Author | Filmmaker and Host, Tola Talks
You’re waiting at the bus stop and it feels like an eternity, so what should you do? Don’t just stand there leaning into the street and creaking your neck to see if the bus in coming.
Get your workout in with my Most Inconspicuous Bus Stop Exercises. Enjoy – R
You may not remember what you were watching on television 44 years ago today, but if you were about my age, say 2-5 years old, you were probably watching the debut of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. This first-of-its-kind “television visit” with Fred Rogers helped children develop their imagination, creativity, cooperation and self-esteem. The show was theme-based, slow and simple. However deceiving these qualities can be, the Neighborhood was a tremendous success. Interestingly, my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts are also theme-based, slow and simple. But don’t be deceived. Because you now have 88 different – and effective – workout themes to choose from, including today’s Screaming Abs II. So thanks for the memories & RIP Mister Rogers. – Rich
When was last time your friend called to say someone hasn’t called her back because she thinks “blah-blah-blah”? And the reason for “blah-blah-blah” is because what your friend thinks doesn’t really matter. Because if your friend is assuming, which is usually the case when our feelings get hurt, than she’s probably wrong. We all know what ass-u-me means, right? Have patience for the truth, it’s much easier to handle. Don’t make Assumptions. Like, with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts. What the heck can you get done in 5 minutes, right? Well, these bite-size workouts are little gems because if you rarely exercise, than working out a little bit each day is priceless. If you do workout a few times a week, you’ll empower yourself with a DAILY fitness routine. A routine that’ll soon eclipse 5 minutes, as well as make you feel better about yourself, give you more energy and awareness, and increase your body image as your subconscious registers these daily workouts as wins. Or, as I like to call them, small victories in the war. Not to mention the preservation aspects of strengthening your muscles and bones. Because battling Mother Nature and Father Time is a war. So don’t make assumptions and get off to an easy start with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #82 – Easy Abs. – R
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
It was early November, 1978, when I first experienced the amazing sounds and vibrations of the world’s greatest rocker, Bruce Springsteen. I was 15 years old, and growing up in New Jersey, of course I was a “Boss” fan. So I tagged along with some older kids to watch him at Princeton University’s Jadwin Gymnasium. It was my first Springsteen concert and Bruce was promoting his 4th album, Darkness on the Edge of Town. Interestingly, after I post this blog, I’m heading over to Santa Monica to watch The Promise on the big screen. This documentary shows the anguish and the creative joy that went into the making of Darkness. I’m looking forward to the 1970s footage of young Springsteen creating the album with the E Street Band and the interviews of Bruce today. So whatever your fancy is today, enjoy, and don’t forget to get your daily workout in!
Here’s today 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #66 – Triceps, Core & Abs – R
The other day in the gym I read this as it flashed across the TV screen and quietly disagreed: Never judge those who tried and failed; judge those who failed to try. I get the first part, because how can you judge someone for trying, right? But what’s this about judging those for failing to try? Because if you fail to try, that’s your personal decision. Not one that should be judged. On the other hand, if you fail to try, maybe there’s a specific reason for it – a reason that can be re-thought and dispelled. Whatever it is. Especially if it involves fitness. Because if your reason for not exercising on a daily basis is not very compelling, i.e., not enough time or money, consider getting started today with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #56 – Blast Your Abs II. Because who doesn’t want to improve their posture and breathing in only 5 minutes a day! Enjoy – R
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
Everybody knows the expression short and sweet, right? Quite simply it means “to the point”. And with most challenging activities in life, it’s usually best for them to be short and sweet rather than drag on for some infinite period of time. Like working out. Because if you know what to do and have a specific game plan for any given day, your workouts will be effective, rewarding, painless and most importantly, to the point. Well, I guess painless is a relative thing, so let’s settle with effective, rewarding and to the point. So have fun toning your Arms and Abs with today’s short and sweet 5 minute fat burning workout #43. Enjoy – R
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
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