LIVE!

Jack LaLanne (2009). Live Young Forever: 

                                    12 Steps to Optimum Health, Fitness, 

                                    and Longevity.

LaLanne is one of the grandfathers of health fitness in America. He started out with poor health as a child and teen, was angry much of the time, got into fights, and didn't do well in school...as a teen of 15, he and his mom attended a health lecture by Paul Bragg and they turned their lives around and lived the health life together. 

His philosophy of life is deceptively simple: exercise, nutrition, and a positive attitude. In his book he breaks down this philosophy by covering his personal secrets of: decreasing stress, personal care, eating clean, good posture, hydration, stretching, increasing energy, having at least one steady and strong relationship, working out at least three times a week, never retiring, and eating lots of fruits and veggies. 

He wrote this book when he was 95 years of age, not because he needed the money, but because he wanted to...a life of service...throughout his book, he takes you by the hand, personally and directly communicates his secrets to living a full and happy life based on 95 years of living. 

I found the book inspiring and motivating. There are two workouts, one for stretching and one with weights, that are covered in the book...i would have liked to see another one based on his "glamour stretcher." 

His first bit of advice may seem hard: go into a private room, strip down naked, and take a good look at yourself in the mirror...be critical, what would you like to change...he says you can change, you can be born again, you can grow younger by exercising, eating nutritious foods in their natural state, and maintaining a positive attitude. I challenge you (and myself) to take Jack up on his promise, and "live young forever."