Burn with Kearns: Move and Improve Today – Kevin Kearns

by Kevin Kearns, contributing writer on exercise and fitness

Exercise: Your Best Medicine for a Healthier, Longer Life

As we embrace our 40’s ,50s  60’s and beyond, the gift of longevity comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. The choices we make in these years are critical, and exercise often stands out as the most powerful tool we have to maintain vitality, independence, and overall well-being.

One of the biggest health concerns for the 50-plus market is the rise of hypokinetic diseases—conditions caused by insufficient physical activity. These include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and even mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. But there’s good news: these conditions are preventable and manageable, primarily through the medicine of movement.

Why Exercise is Non-Negotiable for Longevity

The phrase “exercise is medicine” isn’t just a catchy slogan—it’s backed by robust science. Regular physical activity improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, enhances flexibility, and sharpens cognitive function. For those of us who are spending more time on the planet than ever before, the benefits of exercise are too significant to ignore. Here’s why:

1. Fights Chronic Diseases: Physical activity is a proven way to lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and regulate blood sugar, reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
2. Boosts Mental Health: Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, which reduce stress and improve mood. It also promotes better sleep—a cornerstone of overall health.
3. Preserves Independence: Strength, balance, and flexibility exercises reduce the risk of falls and injuries, helping older adults maintain their independence.
4. Increases Longevity: Research shows that staying active can add years to your life and, more importantly, life to your years.

The Burn with Kearns Principles: Exercise Simplified for Lifelong Success

The Burn with Kearns approach emphasizes practical, functional, and sustainable fitness tailored for people over 50. Here’s how these principles can help you stay active and thrive:

1. Focus on Functionality: Forget extreme workouts. The goal is to build strength, flexibility, and endurance for daily life activities—whether it’s climbing stairs, playing with grandchildren, or gardening.
2. Consistency Over Intensity: It’s not about how hard you push; it’s about how often you show up. Gentle but consistent movements like walking, yoga, or swimming can have profound health benefits.
3. Mind-Body Connection: Exercise isn’t just about physical benefits. Engaging in mindful movement like Tai Chi or Pilates can reduce stress and improve overall mental clarity.
4. Adaptability: Life changes, and so does our fitness. The Burn with Kearns philosophy encourages adjusting exercises to match current abilities while still challenging the body in safe ways.

Start Where You Are—And Keep Going

The biggest barrier to exercise is often the misconception that it’s too late to start. Nothing could be further from the truth. Whether you’re starting fresh at 50, 60, or 70, your body will respond positively to increased activity. Start small, and focus on consistency over perfection. A daily walk, a gentle yoga class, or a few bodyweight exercises can lay the foundation for a more active lifestyle. As well I know first hand at 58 this year. In 1979 September , after my father died at 48, I started karate. I was nervous did not know what to expect at all. That led to 40 plus years love in martial arts training. The concept I learned from that experience “ consistency is the cornerstone of improvement.”  1 year later I started lifting weights . This lead to my second love in strength training which led to my degree in exercise physiology and my 3 plus decades in the fitness business.  The concept I learned most from strength training and functional training “ it’s never to late to start “.  In 2008 I was introduced to hot yoga. I used call it “yogurt” )  This lead to now 17 years now practicing a minimum of 2 -3 times per week.  The biggest concept I learned from yoga “ the fact that you showed up for class is 90 percent of it , the rest is all judgement. “ 

Why do I tell you this ? Because it’s that simple , “just start, and don’t judge yourself“ .  It may be uncomfortable now and soon, very soon, the more you do something the more it becomes part of your life!

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Movement is Medicine—Take the First Step

Living longer is a blessing, but living well is the ultimate goal. Hypokinetic diseases thrive on inactivity, but you can outsmart them with regular exercise. By adopting the Burn with Kearns principles, you can craft a fitness routine that fits your life, protects your health, and empowers you to enjoy every year to the fullest.

Your best years are ahead of you—start moving today, and make exercise your lifelong prescription for health and happiness.

#HealthyAging #Longevity #FitnessOver50 #ExerciseIsMedicine #ActiveLifestyle #WellnessJourney #BurnWithKearns #FunctionalFitness #MentalHealthMatters

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/burnwithkearns/burn-with-kearns-fit-strong-and-safe-with-real-life-training

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Both of Coach Kearns’ books may be purchased on www.Amazon.com. For more information about Coach Kevin Kearns, including scheduling speaking engagements and classes (both online and in person), please contact him at 508-404-8503 or [email protected].Author of “There’s Light In The Tunnel” How to Survive and Thrive with Depression  – “Always Picked Last“ A guide to navigating bullies on Amazon and Audible youtube.com/user/burnwithkearns https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/burnwithkearns

Coach Kevin Kearns has been coaching in the world of fitness, nutrition, and tactical self defense for over 3 decades. As the former conditioning coach to 15 UFC Pro Fighters, and ranked in the Top 5 in the UFC , he is no stranger to the the importance of proper nutrition and proper mindset programming. He has long advocated to all his clients – athletes or the general population – about the importance of programming mind, body and spirit. Coach Kevin Kearns BS FMS CPT – Former conditioning coach to 15 UFC Pros Ranked in Top 5 by the UFC Personal Fitness Coach, Author, Columnist, Motivational Speaker, Corporate Wellness Consultant, Youth Wellness Program Provider, Certification Specialist, Personal Self Defense, and Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Specialist.