Don’t Play it in Your Head

I was speaking with another gym-rat this morning, i.e., those of us who frequent the place every single day, who said it’s that time of year again when people just “play it in their head”.

Rich Tola (March 2014)Meaning, most people visualize themselves exercising and going to the gym and taking Yoga or Pilates classes…but they never do. Like my friend said, they just play it in their head but rarely follow through. Albeit, they may have good intentions and would love to see themselves working out to the point of even dreaming about it, but they never do.

Why? Well that’s an easy tough one. It’s easy because people lack the desire and the discipline to exert and fatigue their bodies on a regular basis. It’s also tough because life’s so busy that who has the time or the energy to commit 30 minutes to an hour every single day on fitness.

So keep it simple and start small, like 15 minutes a day. That’s what I say, and pretty soon you’ll be addicted to it and want to exercise more. Trust me, having a Strong Body – Clear Mind is addicting. And at the very least, spend 5 minutes every day doing push-up, sit-up or pull-ups.

Don’t just Play it in Your Head. Turn those visions into reality and keep-on rockin! Peace – R

 

Stay Zen #6 – Top 5 Super Set Exercises

Anyone can get a great full-body workout with my Top 5 Super Set Exercises. Super sets are quick and effective and give your muscles a “super” pump by combining two different exercises consecutively – without taking a break in between. Enjoy – R

Get Fit. Live Healthy. Lose Inches. Stay Zen.

No Retreat, baby, No Surrender

Bruce Springsteeen’s quintessential phrase “No Retreat, baby, No Surrender” from his mega-hit, No Surrender, penetrates much deeper than our country’s blood brothers in the stormy night vowing to defend us through raging Wars. At least it does for me. And today was a perfect example of how a powerful song like this can inspire me to inspire you…30 years later.

Verdugo Mountains in Burbank, CA
1-Mile Away View of the Verdugo Mountains – Burbank, CA

Just as this song came on my playlist today about halfway through my 2-mile run, I passed this elderly woman walking up the hill. She had to be at least 90 years old, all hunched over and wearing a light blue cardigan sweater and dark wrap-around sunglasses to shield her from the rays. She was ever so delicately ambling up the steep incline with the help a walking cane. And if you’ve ever traveled up that 1-mile stretch from San Fernando Blvd to Sunset Canyon Drive at the base of the Verdugo Mountains in Burbank (see photo), you know that it’s pretty darn steep. So much so that it probably took this senior citizen 20 minutes to walk to the next house. No matter, because she was still walking up that hill.

author, Rich Tola
author, Rich Tola
Now that’s what I call “No Retreat, baby, No Surrender”.

Because getting older doesn’t mean you can’t fight Father Time and do something every single day to strengthen your muscles – and your bones – and to preserve your body as best you can. It’s called a Daily Fitness Program, and ANYONE can do it.

And it doesn’t matter what you do: walk, jog, bike, swim, Yoga, weights, Hulu-Hoop, whatever! Just do something, like the elderly woman in Burbank. While you still can.

Peace – R

How to Live Strong and Stay Sexy

Everyone knows the expression “easier said than done” right? Well, that’s certainly not the case when it comes to Living Strong and Staying Sexy. At least it’s not if you’re always feeling good about yourself and radiating your Inner Beauty out into the Universe. Not to mention sticking to an energizing Daily Fitness Program that keeps your body (and your mind) strong and clear.

Believe in and commit to a Strong Body – Clear Mind. That’s my mantra, and it works! Just like the folks at Livestrong.com who are dedicated to building stronger, healthier and happier lives by offering authoritative expert content about diet, nutrition, fitness, wellness and lifestyle.

So if you’ve lost that strong and sexy feeling and could use a little fitness inspiration today, check out my “How To” videos on the healthy living website (click each title to watch the video):

#1 How to Burn Belly Fat & Lose Weight with a 7-Minute Interval Workout
#2 How to Do a Handstand & Touch Your Feet to Your Head
#3 How to Stay Active All Day
#4 How to Do a Back Stand
#5 How to Know Your Weight-to-Waist Ratio
#6 How to Warm-up for Squats
#7 How to Roll After a Jump
#8 How to Roll on the Ground
#9 How to Look for Yoga Teacher Trainings in Macomb County, Michigan
#10 Yoga Shoulder Shrugs

Enjoy – R

"LA's Sexiest" by Los Angeles Magazine (photo taken at the 'Sexy LA' premiere at Hakkasan Beverly Hills, October 2013)
“LA’s Sexiest” by Los Angeles Magazine (photo taken at the ‘Sexy LA’ premiere at Hakkasan Beverly Hills, October 2013)