Friends and honesty, do they match?

I was speaking with a friend this morning about telling your best friend something that’s true, but may hurt their feelings.  Or worse yet, may drive your best friend away, especially if they’re in a difficult place in their life.  Like my friend’s best friend, who’s responding to adversity with an eating disorder.  The thing is, with friends it’s oftentimes difficult to be brutally honest, especially if the truth is difficult to swallow.   And since the truth can be as painful to give as it is to receive, it’s always best to proceed with sensitivity and compassion.  For those of you who have seen my film, Boulevard Zen, you know that my character, Bobby D’Angelo, inspires others to overcome adversity while communicating the truth through example.  He uses the healing powers of yoga to help students deal with their depression, infertility, hypertension and anorexia.  So be sensitive with your truth telling, especially if it involves something serious and beyond your expertise.  And always encourage your friends to make that mind-body connection with some form of fitness, especially yoga.  So enjoy restoring your body with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #77 – Restorative Legs, Core & Abs II  – R

Do it and understand

Chinese thinker and social philosopher, Confucius, once said, “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”  Because when you actually do something of value, whatever it is, you understand first-hand the reasons for doing it as well as the benefits derived from it. Thus, do it and understand.  Like my fat burning workouts. Or anything else fitness related you can afford doing on a daily basis. Because once you understand what it is to embrace a daily fitness program by actually doing it, you’ll be hooked. Or at least you’ll empower yourself with the knowledge and experience you’ll never forget.  Enjoy today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #76 – Warrior Legs.  – R

Gotta love Horoscopes

What I love about daily Horoscopes is the way they all speak with an open-hearted positivity, whatever your Zodiac sign may be.  And I mean all.  Just read your Horoscope today, and check out your Mom’s or your best friend’s. And why shouldn’t they all be positive and open-hearted?  Because no matter what your situation is today, you can make it better by just thinking, speaking and feeling more positive.  And by respecting yourself with a daily fitness program.  Because just like Horoscopes, energizing your mind and body while putting a fat burning spark in your day is always a good thing.  So enjoy sculpting your butt & thighs with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #73.  – R

Staying fit for the Cougars

This is for all you guys out there who’ve fallen out of shape, especially you Baby Boomers from the ages of 46 to 65 who could use a little help staying fit for the Cougars. Everybody knows what a Cougar is, right? For example, yesterday I spoke with my yoga teacher friend who’s 46 and divorced with a 10 year-old son.  She’s attractive, sexy, independent, active, in-shape, confident and fun to be with.  And she’s not just looking to hang out at some hotel bar drinking the afternoon away.  That Cougar.  Because my friend deserves someone her age or older who’s in-shape and can keep up with her. Which, unfortunately for most of you Boomers, is guys much younger than you.  So if you haven’t started one, get with a daily fitness program and stay fit for the Cougars!  Enjoy sculpting your abs, biceps and thighs again with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #72.  – R

Think “Unity & Pride” today

When you celebrate Cinco de Mayo today, think Unity & Pride and the importance of believing that anything is possible.  Just reflect upon the 4,000 Mexican soldiers in 1862 who were greatly outnumbered by the well-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for almost 50 years. However improbable, they were victorious as a result of Unity & Pride. Because sometimes it’s takes a collective energy interlaced with self-respect and dignity to overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable, even when the odds are stacked against you.  Like a daily fitness program.  You may not have the time or money or ability to join a gym or yoga studio, but you can certainly make time for at least 5 minutes of exercise each day.  So gather your family and friends today, and band together for some good old fitness.  And stand tall and proud like Mexico did.  Enjoy strengthening your back and abs with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #71.  – 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

Get your Mojo back

Last night I watched the Dodgers game with a friend who said he needed to “get his Mojo back”.  When I asked him in reference to what, he replied, “everything”.  Although everything pretty much covers it all, what he was specifically referring to was his lack of motivation to pursue 1) a new job, 2) a new girlfriend, and 3) a daily fitness program. Thus, my friend is temporarily stuck.  And I say temporarily because losing one’s motivation and getting stuck in life is only a phase – if you want it to be.  So for anyone out there who can’t find their Mojo like my friend, no worries!  Take it upon yourself to kick-start your life with a daily fitness program.  Because when compared to finding a new job or a new love, exercising for at least 5 minutes a day is a breeze.  So enjoy opening your heart today with my 69th consecutive 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout.  – 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

Little things can make a big difference

Yesterday I taught a one hour fat burning class to the children and moms living at the domestic violence shelter in San Diego.  My charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation, has been teaching yoga there since last July.  I especially wanted to teach the families exercises from my fat burning workouts.  The moms loved it and the kids were awesome. What was most significant, though, was my interaction with one particular boy who I first met in July.  I’ll call him Alex.  When I first offered to shake his hand, Alex reached out with a limp hand as he cowered away.  Thus, my first lesson was to teach Alex how to shake hands.  Stand tall, use a really strong grip and look me in the eyes”, I said.  Which he did without hesitation.  But the real test was whether or not Alex would continue with his new handshake.  That’s why interacting with him yesterday was so significant.  He shook my hand just like I had taught him.  And I congratulated him for it.  Because little things can make a big difference.  So enjoy looking for the little things that can make a big difference with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #59 – Beautify Your Butt II. – R