Category: Howto

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Years teach us patience

Elizabeth Taylor, one of the greatest and most beautiful actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Years once said, “It is very strange that the years teach us patience – that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting.”  As I myself get ready to turn the page on another year, I certainly agree with Liz’s assessment of our capacity for waiting. Especially in Tinseltown, where patience is truly a virtue.  And especially when it comes to seeing results with a new fitness program.  As you grow older, the need to strengthen your body as well as accept the fact that everything worth doing takes time becomes more apparent.  So be patient with your workouts and your fat burning…and enjoy sculpting your shoulders & abs with my 5 minute Workout #28.  And to the lovely and exquisite Ms. Taylor, thanks for the wonderful memories!  Rest in Peace – Rich

 

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21 feet of space

I just read an article in the LA Times about TV and film composer, Glenn Morrissette, who travels the country in his RV after having simplified his world to embrace a mobile lifestyle.  When Glenn composes the score for Fox’s “Family Guy”, he does so from his recording studio on wheels then beams it back to Hollywood.  And when his friends extend invitations for him to park at their homes, he says all he needs is ’21 feet of space’. How cool would that be to reduce all your worldly possessions – and not so worldly obligations – to 21 feet of space?  That can go anywhere (that’s drivable, that is).  I guess you can say Glenn’s on-the-move lifestyle is similar to having a daily fitness program that works anytime, anywhere – without the obligations of a gym or yoga studio membership. Or the significant time commitment.  5 Minutes.  Anytime.  Anywhere.   So let’s all take note of our friend Glenn and his desire to simplify.  And enjoy restoring your legs, core and abs with my 5 minute fat burning workout #27 – R

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Resist the temptation

You may have heard the ancient proverb, ‘good habits result from resisting temptation’.  I would go one step further and say that good habits result from resisting temptation and embracing change.  Because good habits are derived by doing things that are considered good for you, versus bad habits that are usually derived from the not-so-good things that constantly tempt us – like unhealthy food groups and the aversion to exercise.  So if you haven’t already, get with a new habit in the form of a daily fitness program.  And resist the temptation NOT to workout because who doesn’t have 5 minutes a day to respect themselves?  Enjoy opening your hips and hamstrings with fat burning workout #26 – R

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Spring into it

Rebirth, renewal and regrowth.  That’s what Spring personifies.  With Spring also comes longer days, better weather and the blossoming of all things earthy.  It’s also a great time to shake off those Winter pounds with a daily fitness program. Whatever suits your fancy will work.  And here’s another 5 minute fat burning workout to choose from.  Have fun toning your shoulders and legs with Workout #25, and I’ll see you next time – R

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Pain relief

What do you do when there’s pain in the body that affects your daily activities?  You can address the pain with rest and/or with controlled stretching exercises. Depending on the specific injury and severity of your pain and injury – it’s best to consult your Doctor on that – I would recommend both.  As for sciatica relief (from leg pain due to compression of the sciatic nerve) here are some simple stretching exercises that can help.  Always remember to breathe slowly and deeply and send your positive energy to the area of discomfort.  And smile!  Enjoy your 5 minute fat burning workout #20 – R

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Another day, another fat burning workout

In keeping with our theme to burn fat while sculpting your thighs, workout #3 of my 5 minute fat burning series employs the age old exercise most commonly referred to as the lunge.  For anyone looking to start a new fitness program, keep it simple and make sure you do something everyday – even for only 5 minutes.  It will help establish a strong foundation that will propel you to greater fitness heights.  Enjoy your workout – R

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Sculpt your thighs

Who doesn’t want to burn fat and sculpt and beautify their thighs?  It’s a human thing, right, but workout #2 of my 5 minute fat burning series uses that powerful Warrior stance named after the Hindu folklore’s warrior Virabhadra.  In yoga terms, the Sanscrit for warrior is Virabhadrasana.  So get your warrior on and come sculpt those thighs!

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Making Progress with a Pass-Fail Approach

About a month ago I gave my 15 Minute Fat Burning Workouts to a friend in New York City.  He was actually one of my “prototype” users when I was customizing the full body low-impact exercises.  Think Tony Soprano but shorter.  He’s also late 40’s with amazing abilities in the kitchen.  Albeit, his love of food has certainly helped sustain his 70 lbs. of extra weight.  And since he’s never been much of a gym person – nor would he be caught dead in a yoga studio – the 1% or 15 minutes of your life routine works great. It’s also one that anybody can complement with power walks or abdominals & stretching.  And in my friend’s case, I’ve encouraged him to take my Pass-Fail Approach.  It goes as follows:  At the end of each day you write a P or F into your calendar, P for pass if you worked out that day (15 minutes or more) and F if you did not;  at the end of 7 days you’ll grade each week with a P or F, Pass if you have more Ps than Fs, and Fail if vice versa;  and at the end of the year or 52 weeks later, if you have 26 or more Ps, you PASSED for the entire year.  Which means you worked out at least one hour a week for at least half the year – 26 hours – which is excellent if you really don’t workout.  Like my friend who says he’s making excellent progress.  Progress with his personal Pass-Fail Approach, and progress with all the challenging yoga and balancing I’ve got him doing as he gets stronger and more confident with each workout.  So take a Pass-Fail Approach and keep on progressing.  I’ll see you tomorrow – R

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Triceps anyone?

Triceps with Rich Tola

Sometimes you just don’t have the time or just don’t feel like changing into workout clothes just to workout, right?  Well who says you have to find time or wear something workout-ish?  Do one thing for a couple of minutes and you’ll get your workout in – at least part of it.  Like when you’re waiting for that email, or that phone call, or your girlfriend to get ready, or that client to show up.  Check out me working triceps here on my favorite reading chair (dining room and office chairs are even better).  Apply “yoga principles” as you plant your feet slightly apart with knees at right angles pressing together.  Keep your chin parallel to the floor, your spine straight and dip slowly until your elbows reach right angles (no need to go further), pointing your elbows toward each other.  Do not to jerk your head or neck.  Note: always be sensitive to any tweaks or pains in your neck as well as your shoulders, elbows and wrists.  Move with slow and deliberate movements.  Nothing fancy and make sure the chair is properly weighted to support this exercise.  Strengthen your arms and build stamina with these simple dips using whatever’s available to you.   Do as many repetitions as you can per set, and as many sets as you can – with short breaks in between until you feel the burn and can’t do any more.  It’ll happen quick.  And always maintain good posture, close your mouth and breathe slowly and quietly like the sound of the ocean, and pick a point of focus to wipe your mind clear.  Enjoy – R

 

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Point of no return

I just visited my thirty-something year old friend who was speaking about her weight when she said, “I know what it’s like to be past the point of no return”.  She spoke with such conviction about how everyone struggling with weight loss reaches a specific point of no return.   Last week I gave her my 15 Minute Fat Burning Workouts and stopped by today to check in on her and to drop one off for her girlfriend.  She hasn’t started the workouts, but said she would today – after much cajoling on my part. When I asked her why not, she said it was “mental”.  Actually she’s doing quite well, mentally and physically, considering she weighed 218 lbs. two years ago.  She also said her exact “point of no return” was 180 lbs, and that once she reached that point she pretty much gave up hope – and desire – of getting the weight off and skipped right past 200 until her final stop at 218.  And can you believe this adorably funny gal started college weighing 106 lbs? The good news is when she finally reached 218 she started with a well-known weight loss program that helped get her down to today’s weight of 180.  Hmmm.  I suppose now it’s the “point of return”.  Next stop 140.  So she says.  And so I believe – as long as she believes and continues to make good choices.  Because with a daily fitness program complemented by a positive mindset and positive lifestyle choices, anything is possible.  Enjoy your workout – R