Someone please explain to me…
19Feb08
…my unwholesome fascination with this man.
Walk it out…
Then break it down.
Filed under: dieting, exercise, fat, funny, richard simmons |
…my unwholesome fascination with this man.
Walk it out…
Then break it down.
um… ewww!
That’s exactly what my husband said, cynth!
The tan-line, in particular, is nauseating.
Nauseatingly seductive.
Sweatin’ to the Oldies was my favourite workout video EVER,
in a ‘lesser of many evils’ kind of way.
He just makes me feel good. No sexual interest here- but I sort of wish I had him for a brother or cousin.
And I’m now suddenly realizing that I really, really want to dig out those tapes again, and ‘dance’ with my daughter.
Try this instead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTxkxG3DF4k It’s because he’s hilarious. And he obviously has a kind heart. However, examining his message through FA eyes, and knowing that he lost his weight through bulimia and anorexia, I wish he’d change his tune, and it’s soured me a bit. Now it’s Carson Kressley for me ;)
All the weight-loss, deal-a-meal, fat-person-pitying boo-pucky aside, mrsmillur, I just think he’s a hilarious, ridiculous caricature of a person. And there are real, live fat people in his videos, which, yes, is very much a lesser-of-many-evils kind of thing.
I have never worked out to Herr Simmons, because I have a feeling I’d fall over laughing. I have a friend who’d probably be into it, though. Maybe I should call her up…
Actually, this all kind of brings back memories of my mom at Jazzercise when I was like four, where I could just feel the self-loathing and debasement of dignity oozing over me. Now that I’m much older and take everything far less seriously, I can kind of appreciate the cheeze. Kind of.
Mostly, I like the surreality of these two videos.
I also thought it was creepy that he admitted to losing weight through disordered eating, Annie.
And I also watched that video tonight! My husband nearly died laughing.
So did mine, Peggy! Too funny!
Urgh, hate to double post but thing is he was always kind and loving to the fat people - he would go so far out of his way to help them. The problem was his version of help was to get them thin. But the love was clearly real, and so was his desire to help. He would spend all kinds of time talking to very fat shut-ins, trying to inspire them, working with them, etc. I just sorta wish he’d taught them the kind of thing Carson is teaching people now. And yes, the ED thing did end up kind of creepy when you consider where he went with it and how long he hid it for.
The problem was his version of help was to get them thin.
Yeah, I guess that’s where it crossed the line into uncomfortable pity-territory for me, Annie. I don’t doubt that he wanted to help, or believed he was helping. But he also wanted to make a name for himself, and make a tidy sum of money.
You know, I watched “How to Look Good Naked” and while it was definitely a lot more positive than most makeover shows out there, something about it still struck me as a little off. I do think that self-care and making yourself feel attractive can be important steps along the way to self-acceptance, but I got this uncomfortable, woman-as-eye-candy vibe from the whole thing also. I just wish that it wasn’t the resident expectation that women be put-together and stylish and feminine at every waking moment, even in the service of making them feel better about themselves. Rather than build something nicer on top of that expectation, I’d rather see the whole damn foundation give way to something a bit more human.
But I’m blabbing, and I wear dresses and makeup nearly constantly, so feel free to ignore :)
He’s a good businessman, and a great guru for people who want to change, but that first pic is disturbing. Why would he feel that he had to cover up his chest in that picture anyways? He’s a dude; even if he felt he had something to be modest about, the world would not really notice if his chest was not covered. I’m confused.
I agree he’s a good businessman and guru for people who want to change but I can’t ignore his humanitarianism. He donated selflessly of his time, effort and money to provide meals to AIDS patients (in hospice IIRC), he had a show that was entirely dedicated to making people’s dreams come true, he would spend hour after hour talking to shut-ins who couldn’t get out of their houses because they weighed over a thousand pounds…one was featured on Maury Povich, (by satellite) and Richard put Maury RIGHT on the spot (boy did he look pissed) because the woman said they couldn’t get a wheelchair that would fit her -Richard piped right up and said he and Maury were going to pay to have one made for her - looked pointedly at Maury and sternly said, “And we can afford to do that, Maury!”
Really, in the end, I’m still in love with him myself. I just wish he’d get off the “get-thin” kick - first of all he did it through entirely unhealthy means, and second, he needs to become much more aware of HAES and the genetic/medical issues involved here. Besides, anyone who can make the Whose Line Is It Anyway guys practically piss their pants laughing is OK in my book lol.
Um. My brain just vomited a little upon viewing that first photo. Ew.
“I have never worked out to Herr Simmons, because I have a feeling I’d fall over laughing.”
Exactly. They were fun, and funny. Like, moving your body was supposed to feel good, and that it was not only possible but totally normal to have fun and raise your heart rate at the same time. My only exposure to him was the videos, so I know very little either about his personal story.
But even as a teen (my workout video years), I enjoyed just about everything a little bit more with a healthy side of cheese.
“I enjoyed just about everything a little bit more with a healthy side of cheese.”
I strongly approve of this.
Ah, Mich, I hate to break it to you, but I think he might be gay.
Dee, thanks for destroying my one reason for living.