Longer days for better bodies

In exactly three weeks (June 21st), the summer solstice will occur when the days are longest and the nights are shortest.  I’m not sure about you, but I certainly prefer the daytime when it comes to working out or doing anything fitness related.  With longer days and the hot summer weather, it’s a great time to go for that after dinner walk or scenic bike ride.  And why not consider adding a few 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts to the mix to round out your evening.  Either before or after, these bite-size workouts will provide you with a quick and effective warm-up or cool-down to complement your stroll. So let that extra sunlight help you achieve that better body, and enjoy sculpting your entire body with today’s 97th consecutive fat burning workout – Side Plank.  – R

Eat Smart

Everybody understands the concept of eating smart, right?  And what a great time to get mentally prepared for the long holiday weekend by consciously respecting your body with a smart approach to eating.  Because eating smart with healthy foods and smaller portions per meal will certainly complement your daily fitness program.  So enjoy stretching it out today with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #94 – Leg Stretches.  – R

Remind yourself often

Samuel Johnson, the English poet, author and lexicographer who after nine years of work published the Dictionary of English Language (circa 1755) once said, “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.”  I would certainly agree. Especially when if comes to working out and sticking to a daily fitness program.  Because with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts, there’s expert instruction for every position and exercise that’ll take the guesswork out of it.  All you need is to be reminded to hit the PLAY button and you’re good to go!  So remind yourself often and enjoy slowing things down a bit as you invert yourself with today’s Workout #91 – Standing Splits.  – R

Try and try again

This morning I read the obituary for Dick Wimmer, a creative writing instructor and author who was turned down by publishers and agents 162 times over 25 years.  His first novel, Irish Wine, was conceived in the 1960’s then streamlined in the 1980’s – after his 80th rejection – until it was good enough to be published.  When finally released,  The New York Times raved about it, calling it “a taut, finely written, exhaustingly exuberant first novel”.  A wonderful reward for never giving up!  And a pretty simple lesson to try and try again.  So if there’s anything in life that feels hopeless and insurmountable, like your daily fitness program, think of Dick Wimmer and all his 162 rejections.  And enjoy strengthening your legs with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #89.  – R

Be as unique as a fingerprint

Oprah Winfrey said, “I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.”  I love Oprah’s belief because it lets you be you, and incorporates the collective energy of everything and everyone around you as part of your destiny.  So be as unique as a fingerprint today and everyday, and don’t forget your 5 minutes of fat burning with Workout #87 – Dancing Warrior.  Enjoy  – R

Power and economy go hand in hand

I read this in my Horoscope this morning and immediately thought how it relates to almost everything in life, including the correct fitness program.  I say correct because the power comes from doing a combination of simple, full body workouts using the proper technique, and the economy comes from maximizing your time and results by doing them on a daily basis.  So maximize your power and economy today by getting started with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #86 – Terrific Triceps II.  Enjoy – R

Fitness + Family = Fun

Yesterday I taught a one-hour fat burning class at a domestic violence shelter in San Diego on behalf of my charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation.  I was excited to teach about ten children (ages 3 – 12), with a few ever-so shy moms and grandmothers too.  It was certainly a family affair, with the kids leading the charge!  Since I don’t have any children of my own – at least not yet – I’m always fascinated by the pure joy kids find in the simplest of activities.  And with their moms and grand-moms joining in, they had FUN, regardless of how challenging it was.  Simply put, Fitness + Family = Fun.  So gather your entire family today and enjoy strengthening your legs, and your family bond, with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #85 – Chair Twists (the exact same exercises we practiced at the shelter).  And have fun!  – R

Slow and steady wins the race

Everybody’s read Aesop’s fable, The Hare and the Tortoise, right?  It’s about a hare who vainly boasts of his great running speed and challenges the slow tortoise to a race. However outpaced, in the end the tortoise wins because the hare decides to take a nap en route to the finish line.  The moral lesson here:  slow and steady wins the race.  Just like with your daily fitness program.  It may seem to progress slowly, but in the long run you’ll certainly see the results you desire as well as feel the rejuvenating affects of doing a little something to strengthen your mind and body every single day.  So enjoy getting Fantastic Forearms with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #83.  – R

Don’t let time waste you

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 13thhas to be a bad thing.  Enjoy today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #79 – Leg Hops.  – R