The Next Time We Talk I'll Be In Maui!

As I write this newsletter I am feeling stressed for time, energy, and patience whilst simultaneously feeling guilty for feeling all of the above. And as I type these words I realize how fortunate I am to be facing this new adventure; one that makes me feel scared to death and excited as hell all in one breath!

You see, I am about to steer steadfastly into a new fork in the road of my journey, and it is one I promise I didn't see coming until a few short weeks ago. It just goes to show you that you never know. If someone would have told me I'd be selling everything I own and moving to Maui this year, I would have assuredly told them they were stark raving mad.

Life turns on a dime, doesn't it? If there are two things I've learned for sure it is this: 1) The only thing that stays the same is the fact that nothing stays the same. Put another way, the only thing that never changes is that everything changes! And the other thing is this: 2) Never say never! I never thought my life would take the turn that it has and I'd end up living in Hawaii, but here I go!

I think one of the biggest lessons I've learned in the past year is how important it is to try and stay flexible and not be too attached to any outcome. I think far too many times we think we can only be happy "if or when" a certain outcome happens. The key perhaps to overcoming obstacles successfully could be in how we allow ourselves to adjust to changing circumstances and to not becoming too invested in what we "think" would make us happy.

I can't tell you how many times I've prayed for a certain outcome only to realize later that the very thing I was praying for would have been a disaster had I gotten it. Thank God the divine order of the Universe and the cosmic intelligence that is the string that ties it all together obviously has a much wiser view of things and knows a much better way to allow things to unfold, fostering growth we could have never imagined possible left to our own volition.

Basically, I am learning to loosen my grip and stop fighting so hard to control things nobody can control anyway. Now, you may ask yourself what any of this has to do with fitness. To that I say, without mental fitness that comes from spiritual openness and nurturing, physical fitness and total fitness is impossible. You may think it's a stretch to tie in my rant this month to a fitness newsletter. And you may be right. But, hey! It's all I got for you this time peeps! This is going to be a short one. I can promise you that I expect to be profoundly and grandly inspired with my new surroundings in Maui, and I will be posting pics and all kinds of fun stuff soonly!

Until then, wish me luck as I move over seas and start my new life. So much to do and so little time! I will be publishing new books and working on all kinds of things so keep an eye out for new happenings! Thanks for hanging in there with me and for being patient with this short but sweet newsletter!

Don't forget to go to NowWhatFitness.com and check out my books for assistance and guidance with planning your new fitness lifestyle.

This is the part of the newsletter where I feature an exercise and give explicit instructions on its proper execution.

This month's featured exercise shows a really cool way to extremely target the biceps. If you want to make those guns get some attention, this is a great way to add a challenge to normally boring biceps curls.

Incline Biceps Curls
Primary Muscle Group Worked: Biceps.

To see a video click here

Preparation: Lie back on an incline bench with arms hanging straight down, keeping elbows aligned below shoulder joints throughout the move, and dumbbells hanging to your side, palms facing forward.

Execution: Bend the elbows raising the weight as high as you can without moving the upper arm forward, keeping elbows in direct alignment underneath your shoulders throughout the move. Return to the start position and repeat for desired amount of reps.

TIPS: Exhale as you raise the weight up. Avoid the urge to curl your wrists or to move the upper arms forward at the top of the move.

HEREIN LIES THE CHALLENGE: Control the speed and keep upper arms back! Good luck!

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THE PONDER POND
Okay, peeps! This is the inspirational part of the newsletter known as the "Ponder Pond" where you're welcome to take a swim in the sweet waters of inspiration.

This video just wreaked of cuteness and seemed relevant to my theme of moving beyond your comfort zone and doing something crazy like...oh let's see...selling everything you own and moving to Hawaii with no job. For that reason, there was no question or need to look any further. I especially like the part where she kicks him on the rock climb. Clearly, he cheats! Ha ha!

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TO BUY MY BOOKS OR READ MY BLOG
Be sure and check out my new blog site! Just click here to head on over and give it a read! I will be posting a new blog in the next few weeks.

Please sign up for my mailing list and subscribe to my blog so that you can be informed when I post a new blog. I am a believer in less is more so don't worry about being inundated with posts telling you every time I had a snack or a new thought. On the other hand, I hope you find the wait between posts worthwhile as I plan to speak directly from my "writing" soul and I look greatly forward to it.

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NEED HELP WITH YOUR FITNESS PLAN?
Go Here to buy my fitness books now for your Kindle!! And did you know you can give Kindle ebooks as gifts – just click the yellow "Give as a Gift" button on the right side of any Kindle book page on Amazon.

The Now What? Fitness Series is for sale now at Amazon.com and is available for download to your Kindle, iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Android devices, PC, and Mac.

Or if you're a loyal Barnes and Noble customer, then by all means click here.

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Say! Did you know that you can follow me on Facebook? Well, you can! Jump on over to Facebook.com/StraightforwardFitness and "like" my page, please. I post a fitness tip most days. Feel free to leave comments and check in often. Thanks ever so much! If you have read any of my books you can also go to my new facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NowWhatBooks and drum up a conversation with other readers or me or whomever. It's brand new so don't let the crickets scare you. Somebody has to get this party started, right?

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Thanks so much for subscribing to this newsletter and for reading it and for your support. Our relationship is reciprocal as I live and learn from all that happens in my life, just as you live and learn through yours. We are truly in this together, and I empathize with your challenges as I do my own. I promise to hang in there and learn and grow along with you, and I hope that sharing through my writing maybe helps you a smidge. If it does, that is my payback. It is why I continue to do what I do.

If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to pay it forward to anyone you think would like it too. That is the best compliment you could ever pay me, and I appreciate it very, very much.

And don't forget to tell everybody about Straightforwardfitness.com and Now What? Fitness Blog where they can get all the fitness info their heart desires and sign up for this newsletter while they are there.

From my heart to your health,

Linda Burke, CPT