Even if you end up needing bariatric surgery because you couldn’t control your weight, you need to know how valuable it is to keep yourself fit anyway.

In a very small study surgery results were clearly in favor of those who had higher reserves in the heart-lung arena. So as Richard Simmons in his fun, fab exercise videos encourages, exercise no matter what shape you’re in. One fan says: “It’s hugely inspiring to see the other dancers, of all imaginable shapes and sizes moving through the routine…”

Even if you never lose a pound, your chances of coming out ahead with most kinds of medical issues will be greatly enhanced.