So, a couple of weeks ago my awesome trainer, Lauren, decided to show me how to do a modified form of the  “burpee.” She had me squat, jump onto a low-sitting platform as lightly as I could, jump off, then fall to my hand and jump my legs back into a “plank” position before jumping back up into a squat. As I slowly squatted, did I softly float on and off the platform like Caine leaving no trace of footprints on the rice paper? NO!! I was more like Godzilla stomping my way through Tokyo! “Graceful” has never been associated with my name. Hence the reason my ballet career never took off. Well, that and the fact that my huge boobs made me too top heavy.  My legs were so shaky that I look like Scarecrow from Wizard of Oz when I walk. BUT, I WILL master this hellish burpee!!!!!!!

She also had me try backwards lunges using the same platform. Now, again, I’m not the most graceful or coordinated person in the world. What is SUPPOSED to happen is I stand in front of the platform, feet shoulder width apart, and, without looking, gracefully step one foot backwards onto the platform and lower myself into the lunge. Did this happen? Well, not exactly. I found that having no real core strength was an actual hinderance to my being able to complete this exercise the way it was intended. I wabbled like a newborn deer trying to stand for the first time. My arms flailing around as though I’m walking on a tightrope. Since this exercise was performed AFTER the burpee incident, my legs were all but flipping me the bird!

I have since been practicing both of these moves. For the burpee, I have been working on my jumps. Just practicing the placement of my feet and how to land softly. I have also used more muscle groups remembering it’s not just leg strength for this exercise. Engaging my abs, butt, thighs and calves, has made a big difference in learning to do this exercise properly. I think my problem with the lunges is my focus. When I think too much about where I’m going to step when stepping backwards, I tend to fall off-balance. Lauren instructed me to look forward and focus on something when stepping back. This advise has helped. I just need to trust myself a bit more and stop worrying about my clumsiness.

Liz