Fitness Icon Richard Simmons Is Dancin’ His Way to His 80s as He Turns 76, Jokes About His ‘Candle on a Zucchini’ Birthday Cake & Super Healthy Lifestyle

Bringing Health and Joy

• Lovable fitness icon Richard Simmons – the high-energy host of the 1980s Sweatin’ to the Oldies workout videos and Slimmons franchise – celebrated turning 76 years old on Friday. Simmons joked in an interview that he might be blowing a candle out on a zucchini, referencing his love for vegetables and overall healthy lifestyle.
• For newer generations, Simmons’ outlook the past several decades can best be summed up by the current pop culture phrase: good vibes only . And the short shorts, sequins and fringe-wearing star seems to be appreciating life more than ever.
• In the spirit of Simmons, consider a health overhaul. It’s important to know that you can lower your cancer risk by reducing inflammation in your body, which you can control based on what you decide to put in your body.
• Our experts recommend reducing the amount of processed meat you eat and limiting or cutting out alcohol for starters. And, like Simmons, upping your vegetable consumption is always a good idea!

Lovable fitness icon Richard Simmons – the high-energy host of the 1980s Sweatin' to the Oldies workout videos and Slimmons franchise – proudly turned 76 years old on Friday. Describing to PEOPLE how he would celebrate, Simmons said he may blow out a candle or two... "But the candle will probably be on a zucchini," the New Orleans-born vegetarian joked of his love for greens. "Okay, fine. Maybe one Pepperidge Farm Milano cookie," he added of the old-school treat that came out in 1957 . "But just one!" RELATED : Fitness Guru Richard Simmons Reveals Skin Cancer Diagnosis After ‘Strange’ Bump On His Face Turned Out to Be Cancer On his overall health, Simmons noted: "I feel good! I am grateful that I'm here, that I am alive for another day. I'll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people."

Indeed. For newer generations, Simmons' outlook the past several decades can best be summed up by the current pop culture phrase: good vibes only . And the short shorts, sequins and fringe-wearing star seems to be appreciating life more than ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZST8fLkps94 After a recent skin cancer scare (he had a basal cell carcinoma, one of the most common types, removed from under his eye earlier this year), the health guru reminded his fans of what is most important. RELATED : Beatles Rocker Ringo Starr, 83, Shares His Healthy Aging Secrets: ‘You’ve Just Got to Keep Moving’ "Tell the ones that you love that you love them. Hug those people and children who you really care for. A big hug really goes a long way."

The reminder appears to have served him well. On Friday, Simmons stopped by his X social media page to share that he's never received so much birthday attention. "Thank you...I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday. Fans replied with an array of meaningful comments. "Happy Birthday to the first person in my life to truly make exercise fun!!!" one fan shared. "I’m 55 and healthy because of your influence. I hope you have an absolutely amazing day." "Happy Birthday Richard!!" a second added. "Always remember the joy you spread when I saw you on TV as a child. Take care!!"

A third follower expressed similar sentiment of how special he is as a person. "The happiest of birthdays to you Richard! As I type this, a song lyric came to mind, How Wonderful It Is That Your In This World!! It’s true!!" "Birthday cakes and candles were created by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans," Simmons shared in one of his follow-up tweets. "Later on someone said let’s bring gifts to the birthday person…that was a good idea."

Eating Healthy Food Reduces Inflammation

A diet that reduces inflammation in the body can help reduce cancer. Take it to the bank. That’s what the Cleveland Clinic says. Normally, when your body recognizes something as being foreign or potentially dangerous alcohol, bacteria, or pollen inflammation helps the immune system fight off these invaders. The Role of Diet and Exercise in Cancer Risk What actually happens is that damaged cells start releasing chemicals like histamines that sound off an alarm. They cause blood vessels to leak fluids into tissues. The tissues start swelling. Then white blood cells rush toward the damaged cells and help get rid of the toxins and dead tissue. But if your body stays inflamed this way, it can be a problem. Chronic inflammation is linked to several diseases. It can lead to cancer. It also causes heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer’s, according to Krista Maruschak , a registered dietician at Cleveland Clinic. Cutting Pro-Inflammatory Foods From Your Diet Can Reduce Cancer Risk The encouraging news here is that you can reduce inflammation by reducing your intake of foods that cause inflammation. These so-called “pro-inflammatory” foods include white breads, pastas, pastries, sodas, red meats and processed meats. You’ve heard it before, but the science is there. Eat more “anti-inflammatory” foods instead, Maruschak recommends.

• Incorporate as many fruits and vegetables as you can throughout the day.
• Replace refined carbohydrates with whole grains like whole wheat bread and brown rice.
• Replace high-fat red meats with lean meats like chicken, turkey and fish.
• Incorporate more plant-based proteins, like beans and lentils,
• Add spices to your diet that have various anti-inflammatory properties, like cinnamon and turmeric.

Stay Up on Your Health Screenings

Seeing a doctor regularly and sharing your family health history is important so they know what health screenings to order for you and when. For prostate cancer, the current recommendation is to begin screening at age 50 if you have an average risk. Those that are at a high risk of developing prostate cancer, should start screening at age 40 or 45, depending upon your specific circumstances. Incorporating a healthier mindset into your life Colon cancer screenings are done via colonoscopy, which is a procedure doctors use to look inside your colon. The American Cancer Society recently recommended that beginning at age 45, patients undergo a colonoscopy every 10 years. However, more frequent colonoscopies are recommended if a polyp (a sort of pre-cancerous growth) is found. While most major national organizations put no maximum age limit on colonoscopy screening, government guidelines suggest people 76 (hope you're reading this, Simmons) and over talk to their doctor about whether further screening is needed.

Get Your Skin Checked for Simmons

And as a birthday present to Simmons, stay up on your skin checks! In between annual (or semi-annual) dermatologist visits, regularly doing self-checks on your skin is also important to find skin cancer early, especially if you are high risk. Dr. Cecilia Larocca , a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, recommends looking at your skin once a month for anything suspicious and using the acronym ABCDE as a checklist:

• Asymmetrical moles: if you drew a line straight down the center of the mole, would the sides match
• Borders: irregular, jagged, not smooth; can also stand for bleeding
• Colors: multiple distinct colors in the mole
• Diameter: larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil head eraser
• Evolution: This may be the most important, anything that is changing over time such as gaining color, losing color, painful, itching, or changing shape.

Be sure to speak with your general practitioner who can steer you in the right direction to stay up to date on your overall health.