Richard Simmons shares a message about dying, encouraging his fans to “enjoy your life to the fullest.”
On Monday, the 75-year-old posted a lengthy post on Facebook offering advice for a healthy diet and active lifestyle.
“I have some news to tell you. Please don’t be sad. I’m dying. Oh, I can see your faces now. The truth is that we all die. “Every day of our lives, we are getting closer to death,” he wrote. “Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every day. Get up in the morning and look at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy.”
In the post, Simmons emphasized the importance of three healthy meals a day, including dessert “every now and then.”
“One day of healthy eating leads to the next…and the next,” he said.
The fitness guru also encouraged his fans to stay as active as possible, promoting his workout videos available on YouTube. “Every day while you’re alive you have to move. Whether you’re standing or sitting, you need to move your body every day. Start with stretching, then cardio and strength,” Simmons continued.
Richard Simmons shares personal Valentine’s message: ‘We’ve all been heartbroken’
Richard Simmons. David A. Walega/WireImage
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“There is something else very important that you must do,” he finished. “Tell the ones you love that you love them. Hug those people and children you really care about. A big hug really goes a long way. If you have time, I want you to listen to a great song. It’s Tim McGraw it’s called Live Like You Were Dying. Live today and don’t forget to pray.”
Simmons got a ton of praise for the tips in the comments section. Despite the alarming “dying” comment, a longtime friend of the star tells PEOPLE that Simmons is “healthy and happy,” noting that the post was “purely an inspirational message.”
Although she has been out of the limelight for years, Simmons has recently been using her Facebook page to share inspiring messages of support and love.
“All I want for you all is to be happy and at peace,” he wrote on January 19. “Please don’t let anyone be mean to you or put you down. You don’t deserve it. Never forget that I keep all of you in my prayers every night. Know your worth.”
Simmons also shared a message for Valentine’s Day, encouraging his fans to “do something nice for your heart” as he shared a memory with his mother in honor of the occasion.
After the heartfelt message, a source close to Simmons told PEOPLE, “It’s important to know that helping and inspiring people has always been at the core of who he is. He is happy and hopes that his words will motivate others to be happy. All the posts in the last few weeks are significant – he digs deeper. They are not only motivational, but also very personal. He shows sides of himself that we haven’t seen before.”
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Source: HIS Education