Tag: routine

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Happy Birthday Batman

On May 1, 1939, The Caped Crusader, originally referred to as the Bat-Man, made his debut in Detective Comics #27, in “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate”.  Showing little remorse over killing or maiming criminals, Batman proved a hit character, and in 1940, received his own solo title (while continuing to star in Detective Comics).  About a year later Batman’s kid sidekick, Robin, was introduced, thereby softening Batman’s early pulp-inflected portrayal and giving the crime fighter a “Watson” to talk to – as in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Doctor Watson who complemented master sleuth Sherlock Holmes.  72 years later Batman continues to entertain audiences with yet another Hollywood blockbuster in the works, “Batman: The Dark Knight Rises” (slated for theatrical release in May, 2012).  Thanks for the memories & Happy Birthday Batman!

And for those of you following along with my consecutive workouts, have fun taking care of your body with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #67 – Stretch it Out II.  – R

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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

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Kanye West leads the way

I read an article in the LA Times this morning about rap star Kanye West’s closing Sunday night set at Coachella (the 3-day annual Music & Arts Festival in Indio, CA). Kanye ended his “epic and unforgettable” set standing alone. Much like the way he started.  Which got me thinking about how working out everyday is just like Kanye standing there alone.  Yes, you can workout with your friends or take a group class, but you’re still doing it alone.  Which, at times, feels like a very lonely journey.  That’s why incorporating bite-size workouts is the key to success. Workouts that are simple and effective.  Just like Kanye flying solo without all the bells and whistles of a spectacle behind him, you can fly solo with my anytime-anywhere 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts.  So enjoy tightening your abdominals & core with today’s Workout #55! – R

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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

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Biggest and Brightest

As the sun sets in the west today, it will be the biggest and brightest it’s been in the past 20 years.  According to NASA, this so-called ‘super-moon’ will appear about 14% bigger and 30% brighter.  Why such grandness?  Because the moon’s perigee – that point in the moon’s oval orbital path where it’s closest to the Earth – will occur within one hour of the monthly astronomical phase of the full moon.  “A rarely seen spectacle of illumination and size”, says astronomer Geoff Chester at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington. So if you have 5 minutes tonight, go outside and enjoy this rare spectacle. Better yet, take your phone along and try Workout #24 under a beautiful moonlit sky!

 

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Life’s a boulevard and sometimes you get stuck

‘Life’s a boulevard and sometimes you get stuck’ is the overarching theme to my film, Boulevard Zen.  Each of the characters uses yoga to overcome adversity in their lives. The kind of adversity that is like getting seriously stuck on a Boulevard, such as death of a spouse, a broken heart, depression, anorexia, hypertension, infertility, peer pressure and a party lifestyle.  All this with a PG-rated script that’s appropriate for the entire family. The chorus from the theme song, “Life’s Boulevard”, is especially inspirational:

Driving down Life’s Boulevard is no paradise
Open up your heart let it lead you day and night
Just do not dwell on things that can’t be undone
Keep pushing forward til the battle is won

Written by me and award winning singer-songwriter Erick Macek, and performed by Erick & Bill Jones, get your free download & watch trailers @ RichTola.com.  Enjoy – R


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One home run doesn’t make a home run hitter

That pretty much says it all for any sport, business or hobby where doing it once or twice doesn’t earn you the title.  Just ask Babe Ruth. But a dozen times, now we’re getting somewhere.  Hopefully you’ve been following along with my 5 minute fat burning workouts – today is day 12. If not, no worries.  You can combine any 2 or 3 workouts and get caught up pretty quick.  But hurry, because the days sneak up on you just like the passage of time.  So get your fitness groove-on today…and enjoy your workout!  R

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Get Killer Abs

From the streets of New York City you may have heard the age old question, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall”?  The answer: practice, practice, practice.  The same holds true for your core and abdominal muscles.  How do you get killer abs?  Practice, practice and more practice.  At the very least you’ll feel good about doing something every day to stay trim, keep your waistline from expanding, and preventing your posture and low back from suffering. Plus, the good news about strengthening your core & abs is that a short and simple workout is all it takes to feel fatigued.  So here you go – Workout #8 in my 5 minute fat burning video series that also complements workouts 5, 6, and 7.  That’s 20 minutes of core & abs exercises to chose from.  Have fun and don’t forget to breathe!  R

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Combine your efforts

What’s the best way to burn fat and trim your waistline?  If you said doing 1,000 abdominal crunches, well, you’re wrong.  The answer is a bit more complex:  it takes a combination of efforts that include a positive mindset, a healthy diet and a plethora of fitness activities including anything cardiovascular, weightlifting, yoga, and of course abdominal workouts.  It certainly helps to do something core & ab related everyday – as you’re well aware of my zealous approach to a daily fitness program.  So if you haven’t already tried one of my 5 minute fat burning workouts, check out Workout #7 – Sculpt those Abs – then keep it going with a vigorous walk, swim, bike, jog or run.  Be well – R

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Blast your Abs

What does it mean to Blast your Abs?  Simply put, it means to exercise and fatigue your abdominal muscles until you’re too tired to do another set.  And why Blast your Abs? Because when properly exercised strong abdominal muscles improves your breathing, posture, balance and flexibility, as well as reduces the likelihood and severity of back pain and protects against injury.  Not to mention a leaner waistline and much tighter belly.  A mere 5 minutes a day is well worth the effort – for anyone.  And with my fat burning video series workout #6, you don’t even have to get out of bed!  Enjoy your workout – R