The Ray Rossi Workout- Cuts by the Cusp…..(of Summer!)

We continually try...but sometimes we fall off the horse!

The trick is to get back on!

For me, the mantra was always “Jacked by June” “Diesel by December”.

I think we all know how that one worked out.

Because according to this article, you may already have fallen off the wagon.

Do not despair….so too have I!

I’ve decided that 193 is not a good look for me. 183 would be better. 178 would be optimum.

And 5 years ago at around this time of the year, I was around that number...something like 180.

So, realize this….we’re all in the same boat.

And while you may not necessarily be “jacked by June”, I can at least help you see “cuts by the cusp…of summer.”

We are, after all, on the cusp of spring.

It’s now officially here, so I’m figuring that by June 21st or so, I would like you to have met the modest goal you’ve set for yourself. One where you loose weight gradually, exercise moderately, and see the “cuts” you want, or at least the appearance of “cuts”, by the beginning of summer.

First you’ll need a couple of pieces of equipment.

A balance ball…they come in 3 sizes. I’d go for the middle or 65 cm model.

A pair of resistance bands…again, these come in a variety of sizes…I’d go for the ones that offer the least resistance for now.

A pedometer, which is a device that measures the number of steps you take at any given time.

And, if possible, a medicine ball…again, something at around 6 lbs. to start.

Now, to begin with, you won’t need a gym membership to do any of these; but if you already have one, so much the better.

This is tailored to you if time is of the essence, and space is limited.

The pedometer can be used to measure the number of paces you walk in any given day.

I’d shoot for a thousand. And that could easily be accomplished by walking up and down stairs instead of taking the elevator. Walking a few extra blocks instead of taking the bus or train to your office. Getting out of the office or place of business for lunch break or coffee break and just taking a brisk walk.

Cardio is essential to any workout plan. So try and make sure that you can get in at least a thousand paces a day.

Trust me, it’s not much.

Now, for simplicity’s sake…here are a couple of things you can do with some of the equipment you picked up.

Let’s start with a simple sit up on the balance ball.

Bracing your feet shoulder width apart, rest the top of your behind into the ball, with your hands placed behind your head. Gently lift yourself from your abdominals, keeping your head back and breathing out as you lift yourself up.
There…you’ve completed one “rep”. Now go for 15 of those.

Now that you’re on your way, let’s try to incorporate some weight in that move.

Hence the medicine ball.

This is one movement I have my Quick Train Class on Sundays do. It’s great because you’re not only crunching up by utilizing your body weight, but you’re adding the medicine ball’s weight besides.

So, again, plant your feet shoulder width apart, resting the top of the behind into the ball, and hold the medicine ball in front of you, forming a 45 degree angle from your arms to your torso. Gently lift yourself from the abdominal region…keeping the medicine ball in FRONT of you at all times, and make sure to breathe out as you lift yourself…again, from your abs.

Concentrate…and go for 10 of those.

Try and do these at night while watching TV…or first thing in the morning just before you shower and get ready for the day.

It’ll make all the difference in the world.

And let’s see if you can meet the reasonable goal you’ve set for yourself in month “one” of seeing “cuts by the cusp….of summer!”

Inspirational line of the day:

“You want to know how I did it? This is how I did it, Anton: I never saved anything for the swim back.” - Gattica (1997)

Leave it all out there on the floor!

And mop up the sweat when you're done!