There are many things in life that are not superflous, that is to say, not unnecessary. Like brushing your teeth or going to the doctor. So when my friend said to me, “you know, your 5 minute workouts, they’re not superflous, especially for people not working out,” I paused for a moment, then smiled as I realized the power of this eloquent double negative. Because regardless of what type of physical fitness you choose, the concept of exercising everyday is necessary. That is to say, if you believe that strengthening and preserving your body for the long haul is not superfluous. Enjoy blasting your thighs again using cool lunge variations in today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #53. – 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
It’s all relative with Einstein’s Relativity
Exactly 105 years ago today Nobel Laureate Albert Einstein introduced his “Theory of Relativity”. Although his ‘curved space-time continuum‘ doesn’t really affect our lives because we travel at speeds much less than the speed of light, it was one of the most significant scientific advances of our time. When you think of relativity, it’s applicable to everything in your life. Just ask yourself a yes or no question, like whether or not you work too much. Before you answer, think: relative to whom? Because it’s all relative. Like fitness. If you exercise all the time, then working out 5 minutes a day seems like nothing. But if you don’t workout at all – and you know if you don’t – then 5 minutes a day is significant. But rest assured, 5 minutes a day becomes 15 minutes. Then 15 minutes becomes whatever your heart desires. Enjoy sculpting your body with today’s fat burning workout #47 – Crane Legs (remember the movie, Karate Kid). See you next time – R
Thank you Manny Ramirez
About 20 years ago my father showed me a baseball card of a rookie he said would become one of the greatest. His name was Manny Ramirez. My father was right. In 19 years in the majors, Manny hit more home runs (555) and drove in more runs (1,831) than Mickey Mantle. As a long time New Yorker and Yankee fan at heart, this means something. And with a lifetime batting average of .312, not to mention his ability to intimidate opposing pitchers by just stepping into the on-deck circle, he’s a Hall of Famer in my book. What I remember most about Manny was the way he electrified the city of Los Angeles and led the Dodgers to the National League Championship Series in 2008. The energy and excitement was something the whole city felt, whether at Dodger Stadium or Venice Beach. Yes, he violated baseball’s drug policy (2 times), and yes, there was always Manny being Manny. Yet he played with such confidence and poise that it inspired everyone, especially his younger teammates. Love him or hate him, he was the ultimate baseball warrior. Thank you Manny Ramirez. My best always – Rich
And don’t forget today’s 5 minute workout #45 – because we all could use some Balance!
Short and Sweet
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
…if we’re always doing
One of my idols growing up was Revolutionary War hero and first president of the United States, General George Washington. Washington once said, “It’s wonderful what we can do if we’re always doing”. Words that hold true no matter what the circumstance. Because in the “doing” comes results. Like physical fitness. If you want to achieve results like burning fat while positively affecting your mental and physical well-being, then focus on the “doing”. And enjoy today’s 5 minute fat burning workout #42 – Warrior Lunge. Because it truly feels wonderful to see the benefits of a daily fitness program! My best – 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