Tag: yoga

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Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

You know this old adage about beauty being subjective to each one of us, right? Well, that may be true for the rest of the world, but in Hawaii, beauty is everywhere to everyone! Today is my 10th day on the island of Oahu, and just like they say, it’s quite a paradise. Of course it takes time getting settled in a new place that I never visited and didn’t know a single soul who even lived here. But I’ve since met some really nice people and found a very pleasant place to live in the quaint neighborhood of Kaimuki – and a baseball’s throw away from Hawaii’s most recognized landmark, Diamond Head.

To add to my good fortune, I’m overlooking the Pacific Ocean as I write this blog. Two days ago I climbed Diamond Head State Monument and snapped this picture from the top of the 300,000 year-old saucer shaped crater overlooking Waikiki Beach and downtown Honolulu – and just after a rainfall, thus the beautiful rainbow. I came here to be inspired by this spiritual land as I prepare to publish my memoirs and to pursue life as an actor-filmmaker and yoga professional. So if you’re in need of a little inspiration today as you weather whatever climate you’re in, take notice of the Hawaiian beauty and don’t forget to get your daily workout in with some Lounge Chair Abs!

Enjoy – R

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Simply Between Millions: Chapters 6 – 10

It’s November 1st and New Year’s Day is fast approaching. You may ask yourself, where did 2011 go? It’s interesting how time seems to pass more quickly as the years pile on. Just the other day I was this six year-old boy learning Sicilian cultures and meeting all sorts of storybook characters you’ll find in my colorful memoirs, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood. Like Goobata Sal and the myriad of essentials that “fell off his truck”. There’s also my love of learning and fitness with Baseball, Push-Ups & Math Games, and my understanding of the Sicilian concept and tradition of “Representing the Family”. In Chapter 9, I explain Acceptable Behaviors and why we make the choices we make, then recount some exciting times at the YMCA.

So take a moment to remember your childhood today, and don’t forget your daily workout. Because before you know it, you’ll be making that resolution to lose that 10 pounds you’ll gain in the next two months. And if you’re new to a daily fitness program, then start with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #85 – Chair Twists. Enjoy – R

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Simply Between Millions: Chapters 1 – 5

As readers of this blog have come to expect, I’m direct and to the point. Just like my instructional yoga fitness videos and DVDs. Likewise, in the first five chapters of my memoirs, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, I plainly spell-out: 1) my Calling to pursue a career in Hollywood, 2) the Cycle of domestic violence and its impact on my family, 3) my Five-Year Plan to “make it” in the business before I run out of money, 4) the ever-so-illusive LA-LA Land that’s like a ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’, and 5) my formative years in the traditional, all-Sicilian neighborhood of North Trenton, and the culture learned inside my father’s old-time Barbershop. And that’s just the first 15 pages. Short, sweet and entertaining!

So enjoy your weekend and don’t forget to get your daily workouts in! And if you don’t have time for the gym or for that 5 mile walk, then at least strengthen your arms today with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #86 – Terrific Triceps II. Enjoy – R

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Simply Between Millions – Preface

Over the past three years, the only business school friend I keep up with, George Graffy, has been telling me that he lives vicariously through me and that I should write my colorful memoirs because my multi-careered and multi-storied journey is worth documenting. He also said I was an “actor with a brain”, and that people like to read books. Thus, I should write one. Yeah right, just go ahead a write a book. Easy enough in concept, but who has 500 hours to write 75,000 words and proof it a couple of times? Well, if you’re an actor in Hollywood like I am, then you do. So I did.

Not to mention the support and encouragement of my dear friend and albeit, transexual roommate, Angelae Le’Chastaignier. Because without her daily reinforcement to keep my memoirs “honest and kind”, I may have defaulted to a less tactful version of the not so pleasant truth. Nonetheless, my memoirs are completely honest with X-rated subjects, but written so my 12 year-old nieces can read it. Just like my film, Boulevard Zen, and yoga and fitness DVDs – my book is inspiring and entertaining and suitable for all ages.

Between now and Christmas Day, I’ll post a short description about the Preface and the Appendix and the 69 Chapters in between. And for those of you who have requested it now, please be patient – if I haven’t found the right publisher along the way, I may self-publish with the help of Lulu or CreateSpace. Just like Benjamin Franklin, Deepak Chopra, Edgar Allen Poe, Walt Whitman, Mark Twain and many others did.

In the meantime, don’t let the holidays fatten you up without doing something fitness related every day. At the very least, start with 5 minutes a day, everyday, and before you know it you’ll be loving life with a daily fitness program. And for anyone not sure where to start, how about with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout # 87 – Dancing Warrior. Enjoy – R

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Quality not Quantity

Everyone has heard the adage, quality not quantity, right? Well, the same holds true for fitness. Whether it be yoga, free weights, exercise machines, treadmills, abs, whatever. Because it’s better to do anything with proper posture and body mechanics, than to do it improperly, for a longer time. Like the fifty-something guy I heard talking in the gym this weekend. He told his friend he was going to do his 1,200. And when his friend asked, “1,200 what?”, the guy said, “Abs”. Now this guy looked like he just swallowed a bowling ball. Whatever he’s doing for abs, isn’t working, regardless of the 1,200.

So don’t settle for quantity, go with less – and that goes for food too – and go with quality! And here’s to the guy in the gym who needs a new ab workout – today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #88 – Screaming Abs. Enjoy – R

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Easy on the Splurge

Happy Labor Day everyone! Today my Cookies and Ice Cream friend and I can splurge. But I caution everyone like us who’s celebrating today to go easy on the splurge, because no sense in undoing all the good work you did over the past week or so. And don’t forget to get your workout in with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #89 – Chair Legs -R

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Time’s Up

OK, so I gave you an extra day on the 2% challenge. Did you lose 3 measly pounds or 2% of your body weight? I did, plus an extra one for good measure. Today I tipped the scale at exactly 149 (down from 153). And I saw my Cookies and Ice Cream gal in the gym this morning, and we’re both sticking to that challenge too. Albeit, that’s a tougher one. But no worries, Labor Day’s around the corner so we can splurge! Have a great weekend everybody, and don’t forget your to exercise – all three days. And enjoy today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #90 – Shoulders & Arms. – R

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Cookies and Ice Cream

This morning I made a deal with a 46 year-old gal friend from the gym. I know she’s exactly that age, because after demonstrating some cable ab crunches for her, we talked about our respective ages. Not only does she have the best body in the gym of all the ladies in the morning crowd, she doesn’t look a day over 30. And she was quite impressed with my 48 – as she said I looked 30. So we got talking about how difficult it was to keep your abdominals looking good, especially if you eat anything sugar-based, like cookies and ice cream. Well if you really know me, you know I’ve always loved cookies. That’s right, I admit, I eat cookies. Yes, and rather frequently, but when I do, it’s never too many. Just a few to fill that sweet tooth I’ve had since I was a little boy.

Now my friend on the other hand, well she said she likes ice cream. And since we’re both trying to get back our respective six-packs (which I’ve certainly lost over the past few years), we decided to make a deal. Starting today, no cookies or ice cream for either of us until Labor Day. Now that’s only 10 days of no cookies and ice cream. On the 11th, we can splurge! So what do you think? Wanna join us? We could use some reinforcements. You can do it, just like we can. And by the way, in case you were Challenging Yourself with losing 2% of your body weight or 3 measly pounds like me (see blog posted August 18th), well I hope you’re getting there because I already did. Today I weighted exactly 150.

But no worries if you’re not there yet, we have another week to go until the challenge is up on September 1st. So make that two challenges: lose 2% of your body weight and no cookies and ice cream until Labor Day. You can do it if you set your sights and try! And here’s a little help getting you focused and balanced today with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #91 – Standing Splits. Enjoy – R

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Take off the Cruise Control

If you have a tendency to use the same exact equipment every time you workout, especially anything cardio, try mixing it up a bit. Because your body becomes accustomed to specific rhythmic exercises and activities, which can put you on cruise control. And if you’ve ever driven your car on cruise control, you know that sometimes you’re going too fast or too slow, depending on the traffic flow and road conditions.

So take your workouts off cruise control and try something different today. Yesterday I traded in my 2 mile run for 30 minutes on the StairMaster. And boy did I sweat! Something I usually don’t do when I’m running or practicing yoga. And since I’m trying to lose those 3 measly pounds – see my previous blog – mixing things up certainly gives my body a chance to work hard on something I’m not accustomed to, i.e., not the same level of tolerance. That’s why my Fat Burning Workouts are so good. Whether it be my 15 minute or 5 minute workouts, each one is completely different from the next. So take off the cruise control today with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #92 – Killer Thighs.

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Challenge yourself

Now I’m not going to rant about how everyone in the world should challenge themselves in everything they do…blah,blah,blah. No, this “challenge yourself” is more of a challenge yourself along with me as I lose exactly three pounds of fat over the next two weeks. That’s right, lose 3 measly “lbs” with me from now until September 1st.

Call me crazy, but over the past six weeks I’ve bulked-up about five pounds to do this study. That’s right. And I call it a study because in my opinion, anybody can burn fat if they just commit to it. Today I weighed exactly 153, and on the first of September I’ll weigh exactly 150 (or less). That’s only a 2% reduction in 2 weeks. So how about it? Weigh yourself today and commit to weighing 2% less on September 1st. Anybody can do it – assuming you’re not starving yourself and you have the 2% to lose. Whatya say? And if you need some help getting there, start doing my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts everyday, and don’t forget that brisk walk after lunch or dinner! Let’s get you kick-started with some great ab-work in Fat Burning Workout #93 – Extreme Abs. Enjoy – R