels
7.) Guarding against stroke
8.) Reduced risk for diabetes
9.) Lower blood pressure
10.) Longer life

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/10-surprising-health-benefits-beer

Now, with all of this being said, just like all of the beer commercials will teach you, you still have to drink responsibly and in moderation. You aren't going to make your kidney's healthier by downing a 24 pack by yourself on a lonely Friday night. But having a few drinks throughout the week could end up actually helping you in the long run. At the very least it's something to think about!

Duffman Approves

This past week it was business as usual, and I've listed my results below. This coming week, I will begin my two adays with ladders starting at 15. Things could get pretty hairy, so here's to hoping that I can push through it!

Date	Workout	Sets	Total Time	Beak Time  Per Set	Total Burpees
7/9/2012	Star	6	5 min 21 sec	30 sec	60
7/10/2012	Ladder	15	14 min 58 sec	40 sec	120
7/11/2012	Pull-up	6	7 min 16 sec	30 sec	60
7/12/2012	REST
7/13/2012	Buddha	6	5 min 28 sec	30 sec	60
7/14/2012	Mix	7	9 min 11 sec	50 sec	70
7/15/2012	REST

Today, I'll leave you with a quote from the great philosopher Cliff Clavin, who so wisely stated:

"Well ya see, Norm. It's like this. A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of their weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

L&R,
Drew

Halfway Home

This past week I headed down south to coast to celebrate Independence Day with my family and friends. Though I went with the full intention of keeping my workout routine going, things didn't exactly go as planned. And as you all know, when the options you're presented with are fun in the sun/relaxation versus exercise/misery, usually "fun in the sun" wins that battle...

Wake me up when I'm done "exercising"...

So with that being said, I'm thoroughly disappointed in my results from this week as I only accomplished two days of full workouts. I guess I could always count frolicking in the ocean for 3 days as a workout, but unfortunately this is the Burpee Experiment, not the Play in the Sand and Be Lazy Experiment...In my laziness I did manage to get a picture of myself to update everyone on my monthly status, so for those of you that care, enjoy:

Accompanied by my smokin' hot wife and our two little ones, Ella and Aubrey!

Overall my muscle tone and cardio continue to improve as I've increased my reps and decreased my break times. After this I have one more week of mix sets before moving onto my final two aday sets of 15 ladders. From there I will move down in break time until I reach the 30 second mark. This will be my goal over the next two months. Until then, here are my results from this past week to review. There will be a pop quiz on Monday. (just kidding...but seriously.)

Date	Workout	Sets	Total Time (Morning)	Total Time (Night)	Beak Time Per Set	Total Burpees
7/2/2012	Ladder	14	17 min 35 sec	17 min 31 sec	60 sec	210
7/3/2012	Ladder	14	17 min 45 sec	17 min 32 sec	60 sec	210
7/4/2012	Vacation
7/5/2012	Vacation
7/6/2012	Vacation
7/7/2012	Vacation
7/8/2012	Vacation

Since this past week was our nation's Independence Day, I thought I'd leave you with a great quote from Peabody Award winning author and news reporter, Elmer Davis:

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is home of the brave."

L&R,

Drew

Pants on the Ground

Coming into this experiment, I was hopeful that I would see some muscle gained, some fat lost, and my fitness levels to go through the roof. What I was not expecting however, was to lose two pants sizes in a little under 6 months on my already skinny frame. That's right folks, if you're looking to shed a few pounds, add that to your growing checklist of things Burpees will help you accomplish.

Behind the first two of course...

Not only have I gone from a size 32 to a size 30 (what I wore in college), but I've also really begun noticing a difference in my overall physique. My abs are getting tighter, my triceps more cut, and my pecs have even grown a bit. All from continuing to do nothing but Burpees. Of course, because of this fat loss, I've discovered that the majority of my pants don't fit anymore, which would have surely made "Pants on the Ground" guy break out into song if he were still with us.

R.I.P.

So with my birthday coming up in a few weeks, I plan on buying some new pants and with that, the motivation to continue fitting into those pants for the foreseeable future. This past week I slowed down a bit in some of my times, but as any good fitness coach will tell you, it's the quality of the workout that counts. With that being said, my results from this past week are listed below.

Date	Workout	Sets	Total Time	Beak Time  Per Set	Total Burpees
6/25/2012	Star	6	5 min 21 sec	30 sec	60
6/26/2012	Ladder	15	14 min 57 sec	40 sec	120
6/27/2012	Pull-up	6	7 min 06 sec	30 sec	60
6/28/2012	REST
6/29/2012	Buddha	6	5 min 32 sec	30 sec	60
6/30/2012	Mix	7	9 min 17 sec	50 sec	70
7/1/2012	REST

Now, because I believe in these Burpees, and I believe anyone can have the same or better results than I've had so far, I'd like to leave you with an inspirational quote from American fitness author Bill Phillips:

"No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change."

L&R,

Drew