Remember the saying, Spring Forward, fall back? It's a nice reminder to know which way to set your clock when it comes to "daylight Savings Time". Fortunetely and unfortunetely, it's also a metaphor for many of us when it comes to our Fitness Journey. As soon as Spring rolls around, People have a tendancyy to suddenly "get motivated". they begin working out, and eating right. Something about the thought of wearing a bathing suit mere weeks away may have a little something to do with that. Gym memberships go up, sales on dietary supplements go up, and there's usually a surge in the category of Home Fitness Products as well.

But guess what?? It's not Spring! It's Fall, and for many of us on this Fitness journey, we have a tendency to "Fall Back" as well. Summer's over, the bathing suit are tucked away, the roomier sweaters are coming out of the space Bags, and before we know it... it's Baking Season! Time for some comfort food! Halloween candy! Here come the Christmas cookies! I'll start working out again on New Year's Day!

As a Life long Fitness buff, I know this very well, and have fallen into myself. That's why it's all the more important, even critical, to be aware of the dangers of "falling back", and losing all you've been working for over the past months. Don't let that happen! Why not see this as the "BEGINNING" of a new season? It's a chance to truly take some time and go to the next level, while others are "falling back".

One way to do it, and make it feel "fresh", is to try something "New". Need fresh motivation? New ideas? P90X , is filled with them. From Yoga, to Plyometrics, to weight training, it has a lot offer. It might even transform your "Fitness Fall" into an opportunity to "Spring Forward".

Oh, and don't forget to set your clocks.

Enjoy the Journey,

Rick

Hey everyone!

I’m really excited you’re starting Rockin’ Body. I loved making this program, because you know how much I love music. And this program’s got something for everyone—a little rock, a little disco, some Madonna . . . Seriously, if this won’t get you on your feet, nothing will! You’ve seen the results other people have gotten and I know you can get them too.

Start off with my “Mark It and Move It” exercise. Even if you don’t think you can dance, this will show you how you can break down all the moves in Rockin’ Body so you can get the most out of every workout you do. If you follow the workout schedule and stick to the eating plan, I know you are going to get AMAZING results! So, I hope you go ahead and have as much fun doing these workouts as I had making them. I can’t wait to check back and see what results y’all are getting.

Watch me live on Friday August 15th at 1:00AM ET and again at 11:00PM ET with Rick!

Peace out,

Shaun T

Yes! A virtual "high five" to those of you who have been joining us on this Fitness Journey. Now, while you may actually burn a calorie or two by clicking on this Blog, it takes more than "index finger exercise" to become a healthier you! And if you're looking for immediate results, or the promise of losing ten pounds in ten minutes...sorry. I wish I could promise that! While on your Fitness Journey, instead of "instant", start using a new word ... "investment".

You've all heard of the "get rich quick" schemes, the "sure thing" stocks, and the "instant millionaire" promise of the lottery. But for most people (including my friend Suze Orman), it's the investors who are in it for the long haul, who see results over a long period of time, that are the real winners.

Seeing Fitness as a long term investment in "you" can be a powerful force. But how long an investment? For some, it's a life-long journey. But we all want to see results and celebrate along the way. We all want an occasional "High Five"! OK, so let's decide: If you've never exercised before, can you start with Five Minutes? Five Days? If you're determined, can you give it five weeks. If you can, here's a big "High Five" to you!

But for those of you who want to really take charge, there's no better time than right now! Why? You have an opportunity to pick any Fitness item, On-air and online, and take FIVE MONTHS to pay! If you make that choice, and commit to five months, I can almost guarantee your will see a "payoff" in your investment. Whether it's a Motorized Treadmill, P90X, The Total Gym, Pilates, The Firm, you name it. Using Five EZ payments may be your key to a lifetime of Fitness investing.

Need Five reasons to get you started? OK! Exercise can:

1. Build Strength!
2. Give you more Energy!
3. Lower your resting heart rate!
4. Strengthen your bones!
5. Makes your clothes look better on you, and give you an excuse to shop for new clothes!

Thanks for "taking five" to join us on this Journey,

Rick

Greetings ! How goes the Journey? I can't tell you how great it feels to hear from the folks at QVC.com, who tell me: They're clicking on your Blog! Cool! I love reading the responses. It's obvious that you have a desire to share your stories while on this Fitness Journey. Keep 'em coming!

Today's topic is a touchy one: Men vs. Women (let the hate mail begin!). Look, the fact is, women have the upper hand on us guys in ways too numerous to count. You're smarter, nicer, more nurturing as parents, and you always seem to know where that missing sock is hidden. Guys don't stand a chance! Unless, of course you choose to start a fitness/ weight loss program with your husband. What happens? After two weeks, when you feel like you're just getting in the groove, Charlie walks out of the closet and says "Honey, look, I'm putting my belt on the third loop instead of the second!!" You smile, and congratulate his success. But secretly, you want to kill him. It's not fair! If you've read the articles about men losing fat quicker than women, you're not alone. Some studies are suggesting that men and women may process, store, and use fat differently, both while exercising and while at rest. So the first lesson is: Don't compare you're success to his! Although you're going on this journey with others, and having a partner has proven to be helpful, this is Your Journey. And your body is unique to you. By the way, how does this work? Some facts: Fat storage takes place when there is a surplus of energy supplied to the body; more than what's required to meet present needs. These excess calories will be stored in the form of a triglyceride molecule, which consists of three fatty acids held together by a glycerol molecule acting as a backbone. These triglycerides will usually be stored in the body fat cells, called adipocytes, however, a small amount can also be stored within the actual skeletal muscle, forming intramuscular triglycerides. The muscular storage form, however, is vastly smaller than what's stored in the rest of the body, typically about 2000 calories worth of fat in the muscles in comparison to 50,000 or more calories stored in the body fat cells. When fat is needed for energy by the body, the stored triglycerides in the body fat cells will be broken down during a process called lipolysis and then used to fuel the muscles in need.

It is important to note that men and women typically carry fat differently on their bodies; females carrying a greater portion of it in the hip and thigh area, while males tend to focus their fat in the abdominal region. Additionally, females do have a higher essential body fat requirement due to the fact that their bodies must be capable of giving birth and their reproduction system will require more body fat stores. A healthy body fat level for women is the 20-25% range, while males can bring their body fat down to 10-15% and still be considered healthy. In order to effectively decrease body fat stores, you are going to have to mobilize the fat, which is the process of releasing the fat from the storage site.

The bottom line? A combination of cardiovascular fitness and resistance training that's right... for you, not him. If you really want to fire up the metabolism, do them both at once. How? like The Firm! It works. It's done in the privacy of your own home, and the women on the DVD are "real people", with real results. You can even do it with Charlie! (Or your husband, you choose).

All the best,
Rick

Junior's cheesecake. Balboa desserts. Those TV food displays of Gwen Mckee's Best of the Best cookbooks filled with Monkey bread, death by chocolate, pecan pie, and Mac and Cheese. As I write this Blog at 10:30pm in my home office, my mind wanders... to those mouthwatering foods I've splurged on while backstage at QVC.... to that bag of chips just sitting there... waiting for me in our kitchen pantry. Wait. I think it's calling me. "Yo! dude! I'm here. What are you waiting for? Stop trying to fight the urge. Get the salsa, the tequila, and let's get this party started!"

I read some of these advice columns from the Fitness Pros, and while I appreciate it, I have to wonder: Am I alone in these cravings? Do these people never splurge? Should I feel guilty? If I'm alone, who's buying all that cheesecake?

While we go on this Fitness journey together, we have to realize there are going to be some DETOURS along the way. Some of them might involve Holidays, Family picnics, Reunions, weddings, and Tuesday nights when the kids and/or the boss have driven you to the brink... and the only way out is an entire bag of Chip's Ahoy cookies and a cold glass of milk.

The point is, it's OK. Every so often. Give yourself a break. I've been there. The question is, are you going to get your butt back on that Reebok Treadmill Tomorrow? The sooner you acknowledge it , and get back on the Journey, the better off you'll be. And the fact is, the whole purpose here is to enjoy your life! And if you're working out, meeting your goals, and following your plan, why NOT have a piece of Junior's Cheesecake every now and then. It's good stuff!

Enjoy the Journey!

Rick

Greetings friends joining me on this Journey! I actually had people responding to my first Blog! If you're into joining me on this Fitness journey, let me know. Log on, Blog on. We might actually be onto something here.

"Time is a jet plane, it moves too fast." I was singing that line from an old Dylan song the other day as I got off the air. Wow, I thought. I've actually been doing this crazy job for over thirteen years. That's over 80,000 product presentations (but who's counting). One thing is certain: I've seen A LOT of different Products over the years.

And in the fitness category, I've both presented and used seemingly countless products designed to get people in shape. "This is the one that's going to make a difference. This is the Latest and the Greatest!" Admittedly, Some are better than others. But just like the latest monthly Fitness magazine, the latest Fitness infomercial, people always seem to be drawn to the "New" thing. It's human nature. In the case of a product like Leg Magic , it's true. it's a great invention, and I can still feel my thighs burning from the last Sunday night when I presented it with Rosalie Brown.

But here's what's also true: As products and inventions come and go, there are a few items that truly stand the test of time. One of them is Pilates . The Pilates system has been on QVC for years, but Pilates itself has been around for decades. The techniques have been used by dancers, athletes, and Hollywood Stars for years. Joseph Pilates developed the system back in the 1920's. The variety, the relaxation, the body sculpting, and the overall sense of well-being are just a few of the benefits of the Pilates machine. I love and need the Pilates, because, besides those other benefits, it gives me the best stretching exercises I've ever experienced. I used to have the flexibility of a frozen tree branch. I was the former jock who could no longer touch his toes. Pilates changed all that.

If you've seen the products that promise "buns of Steel", and after trying it, you just want "buns of cinnamon"... give Pilates a chance.

Rick

Hi!

It's 10:16 am on a Thursday. I'm just waking up. Why am I waking up when the day's nearly half over? Did I go crazy last night with Margerhita Wednesday? Nope. No such luck. It's the wacky schedule, and just another day in the life of a QVC Program Host. I had an hour of Dell Computers, an hour of Problem Solvers and I kicked off the Today's Special Value (Candle Impressions). By the time I hit the hay, it was well after 3:30am.

And now I'm up. And groggy. When I think of the list of tasks that need to be accomplished before I go back into QVC, including working out, I realized it's going to be a very busy day. Maybe I won't be able to get everything done. Maybe I shouldn't workout today. MAYBE TOMORROW.

Has that ever happened to you? This seemingly "little" decision is why so many of us struggle with fitness, exercise, and diet. Ever wonder why so many of us join a Gym on a Monday? We've been thinking about it for weeks, maybe even months. Why not do it today, even if it's a Wednesday? Why do so many of us make a resolution to get fit on Jan. 1st? What were we thinking on November 1st? MAYBE TOMORROW.

As we all know, tomorrow never comes. As I begin this Blog, I want to invite you along on a Fitness Journey. No need to have all the answers. You may even have lots of questions. I may bring some Hosts, Guests, friends and Fitness experts along to contribute, to share their stories. And to share yours as well.

So what did I do? Made some coffee, drank some coffee, drank some more coffee, cleared the cobwebs, put on the shorts and the shoes... and hopped on that Treadmill (Yes, the one I bought from QVC). The feeling I had afterwards was fantastic. It wasn't like I'd climbed Mount Everest or anything. It was, as Author Steven Covery puts it... A little, private victory. Check out the Health and Fitness site on QVC.com for ways to get started in winning your own private victories. Of course, you could say Maybe Tomorrow...or, if you like... you can do it Today!

Rick's Fitness Journey Tip: Even if you don't feel like working out put on your fitness clothes. Sounds simple, right? They'll change the way you feel. Once they're on, you'll say to yourself "Hey as long as I have my Ryka Shoes on... I might as well go for a walk!"

Rick