I Missed You!

So...how've you been? How're the kids? The spouse? The job? The weather? Your life? LOL!

It's been a couple of months...er...uh...I mean years, since the last Straightforward Fitness Flash issue! Can you believe it? My how time flies!
So, I obviously took a break. I honestly meant for it to be a short one. A couple of months somehow turned into a couple of years. Crazy time warp or something. The more time that passed, the more I pondered how to bridge the gap that this time lapse created.

How do I pick this back up after so much time off? And more importantly, should I? If nobody reads these newsletters, what's the point?

And if there are a few readers who do enjoy them, would the newsletter better serve them in a different format? Perhaps a blog? Shorter emails? The jury is still out on these questions, but in the meantime, I've felt bad about not writing them, so if for no other reason than to ease my conscience and live up to my promise of a free monthly newsletter, here we go again! But it is more than that. In all honesty, I've missed you guys!

I've decided to change things up a bit this time around. I am going to make them shorter. I am still thinking about how and what to do, but I'll figure it out as I go. I will endeavor to send useful and hopefully motivational snippets of fitness info that is Straightforward and that you can read in a Flash. --See what I did there?-- ;)

In deciding on a topic for this comeback issue, besides the obvious, "I'm baaaaaaack!" announcement, I thought an appropriate topic might be as follows. In an effort to keep this short as promised, I will divide this topic into a series of short newsletters over the next couple of weeks. I hope you enjoy!

Breaking Back into a Fitness Regimen after a Long Hiatus

How long has it been since your last workout? The answer to that question plays a crucial role in the appropriate exercise prescription and progression for your specific needs and goals according to your exercise history.

To make matters worse, when we drop our exercise habits, often our better judgment regarding nutrition falls by the wayside as well. This combination can lead to weight gain as well as strength/muscle loss.

Hey, it happens to the best of us. I confess that in the past year or so, I slacked up a bit myself! What? I'm human too! It may surprise you to know that we probably share the same challenges! Sometimes I'd rather take a beating than do my cardio! And yes, sometimes I'd rather be horse-whipped than walk into a crowded gym to train. I am a hermit at heart, after all.

Several factors play a role in returning safely to an active and healthy lifestyle. I want to spend this issue and a short series of issues (the next two newsletters) addressing the exercise/activity portion; namely cardio and strength training. And finally, I'll end this series with an issue on essential nutrition tips for the returning fitness enthusiasts, or anyone wanting to eat healthier for that matter!

That's it for this time, (told you I was going to keep them shorter). Be sure and keep an eye out for the next issue, where I will give some great tips for getting back on track and taking back control of your health and happiness just in time for spring and summer! I'll share with you the same methods I use with my clients, as well as the methods I am using personally.

We'll do this together! You are not alone!

Please feel free to contact me with any fitness question you may have or if there is a topic you'd like me to cover in a future newsletter. I love hearing from you!

Linda Burke, PFT