By the time you reach 48 there’s not much hoopla about your birthday, right? The true celebration is in the continued evolution of your soul. Which also applies to your body. And with that evolution of your body brings new challenges each year. Challenges that include dealing with a slower metabolism rate, a weakening of muscles and bones, and an increasing waistline. Go figure, right? So what can be done to counter these challenges? This: what I’ve been doing everyday for the past 32 years – working out. I hate to blow my own horn here, but maintaining a daily fitness program really works. Yesterday I met a 20 year old gal who thought I was 33. That’s 15 years younger folks. Plus, I’m not a fanatic about what I eat – just smart – so I must attribute my success to working out. Everyday. Trust me, it works. Here’s a few of my favorite abdominal exercises in today’s 5 minute fat burning workout #34 – Birthday Abs. Enjoy – Rich
Quickie, anyone?
I met this 47 year old gal last night who said she spends a lot of time on conference calls, not speaking for long periods of time. She also said she hasn’t worked out in about five months. She was too busy with work and couldn’t find time before or after to squeeze in some physical exercise. When I told her about my 5 minute fat burning workouts, she noted she could easily close her door during conference calls, mute the talk button, and follow along for a quickie – for my 5 minutes of exercise, that is. Or two or three quickies that would certainly put a spark into her day. So if you’re too busy with life and can’t find the time to workout, take heed and increase your productivity during conference calls with Workout #32. And don’t forget to hit the mute button! Enjoy your quickie – R
Why procrastinate?
Did you know that today is National Procrastination Day? Well, it was actually yesterday but it was pushed off until today. Easy to do with just about anything that’s not a life or death situation. Especially physical fitness. Because exercising usually involves time and money, and of course, the rather undesirable fatigue and discomfort you experience from doing it. Everyone knows the benefits of fitness, so why procrastinate and push if off until tomorrow, or Monday, or the first of the month? Don’t do it. Don’t procrastinate. Especially with your daily fitness program. Here’s another great abdominal workout using tabletop crunches anyone can do. My 5 minute fat burning workout #31 completes a month’s worth of workouts you can do anywhere. No people. No props. No special clothing. No money. Just 5 minutes and your non-procrastinating self. Enjoy – R
30 workouts in 30 days
Today marks day 30 and workout #30 of my 5 minute fat burning web series. For those following along, you now have 30 different short workouts to choose from – covering all body parts and muscles from your fingers to your toes (check out Workout #19 for women who wear high heels a lot). No worries if you have not – so long as you’ve been keeping up with a daily fitness routine that includes anything cardiovascular and/or fat burning. For the newcomers out there, the main objective of this web series is to provide you will a super quick and painless alternative to the gym or yoga studio. However brief my 5 minute workouts may be, don’t let that fool you. They’re certainly challenging, effective and attainable for anyone of any size, weight, age or gender. Just like my 5 minutes of yoga anywhere in my Yoga Survival Guide, and my 15 Minute Fat Burning Workouts. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy sculpting your butt & legs with moving squats in Workout #30. As always, keep it going and I’ll see you next time! – R
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
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
Try it on your phone
I had dinner with a friend last night who said she wanted to do my 5 minute fat burning workouts but couldn’t use her work computer and her laptop was down. Then I said, why not do them on your phone. Watch it first, then set your phone aside and follow along with my voice. Today she called to say it worked great. So there you go. If you’re not currently on a daily fitness program, start small with only 5 minutes a day. Believe me, these simple workouts will challenge you. Just log on to my butt, thighs and heart opener Workout #23 – 5 minutes of fat burning you can truly do anytime and anyplace. Now playing on blog.richtola.com, Vimeo and YouTube. Happy Friday! R
Look at the results
Sir Winston Churchill once said, “However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results”. I would certainly agree, and when it comes to fitness and body sculpting, it’s always best to look at the results more than occasionally – like every day. Most likely you won’t see any noticeable results on a day-to-day basis, but this more than occasional acknowledgment of your daily workouts will help fuel you to do that little extra. Like going for a walk or jog after your 5 minute abs, bicep and thigh blasting you’ll get from today’s workout #22. So keep looking for results, and I’ll see you next time – R
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
Sad but true
There’s so much to speak of these days that’s very sad but true. In addition to the catastrophes and chaos around the globe, this morning I learned about the passing of legendary speech pathologist and dialogue coach, Sam Chwat. Sam helped thousands of people with speech challenges, as well as coach Hollywood stars like Robert DeNiro, Julia Roberts, Andie MacDowell and Tony Danza, to perfect and/or eliminate accents. I was fortunate enough to meet Sam the winter of 2006, when I received coaching from his associate, Jessica, before moving to Los Angeles. He was exactly 10 years older than me. An age far too young to go. So today, let’s open ours hearts to all those who are suffering and all those who have passed. And enjoy workout #19 – Heart Openers. R