At this time of year, it's a great time to think about your health and fitness... before the holiday season gets too far in swing.
When I think of health and fitness, I always think of Jack LaLanne. LaLanne was central to the health culture of today. He was one of the first to advocate a salubrious lifestyle.
Many younger people don't even know who he was, but he was one amazing man. He started the fitness craze before anyone knew what the fitness craze was. I remember watching him on TV as a kid and he started me off on a life-long interest in health and fitness.
LaLanne lived to a ripe old age of 96 and his "secret" was health and fitness. Here's a few facts about him and this is just a few of many:
- "…claimed as a world record of 1,033 push-ups in 23 minutes" at 42 years old (There are ONLY 1380 seconds in 23 minutes - 60*23!)
- At 70 "handcuffed, shackled, and fighting strong winds and currents, he towed 70 rowboats, one with several guests, from the Queen's Way Bridge in the Long Beach Harbor to the Queen Mary, 1 mile."
- He was among the first to advocate lifting weights. Prior to LaLanne, people thought you could have a heart attack or lose your sex drive from lifting weights.
- LaLanne opened the first health clubs in California.
- "LaLanne blamed overly processed foods for many health problems."
- "He continued with his two-hour workouts into his 90s"
Read all about his numerous and amazing feats in the attached Wikipedia article. His exemplar life is worth a quick read.
Whenever you think that you can't get in shape or improve your health, think of Jack LaLanne. You're never too young or old to start!
