Richard Simmons Review

 

Richard Simmons is an icon of the weight loss business. He is unquestionably annoying, but devoutly dedicated to his calling in life and has been an inspiration to thousands. Richard Simmons has created a weight-loss empire by marketing everything from videos to a variety of weight-loss supplements. His latest product, dubbed Richard Simmons' Move, Lose and Groove Program, includes two exercise videos, a motivational cassette, a small cookbook, a dietary instruction booklet, and a "FoodMover," which is a pocketbook system that allows you to check off all of your food allowances each day, including 8 glasses of water. The FoodMover is a hand-held mini-computer with little windows that the dieter closes once a goal is reached or the food has been consumed. The device also has check boxes for exercise, vitamins, and Richard Simmons' own motivational anecdotes.

The basic Richard Simmons diet follows the Food Guide Pyramid of 60/20/20 carbs/fat/protein, 1200 calories/day and regular exercise, which are the recommendations of most registered dietitians. Strangely to this sensible mix, he has added numerous diet supplements, which have questionable effectiveness.

The worst thing that can be said about Richard Simmons is that he is a marketing juggernaut with an endless list of products to sell you. That makes me uncomfortable. Weight loss need not be so hokey and expensive.