My Blog
I’m James Burns
Jim has always understood the benefits of exercise and is an advocate of helping schools build more activity time into student schedules to keep our children active and above all healthy. Jim is certified by the National Academy Of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a personal trainer and believes that exercise is the first step in reducing stress and becoming balanced mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. As an educator Jim believes that knowledge is power and that everyone should understand the benefits of exercise. “I Trained For A Quadruple Bypass” (contained as part of this newsletter) explains his journey from the understanding one’s own health and how one can ready themselves physical, mentally, and spiritually and do so without fear. Having a history of heart disease and stroke in his family Jim has learned that we are not determined by our genetics we are only influenced, and we can change our response to the influence at any time.
Stretching Your Soul Like A Muscle
Most people understand that muscles need to be stretched. When we stop moving, muscles become tight, our range of motion decreases, and even simple tasks become more difficult. Flexibility doesn't just happen—it must be practiced. The same is true of the soul. Your...
Don’t Let a Small Ache Become a Big Problem
One of the greatest lessons I've learned after years of working with older adults is that our bodies are incredibly good at communicating with us—if we're willing to listen. Unfortunately, many people don't. A little soreness in the shoulder becomes a nagging pain...
Do Something Nice for the People Who Matter Most
Mental fitness takes many forms. We often think of it as reducing stress, controlling anxiety, or learning to think positively. While those things are certainly important, true mental fitness also involves how we treat the people who mean the most to us. It is...
Practice Gratitude
One of the greatest dangers to emotional fitness is believing that the world owes us something. We see this in children when they develop a sense of entitlement, but adults can fall into the same trap. When we receive things without effort or begin to expect them, it...
Revisiting NEAT: The Secret to Burning More Calories Without Exercise
When most people think about fitness, they think about structured exercise such as walking on a treadmill, lifting weights, attending a fitness class, or riding a bike. While these activities are important, there is another powerful factor that influences health,...
The Three C’s of Exercise: Capability, Connection, and Confidence
When most people think about exercise, they think about weight loss, strength, or improving their health. While those outcomes are certainly important, there are three principles that I believe are even more important to long-term success. I call them the Three C’s of...
You Can’t Take Planet Fitness With You: The Importance of Instrumental Support
One of the most overlooked benefits of working with a personal trainer is something called instrumental support. While many people understand emotional support and encouragement, instrumental support is different. It is the practical, hands-on guidance that teaches...
The Benefits of Integrated Medicine: Taking an Active Role in Your Health
Healthcare is evolving, and more people are seeking approaches that look beyond simply treating symptoms. Integrated medicine combines conventional medical care with evidence-based complementary therapies to support the whole person. Rather than focusing only on...
The Inside Trumps the Outside: Why Seniors Must Be Careful Not to Overtrain
As a personal trainer, I love working with seniors who are enthusiastic about exercise. In fact, one of the greatest challenges I face is not convincing people to exercise—it is convincing some people to slow down. Many active seniors become highly motivated once they...
Strength Makes Everything Better
Why Resistance Training Helps You Enjoy the Activities You Love Most people think of resistance training as something done by bodybuilders or athletes who want bigger muscles. The truth is far different. Resistance training is one of the most important things you can...