I met this 47 year old gal last night who said she spends a lot of time on conference calls, not speaking for long periods of time. She also said she hasn’t worked out in about five months. She was too busy with work and couldn’t find time before or after to squeeze in some physical exercise. When I told her about my 5 minute fat burning workouts, she noted she could easily close her door during conference calls, mute the talk button, and follow along for a quickie – for my 5 minutes of exercise, that is. Or two or three quickies that would certainly put a spark into her day. So if you’re too busy with life and can’t find the time to workout, take heed and increase your productivity during conference calls with Workout #32. And don’t forget to hit the mute button! Enjoy your quickie – R
Why procrastinate?
Did you know that today is National Procrastination Day? Well, it was actually yesterday but it was pushed off until today. Easy to do with just about anything that’s not a life or death situation. Especially physical fitness. Because exercising usually involves time and money, and of course, the rather undesirable fatigue and discomfort you experience from doing it. Everyone knows the benefits of fitness, so why procrastinate and push if off until tomorrow, or Monday, or the first of the month? Don’t do it. Don’t procrastinate. Especially with your daily fitness program. Here’s another great abdominal workout using tabletop crunches anyone can do. My 5 minute fat burning workout #31 completes a month’s worth of workouts you can do anywhere. No people. No props. No special clothing. No money. Just 5 minutes and your non-procrastinating self. Enjoy – R
30 workouts in 30 days
Today marks day 30 and workout #30 of my 5 minute fat burning web series. For those following along, you now have 30 different short workouts to choose from – covering all body parts and muscles from your fingers to your toes (check out Workout #19 for women who wear high heels a lot). No worries if you have not – so long as you’ve been keeping up with a daily fitness routine that includes anything cardiovascular and/or fat burning. For the newcomers out there, the main objective of this web series is to provide you will a super quick and painless alternative to the gym or yoga studio. However brief my 5 minute workouts may be, don’t let that fool you. They’re certainly challenging, effective and attainable for anyone of any size, weight, age or gender. Just like my 5 minutes of yoga anywhere in my Yoga Survival Guide, and my 15 Minute Fat Burning Workouts. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy sculpting your butt & legs with moving squats in Workout #30. As always, keep it going and I’ll see you next time! – R
21 feet of space
I just read an article in the LA Times about TV and film composer, Glenn Morrissette, who travels the country in his RV after having simplified his world to embrace a mobile lifestyle. When Glenn composes the score for Fox’s “Family Guy”, he does so from his recording studio on wheels then beams it back to Hollywood. And when his friends extend invitations for him to park at their homes, he says all he needs is ’21 feet of space’. How cool would that be to reduce all your worldly possessions – and not so worldly obligations – to 21 feet of space? That can go anywhere (that’s drivable, that is). I guess you can say Glenn’s on-the-move lifestyle is similar to having a daily fitness program that works anytime, anywhere – without the obligations of a gym or yoga studio membership. Or the significant time commitment. 5 Minutes. Anytime. Anywhere. So let’s all take note of our friend Glenn and his desire to simplify. And enjoy restoring your legs, core and abs with my 5 minute fat burning workout #27 – R
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!
Try it on your phone
I had dinner with a friend last night who said she wanted to do my 5 minute fat burning workouts but couldn’t use her work computer and her laptop was down. Then I said, why not do them on your phone. Watch it first, then set your phone aside and follow along with my voice. Today she called to say it worked great. So there you go. If you’re not currently on a daily fitness program, start small with only 5 minutes a day. Believe me, these simple workouts will challenge you. Just log on to my butt, thighs and heart opener Workout #23 – 5 minutes of fat burning you can truly do anytime and anyplace. Now playing on blog.richtola.com, Vimeo and YouTube. Happy Friday! R
It’s how you look at it
Sometimes words can be confusing, like in the today’s title for my 5 minute fat burning workout #21 – Thunder Thighs. Thunder thighs can be construed as a bad thing if you imagine thighs the size of thunderbolts. Or thunder thighs can be construed as a good thing if you imagine having thighs that are rock-hard like thunderbolts. So it’s how you look at it – positive or negative – that makes the difference. So always choose the positive, and enjoy your workout – R
Remain “unstuck”
Because we hold emotional energy in our hips, it’s always good to incorporate simple hip opening exercises into your daily fitness routine so you can remain unstuck. Or at least give your hips the chance to open up and let energy flow more smoothly in these areas that are critical to your emotional well being. And always remember to breathe slowly and deeply, sending the breath to any areas of discomfort. Try not to wiggle around whenever you feel that discomfort – do your best to stay focused and relaxed. Enjoy – R
Ignorance corrodes
This morning I was speaking with a friend and practitioner of my new workout series. We were discussing how ignorance corrodes the inside of an individual’s soul. Ignorance being defined here as the willful lack of knowledge or awareness. And it’s the willfulness part that speeds the corrosion. Heavy stuff, I know, but think about it. That’s why my 5 minute fat burning workouts are good for you. Especially if you’re not a fitness person. Because they teach you a plethora of super effective and easy-to-follow exercises you can do in only 5 minutes – anywhere. There’s no need for special clothing, or a mat, or a specific area or room to practice in. They’re designed to prime the pump, to get you going, to put a spark in your day. Plus, they’re really simple and they’re really attainable. Check out Workout #11 – and let’s tighten that buttocks and stop corrosion today! Rich
Fitness in a bottle
When asked about fitness, the Goddess of Pop Cher once said, “If it came in a bottle, everybody would have a great body”. No doubt. Except the universe – or anyone else for that matter – has yet to provide us with fitness in a bottle. So, the next best thing is to do something fitness–related everyday. Even for just 5 minutes. Because once you’re set with a daily fitness program, your body will crave it and your mind will become conditioned to do it, thus, it becomes easy. Well, maybe not easy, but for sure it becomes easier to workout every day since you’ve now created a new and rewarding routine. But don’t take my word for it – try it out for yourself. And I’ll see you next time – R