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.
Why Ankle Flexibility Matters More Than You Think (Especially After 55)
When most people think about flexibility, they think about hamstrings, hips, or maybe their lower back. Very few think about their ankles. But as a trainer who works almost exclusively with adults 55+, I can tell you this with confidence: Your ankles may be the quiet...
Strong Enough to Stay Upright: Why Heavy Resistance Training Matters as We Age
For years, older adults have been told to “take it easy.” Light weights. High reps. Gentle movements. While well-intentioned, that advice has quietly contributed to one of the biggest threats to healthy aging: loss of strength, loss of power, and loss of confidence in...
“At 71, Here’s My Honest Answer to the Question: How Much Exercise Is Enough?”
I just turned 71, and if there’s one question I hear more than any other, it’s this: How much exercise is enough at my age? The short answer may surprise you. Enough exercise is the amount that keeps you physically capable, emotionally steady, and mentally...
The Dimensions of Wellness: A Be Simply Fit Approach
Wellness is not about perfection. It is not about doing everything right all the time. In a Be Simply Fit way, wellness is about building a lifestyle that supports your body, mind, and values in simple, consistent ways. True wellness shows up in how you move, how you...
Dying Vertical: Why We Should All Plan to Die Standing Up
I use the phrase “dying vertical” intentionally. It’s not meant to be dramatic—it’s meant to be directional. I believe we should all aim to live so fully, so physically capable, and so resilient that when the end eventually comes—whether at 90, 95, or beyond—we are...
The Importance Of SMART Goals In Your Fitness Journey
The Importance of SMART Goals Setting goals is a fundamental part of personal growth, behavior change, and long-term success. Whether the aim is improving health, advancing a career, or developing new skills, goals provide direction and purpose. However, not all goals...
Balance Problems & Falls: Why They Matter More Than You Think
For many older adults, balance problems are one of the most concerning — and least talked about — health issues. A stumble on a curb, a slip in the bathroom, or a missed step on the stairs may seem minor in the moment, but falls are one of the leading causes of...
Understanding Systemic Inflamation
Why It Happens and How Boomers Can Prevent It** Systemic inflammation is one of the most important—yet least understood—drivers of aging. Unlike the temporary redness or swelling that happens when you sprain an ankle or cut your finger, systemic inflammation is...
Why You Can’t Out Train a Bad Diet
Most people who struggle with their weight have tried the same approach at least once. They work out harder. They stay longer at the gym. They sweat more. They try to “burn off” a weekend of bad eating or a pattern of daily indulgences. It feels reasonable. It feels...
The Health Of The Baby Boomers
Many baby boomers are facing serious health challenges in their 60s and 70s, and too many are passing away earlier than they should. It is not because they are weaker or because the world suddenly changed overnight. It is because they grew up in a time when stress was...