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
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
Burn those Abs
One of the most simple exercises you can do for your core and abdominal muscles is the standing side body crunch, or as I like to call them, side-to-sides. Workout #5 of my 5 minute fat burning video series does just that – burns your abs with several instructional and easy-to-follow sets of side-to-sides. So if you’re looking to firm your mid-section and reduce your waistline, whether or not you already have a good core & abdominal program, consider adding these 5 minutes of core & abs to your day. Everyday!
Michelle Obama’s got it right
There’s no question that our nation’s First Lady has got it right when she says “small changes can lead to big results”. I strongly believe in Michelle Obama’s child obesity initiatives, and I totally concur with her push for healthier meals and more exercise, especially for anyone NOT currently on a fitness program. As for overweight children and their role model parents, let’s get them started with a daily fitness routine that’s simple and attainable – whether or not they can afford a gym or yoga studio membership. Like my new 5 minute fat burning series on YouTube. Each low impact workout is designed for anyone of any size, weight, age or gender. Plus, these 5 minutes of exercise will serve to jump-start your day, strengthen your body and your mind, burn fat while getting your heart rate up, as well as lay the groundwork for your daily fitness routine. So give it a try…and I’ll see you next time! R
5 Minutes of Fat Burning
Today marks the start of a new fat burning campaign – only 5 minutes a day with me leading you through different exercises that’ll kick-start your fat burning initiatives. Workout #1 focuses on your thighs. Check us out on YouTube! Enjoy – R
Child obesity is a serious problem
This morning I read an enlightening article about the growing concern of California residents that believe childhood obesity is not only a serious problem, but one that nearly 60% of those polled statewide believe has become an epidemic. I would have to agree. Not only is childhood obesity a serious problem – the inability of parents to be excellent roll models is one that I consider even more alarming. I should know. One of the key reasons I created my 15 Minute Fat Burning Workouts is due in part to my charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation. As you know, we teach yoga to children and their moms living in domestic violence shelters. Every time I’ve entered a new shelter to introduce our program to everyone the first question I’m asked by the moms is will yoga help them lose weight. An interesting question for those of us who are dedicated to this 6,000 year old practice. Because most of us didn’t start practicing yoga to lose weight. We did so for its overall mental, physical and spiritual benefits. Thus, I created a complete set of full body, yoga-based exercises that are brief in nature – only 15 minutes per workout- are easy to follow, affordable, attainable and available for ANYONE of any age, size, weight or gender. Including children. Just ask my niece who’s 11 years old. And if you don’t believe me – try it out yourself. And if you can’t afford the $1.99 per workout, write me a letter with your sincere interest and I’ll forward you Monday’s workout. Because who doesn’t have 15 minutes a day to respect themselves?
Welcome to the Year of the Rabbit
Today starts the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rabbit. If you were born in the year 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, or 1999, then it’s your year. I was born in 1963, so it’s also my year. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are considered to be articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. It is also believed that Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business, are known for being conscientious, and never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, Rabbit people seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. So for all you fellow Rabbits out there…Happy New Year! R
Excellent teaching moments
You may already know that my charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation, teaches yoga to kids and moms living in domestic violence shelters (www.BoulevardZen.com). I was inspired to start the nonprofit after visiting a shelter upon completion of my film, Boulevard Zen. My experience with domestic violence comes via the domino affect abuse has on families as my father was a victim of child abuse until the age of 12 when his father left for good. I have also befriended women in my lifetime that have experienced some of the most heinous crimes imaginable. Domestic violence and child abuse unjustly robs its victims of self-confidence and oftentimes prevents kids from experiencing what we at the foundation call excellent teaching moments. So when our yoga teachers find a unique opportunity during class to go beyond an actual yoga pose and teach meaningful life lessons, we all succeed. And the kids remember those lessons and bring that knowledge into their lives while impacting the lives of everyone around them. Which is why I get excited every time one of our teachers writes to me about an excellent teaching moment. Like today from Carolyn in our San Diego shelter. It’s what we strive for and are committed to doing: to be more than just yoga teachers and to impact lives forever. Because those lives are the future of our Nation and of our World. Namaste – R
Thank you Jack LaLanne
My first memories of this pioneer and King of daily exercise and good nutrition were in my Aunt Tina & Concetta’s living room. My “right off the boat” Sicilian aunts were fascinated by this exuberant dynamo who preached the gospel of health and fitness. Thus, I became fascinated with an American icon who would impact my life for the next 40 years. Thank you Jack LaLanne. For being ‘born again’ after meeting Paul Bragg when you were 15; for starting a rudimentary gym for police officers and firefighters when everyone thought you were a crackpot; for opening the first real gym in 1936 – LaLanne’s Physical Culture Studio in downtown Oakland, CA; for starting the first morning TV show dedicated to health and fitness that encouraged kids to wake-up their moms for their morning workout; for your multitude of daring feats to get people to believe in you – like towing 76 kids across the Long Beach Harbor while being handcuffed and shackled; for inciting a national craze of weight rooms, exercise classes and fancy health clubs; for always accepting people for who they were – like your 300 pound best friend who was a chain-smoker and a boozer; for all the exercise machines and health related products you created; and most importantly, for inspiring me to embrace a daily fitness routine since that fateful day I felt your unparalleled fervor. You’re a true and inspirational legend the world will never forget. Rest in Peace – R
Triceps anyone?
Sometimes you just don’t have the time or just don’t feel like changing into workout clothes just to workout, right? Well who says you have to find time or wear something workout-ish? Do one thing for a couple of minutes and you’ll get your workout in – at least part of it. Like when you’re waiting for that email, or that phone call, or your girlfriend to get ready, or that client to show up. Check out me working triceps here on my favorite reading chair (dining room and office chairs are even better). Apply “yoga principles” as you plant your feet slightly apart with knees at right angles pressing together. Keep your chin parallel to the floor, your spine straight and dip slowly until your elbows reach right angles (no need to go further), pointing your elbows toward each other. Do not to jerk your head or neck. Note: always be sensitive to any tweaks or pains in your neck as well as your shoulders, elbows and wrists. Move with slow and deliberate movements. Nothing fancy and make sure the chair is properly weighted to support this exercise. Strengthen your arms and build stamina with these simple dips using whatever’s available to you. Do as many repetitions as you can per set, and as many sets as you can – with short breaks in between until you feel the burn and can’t do any more. It’ll happen quick. And always maintain good posture, close your mouth and breathe slowly and quietly like the sound of the ocean, and pick a point of focus to wipe your mind clear. Enjoy – R