Richard Simmons is a remarkable fitness trainer who’s on a mission to help people combat obesity. His unique approach to weight loss has assisted thousands of individuals in their journey towards a healthier life.
What sets Richard apart is his commitment to promoting not just physical fitness but also overall well-being, all while fighting against discrimination based on a person’s appearance.
Now, let’s talk about the wide array of techniques that Richard Simmons has at his disposal. Whether you’re already a fan or just hearing about him for the first time, you’re bound to discover fresh and innovative ways to lose weight that you might not have encountered before.
But before we dive into Richard’s diverse methods for weight loss, it’s essential to learn about his personal journey. You see, Simmons himself has undergone a remarkable transformation, shedding a tremendous amount of weight.
This makes him not only a knowledgeable fitness expert but also an inspiring example of what’s possible with dedication and hard work.
How did Richard Simmons lose weight?
As a food lover, Richard has been struggling with his weight since he was just 8. He said that “When I was just 8 I weighed around 200 pounds”. In his school, he became the victim of a bully as his weight continued to grow. When Simmons was in his late teens his weight reached a dangerous situation.
He was worried about his weight. Richard was having a hard time managing his eating habits. Simmons also admitted in an interview that he was using “unhealthy measures” to lose weight. He even used diet pills and laxatives.
However, after trying every fast method of losing weight, nothing seemed to work out. Simmons was finding an effective way of losing pounds. With all this effort, he came to realize that there was not any efficient fast way of weight loss. Richard, then started weight loss in an old-fashioned way. Which was eating healthy and doing exercise.
After following this method he successfully lost up to 100 pounds. This moment was life-changing for Simmons. After that he became a weight loss trainer and since then has helped thousands of people shading 50 to 120 pounds.
Richard knew that there was not any fast efficient way of weight loss. One can only lose unhealthy pounds if one is being consistent in the weight loss journey.
Also Read: Sandi Toksvig Journey: Lost more than 50 pounds
How much did Richard weigh before weight loss?
Before Simmons started his weight loss journey, he weighed around 300 pounds. Which was a very dangerous condition given his age. However, with the required hard work he succeeded in losing 100 pounds and transformed his health completely.
Simmons made a set of techniques that included old-fashioned methods of weight loss which are eating right and doing exercise. But he presented them in a new way. For example, in place of working out in a gym, he substituted this exercise with dance.
Let’s find out the broad range of Richard’s weight loss techniques:
Richard Simmons’ Weight Loss Techniques
With the passage of time, Simmons’ weight loss techniques have increased in numbers. He keeps updating his weight loss plan according to his research. Richard includes the methods that have worked for his weight loss and leaves others. Here is the list of his efficient weight loss techniques:
1. Cardio Workout
Richard promotes a unique but effective way of cardio workout. His technique is that we should try new cardio workouts every day. In his interview with Men’s Health, he said “One day I’ll tone chest, back, and shoulders, and the next day it is biceps and triceps. I do 45 minutes of cardio every day before even leaving my house”.
2. Wake Early in the Morning
Simmons tells his trainees to wake early in the morning. Because that’s the time a weight loss aspirant can get the most from. He promotes the idea of working out early in the morning. That’s what he himself does.
In his interview with Men’s Health, Richard said “I’m up at 4 a.m. I say my prayers, count my blessings, and I work out right away.” He continued, “I just get it done because that’s when I feel the power. I don’t make any whining and pity party excuses. After all, if I don’t take care of myself, If I don’t feel good for myself, how can I help others?”
3. Include Music in your Workout
If you are a fan of Richard Simmons you must’ve heard about his SWEATIN’ TO THE OLDIES workout. Which literally is a set of some easy and enjoyable dance moves. This workout was one of the things that made Richard so famous.
Richard encourages people to include dance in their workout routine. He promotes the idea that dance can be used as a means of workout as well. He has a collection of songs that he calls “Workout Mix”.
4. Don’t Be Greedy
The idea behind this heading is that some of us promise ourselves that if we lose X pounds we are going to buy ourselves a car, house, or go somewhere for vacation. The fact is this technique never works. It has the element of greed.
Richard said in his interview “My father offered me a dollar for every pound I would lose as a kid. It didn’t work. It doesn’t work in long run.” He further said, “Who are you competing with? It’s you. You need to be doing this for you and only you. Not to win a car and not to stay at a fancy resort.”
5. Make a calorie consumption schedule
Simmons says that we should make a calorie consumption schedule that we follow daily. The best consumption volume would be between 1500 to 1600 calories per day.
6. Stay away from Unhealthy food
If there is unhealthy food available at your house there are good chances that you will eat it. Because it will be a temptation. The solution is you should never have such food at your home. In Richard’s words “There’s a list of foods I can’t have in the house. Peanut butter, potato chips, can’t have that in the house. Random small mini candy bars, don’t even think about it.”
If you have eaten something unhealthy in the past. Forget it and focus on your present. You are on the journey of weight loss, live in the moment.
7. There’s no Fast Method
As much as Simmons support health improvement he is against quick fixes and fast method of weight loss. Because the truth is there are no fast methods of weight loss. It is not a process that happens overnight. We should admit that it is hard work that will help us in losing unhealthy pounds.
Richard said in his interview, “There is no magic milkshake or workout machine. I think the real machine is your body. If you want to get the boy you’ve always dreamed of, you have to earn it.”
8. Keep it Old-Fashioned Way
Simmons supports the idea that the only way one can lose weight is through a well-planned diet and workout routine. In today’s world, people have become accustomed to quick solutions, which never work.
You should follow a healthy routine daily because that is how you are going to make difference. However, if somehow you lose weight quickly through some product there are great chances that you are going to be overweighed again.
9. Eat 3 Balanced Meals daily
Simmons’ diet philosophy is simple. He says that we should eat 3 balanced meals daily. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you have a healthy and well-balanced diet you won’t need snacks in the middle of anywhere.
10. Keep a record of what you Eat
Richard also tells his students to keep a record of what they consume. He says by noting down our daily intake we can measure our improvement.
You may also love to read about James Avery and Wolfgang Van Halen’s weight loss transformations.
Calories you burn doing Richard’s SWEATIN’ TO THE OLDIES?
It would be right to say that it depends on the dancer. If you are dancing energetically you will tend to burn more calories. However, an average person can burn up to 80 Calories in a 45-minute session with Richard Simmons, on dancing SWEATIN’ TO THE OLDIES.
Where is Richard now? Is He Sick?
A lot of Richard’s fans are concerned as his last major public appearance was in 2014. There are also some fans who are worried about his health. He is alright but he no longer holds sessions anymore. Might be because he is 73 years old. However, you can find Simmons on his YouTube channel where he has uploaded numerous dance sessions.
In the ongoing pandemic, when people were upset and locked in their houses and they didn’t have to do anything, Simmons started uploading many dance sessions on which people could easily perform at their houses. If you want to contact Richard or are looking for his advice, head to his website. www.richardsimmons.com
Conclusion
No doubt Richard Simmons is one of the big names when it comes to personal fitness. He has helped thousands of people in changing their negative habits into positive ones. He knows this very well on this subject.
I hope that Richard’s techniques mentioned in this article help you in overcoming your fitness challenges and help you in finding out what works for you.
