Richard Simmons Thanks Fans for 'Overwhelming' Support After Clarifying He Has Not Been 'Kidnapped'

Richard Simmons appreciates his fans staying by his side.

After opening up to ET about why he has not been seen in public for more than two years, the 67-year-old fitness guru thanked his supporters on Facebook on Monday, writing, "The support and love I have felt these past few days can only be described as overwhelming."

"This page has allowed me to both stay in touch with my amazing fans as well as take the private time I want and need for myself right now," Simmons continued. "But I'm not going anywhere. So thank you all SO MUCH for following, caring, commenting and, most importantly, still smiling."

EXCLUSIVE: Richard Simmons Speaks Out: 'No One Should Worry About Me'

In another post, Simmons wrote, "Just in case you guys missed it, I also talked with Entertainment Tonight about what's been going on these past couple of years. I can't tell you how much it means that so many of you were worried and expressed care about my well being. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I'm just taking some much needed time for me. But don't you worry. I'll be back."

Simmons' break from public life led some to report the pop culture personality had been kidnapped. However, Simmons dispelled those rumors to ET over the weekend, saying, "I am just in my house right now."

WATCH: The Real Reason Richard Simmons Has Been in Hiding for Nearly a Year

"I love all the people who worry about me," he added. "But it was time for me to take some time to be by myself. For the last 40 years I have been traveling, teaching classes, and I had a knee injury, so I had a knee replacement, which was very difficult for me… I have really just been taking it easy, staying at home, working out in my gym and doing the things I haven't done in a very long time."

Watch the video below for more.