Remembering my Uncle Mickey

Every Memorial Day I remember my Uncle Mickey, aka, Dr. Cook.  Uncle Mickey served as a cook in the Army in WWII, thus the nickname, and he was exactly 55 years older than me as we shared the same birthday.  In my 20’s I got to know Uncle Mickey and respected his view of himself and the world.  Because he respected everyone and everything.  He was this charming bachelor who would tell folks he never married because he had to take care of his mother, he had a daily fitness routine he’d do in the spare room, and he wore a suit & tie every single day.  That’s right, every single day until he entered the nursing home when he was 90.  He was the ultimate citizen who respected what it meant to be an American.  Someone to admire for truly loving life.  And what I remember most about Uncle Mickey was our walks at the nursing home when his mind and body would barely cooperate.  He always kept his dignity and his positive attitude, and never felt sorry for himself.  So for everyone remembering loved ones today, enjoy!  And enjoy sculpting your thighs again with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #96 – Killer Squats II. – R

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!

Invest in yourself

For the past 75 days, I’ve been posting videos and blogging about the benefits of a daily fitness program.  These short and effective workouts are meant to put a fat burning spark in your day, as well as inspire and empower you to embrace a daily fitness program. Because doing something fitness-related everyday is the epitome of a personal investment. Why? Because time is money, and when you allocate time to a daily fitness program, you invest in yourself.  That’s right.  You invest in your physical and mental well-being, preserving the most important asset in your life – you!  So enjoy investing in yourself with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #75 – Chest & Shoulders II.   – 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

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

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