Exercise: The Fountain of Youth!

That’s me, back in the day! Maria Lauren, (aka: Maria Elena Alberici) Miss Americana, produced by Joe Weider, Weider International (I.F.B.B.)

The year 1972 was the first time I met Joe Weider. This was the year I won two national body-building competitions. I have to thank fitness trainer Ralph Pepino for entering me in these events. A male dominated business, the panel of judges were the biggest in body-building which included former Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

During this time, woman were just entering body-building competitions but I found out that some women body-builders were taking steroids to gain a more muscular physic. I didn’t like this trend so I never entered a body-building competition again. Health has always been my first priority and today I teach the benefits of exercise combined with a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is the closest thing I know to the Fountain of Youth!

You can have a more powerful life by making exercise a part of your daily routine. Do it not only for your sake but for the sake of those you love.

Walking with family or friends is a wonderful habit to share…

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Below is some research and insights about walking that I posted a couple of years ago but worth repeating again:

Maria Lauren – Certified Fitness Expert

Research has shown that just two fifteen minute exercise routines can make a positive impact on your life. For instance, thirty minutes a day, five days a week of aerobic and muscle conditioning exercise can prevent Type 2 Diabetes by half.

You can reap health benefits by walking with light weights of ½ or 1 pound apiece. The weights that wrap around your hands are best to use so the blood doesn’t pool to your hands. Doing arm movements while walking can put you in the aerobic, fat burning zone faster, especially when you move your arms above your head. Of course, your body is a weight too, so when you walk you are benefiting your bones and preventing osteoporosis.

The combination of aerobic and muscle conditioning exercises has always been a part of my daily routine, even when I traveled on the road or appeared on television as an entertainer. I even wrote a book about it! (Book link below)

A Powerful LIFE at Kaiser Permanente…

I serve as a Lifestyle Educator at Kaiser Permanente, where I teach a variety of fitness classes. We promote the activity of walking for better fitness and health. Walking increases blood flow through the blood stream which helps your natural immune system. Studies at the Appalachian State University show that walking can prevent the common cold. It’s doable to fit fifteen minutes of exercise two times a day either in the morning, the evening, at lunch or instead of a coffee break. Put walking into your schedule. Walking helps you feel good and in most cases it helps lower the level of depression too. Walk with a buddy. It’s fun! Find more support at Everybody Walk.

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Relaxing for a more Powerful LIFE…

Stress Relief!

A CD to help you to release stress: Since the 80’s, I’ve enjoyed being a certified fitness instructor promoting a positive lifestyle. This  includes at least fifteen minutes of exercise twice a day. I share my body and mind program with peaceful visualizations on the CD, Relax-n-Renew (available for download). It contains soothing music that puts you in a relaxed mood, ready for sleep. Part two can be listened to while you walk, exercise or go about your day in a more positive way! 

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You Got The Power…

The dictionary meaning of “POWER” is: The capacity or ability to do or accomplish something…

~ “Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.” – Og Mandino

~ “Your best is going to change from moment to moment; It will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret.” – Miguel Angel Ruiz

I say, “Do your best and let God do the rest.”

Have a Happy Spring!

Maria Lauren, YourPowerfulLIFE (aka) Maria Elena Alberici – Riccio

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My Website

• Keynote Speaker: “You Got The Power”
• Entertainer and Producer: “Showstoppers”
• Singing or Fitness Coach
• BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS, a book about Entertainment, Legends, Fitness is available on-line at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Book preview      Book blog

This is a blog about LIFE: Living, Inspiration, Fitness, Entertainment… It is produced in my own time and solely reflects my personal opinions. Statements on this site do not represent the views or policies of my employer, past or present, or any other organization with which I may be affiliated. All content is copyrighted.

What’s next for Larry King?

Maria Lauren, Larry King, Marianna Riccio

 Larry King is a living legend! I’m not alone in this thinking, the biggest people in entertainment, politics and sports agree with me. President Obama called Larry King, “a giant in broadcasting.” Larry can boast to holding the world’s record for hosting the longest running TV show on the same network. After 25 years, is it time for a change? It’s sad knowing that his CNN series will no longer run, but you know what? I’m looking forward to seeing how the next chapter of his life evolves and that notion inspires me! Go, Larry, go… cheering for Larry King to take the path of a powerful life.

 A few years ago, my daughter, Marianna Riccio and I had the pleasure of being interviewed on Larry King Live. We were there to discuss Marianna’s American Idol experience. With a hint of pride before the cameras rolled, Larry told us how satellites were set up to take our interview around the world. Wow! My daughter and I could have been intimidated but we weren’t because Larry’s manner was so relaxed and engaging. We got the impression that we were going to sit down to some tea and cookies with a friend. Don’t get me wrong, his questions were probing but we never felt like we were put on the spot. He was a gracious host.

 You Tube of our interview and a clip performing in The Golddiggers (1973) and today in Showstoppers!

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STRENGTH: “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” ~ Arnold Schwarzenegger

My daughter, Marianna is getting stronger and developing as an entertainer. During the taping of American Idol in 2006, she over-extended herself by juggling the pre–taping auditions with performing a leading role in a play at her university and singing with a Rock-n-Roll band. This put stress on her voice. Being the actress that she is… when the who’s who of American Idol asked the contestants to “Plead your case” before the cameras rolled, Marianna did what she was asked and brought the drama! 

Being a mom who has experienced show business, it is hard to watch my daughter make mistakes, but that’s part of the growing process of an artist. It’s called, ‘paying your dues.’ With persistence, Marianna keeps learning and perfecting her craft… it’s a journey.

 AUTHOR: Larry King knows about ‘paying his dues’ as told in his autobiography, My Remarkable Journey. This is a ‘must read,’ candid, informative and LOL funny!

PHILANTHROPY: It was heart-warming to learn that Larry King shares my passion for developing wellness programs. I applaud his social conscience and philanthropy achievements, most notably, the Larry King Cardiac Foundation for underprivileged children and adults to receive cardiac care. He seemed interested to learn that I was teaching exercise as a prescription to wellness at Kaiser Permanente and I was flattered to see him fondly remember the performances I did as The Dean Martin Golddiggers. Larry King has a dual nature. He is intelligent with a sense of humor, down-home but worldly, shy but an extrovert. He has a little of that Dean Martin charm; respectful but surprisingly a bit of a flirt.

Larry King’s journey continues… with future CNN Specials, radio, story telling, stand-up comedy and being a dad. I’m sure success will follow him because of his upbeat personality and sharp wit. No doubt Larry King is a communicator extraordinaire, but he doesn’t take this fact seriously. “It ain’t brain surgery,” he says and “I never learned anything when I was talking.” I admire how he tries to get to the truth. It seems it is easier for most people to be critical and fabricate mis-truths but not Larry. I appreciate his wise prospective.

Below is Larry King’s closing statement copied from the transcripts of our interview on Larry King Live:

KING: “Danny Kaye, one of the greatest entertainers of all time, was thrown out of an audition and told by the head of the nightclub, ‘You will never make it in show business.’ Sylvester Stallone was thrown out of the University of Miami School of Drama, ‘You have no ability to act.’ (To Marianna) Hang tough.”

RICCIO: Thank you, Larry.

What’s next for Larry King? Nothing less than the world! What’s next for you?

Blessings in the New Year!

Maria Lauren – Your Powerful LIFE

(AKA: Maria Elena Alberici)

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* Maria Lauren and her sister Linda Eichberg (Alberici Sisters) co-authored “Beyond Our Wildest Dreams.” This exciting book is about the entertainment icons of the 20th Century which include the Rat Pack. Available on-line at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

* Maria Lauren is currently on-staff at Kaiser Permanente as a Lifestyle Educator.

Maria Lauren’s Website

DISCLAIMER: This is a personal Blog, produced in my own time and solely reflecting my personal opinions. Statements on this site do not represent the views or policies of my employer, past or present, or any other organization with which I may be affiliated. All content is copyrighted.