One of the first memories I have of teevee is watching JLL on his workout show through the black and white snow and static of a 1950's tube; I think it came on right after Howdy Doody.
Last I saw him it was after yet another of his exploits towing the line of dinghies across some body of water, and it wasn't long ago.
Didn't actually care for the guy much, but that right there is a career of legend. RIP, Jack.
You should be born to parents on the right tail of the bell curve when it comes to longevity. Senescence is programmed, yo.
Of course, Mr. LaLanne would no doubt have pointed out that there's a big difference between being 96 and independent and feeling good, and being 96 and having been bedridden since 86...
For all his health-nuttiness, he still died before age One-Hundred. If he was genetically predisposed to live that long, then I don't see what benefit all them millions of push-ups and pull-ups he did all those decades past did for him. Me, I like my beers.
He actually invented many of the Universal-type exercise machines used today and gave away the intellectual rights. A self-promoter to be sure, but he put his body and wallet where his mouth is.
He must have been doing something right to live to the age of 96.
ReplyDeleteBest Jack LaLanne tribute I've read, Tam.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect post. Just perfect.
ReplyDeleteOne of the first memories I have of teevee is watching JLL on his workout show through the black and white snow and static of a 1950's tube; I think it came on right after Howdy Doody.
ReplyDeleteLast I saw him it was after yet another of his exploits towing the line of dinghies across some body of water, and it wasn't long ago.
Didn't actually care for the guy much, but that right there is a career of legend. RIP, Jack.
AT
I think you're right AT; it seems he was on either before or after Howdy Doody. Brings up a lot of memories.
ReplyDeleteHe was a local. I remember watching his TV-exercise show as a little tot, on the B&W. I think Mom must have had it on.
ReplyDelete96 boats, while handcuffed, shackled, and after running a mile.
ReplyDeleteRIP Mr. Lalanne!
Ulises from CA
God keep him. On the other hand, just goes to show: Eat healthy, exercise, die anyway.
ReplyDeleteJack La Lanne is dead. Elliott Carter, dean of American classical composers, is still writing at 102. So should I exercise, or compose?
ReplyDeleteTo exercise or to compose? The alternative, I guess, is to decompose.
ReplyDeleteYou should be born to parents on the right tail of the bell curve when it comes to longevity. Senescence is programmed, yo.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Mr. LaLanne would no doubt have pointed out that there's a big difference between being 96 and independent and feeling good, and being 96 and having been bedridden since 86...
For all his health-nuttiness, he still died before age One-Hundred. If he was genetically predisposed to live that long, then I don't see what benefit all them millions of push-ups and pull-ups he did all those decades past did for him. Me, I like my beers.
ReplyDeleteWho wants to live forever?
He actually invented many of the Universal-type exercise machines used today and gave away the intellectual rights. A self-promoter to be sure, but he put his body and wallet where his mouth is.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, George Burns lived to be 100. So the key is exercise and cigars.
ReplyDelete'Rents for quantity, reps for quality. Got it, Rat.
ReplyDeleteBut since my familial "senescence" (good one LR!) tends toward wicking out in the sixties, I guess I've only got about a decade left.
So I think I'll spend it sticking to wifey's Southern cookin' - or rather it sticking to me - and not grazing on food food.
And I much prefer shootin' iron to pumpin' it, so I'll stick to that too.
As LabRat implies, it's the quality of life that counts, and that's a subjective thing, yo.
AT
That was brilliant, Tam.
ReplyDeleteI had hoped he'd live to see 100.
"If it tastes good, spit it out." -JLL
ReplyDeleteI'm a fitness-focused person myself, but I do not adhere to nor endorse that philosophy.