The Father of Fitness, Jack LaLanne, died on Sunday, January 23rd, at the age of 96.  He’s known for having created many of the exercise machines that we use today, as well edible nutrition bars and meal replacement shakes,  and even the concept of “going to the gym”…because he opened the first modern gym himself!  Obsessively passionate about getting Americans in shape since the 1930′s, LaLanne was a pioneer of working out, defying many doctors who, at the time, said weight-lifting would cause heart attacks and sexual dysfunction.

LaLanne even went to extremes to prove that a fit body could be achieved and maintained at any age by first swimming from San Francisco to Alcatraz handcuffed when he was 41, and then doing it AGAIN at age 60, this time shackled, and towing a 1,000 pound boat!  And if that wasn’t enough proof that one can do ANYTHING…at age 70, LaLanne towed 70 rowboats, one with several guests, handcuffed, shackled, (fighting strong currents & winds on top of that) for 1 mile, from the Queen’s Way Bridge in the Long Beach Harbor to the Queen Mary!

This man seemed to be made of steel.  But, despite his extreme mental and physical discipline, getting up early in the morning every single day to work out for 2 hours, would you believe LaLanne confessed, “I never liked to exercise”?

“…but I liked the results.”  That is the key “but.”  How many of us actually LIKE to exercise, especially when we’re tired, it’s cold outside, we don’t feel well, we have so much work to do, etc?”

I’m totally inspired by Jack.  Since 1930 to age 96, he hasn’t missed a workout.  Now, we may not be as hard-core as he was, but what excuse do we have to not exercise a measly 2 or 3 times a week?  Or for 2o minutes every day?  How important is it to you?  Don’t you want to live an amazing life like Jack, having a quality of life that’s foreign to most people because they’ve allowed laziness and a busy life to become obstacles to living the best life possible?

I’m convicted.  I hope you are, too.  We need to develop a mental discipline like Jack’s, which is what separates champions from failures.  Make an effort, not an excuse. That’s my plan for 2011.  I challenge you to make it your motto as well.

Committed to your success,

Priscilla