reminding us that there’s no substitute
for eating healthy and exercising regularly.
Ultimately, our health comes down to what we eat and how we move; for this reason, we have never before been in more dire need of exercise gurus — fit people over the age of 40 who can inspire us to workout and get moving even as we live day-to-day in an increasingly sedentary culture.
In an era which saw the mainstream eating more fast food and watching more television, Jack LaLanne pushed back! His memory and spirit help us to get motivated to exercise!
Jack Lalanne: First Fitness Coach to Star on TV
A native son of California, LaLanne was known for his public displays of vigor and fitness. He swam the ocean waters off San Francisco (handcuffed, boats-in-tow), and set a world record for push-ups.
He also emphasized a connection between the mind and body (years before such statements were commonplace). He encouraged us to exercise not only for personal fitness, but to “reduce worry.”
LaLanne once said that he didn’t care how long he lived, as long as while he was alive that he live adventurously.
Passing away at the age of 96, LaLanne was indeed passionate and vibrant for the entire length of his life.
Once bodybuilding and fitness were seen as eccentric and fringe. But LaLanne leveraged his persona (he presented as a good working-class bloke who might work in a lumberyard, or a friendly neighbor who would help you push your car out of the snow) and altered that perceptiom. He worked tirelessly to make fitness fun and accessible to the masses.
“…I hate to exercise. It’s very hard to
leave a warm bed and a hot woman for a cold gym”
~ Jack LaLanne, at age 94
Even juicing, which used to be perceived as raw food craziness for young hippies, was made palatable to senior citizens via LaLanne’s upbeat infomercials.
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Who is Jack LaLanne?
Jack LaLanne’s legacy is true inspiration. LaLanne’s efforts to steer us all toward a healthier and more active lifestyle were undertaken with a good-natured spirit and big smile! He lived long and well, vital until the end. He will be remembered as a true inspiration.
I’m sharing with you a little radio segment I heard yesterday featuring clips from a 2004 interview with LaLanne. If you are looking to get inspired for your workout today, this ought to do the trick!
Where do you most often get your smoothies? At home, …or at your local juice bar?
I like how he constantly related proper exercise to maintaining a balanced life and low stress level, I just find it to be so true.