Forbes Riley- 'Queen of Infomericials'

I’m a very passionate person – especially when it comes to natural and organic living and when I discover a great product, I want everyone to try it. So when I had the opportunity to speak with Forbes Riley ? also known as the ‘Queen of Infomercials’ ? I could immediately identify with her. Forbes doesn’t sell products, rather she sells her word. In the 10 year span of her infomercial career, Forbes has sold over one billion dollars on the air. Now that’s a lot of product!

I spoke with Forbes about her career, family life and her healthy habits.

Naturally Savvy Question (Andrea): I saw a clip of you in "Supercharge Me!" where you speak a lot about raw food. Are you a raw foodist?

Forbes Riley: I like to say that ‘In between my cooked meals, I’m 100% raw’. The truth is I travel a lot so it’s hard for me to be 100% raw. I would say I’m about 85% raw. I start my morning with apple cider vinegar or a squirt of lemon juice. We juice fresh organic veggies and I just started making great smoothies. It is so easy. I throw in frozen Acai, mango, bananas, blueberries and strawberries (I don’t add yogurt because I don’t eat dairy). Then I throw in a scoop of vegan protein powder. I drink it in the morning or even at 4pm for a quick pick-me-up. It’s all raw (and delicious) and I try to pack it with as much nutrition as possible.

Naturally Savvy Question (Andrea): You mentioned you are 49 years old. You are beautiful and are in fantastic shape. Do you believe in dieting – meaning to just watch our intake of calories and fat?

Forbes Riley: Forget the diet thing ? I look at the nutritional value of food rather than just fat and calories. Would you put water in your gas tank? That’s the analogy I like to use. I would tell them to think of their body as a gas tank and the food they’re eating as the gas that fuels it. People always tell me it’s so expensive to buy organic and I always reply with: ‘How expensive is it to go to the doctor?’

I eat six times a day and I fill my body with wholesome nutrition. I was overweight my whole life and I could never lose those 15-20 lbs and was even miserable in my 30’s until I started eating nutritionally dense foods. I got pregnant and gave birth at 42 years old and I carried to full term. I am going to turn 50 in April and have a 25 inch waist all because I exercise and eat a healthy diet.

Naturally Savvy Question (Andrea): How do you maintain balance in your life?

Support: I have an amazing husband who helps me take care of my kids, I have great women around me, and my kids have great friends.

Balance: My husband is a chef so we eat good foods and try to eat and play as a family (we love board games). My kids are my life when I’m not working. I bring my kids with me and they sit on the set on HSN (Home Shopping Network) set with me. I’ve trained my kids to take notes, I involved them. I love my kids dearly.

Relaxation: I try to get a massage every three to four weeks and take a spa day and just be me. I will take trashy magazines and turn off my phone, no email, nobody. I go to the Beverly Hot springs in L.A. and totally disappear.

Ditch the alcohol: I don’t party or drink. If you want to be super fit, make peace with the fact that alcohol is bad for you because of the sugars.

Naturally Savvy Question (Andrea): How do you stay in shape?

I believe we all need to make fitness a lifestyle. It’s not a one day thing. It takes commitment and the rewards are so valuable. I do a variety of different things.

1. I get to the gym two to three days a week.

2. I also Spin Gym every day. One of my biggest secrets is that I work out and stretch in the sauna. The heated environment makes me sweat profusely so the toxins leave my body.

3. When traveling, I Spin Gym in my hotel room.

Naturally Savvy Question (Andrea): What is the Spin Gym?

Forbes Riley: I own the license for it. Working your upper body can improve your workout by 32% and the Spin Gym works out your forearms, chest, back and core (abs). My website gives a good explanation at www.MyspinGym.com.