[This post is part of a series on my daily exercise and starting and keeping challenging habits. If you don’t see a Table of Contents to the left, click here to view the series, where you’ll get more value than reading just this post.]

A few words on burpees and working out to follow up the past two days’ posts (yesterday, the day before)

Having read that some people consider burpees one of the best single exercises, I was happy to try them out.

I haven’t tried to optimize my workouts, to build as much muscle as possible, to reduce fat as much as possible, or any big or specific goal like that.

I only exercise because I enjoy exercising, the feeling of exhaustion afterward, and the feeling of calm confidence I have long-term when I’m in shape. Also, I feel terrible when out of shape, so there’s carrot and stick.

Some people have commented ten burpees isn’t that much. I’m up to thirteen as I’m writing now and they don’t exhaust me, but they’re enough to enjoy and to improve my physique. They do leave me winded. If I increase to more, all the better.

I’m glad to have found even this minimal amount improves my body.

Also, doing them every day adds discipline, another bonus.

Being in shape can be easy, fun, and friendly. You just have to make it that way.

• ← Grand Illusions and North Korea, part 2
• Is New York City’s warm February weather scaring you? →