January 2007
Never too late
We recently caught up with Jack La Lanne, whose long-running TV exercise program made him a world-famous exemplar of healthy
living and physical fitness. Still active as a motivational speaker, La Lanne was getting ready to celebrate his 92nd birthday
when we talked to the “Godfather of Fitness.”
Can you describe your exercise routine?
I hit the gym around 5 or 5:30 in the morning. I work out for two hours a day, seven days a week. I hate to work out! I'd rather take a beating. So I get it out of the way, and the next thing I know, I look in the mirror and say, "Jack, you've done it again." I change my program completely every 30 days; otherwise your muscles get bored. I lift weights, swim, or do fast walking on my treadmill. I can still do chins, push-ups, parallels. I can't do them like when I was 21, but I do them pretty well.
What about your diet?
The food you eat today, you're wearing it tomorrow. Junk in, junk out. Ten seconds on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. In the days when I was Mr. Universe and Mr. America, they thought you needed meat to be strong, so I ate it. But now I only eat fish and scrambled egg whites. I have 10 servings of raw vegetables every day, and 5 pieces of fresh fruit, and whole grains. And I never eat between meals. I take a lot of vitamins and minerals. People ask me why do I need them when I eat all these perfect foods? I say, "Just in case--that's my insurance policy."
What's your advice to someone over 50 who wants to start an exercise program?
It's never too late. Living is an athletic event. You've got to work at it. People in their 80s who are put on a program of exercise and weight training can double their strength in two weeks. I have older people sit in their chairs and stand up and sit down as fast as they can. Then scoot back and pump your legs like you're riding a bicycle. Punch your arm toward the ceiling as fast as you can. You can do this while you're watching commercials on TV. There are 12 minutes of commercials in an hour, and that's practically all the time you need. You don't need any equipment but a chair. But if people have the time and money, it's better to go to a gym with good instruction and good equipment, because what does the average person know about exercise? Nothing.
This article first appeared in the November 2006 issue of Consumer Reports on Health.
Can you describe your exercise routine?
I hit the gym around 5 or 5:30 in the morning. I work out for two hours a day, seven days a week. I hate to work out! I'd rather take a beating. So I get it out of the way, and the next thing I know, I look in the mirror and say, "Jack, you've done it again." I change my program completely every 30 days; otherwise your muscles get bored. I lift weights, swim, or do fast walking on my treadmill. I can still do chins, push-ups, parallels. I can't do them like when I was 21, but I do them pretty well.
What about your diet?
The food you eat today, you're wearing it tomorrow. Junk in, junk out. Ten seconds on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. In the days when I was Mr. Universe and Mr. America, they thought you needed meat to be strong, so I ate it. But now I only eat fish and scrambled egg whites. I have 10 servings of raw vegetables every day, and 5 pieces of fresh fruit, and whole grains. And I never eat between meals. I take a lot of vitamins and minerals. People ask me why do I need them when I eat all these perfect foods? I say, "Just in case--that's my insurance policy."
What's your advice to someone over 50 who wants to start an exercise program?
It's never too late. Living is an athletic event. You've got to work at it. People in their 80s who are put on a program of exercise and weight training can double their strength in two weeks. I have older people sit in their chairs and stand up and sit down as fast as they can. Then scoot back and pump your legs like you're riding a bicycle. Punch your arm toward the ceiling as fast as you can. You can do this while you're watching commercials on TV. There are 12 minutes of commercials in an hour, and that's practically all the time you need. You don't need any equipment but a chair. But if people have the time and money, it's better to go to a gym with good instruction and good equipment, because what does the average person know about exercise? Nothing.
This article first appeared in the November 2006 issue of Consumer Reports on Health.
