William Shakespeare once said, “I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.” For anyone who’s ever read the world’s pre-eminent dramatist, this is some pretty straightforward prose. Or is it? Because like anything by Shakespeare, it helps to read it a few times and let the true meaning of the words really sink in. In this case, the concept of wasting time has a double meaning – time being wasted and time doing the wasting. If you really think about it, whenever you waste time it has a tendency come back and bite you in the butt. That is to say, wasting time can negatively impact you as well as prevent you from reaching your goals. Whatever it is you’re doing. Especially with fitness. So don’t waste time planning and talking about your new exercise program. Keep it simple and workout everyday. And enjoy strengthening your core and toning your abdominal muscles with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #81 – Plank Crunches. – R
Offset today’s fear with a new fitness routine
Superstition holds today, Friday the 13th, to be a day of bad luck. Nonsense, right? Well, according to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, “an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed.” So does this superstition prevent you from leaving the house today and sticking with your daily routine? Then how about offsetting today’s fear with a new fitness routine, and join me for some good old fat burning! Because who says friggatriskaidekaphobia (fear of Friday the 13th) has to be a bad thing. Enjoy today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #79 – Leg Hops. – R
Do it with consistency…like the self-flushing toilet
Exactly 219 years ago today, the toilet that flushes itself at regular intervals was patented. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could automatically set yourself to exercise at regular intervals? That would certainly make it easier to stick with a daily fitness program, right. Believe it or not, you can set your internal clock to go off daily, reminding you to workout. That’s right. Because like any activity that’s become routine in your life, e.g., brewing your morning coffee as soon as you wake up, taking that afternoon cigarette break at work, or going to the laundromat every Wednesday night, you can program yourself to workout on a daily basis. The easiest way to do this is to do it with consistency. Because once you’ve established the habit of working out, your mind and body will crave it. Plus, your internal clock will subliminally remind you that it’s time to exercise. It’s true. At this point in life, I couldn’t go two days without exercising and not feel my “alarm clock” reminding me to workout. So enjoy flushing that fat away with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #78 – Sculpt Those Shoulders II. – R
Friends and honesty, do they match?
I was speaking with a friend this morning about telling your best friend something that’s true, but may hurt their feelings. Or worse yet, may drive your best friend away, especially if they’re in a difficult place in their life. Like my friend’s best friend, who’s responding to adversity with an eating disorder. The thing is, with friends it’s oftentimes difficult to be brutally honest, especially if the truth is difficult to swallow. And since the truth can be as painful to give as it is to receive, it’s always best to proceed with sensitivity and compassion. For those of you who have seen my film, Boulevard Zen, you know that my character, Bobby D’Angelo, inspires others to overcome adversity while communicating the truth through example. He uses the healing powers of yoga to help students deal with their depression, infertility, hypertension and anorexia. So be sensitive with your truth telling, especially if it involves something serious and beyond your expertise. And always encourage your friends to make that mind-body connection with some form of fitness, especially yoga. So enjoy restoring your body with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #77 – Restorative Legs, Core & Abs II – R
Do it and understand
Chinese thinker and social philosopher, Confucius, once said, “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” Because when you actually do something of value, whatever it is, you understand first-hand the reasons for doing it as well as the benefits derived from it. Thus, do it and understand. Like my fat burning workouts. Or anything else fitness related you can afford doing on a daily basis. Because once you understand what it is to embrace a daily fitness program by actually doing it, you’ll be hooked. Or at least you’ll empower yourself with the knowledge and experience you’ll never forget. Enjoy today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #76 – Warrior Legs. – R
Invest in yourself
For the past 75 days, I’ve been posting videos and blogging about the benefits of a daily fitness program. These short and effective workouts are meant to put a fat burning spark in your day, as well as inspire and empower you to embrace a daily fitness program. Because doing something fitness-related everyday is the epitome of a personal investment. Why? Because time is money, and when you allocate time to a daily fitness program, you invest in yourself. That’s right. You invest in your physical and mental well-being, preserving the most important asset in your life – you! So enjoy investing in yourself with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #75 – Chest & Shoulders II. – R
Gotta love Horoscopes
What I love about daily Horoscopes is the way they all speak with an open-hearted positivity, whatever your Zodiac sign may be. And I mean all. Just read your Horoscope today, and check out your Mom’s or your best friend’s. And why shouldn’t they all be positive and open-hearted? Because no matter what your situation is today, you can make it better by just thinking, speaking and feeling more positive. And by respecting yourself with a daily fitness program. Because just like Horoscopes, energizing your mind and body while putting a fat burning spark in your day is always a good thing. So enjoy sculpting your butt & thighs with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #73. – R
Think “Unity & Pride” today
When you celebrate Cinco de Mayo today, think Unity & Pride and the importance of believing that anything is possible. Just reflect upon the 4,000 Mexican soldiers in 1862 who were greatly outnumbered by the well-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for almost 50 years. However improbable, they were victorious as a result of Unity & Pride. Because sometimes it’s takes a collective energy interlaced with self-respect and dignity to overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable, even when the odds are stacked against you. Like a daily fitness program. You may not have the time or money or ability to join a gym or yoga studio, but you can certainly make time for at least 5 minutes of exercise each day. So gather your family and friends today, and band together for some good old fitness. And stand tall and proud like Mexico did. Enjoy strengthening your back and abs with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #71. – R
Never ask a woman her age!
I’ve been admiring this gal in the gym for the past month when I finally spoke with her today. She’s there everyday and she knows what’s she’s doing. Plus, I figured she was much older than she looked. So when she said today was her birthday, I asked, “How old are you?” She replied, “Never ask a woman her age!” Of course not, right. The thing is, she doesn’t look a day over 50. She’s 64 today and looks amazing. Thus, the lesson here folks, aside from never asking a woman her age, is to turn back time by embracing a daily fitness program. So enjoy today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #70 – Back Bends. – R
Get your Mojo back
Last night I watched the Dodgers game with a friend who said he needed to “get his Mojo back”. When I asked him in reference to what, he replied, “everything”. Although everything pretty much covers it all, what he was specifically referring to was his lack of motivation to pursue 1) a new job, 2) a new girlfriend, and 3) a daily fitness program. Thus, my friend is temporarily stuck. And I say temporarily because losing one’s motivation and getting stuck in life is only a phase – if you want it to be. So for anyone out there who can’t find their Mojo like my friend, no worries! Take it upon yourself to kick-start your life with a daily fitness program. Because when compared to finding a new job or a new love, exercising for at least 5 minutes a day is a breeze. So enjoy opening your heart today with my 69th consecutive 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout. – R