{"id":1688,"date":"2015-06-30T09:39:26","date_gmt":"2015-06-30T15:39:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/wakeupcall\/?p=1688"},"modified":"2015-07-20T16:00:06","modified_gmt":"2015-07-20T22:00:06","slug":"jack-lalanne-10-easy-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/wakeupcall\/2015\/06\/jack-lalanne-10-easy-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"Jack LaLanne on improving your spiritual and mental well-being in 10 easy steps."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"Jack<\/a>
Jack LaLanne, 1961<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Do you remember \u201cThe Jack LaLanne Show\u201d?<\/strong> As a child, I can recall my mother watching the program on our black-and-white television. Jack was a \u201cfitness expert\u201d before there was such a thing, and I remember him as a man in constant motion. Wearing his trademark jumpsuit, he took viewers through exercise routines they could easily do right at home, using props like a kitchen chair and a broom.<\/p>\n

I hadn\u2019t thought much about LaLanne since then, until a few days ago when I saw a short video clip of him online (note: since taken down<\/em>)\u2014and noticed a hand-written list of 10 words just over his right shoulder. I tracked down the footage, and it turned out that Jack was promoting an easy-to-follow \u201c10-Point Self-improvement Plan\u201d. And surprisingly, his plan is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For those who don\u2019t know Jack LaLanne<\/a>, he is regarded as the \u201cthe founder of the modern fitness movement\u201d. And after looking back on his life, I now see what made him such impressive figure. His life mission was to \u201chelp people help themselves\u201d and he meant all<\/em> people. Jack insisted that exercise was for everyone, regardless of your age or physical condition, and that you could engage in it anytime, anywhere, even with meager equipment.<\/p>\n

Most importantly, what made Jack different from the exercise gurus of the past, was that he took a 360-degree view of life. While he preached the benefits of regular exercise, he also spoke of the importance of a proper diet, having the right attitude and the need for faith. He wanted to improve his viewers\u2019 well-being, body, mind and spirit.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jack called his 10-point list \u201clittle secrets to help improve yourself from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head\u201d. And he promised that if you tried it each day for a week, you would begin to see \u201can amazing change in the way you feel and look\u201d. Check out the list and Jack\u2019s advice below, with my comments noted in italics.<\/p>\n

Jack LaLanne\u2019s 10-Point Self Improvement Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Exercise<\/strong>. It\u2019s the key to everything, if you don\u2019t exercise you will look and feel old. Jack exercised daily right through his 96th<\/sup> year of life.<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. Nutrition<\/strong>. Eat more fruits and vegetables, and more lean meats. Cut out white flour, sugar and fried food. Be conscious of what you\u2019re putting in your body. Jack swears he had a life-changing experience once he cut junk food out of his diet.<\/em><\/li>\n
  3. Positive Thinking<\/strong>. Think wonderful thoughts. Count your blessings. Appreciate what you have and don\u2019t focus on what you don\u2019t.<\/li>\n
  4. Good Habits<\/strong>. Replace a bad habit with a good one. Have 10 minutes to spare? Instead of mindlessly scanning your phone, try a mini-meditation<\/a> session or a walk around the block.<\/em><\/li>\n
  5. Grooming<\/strong>. Be aware of your personal appearance, the way you look, how you dress. \u201cBe a lovelier you.\u201d<\/li>\n
  6. Smile<\/strong>. Keep a pleasant look on your face. Smiles<\/a> are infectious.<\/li>\n
  7. Posture<\/strong>. Whether walking, standing or sitting, \u201cpull the tummy in and keep the shoulders back\u201d.<\/li>\n
  8. Help Others<\/strong>. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Help others have a better life. When you help others, you also help yourself.<\/em><\/li>\n
  9. Relaxation.<\/strong>\u00a0Spare 5-10 minutes each afternoon to lie down in a dark room, completely relaxed. \u201cRecharge the human battery\u201d.<\/li>\n
  10. Faith.<\/strong>\u00a0You can\u2019t do it all by yourself, have faith in Nature and God above. Put forth some effort and you\u2019ll find that God helps those who help themselves.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    It all makes sense even today, doesn\u2019t it? Read these 10 points again. Then, print them for easy access and try them tomorrow, and the next day and the day after that. And see if the result isn\u2019t a happier<\/a>, healthier you.<\/p>\n

    See below for more wisdom from Jack LaLanne:\u00a0https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=o0ITfeF0F6M<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Do you remember \u201cThe Jack LaLanne Show\u201d? As a child, I can recall my mother watching the program on our black-and-white television. Jack was a \u201cfitness expert\u201d before there was such a thing, and I remember him as a man in constant motion. Wearing his trademark jumpsuit, he took viewers through exercise routines they could […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1184,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[296,106,97,1,98],"tags":[298,393,297,300,299,190],"class_list":["post-1688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fitness","category-happiness-2","category-health","category-uncategorized","category-well-being","tag-fitness-2","tag-health","tag-jack-lalanne","tag-self-help","tag-self-improvement","tag-well-being-2"],"yoast_head":"\nJack LaLanne on improving your spiritual and mental well-being in 10 easy steps.<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do you remember \u201cThe Jack LaLanne Show\u201d? As a child, I can recall my mother watching the program on our black-and-white television. 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