Category: Poem

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Gone But Certainly Not Forgotten

With the recent passing of Dr. Jerry Buss, the legendary owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, I’ve been reflecting on the importance of remembering loved ones who may be gone but certainly not forgotten.

Like my Uncle Mickey who left us in 2003. Also know as Dr. Cook by his WWII comrades, I fondly remember our weekly talks and brisk walks around the nursing home where he spent his final days.

And although he suffered from an unsympathetic Alzheimer’s disease that made him progressively distant each time I visited, Uncle Mickey remained ever so sweet, benevolent and respectful to everyone he met. Not to mention his charming old school ways – he wore a three piece suit every single day until he could no longer dress himself – and his school-boy crush on Avril Lavigne!

Little did I know that 10 years later I would find this poem I wrote for him the day he passed:

Ode to Mickey

Sitting in my chair, bent head held low,
Oh what I’ve seen, from this window seat row

This is my story, no fear for me now,
Can’t wait for my walks, with my nephew so proud

Cold wars, New York terror, amazing Ali,
Just like my true brethren, please let me be me

Hold onto the past, try not to be seen,
Smile time for my chats, with sweet Avril Lavigne

Nobody can hear me, I’m in the abyss,
What did I do, what in life did I miss

This world did I change, like the high rolling seas,
No chance for me now, against this ugly disease

But worry none friends, fight hard, freedom ring,
Keep faith til the end, cause in life we’re all Kings.

RIP Uncle Mickey (and Dr. Buss)…I’ll always remember you! – R

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Vacation workout

Twelve days ago I posted my 100th video/blog for my 100 days of 5 minute, low-impact, yoga-based, fat burning workouts.  Since then I visited my family in New Jersey, and spent some time with friends in New York City, Philadelphia and San Francisco.  Of course I continued with my daily fitness program, as well as took a few yoga classes. Challenging, yes, since you’re busy enjoying your time off.  But do-able. Especially with my Fat Burning Workouts.  That’s why I wrote this poem…to inspire you to keep with your daily fitness program even while on vacation.  Enjoy your Daily Workout.  – R

YOU CAN DO IT

I’m here to help you
There’s no need to fail
If you know what to do
Then just step on the scale

Believe you can tighten
Believe you can win
Cause who better than you
Conquers that battle within

Mother Nature’s quite cruel
Father Time’s a quick chime
Who says you can’t switch
To a program like mine

Don’t despair my good student
You’ll never be bored
With a daily fitness program
You’ll love your reward

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Slow and steady wins the race

Everybody’s read Aesop’s fable, The Hare and the Tortoise, right?  It’s about a hare who vainly boasts of his great running speed and challenges the slow tortoise to a race. However outpaced, in the end the tortoise wins because the hare decides to take a nap en route to the finish line.  The moral lesson here:  slow and steady wins the race.  Just like with your daily fitness program.  It may seem to progress slowly, but in the long run you’ll certainly see the results you desire as well as feel the rejuvenating affects of doing a little something to strengthen your mind and body every single day.  So enjoy getting Fantastic Forearms with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #83.  – R

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Don’t let time waste you

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

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Ode to my sister

I spoke with my sister yesterday after I received her beautiful pictures of my nieces and nephews, including my brother’s children. This holiday season my family is 3,000 miles away, but for sure I’m there in spirit.  And keeping with that holiday spirit, my sister told me she just started my fat burning workouts and intends to lose 12 pounds.  The key word here – intends – as opposed to hopes.  Because with anything you do that requires action, it’s better to set your intentions and make it happen than to hope for something good to happen.  She also told me the first two days her legs were so tired she couldn’t go for her 2 mile walk – which she also just started.  I told her after a week or so that muscle fatigue will get better and she’ll be jogging those miles in no time.  This Ode’s for you sis…

Burn Fat Burn

Sometimes the path seems filled with pain,
but the only thing that hurts is your ego in vain.
Who says you’ll find success by pushing yourself daily,
when the results seem as far as the comet Halley.
But wait, you say, there’s a simple solution,
because reasons and excuses are just an illusion.
So keep on trucking with that positive attitude,
with fat burning workouts there’s no room for platitude.
Always set your intentions and just let’em fly,
no judgment, no worries, to your old ways goodbye!

Merry Christmas Everyone – R