Jack LaLanne, a prime mover behind the diet and exercise movement in the United States, died in January 2011 at the age of 96. Raised in Bakersfield, California, by French immigrant parents, LaLanne was born Francois Henri LaLanne and nicknamed Jack by his brother. Eventually, and largely because of his early morning exercise show that debuted in the 1950s, he became known as the Godfather of Fitness and the King of Fitness. His Live Forever exercises and philosophy was captured in books, videos and on his TV show.
Workout Routine
LaLanne exercised two hours a day and seven days a week. When he awoke in the morning, he did stretching exercises. Then he went into either of his two weight rooms, one filled with barbells and dumbbells and the other with machines, some of which LaLanne invented. One day he worked his upper body and the next the lower body. Most of his exercises were basic, such as situps and pushups. But LaLanne also did exercises that were new at the time, such as leg extensions on one of the machines he built. LaLanne's cardio routine, focused on a daily routine in the pool, consisted of laps and various exercises, including tying himself in the pool and swimming in place. In 2007, LaLanne told the Wall Street Journal that working out was "a pain in the glutes ... I hate working out. Hate it. But I like the result."
Diet
LaLanne ate two meals per day, something that flies in the face of 21st century experts, who advocate five or six small meals per day. However, LaLanne practiced what he preached in terms of good nutrition. His 11 a.m. meal, after his workout, consisted of egg whites, broth, oatmeal with raisins and soy milk, and fresh fruit. For dinner, LaLanne and his wife would dine at a restaurant that prepared a salad with 10 raw vegetables and four hard boiled eggs. He would add fish or turkey as an entree. LaLanne also consumed 30 to 40 vitamins per day.
Books and Videos
His Forever Young philosophy was promulgated by LaLanne in a variety of mediums besides TV. A DVD, "Jack LaLanne's Forever Young," pitched the virtues of exercise to those of any age. In addition to an exercise routine, LaLanne shared his advice on weight loss, endurance, flexibility and "living life to the fullest!" A book, "Live Young Forever: 12 Steps to Optimum Health, Fitness & Longevity," detailed LaLanne's complete program for a healthy and happy life. The 12 chapters ranged from Motivation to Killer Habits to Stretching to Solid Relationships to Never Retire.
Considerations
LaLanne was a tremendous spokesman for fitness, exercise and good health, and it was based on study and experience. As a young man, he was a premed student and trained to be a chiropractor. At the time, doctors thought lifting weights was a bad idea -- you could suffer a heart attack. And weightlifting by women or older people was roundly discouraged. LaLanne claimed he was 40 years ahead of his time, and it was more than just a boast.
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