Jack LaLanne “A Founding Father of the Fitness Movement”


“I can’t afford to die, it will wreck my image!” Jack LaLanne.

PCPFS Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jack L...

Image via Wikipedia

Well Jack, death could never wreck your image.  Yesterday, fellow chiropractor and fitness enthusiast, Jack LaLanne left this earth.

I know the nick-name, godfather of fitness, was most often associated with Jack LaLanne, but in my mind, along with Bernarr MacFadden and Angelo Siciliano better known as Charles Atlas, these three men made up the holy trinity of health.  They were the founding fathers of the mass media fitness movement.

However, unlike the founding fathers of our country who gathered at a hall in Philadelphia, these three great men spanned different eras, and Jack spanned the globe.  Atlas and LaLanne both learned either directly or indirectly from MacFadden and each went on to impact anyone who has ever broken a sweat in the name of fitness.

Jack LaLanne was a bodybuilder and one of the original visitors of muscle beach.   An unhealthy, sugar addicted child he met  MacFadden inspired Paul Bragg, and it was through Bragg that a young Jack was given the foundations to take control of his health.  Jack used his newly found education and sought to inspire the world.

If you have ever used a leg extension or smith machine — you have Jack to thank.

If you are an athlete who utilizes weight training to excel in your chose sport — you have Jack to thank.

If you are a woman who enjoys the benefits of exercise and weight training, yep you guessed it — you have Jack to thank.

Bernarr Macfadden,

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Bernarr McFadden scowled,Weakness is a Crime, Don’t be a criminal!”

Charles Atlas promised, “To make a man out of you.”

Jack, well, he came into our homes every morning and showed us that being fit and healthy was a goal unto itself.

Before experts complicated exercise, Jack kept it all simple.   Although he owned and endorsed health clubs, he showed us how to work out at home.  While medicine was searching for a panacea in a pill, Jack knew that proper nutrition  combined  with exercise were the only keys to good health.  He, through his longevity, demonstrated how easy it was to remain fit and live a healthy life.

Dr. Jack LaLanne had a profound influence on me.  It was his example I followed when I set up my simplified eating plan.  It was his model I used when I designed my easy and effective exercise strategy.  And, it was his inspiration I followed when I chose brevity and basics in writing my book.

Jack LaLanne receives a Lifetime Achievement A...

Image via Wikipedia

The last interview I saw was on his 95th birthday.  He was spry, excited and as motivational as ever — he had a glint in his eye and a joy in his voice.  I know it is unrealistic, but some people you just never expect to die, and in Jack’s case that is not so far-fetched.

His physical existence may have ceased, but because of  every person who endeavors to improve their health via lifting a weight, jogging,  swimming,  doing a Jumping Jack, so named for him,  or choosing a bowl of berries over a bowl of ice cream — Jack LaLanne will live on forever.

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Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet. His web site www.ObesityUndone.com is available to help you reach your goals.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, Bounce Back to Your Brilliance w/Angel Tyree, What’s Weighing You Downw/Dr. Marilyn Gansel on FTNS radio, Nurture and Nutrition on Blog Talk Radio, Low Carb Conversations with Jimmy Moore and Friends, BlogTalk Radio’s Toni Harris Speaks, Internet Radio: Cathie’s Talking, TV -35′s Storm Politics with Tiffany Cloud, WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast; and the one and only Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his website www.betterlifeseminars.com.
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************The information in the videos is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting that I write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition. I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.************

 

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One thought on “Jack LaLanne “A Founding Father of the Fitness Movement”

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