LiveWorld Transcripts

Time Warner Bookmark presents

Rochelle Rice
Author of "Real Fitness for Real Women"

February 15, 2001

Rochelle Rice, president and creative energy behind In Fitness & In Health and author of "Real Fitness for Real Women: A Unique Workout Program for The Plus- Size Woman," answers all of your health and fitness questions.

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TWBookmark: Welcome to Time Warner Bookmark! Warner Books is proud to introduce our special guest, Rochelle Rice, president and creative energy behind In Fitness & In Health, and author of "Real Fitness for Real Women - A Unique Workout Program for The Plus-Size Woman." This exciting new paperback describes the breakthrough exercise solution that thousands of plus-size women are talking about, and is now in a format you can follow at home! Welcome to Time Warner Bookmark, Rochelle!

Rochelle Rice: Hello and welcome!

Shelby: Rochelle, what made you become such an advocate for the plus-sized women of today?

Rochelle Rice: I truly believe all women are entitled and deserve health, no matter what their size.

Workhorse: What does your program initial? Is it based on building strength, cardio-vascular improvement, or flexibility?

Rochelle Rice: The program involves all three components, but primarily focuses on lengthening and strengthening muscles particular to women of size.

Persian Kitten: It's nice to see an emphasis on fitness, not weight. What tips do you suggest for day-to-day fitness?

Rochelle Rice: Move! Movement is key. Any type of movement, whether it's playing with your children, walking, or housecleaning - all of that is movement and should be validated as such.

Helen Says: Is it true that nearly half of all American women are overweight?

Rochelle Rice: I would say 55 percent of the American population. I don't know if I could narrow that to women.

Kathleen: Is it true that the average dress size in America is 16?

Rochelle Rice: Yes.

Katrina: Will you be writing any other books for the plus-sized woman in the near future?

Rochelle Rice: I would love to write more books for the plus-sized woman. This is the first book in 12 years on this subject. I would love to contribute many more. I'm currently developing other movement programs to include yoga and Pilates. This book is a six-week progressive aerobics program that includes strength training and flexibility and exercises that can be done at home as well as in the gym. The book is great for all plus-sized women. For the beginner the book is an invitation for her to reconnect with her body and build a foundation for an active lifestyle, and for the more advanced it offers the opportunity to enhance her technique and deepen her physical awareness. It is my personal mission to shift society's perception of what it means to be a fit and healthy woman in the world today. Movement creates momentum, both physically and throughout the universe. For example, once a woman begins her movement program she can seek other forms of health, like nutrition and mental wealth. And in the universe the shift becomes more towards health and not the numbers on the scale. I was drawn to this work from my own personal journey as a professional dancer, fifteen years with the fitness industry, and a history of an eating disorder. What I realized was that the fitness industry was not acknowledging the larger woman and her desire for health. I created a size-sensitive environment that includes larger gym towels, artwork depicting real women, and a compassion and passion for the work that I do. I have also trained plus-sized women, who are now certified by the American Council on Exercise, to work in my studio. These women are examples and role models to both the plus-sized woman and the fitness industry on what it means to truly lead an active lifestyle.

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