Exercise/Gym Bootcamps?

What do you think about the exercise or gym bootcamps many fitness trainers are offering? They're intense sessions that are meant to get you into shape fast in anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

The thing I'm wondering about is the intensity of the bootcamps. Just as extreme diets don't work over the long term to lose weight and keep it off (for the most part), I was thinking that this would likely be the same with exercise.

Also, we're always being warned to start a new exercise program gradually and to be sure that we're doing what is right for your level. So, how can I, a 48-year-old woman, with a good BMI but not good exercise endurance, take a bootcamp type of class with a group of 20 and 30 somethings who are in better shape? Is it possible?

Have you ever done this type of extreme fitness training? I'm curious - there's one available near me and I've sent the owner some questions. I just don't know if it's something I'm ready or able to do.

It's been way too long - pandemic musings

Between the pandemic preparation (part of my job), blogging for Blisstree.com and my other freelance work, this blog has taken a big hit.

What's really interesting though, is that I keep getting a consistent number of hits every day as people find my information through search engines, mainly Google.

The pandemic thing is the big thing in my life right now. People are either freaking out over the sky falling in or they're not believing a word that's said. I kind of wish people would fall into the middle somehow.

There's no need to freak. A level 6 pandemic just means that the virus has spread everywhere. It doesn't indicate how severe the virus is or how dangerous it is. In fact, it doesn't tell us much, but it's a formality at this point.

Here in Canada, the upgrade to level 6 made no difference in our preparations at all. The government was already operating at it's highest level for preparation.

Let's face a few facts. The seasonal flu affects millions all over the world - and people die. More people have died of seasonal flu complications than the H1N1 virus - so far. But, getting sick is a fact of life. Of course, we can do steps to minimize this, but it does still happen.

An acquaintance of mine told me that her grandmother's seniors residence closed to visitor when the World Health Organization declared level 6 pandemic. That's ridiculous. Five minutes before they declared it, there was nothing different than five minutes after. As I said, either people are panicking or they're living in dreamland. Neither is a good move.

Be careful, be vigilant about washing your hands, and I suggest going on with your life as you were before. I know I am.