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.
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...
Five Minutes Can Change Your Day
One of the biggest misconceptions about exercise is the belief that you need an hour in the gym for it to matter. The truth is, sometimes the hardest part of exercise is simply getting started. Many people feel tired, unmotivated, overwhelmed, or physically sluggish...
Returning to Exercise After Illness or Surgery: Why Slow and Steady Always Wins
For many people, exercise becomes part of their identity. When illness or surgery forces someone to stop exercising for weeks or even months, frustration quickly sets in. The body feels weaker, endurance drops, muscles shrink, and weight may increase. The natural...
Heavy Lifting, Muscle, and Weight Loss: Why Strength Matters More Than You Think
For many years people believed that endless cardio was the best path to weight loss. While walking, cycling, and aerobic exercise certainly have tremendous health benefits, there is another form of exercise that may have an even greater long-term impact on body...