Article by Diet Bites

Changes until 1997. Richard Simmons Deal-A-Meal® sys-tem used exchanges. Joanna Lund's Healthy Exchanges® and a Christian Program called First Place® are two other programs with which you may be familiar. All of these plans are variations of the Exchange Lists produced by The American Diabetes Association and The Americ-an Dietetic Association.

How to safely maintain your new weight using the Deal-A-Meal

Scanning all readily available offers for Offer A Dinner Playing cards exhibits that the common price tag throughout all bargains is $32.39.: Richard Simmons Bundle-A-Dinner: Richard Simmons. The theories driving Package-A-Supper are part manage and calorie deal with. Richard Simmons Deal-A-Meal cards - Say what you will about Richard Simmons. I've always liked him. And I used his card system to help control my weight issues when I was 17/18. Not really a diet, just a way to make sure you're not overeating. I thought I was ordering the 'deal-a-meal' cards & wallet. I got the video by itself. I watched it and learned a lot about portion control and serving sizes. Also gave menu suggestions and showed us what they should look like. He is very informative and entertaining.

Richard Simmons, one of our favorite Diet Gurus! He's fun, he's smart, he's very positive and energetic - and he can personally identify with the weight loss process as he's been quite a roll model for all.

And through the years, he's certainly proven that he knows how to maintain his lean shape. Richard is indeed the real deal, so what better name for his product than the 'Deal-A-Meal'.

Deal-A-Meal, a Tried & True Product for Losing & Maintaining Healthy Body Weight

This weight loss tool appeared on the dieting scene several years ago but it can be just as effective today as it was on the day that it debuted. Much like the official Food Pyramid - we've had this old thing around forever and a day; it receives the occasional update, but it's still much the same - and it remains one of the hallmarks of good health and advice.

Therefore, just because a product or program has a few years on it - this doesn't mean that it's not a very effective method for blasting off those unhealthy pounds.

When Richard's weight loss plan debuted, we took time to review it - and it gets a big thumbs up from Diet Bites.

On top of the plan, he makes weight loss as well as weight maintenance FUN by creating a very unique game of it all. This is a fabulous tool, that will not only help an individual lose weight, but also maintain their weight.

Therefore, although the Deal A Meal plan goes back in the Halls of Time, it still abounds and might be the perfect fit for your current lifestyle and in ridding yourself of those pesky pounds.

These are the basics of the Deal A Meal Plan

1 set of Deal-A-Meal Food Cards

1 Deal-A-Meal Wallet

32 full color menu Cards for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks

1 Deal-A-Meal Instructional Manual

1 Richard Simmons 'Deal Your Way To Health'

1 Deal-A-Meal Instructional Video

1 'Dealing America's Favorite Foods' Booklet

1 Project Me Passport

In addition, Richard has a SlimAway Everyday program which has appeared on television. Let's take a closer look at this program.

SlimAway Everyday Program for Weight Loss

Yes, it's a $40 package, but seriously I've never seen a Richard production that I didn't like. His personality is a bit like Neil Diamond - either you love him or you don't.

And if he gets on your nerves, relax and give him an honest try. He's about the most sincere Diet Guru we've ever seen and has helped so many people pull off the pounds. He's a truly good person doing a very noble thing in life - helping other people get healthy, thus adding potential years to their lives.

The Recipe Collections

We own a very good collection of his weight loss books, including his cookbooks. His recipes are not only low in caloric content - they have some very ingenious methods for keeping dietary fat content as well as those calories under control.

And every recipe that we've tried has turned out picture-perfect and was excellent in flavor.

Richard tends to concentrate not only on flavors in foods, but he also focuses on the textures in foods. Many dieters may not realize this as they prepare and taste his recipes; textures are vital and assist in satisfying the eyes as well as our dietary needs.

If you haven't ever tried the SlimAway Everyday or the Deal-A-Meal weight loss plans developed by Richard Simmons - we encourage you to do a bit of investigating.

One thing is certain; you'll have a lot of fun as he makes weight loss as fun as humanly possible. And again, he really knows what the dieter is experiencing - as well as all the challenges that they face because he has been there, and done that.

Perhaps that is one reason why I've personally been so drawn to him as well as his methods over the years; I too was very obese and managed to lose all my unwanted weight going on two decades ago. In my books, he's a wonderful example for all to follow and has enriched my life exceedingly over the years.

This is our independent review of the Deal-A-Meal Plan. Diet Bites received no monetary benefits in exchange for this review.

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I had the fortunate opportunity to visit Los Angeles from Toronto for a getaway with a girlfriend. Two weeks ago I landed in (what I would call) tropical temperatures. As I grabbed my 45 lb suitcase of clothes I would later find out I would not wear, I slipped off my long leggings and turtle necked sweater for a sun dress and my Berks. I was ready for seven days of bliss. And it was.

This week’s post isn’t about the exercises I did while away. It’s not about the ‘must haves’ when booking accommodations, like a full kitchen to cook my own food or that I needed to be in driving distance of a Trader Joe’s. It will have very little to do with the T.V. show tapings I saw or the beaches I walked. It wont be about surviving vacation while keeping on track.

It will, however, have everything to do with with a five-minute conversation I had with a stranger and an hour workout I did in one of the most iconic workout studios I will ever experience in my life.

For those of you who have not (yet) listened to my podcast, I had an awareness of my extra weight at the age of 11. In the 8th grade, to prepare for my graduation from grade school, I tried my very first diet – Slim Fast. After that, I tried it all! I even, somehow, researched what Deal a Meal was all about and fabricated my own version out of Que-Cards and an old wallet. I am guessing, considering there was no internet then, I taped the info-mercial and hit PAUSE on my BetaMax and eyeballed what this program was all about.

I mention this particular attempt at losing weight because it was Richard Simmons that caught my attention. His bubbly charisma and wonderful outwardly appearance felt like I had known him forever and he was someone I could trust.

Fast forward 26 years and we land to today. After watching several of the hilarious interactions with Richard on countless Letterman Shows, numerous Sweatin’ to the Oldies workouts and seeing his face everywhere on media throughout the past couple of decades, I had the opportunity to go to his studio. I was hopeful he would be teaching and wore my Canada Tank top so he could sign it. I was excited.

Come Saturday morning, we made a quick call to the studio to ensure the the hour and a half to get to Hollywood was enough (honestly, LA traffic is horrible!). We were intending to go to a chat lead by Richard and then his hour and a half aerobics class. I listened to the first few seconds of the voicemail message on the other line. I panicked! “Give yourself at least an hour and a half to register and get in line for Richard’s class”. I hung up and we bolted out the door of our cute bungalow in Encino.

Traffic sucked. As usual. It took us the whole hour and a half to get there. We walked up to an unassuming door with a note posted that no cell phones were permitted beyond the front entrance. I snapped this shot.

I found it strange that it was so quiet, but we dropped our phones in the trunk, paid the meter, and were on our way.

Inside, I instantly felt at home. Richard’s face was adorned on product, t shirts, bags, towels, and all of his books and VHS tapes were displayed in glass cases. It was like walking into a museum set in 1973. While my excitement overcame me, part of me felt very melancholy as I looked around the room at what was an amazing career of a man who gave everything to everyone around him.

We were greeted by a beautiful older lady (in tan coloured spandex) named Sherry – she had attending the studio for 20 years, and worked as the Manager for the last 10. We started to chat and she asked us whether we were aware Richard would not be in. My heart sank, but clearly this was the case as we were the only ones there so far. We read a notice that Richard had been having knee issues and that he would be taking a wee bit of a leave from teaching.

We talked a lot with Sherry and a few other ladies arrived. We entered the large hard wood studio that was fitted (perfectly) with a disco ball in the centre. No air conditioning! The back doors were open and a massive fan that fed outside turned on. Just before class started, a well-put together woman walked in. Another lady came up to me and said, “That’s Geri. She’s 92 years old.” I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. A woman dressed as though she was going to an afternoon tea, walked in, familiar with her surroundings and ready to move. Her Hollywood glasses took up half her face and I felt as though Richard himself had walked through the crowd and was waiting just for me.

We walked up to her and I don’t even know how the conversation started. She grabbed my hand to shake it and immediately put her other hand on top of mine. She talked to me as though I was the only one in the room, completely locked in to my eye balls. I wasn’t going anywhere. And neither was she.

We started the intense workout (I was sweating instantly) and Geri was doing her thing (we founds out she was featured in most of Richard’s videos). At the hour mark she slipped back, got her glasses and big purse and made her way out to reception. I needed a picture.

We followed her out and asked if it would be okay to grab a shot with her. It was the next few minutes that really stuck with me.

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She said,

“What you girls are doing now is important. But, I’m 92. It’s good that you’re doing this for you now, but it’s for later that matters most.”

She explained to us that she had always done ‘something’. She said, “Do you know Jack LaLanne and Jane Fonda? ” (of course) “I used to workout with them and have been coming to Richard for over 30 years”. Honestly, I was blown away. Not only was she showing up numerous times a week to workout at Richard’s studio (for 30 years), but had physically moved with legendary Jack & Jane.

She held my hand again as I told her my weight loss so far and the sincerity in her eyes was palpable. She said again, “Continue what you’re doing. It is so very important. This is what Richard is all about. You do want to get to 92 like me, don’t you?”

It was a brief encounter, but for someone like me with my past, who was occupying a space that had housed thousands of people and their struggles with weight and body image, I was moved to tears. I gave her a sweaty hug good bye, grabbed this shot of her above, and she slipped on her Hollywood glasses. Red lipstick in check, she walked out to her gigantic white SUV, and drove herself to wherever she was headed that beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Richard Simmons Deal A Meal Kit

Those two hours in Slimmons and that 8 minute conversation with Geri was honestly the highlight of my trip. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed I didn’t get to meet the Weight Saint himself, but, that intimate workout with a few ladies who have all lost an incredible amount of weight with his help, and the dedication and loyalty demonstrated was wonderful.

Richard Simmons Deal A Meal Plan

Geri was absolutely right. We are all making changes with our health, fitness and mental well-being for life now. I still want to be able to do Monkey Bars with my kids. I would love to play tag for more than 10 minutes without fumbling. I want to be able to look in the mirror and see my body as it is and not as it was. All this matters. But what matters as well is getting down on the ground with my grand kids to play; having a strong and healthy body to help ward off any illness or disease that may haunt my future; it’s about being able to tell my story of visiting LA and meeting Geri 55 years from now (Jeez!!).

Richard Simmons Deal A Meal

Thanks to Sherry, Geri and the rest of the group there for welcoming us into their home, but for a short period of time. And thank you Richard for changing so many lives. The 12 year old Adina thanks you as does the 38 year old version!

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