When I was a kid, I played every sport imaginable. My dad was a coach, and most of my days were spent on the field or the court or playing outside. I wasn't thinking about my level of fitness, mostly I just wanted to have fun. By the time I was sixteen I was lifting weights and transforming my body into something more equitable for football. It wasn't difficult though, because the goal was still "play."
Over the past twenty years, "Fitness" has become a multi-billion dollar industry. There are gyms and programs and diet books that sell millions of copies. "Fat control" for celebrities garners a plethora of headlines in the weekly social rags. Despite the rise of FITNESS as an industry, obesity, especially youth obesity, has grown to levels approaching an epidemic.
Over my fifteen years as a youth worker and coach and personal trainer, the most frustrating aspect of the fitness movement has been the loss of "play." Somehow we've turned it from a pleasurable pasttime to a serious business. No wonder people don't want to walk into a gym. Who wants that?
Yes, being fit is important. Many health problems are directly related to diet and exercise. That said, life is serious enough. The goal here is to make you smile even as you're working hard.
I'll be posting articles and links I think are helpful. I am also available for home training if you would like some instruction and guidance and motivation towards reaching your goals.
On the surface, personal training appears expensive. However, with a program designed especially for you in a variety of environments (park, home, apartment, or gym), my hope is that in getting you started we can affect positive change in your life so you can proceed on your own.
Whether or not you are interested in training or boot camp, however, I encourage you to post your questions and comments. I will do my best to answer them.
Fitness should be fun, not work. Here's hoping we can make that new start together.
Stephen Burns
