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
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
Real love is…willing to share a seat on the bus
Oprah Winfrey once said, “The roses, the lovely notes, the dining and dancing are all welcome and splendid. But when the Godiva is gone, the gift of real love is having someone who’ll go the distance with you. Someone who, when the wedding day limo breaks down, is willing to share a seat on the bus.” Although I’ve never been married I have been in love. Thus, I would agree with Oprah, because real love is about courage and selflessness…and the ability to get on that bus and ultimately make it to the altar. Congratulations and my best to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! – R
Enjoy your 65th consecutive 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout – Stronger Chest & Arms II
It’s only a temporary limitation
What happens if you get injured? Well, that depends on the injury, but continue working out. Of course, check with your doctor before beginning any fitness program, and if you can, exercise your other body parts that aren’t affected. Case in point: this morning I met this twenty-something year old gal in the gym who said she just started back after a year off due to a knee injury. She also said she exercised all time before getting hurt. So I asked her, “What about the rest of your body, like your abs, chest and arms?” She just shrugged her shoulders and gave me a look. But the reality is, what about the rest of her body? She thought she had a reason not to go to the gym because she had a knee injury, right? I disagree. Because if you’re able to workout around your injury, i.e., to safely avoid additional injury, then why not? Because your injury, it’s only a temporary limitation. Plus, exercising may help speed the recovery process, not to mention the mental benefits of knowing your body’s not losing a step because of a temporary limitation. Enjoy today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #62 – Triangle Pose. – R
Try something different
I was inspired by my sister this morning when she said, “sometimes it’s good to just try something different”. She was speaking about a situation that turned positive for her once she tried something different. I agreed. Because oftentimes a fresh approach will give you that winning formula. Whether it be that dream job you desire, or that daily fitness program you’ve been thinking about. So try something different with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #60 – Beautify Those Buns II. Happy Easter! Enjoy – R
Dodgers anyone?
I’m still a NY Yankees fan, but my favorite team is the LA Dodgers – the city in which I live. So when the Dodgers were taken over by Major League Baseball, it opened the door for new owners to usher in a new era of Dodger baseball, with Don Mattingly at the helm and stars Andre Ethier & Matt Kemp leading the charge. Although I’m not listed among the Top 10 potential suitors, at least not today, I believe any one of these Hollywood powerhouses will do just fine (as listed by The Hollywood Reporter): Mark Attanasio, Thomas Barrack, Eli Broad, Mark Cuban, Dennis Gilbert, Alec Gores, Peter Guber, Magic Johnson, Casey Wasserman, and Tom Werner. I’ve never met any of these men, but their successes speak for themselves. So let’s get this party started and bring some new energy to our team! Just like you can energize your mind & body with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #58 – Killer Abs II. Enjoy – R
They’re not superfluous
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
50 workouts in 50 days
Just the other day I blogged ‘What’s so special about 40’. Actually, it was 10 days ago but it feels like yesterday. That’s how quickly time passes. But from then until now, you could have exercised with me 5 minutes each day (for about an hour). For anyone not currently working out, that’s a great start. Imagine if you’ve been following along the past 50 days. That would mean you exercised everyday for a total of 250+ minutes or more than 4 hours. A lot more, right, with the key here being the everyday part. And from my other DVD offering, Rich Tola’s 15 Minute Fat Burning Workouts, I believe everyone should dedicate at least 1% of their life to physical fitness, i.e., 15 minutes. Based on yoga principles, my workouts are designed to challenge your entire body with low-impact exercises that can be done anytime, anywhere. Or if you prefer more yoga, check out my Yoga Survival Guide for 5 minute lessons of 100 yoga poses. Have fun opening your heart & hips with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #50 – Bridge! – R