I read an article in the LA Times this morning about rap star Kanye West’s closing Sunday night set at Coachella (the 3-day annual Music & Arts Festival in Indio, CA). Kanye ended his “epic and unforgettable” set standing alone. Much like the way he started. Which got me thinking about how working out everyday is just like Kanye standing there alone. Yes, you can workout with your friends or take a group class, but you’re still doing it alone. Which, at times, feels like a very lonely journey. That’s why incorporating bite-size workouts is the key to success. Workouts that are simple and effective. Just like Kanye flying solo without all the bells and whistles of a spectacle behind him, you can fly solo with my anytime-anywhere 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts. So enjoy tightening your abdominals & core with today’s Workout #55! – R
Paul Revere and many more
Seems like today is quite an historical day, highlighted by Revolutionary War patriot Paul Revere’s famous “midnight ride” warning John Hancock and Samuel Adams the British were coming in 1775. It’s also the day heroine Joan of Arc was declared a Saint (1909), the World’s Fair opened in Chicago (1925), professional baseball’s Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt hit his 500th home run (1987), and the day professional football’s Hall of Famer Joe Montana hung up his spikes for good (1995). Not that historical events have a direct impact on your everyday activities, but for sure they’re worth remembering. Because historical events oftentimes inspire us through the accomplishments of others. At least they do for me. So if you’re looking for a little inspiration today, think of Paul, Joan, Mike or Comeback Joe. Or better yet, garner some inspiration from me and enjoy toning your thighs again with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #54. Have fun – R
Ray Kroc’s first McDonald’s
Exactly 56 years ago today, 52 year-old American businessman – and high school dropout – Ray Kroc purchased his first McDonald’s franchise from the McDonald brothers. It was their 9th location, and the first of thousands that would revolutionize the fast food business and turn Kroc into a multimillionaire ($500 million in his lifetime). This from a man who once tried his hand at a number of trades including paper-cup salesman, pianist, jazz musician, band member, and a multi-mixer milkshake traveling salesman. At one time, Kroc even worked for room and board at a restaurant in the midwest to learn the restaurant business. So taking a line from yesterday’s blog, “If there’s anything in your life that needs more perseverance to get you through, think of Ray Kroc (or Jackie Robinson) and stay the course.” Enjoy sculpting your thighs & triceps with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #52 – Sculpt Your Thighs II. And I’ll see you next time – R
Persevere like Jackie Robinson
Today, Major League Baseball commemorates the 64th anniversary of Hall of Famer, Jackie Robinson, for breaking the color barrier as the first black player to play in MLB since the 1880’s. He was also the first black television analyst in Major League Baseball, and the first black vice-president of a major American corporation (Chock Full O’Nuts in 1957). In the 1960s, Jackie helped establish the Freedom National Bank, an African-American-owned financial institution based in Harlem, New York. This, from a man born into a family of sharecroppers. Jackie Robinson is definitely someone who overcame substantial obstacles, including death threats and horrific slurs from racially charged fans. But he persevered and won a World Championship ring when the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the 1955 World Series. So if there’s anything in your life that needs more perseverance to get you through, think of Jackie Robinson and stay the course. And do so with beautiful thighs & biceps with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #51. Enjoy – R
Boost your body image with 5 minutes of exercise
There’s a study from the University of Florida that found working out for even a few minutes a day makes you more likely to focus on your sexiest self in the mirror while glossing over your less appreciated body parts. Succinctly put, exercise improves body image for anyone who’s fit or unfit alike. The study’s author and University of Florida exercise psychologist Heather Hausenblas also found that “Negative body image has grown to almost epidemic proportions in the past 20 years, with as many as 60 percent of adults in national studies saying they don’t like the way their bodies look.” Quite a large percentage, wouldn’t you agree? So if you’re in the majority here, consider starting a daily fitness program with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #49 – Core Power. Because who doesn’t want to boost their body image with a little exercise! Enjoy – R
Set your sights and manifest it
I was reading Architectural Digest this morning when I came across an eye-catching ad for the new solar-powered luxury car by Fisker Automotive. It’s called the Karma and I’ve been reading about it for the past year. Actually, I’ve been thinking how great it would be to own one. But since I don’t currently have an extra $100,000 laying around, I’ve opted to set my sights and just manifest it, i.e., make it happen. I even cut out the great looking ad, placing it on my filing cabinet so it stays fresh in my mind. Like anything in the world you deeply desire, set your sights and manifest it. Even a daily fitness program. You can start with only 5 minutes a day. Like today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #48 – Down Dog Chest & Arms. Enjoy – R
Perfect example of bad role models
I read in the LA Times this morning about two parents in Michigan who beat up a 73-year old school crossing guard who tried to break up a fight between their 6-year old son and another boy. This after bringing their son to school to beat up the other boy after the two kids got into a fight last week. I would call that a perfect example of bad role models. How about leading by example and treating everyone with respect – starting with yourself. Interestingly, I would bet that neither of these attacking parents partakes in anything physical fitness at all. Just a hunch, but it seems like a lot of pent up anger and negative energy. So for these accused attackers – and anyone else who’s looking to open their heart and release some aggression via a daily fitness program – check out my 5 minute fat burning workout #41, Standing Heart Openers. Then lead by example! R
What’s so special about 40?
In the Holy Bible, there’s plenty of references to the number 40: it rained for 40 days and 40 nights when God wanted to cleanse the earth; Noah waited another 40 days after it rained before he opened a window in the Arch; Moses was on the mountain with God for 40 days (twice); the Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness – one for each day they explored the Promised Land; Goliath came for 40 days – morning and evening – before being slain by David; Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness; and Jesus appeared for 40 days after his crucifixion to speak about the kingdom of God. In the Bible there’s also reference to your physical body as being a temple – a temple that should be respected. Regardless of your religious beliefs, respect your temple today and strengthen your shoulders, chest & arms with my 5 minute fat burning workout #40. Enjoy – R
Turn down the music
American writer and Nobel Laureate John Steinbeck once said, “Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.” Well, much like handling rabbits, I’ve been churning out 5 minute fat burning workouts everyday for the past six weeks. Today is no different with three simple exercises that’ll make your abdominal muscles scream. At the very least, you can tell your friends you’re doing a little something to prepare your midsection for those 90 degree bikini days – which, for those of us living in LA, began yesterday. So turn down the music and enjoy listening to your soon to be ‘beach-ready’ abs scream in workout #38. Have fun! -R
Rich Tola to star in ‘Godfather’ remake
April Fools! But really, wouldn’t it be nice if all our dreams came true? At least in the world of make believe – and I don’t mean Hollywood – anything is possible. Today, why not consider your world of make believe the real deal? Like rapper sensation Drake croons in Nicki Minaj’s hit single, Moment 4 Life, “everybody dies but not everybody lives”. So on this April Fools’ Day 2011, imagine yourself in your wildest possible dream, and just live. Because life is short and the days fly by. And if by chance your wildest dream includes you looking like a movie star with that perfect body, here’s your chance to get started with my 5 minute fat burning workout #37 that combines some Zen with that Warrior in you. It’s called Peaceful Warrior. And I’ll see you next time! -R