Tag: mother

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RIP to the sweetest Mom ever..mine!

As many of you know, I put my life on hold three years ago so I could return home to care for my ailing parents. Both were battling cancer that had unfortunately metastasized, while my Dad was the first to leave us.

To the sweetest and kindest and most beautiful woman in the world – at least to me she was – here’s a tribute to my biggest fan – my Mom:

Rose Mary DiStefano Tola (1941-2025) passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Monday, May 25, 2025. Born on March 10, 1941, she was 84 years young when she passed. For those who knew Rosie, as she was known to her beloved family and friends, she was the sweetest and nicest and prettiest yet strongest gal from North Trenton, who first appeared on American Bandstand with Dick Clark live from Philadelphia in 1957. Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, and a graduate of Trenton Central High School, she worked as a licensed beautician for several years before marrying Francis “Richie” Tola, a legendary barber and baseball mentor who recently passed away in October. Rosie also retired after 20-years of service with the Department of Education for the State of New Jersey. She was a caring and supportive wife of 65 years, as well as a mother to three wonderful children and four loving grandchildren. She is survived by the following: her son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Pam Tola, her son Richard, her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Patrick Tuffy, her grandchildren Matthew and Samantha Tola, and Riley and McGwire Tuffy, plus numerous nieces. She is predeceased by her brother, Benedetto “Benny” DiStefano, and sister, Philamena “Phyliss” Wilson. Per her wishes, there will be a private family service only. To everyone she was blessed to have met, Rosie was a compassionate and kind soul, and above else, a proud mother and grandmother, beautiful friend, aunt, co-worker, client, patron and forever baseball and soccer fan – until recently, when she fell in love with women’s basketball. For her 84 memorable years of life, Rose Mary DiStefano Tola was a beacon of light and a wonderful listener who will surely be missed.

And here’s a picture of us a few weeks before she passed. Love you Mom!!

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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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External motivation

Let’s face it.  Sometimes you need a little external motivation to get you going to the gym or yoga studio, or for that power walk around the neighborhood.  Take me for instance.  In six weeks I turn 48, which makes it 31 years since I started driving and began my daily workouts at Man’s World gym in Trenton, NJ.  But even today, after all those years, I often require that external motivation to keep me interested and to give me that little extra something to work towards.  Fortunately, in my gym there’s this guy who’s built like Adonis, and like me, works out every single day.  Yesterday I asked him his age thinking “if this guy is anywhere close to my age I’ll retire”.  Luckily he said 31.  That makes me old enough to be his father, and since he was born the same year I started working out, I felt relieved.  Because we all know the powers of Father Time and Mother Nature, and how your body certainly slows down as the years click by.  So in the gym this guy’s my motivation.  As for the yoga studio, I started practicing in 2005, so let’s just say my internal motivation kicks in at all times!  So if you need a little external motivation to get you going, pick someone who’s got that rockin’ bod, or better yet, find that beautifully sculpted body in a magazine and post it our your vision board.  And if you don’t have a vision board, then post it on your bathroom mirror.  Because when if comes to anything fitness, sometimes we can all use a little help.  Enjoy your workout – R

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Get a good lead

North Pole Sunset

When you’re a base-runner it’s always best to get a good lead so you’re in a better position to advance.  And just like in any sport, and in life, it’s always best to be well-conditioned and well-prepared to achieve whatever advantage you can over the opposition.  So let’s consider Mother Nature and Father Time the pitcher and the catcher, and let’s say you’re on base.  Why not get a good lead by starting your new daily fitness program today, if you haven’t started one already?  Because with all the punishing weather out there it’s easy to just curl up in a ball and chill out on the couch for 12 hours.  Well, that sounds relaxing, but don’t forget to get your workout in, even if you stretch out and work your abs for 15 minutes.  Hint: “Thursday’s 15 Minute Fat Burning Workout”.  Plus, you’ll get a head start on your New Year’s resolution to lose weight or get in shape or start sculpting that bikini body for next summer.  So take advantage of Mother Nature and Father Time and get started today.  And don’t forget the sugar-free hot chocolate!  R

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A little above the weather

Monday's Fat Burning Workout

Everyone knows the feeling when the weather’s got you down and you’re ‘a little under the weather’ right?  Well how about turning the tables on today’s bad weather and telling yourself exactly the opposite – that you’re a little above the weather!  Because that weather malaise is just a temporary mindset you can enthusiastically change.  I know for most of you Mother Nature has been rather frigid and snowy and all around nasty, but for those of us in LA it feels like we should be boarding Noah’s Arc right about now.  And since we’re relatively spoiled with our clear blue sunny skies – well, who says you can’t move to LA – it’s especially easy to feel under the weather and fall off your daily routine.  Don’t do it.  Or if you do, just make it one day only, not two or three in a row.  Because while everyone else around you feels a bit more weather-like with each passing day, you’ll be the bright a cheerful one who got your workout in.  For sure you’ll feel better and for sure your positive energy will radiantly affect everyone around you.  And maybe you’ll even motivate your loved ones to do the same, so they can bask in the sunshine of their own positive energy.  So get your 15 Minute Fat Burning Workout in today.  And I’ll see you tomorrow.  R