Real Fitness for Real Women: A Unique Workout Program for the Plus-Size Woman (Paperback)

by Rochelle Rice (Creator) "I grew up in front of the mirror..." (more)
Key Phrases: training and stretching techniques, getting motivated, fitness industry, Start Position Sit, Warm-up Section, Modified Squats (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
"Women don't have to be thin to be fit," writes Rochelle Rice. Fitness is not about weight, but about the body, mind, and spirit. Her exercise program, designed for the physical and psychological needs of plus-size women, aims to empower women to get active and reclaim the joy of movement. Real Fitness for Real Women emphasizes exercising for the health and psychological benefits--and the pleasure of it!--rather than for weight loss.

Most exercise books, videos, and gyms, frankly, are demoralizing for large-size women. They usually emphasize the goal of slimness, with impossibly slender women demonstrating exercise routines that would be uncomfortable, even risky, for large women. Rice, instead, studied the biomechanics of large women and developed a six-week, 25-exercise program based on their particular needs.

Everything you need is here: step-by-step warm-up, aerobic dance (starting with just five minutes), strength training (without weights), stretching, and meditation. Each exercise is explained clearly and most are illustrated by photographs of plus-size women. Unfortunately, the aerobic moves are not illustrated, which can make them confusing to novice exercisers. (An accompanying video would be wonderful.)

Besides the exercise program, Rice emphasizes the emotional and spiritual components: getting motivated, creating support, and battling binges, illustrated using stories about other large women. Rice is a certified fitness trainer with a master's degree in plus-size exercise. --Joan Price

Product Description
A breakthrough exercise solution that thousands of plus-size women are talking about. In just one session a week, certified fitness instructor Rochelle Rice takes you through a series of special routines that can boost your metabolism, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and make your body more firmno matter what you weigh. You will feel empowered, not pressured energized, not exhausted.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446676217
• ISBN-13: 978-0446676212
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #228,037 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IT IS ABOUT TIME -- EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR, March 6, 2001

By	Sasha Kyer (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

First I have to say, Thank you Rochelle Rice! I heard about the book from a friend andI immediately went to buy it. I use to work out at a gym, but I felt like everyone was looking at me as the cautionary tale so I haven't really worked out for almost 2 years. Now that I am armed with exercises just for me, I actually started to work out again - with my head held high.

What I liked about the book, is that it focuses on six weeks -- which is easy enough to make a commitment to. And she starts you off slowly, building new things into it each week.

The pictures -- using REAL women -- are easy to understand and the stretches feel great.

I also learned a lot about how fatter bodies need specific exercises and she really explains them. I have been doing the program for about 3 weeks now and so far so good!

I recommend this to other plus size gals like myself who are fed up with the fitness is only for skinny people.

52 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars HARD SALES PITCH FOR REAL WOMEN, January 30, 2001

By	Holly (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

I was so excited to find this exercise book, especially after reading the back cover. The author has a master's degree in plus-size exercise! The book opens with an M.D.'s intro asking the reader what is so different about this program. But she then lists the medical and psychological benefits of any fitness or exercise plan. The doctor continues calling this program "groundbreaking," "innovative" and research-designed. Next comes the prologue, an over-the-top testamonial for "the amazing, revolutionary program." For me, here is where the book falters. Right from the start. It smacks of a late-night info-mercial--too eager to sell.

I looked for the research as promised and found it scant. In Chapter 5, the research citations were 15 years old. As a large-woman, I read words and terms I've seen used all too often--in dieting sales pitches. There is nothing groundbreaking or amazing here. The groundbreakers were Pat Lyons who began the first fitness program for large women and others before her, as mentioned in the author's acknowledgments. Today, though still growing and far too few, exercise for women of size is taking place in many cities throughout the USA and Canada.

Follow-up studies for the specific functional assessments that are mentioned would be helpful. As large-sized consumers, we've been told to disregard anecdotes and testamonials for diet pitches and to demand solid research, if any. We should expect no less when being "sold" fitness.

On more positive notes, the use of affirmations and supports are a plus in the chapters on Getting Motivated and Creating Support. The author provides some skillfull means of tapping into the personal power of daily affirmations. In the Getting Started chapter, the brief discussions of foot and skin care, along with large-size clothing options are also welcome additions.

As for the exercises, the p. 46 aerobic mix is plainly difficult to read through, and I suspect few will actually be able to execute the movements, let alone at an aerobic pace. Some of the featured exercises are more clear and simplistic than others. Though listed as (optional,) the mats may be an essential item for the comfort of many plus-sized women.

The final chapter is Food for Thought, containing plenty of information, but taking on a different tone. There are good suggestions here, but not any lofty promise-everything claims as earlier in the book (for example, see p.7, "I can. My program.... Be assured that my program is different from the rest.") The chapter definitely does not sell any diet. The author mentions having consulted with a plus-sized dietician, and the emphasis here is on satisfying the body's food cues.

The book ends with Stories of Inspiration including "Kathleen's" profile providing her story of weight loss contrary to the book's de-emphasis on weight loss throughout.

Despite its hard sales pitch, this book does not offer a "groundbreaking, revolutionary, amazing" program. Even if you couple your best intentions with that of the author and her featured anecdotal players, you may very well take this one home --and shelve it.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much-needed gift for large women everywhere, February 6, 2001

By	anonymous - See all my reviews

These exercises and stretches are so gentle, and yet they have such an amazing effect. I have more energy, greater range of motion, and more bounce than before. I'm much more eager for my regular walks than I used to be. I'd love it if Rochelle shared more information on how the body mechanics of large women are unique, but it's clear from the effects of the exercises that she's done her homework and that her plan works. I have a long history of problems with my neck and shoulders, and the upper-body stretches are especially helpful at getting my muscles to settle down and loosen up. I've been struggling with my exercise program on my own for a long time, and although the exercises in Rochelle's book seem very simple, they have had a profound effect on my sense of physical well-being. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this program to any large woman. The proof is in the execution. You won't know what a great program this is until you've worked at it for a couple of weeks and felt the result. And you won't have to hurt yourself to do it. The exercises are gentle, easy to do, and adjustable depending on your needs and limitations.