Richard Simmons keeps promise to Marie

The Holiday resident is excited that the famous fitness guru is helping her to take on the challenge of losing weight.

By COLLEEN JENKINS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 24, 2001

Fitness fanatic Richard Simmons talked a big game on July 12 when he promised to regularly call and write to Marie Wheeler, a 370-pound woman in Holiday, to help her lose weight.

So far, he has lived up to his word.

"Dear Marie," said a typed letter accompanying the big brown box that arrived at Wheeler's home in Holiday last week. "Hi! It was wonderful talking to you today. I am so sorry for what happened on the Sally show, but I am here to help you in any way I can."

The letter reiterated Simmons' desire to help Wheeler after hearing about her less-than-encouraging appearance on the Sally Jessy Raphael show this month. According to Wheeler, producers of the talk show had led her to believe Simmons would appear with her on the "Sally, Can You Help Me?" segment. But Simmons said he was not booked for the show.

All woes were forgotten when Simmons' package of free goodies came from his Beverly Hills, Calif., studio. Inside were the items he had guaranteed to get her weight loss program going.

"Marie, together we can do this," he wrote.

There was the Food Mover booklet that will help chart what she can eat each day and the fact sheets where she'll record exactly what she does eat.

"This will let me know the rhythm of your fork, and then I will correct it and let you know how you're doing," the letter continued. "Send them to me every week."

Then there was the six-volume Colors of Your Life motivational audio cassette tapes. Simmons instructed Wheeler to make some quiet time to let them "inspire and motivate" her.

"I am right here to help you. I am only a postage stamp away," Simmons wrote.

And still, there was more. A toning tape. A workout tape set to Broadway melodies. A 20-minute energizer tape. A "get up and go" video.

An inspirational booklet, titled The Book of Hope and printed in Simmons' handwriting, containing Wheeler's new favorite saying, "Every day I will find something to laugh about." Also included were cookbooks and restaurant guides.

"So Marie, take a deep breath and ready, set, go!" concluded the letter. "I know you can do this! I can't wait to get your first food sheet. Love, Richard."

Wheeler started Simmons' weight loss plan Monday. She feels like she'll be able to stick with it because the plan gives her freedom and choices for eating.

She said the personal note and package from the fitness guru proved what she has known all along: Richard Simmons is one sincere guy. That's why she's writing him a thank-you note, complete with her very own exclamation marks.

"He's so big, but yet he's a real person who really cares about the individual," she said. "This is just all so awesome."

- Colleen Jenkins can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6232 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6232.

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