The original weight loss icon and king of motivational exercise, still going strong after 35 years. Richard Simmons was a 268 pound high schooler in New Orleans struggling with depression until he found the strength to grab a hold of his life and get healthy with exercise and eating right. He moved to Los Angeles in 1973 and, recognizing that all of the fitness centers he looked into didn't cater to overweight people - but rather to people who were already fit - he founded his own program. Simmons opened his SLIMMONS Beverly Hills exercise studio in 1974, where he still teaches aerobics for $12 bucks a class today. Over the years he became internationally famous with a four-year run on the soap opera “General Hospital,” his Emmy-winning nationally syndicated series “The Richard Simmons Show,” and 50 fitness videos (selling 20-plus million copies), nine books and three cookbooks. His website is a catch-all resource for his products, his promotional events (including a yearly Caribbean cruise called "Cruise to Lose") and news, comments and updates from Richard himself.
Simmons' videos - with names like "Sweatin' to the Oldies," "Dance Your Pants Off" and "Disco Sweat" - are like a really festive party. The easy, low impact and low intensity choreography is good for beginners and overweight exercisers. Another nice thing about his videos is that - unlike most commercial fitness videos - Simmons' onscreen class is made up of regular people, of all body shapes and sizes, and everyone is working it and having a good time.
With his flamboyant, often outrageous public persona and trademark short-shorts and spangly top, Simmons has over the years become something of a punch-line. But his message of health and fitness through good nutrition and most importantly exercise - which he shouts from the rooftops - is no joke. He recently testified before Congress to make an impassioned plea for funding to keep and expand physical education for children in American public schools. Simmons is a weight loss champion to be respected and admired.
Jillian Michaels- This impressive online weight loss program was designed by the world-class fitness trainer from the popular TV shows Losing it with Jillian and The Biggest Loser. The program focuses on what works in the long term: motivation to lose weight the right way and keep it off. Her inexpensive diet and exercise plans are personalized to your comfort level as you get in shape and lose weight. Jillian Michaels has created quite a buzz and she deserves it. Her program is free to try.
Copyright 2001-2010 Chase Freedom Inc. "Chase Freedom" is a registered trademark of Chase Freedom Inc. All diet reviews are opinion and unscientific and should not be substituted for the advice of a doctor or registered dietitian. We do endorse and maintain affiliate status with weight loss companies and programs that conform to our opinion that sensible weight loss is best. This opinion includes the following traits: inexpensive, based on traditional strategies of diet and exercise, and independent. Companies and programs include eDiets, Nutrisystem, Jillian Michaels, Denise Austin, Sonoma Diet, Joy's Life Diet, South Beach Diet, Fitness Model Program, Dietwatch, Diet-To-Go among others.
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