Fitness Improves Quality of Life and Longevity: Case Study

Are we really living up to our potential for fitness to improve quality of life and longevity?

Look around. You can find them just about anywhere. And you don’t have to go to a nursing home.

People with poor posture. Severely overweight people. People who have difficulty climbing a flight of stairs.

They lead a sedentary lifestyle. Maybe you’re one of them. This lifestyle can adversely affect your quality of life.

It’s an unfortunate set of circumstances. Genuinely good people who want to improve their quality of life, but can’t seem to make the change.

It’s difficult to make changes in your life. I get that. Everybody has different obstacles to get over. But the human body is capable of amazing things.

If you’re not exercising regularly, you’re not getting the benefits that can greatly improve your life.

We already know about many of the benefits of fitness.

So why don’t more people exercise regularly?

There are lots of reasons:

• Not enough time
• Dislike of exercise
• They don’t think it’s important
• Too old
• Too tired
• No motivation

These are all obstacles you can overcome. And there was one person who inspired millions to overcome the hurdles of life and improve their health.

Fitness Improves Quality of Life and Longevity: Jack Was Sick and Tired of Being Unhealthy

For 10 years until age 15, Jack LaLanne was a self-described sugarholic and junk food junkie with the health problems that came along with it – acne and fatigue.

By his own account, his bad diet made him “weak” and “mean.”

His health was so bad he had to drop out of school for 6 months.

He was an ordinary kid. He wasn’t born with special talents. Jack LaLanne just had determination. And grit. Things everyone can harness within themselves.

He would use that determination to show the world how fitness can change your life.

He knew that the reasons for not exercising don’t hold water.

Today, he’s considered the Godfather of Fitness.

Fitness Improves Quality of Life and Longevity: A Decision that Would Make a World of Difference

Tired of being unhealthy and suffering its effects, his mother took him to a lecture by a famous nutritionist who called him a “human garbage can.”

He reflected and prayed that he would have the strength to stay away from all the bad food that was killing him.

Jack LaLanne had enough of being unhealthy and decided to change the course of his life. And did he ever change course.

Jack took up the fitness lifestyle and never looked back. And it made all the difference.

At age 21, he opened the first health club in the United States when people scoffed at him.

But he was undeterred.  Jack knew that fitness improves quality of life and longevity.

The Man Who Shattered Myths

Back when weight training was considered counterproductive by coaches, Jack LaLanne was ahead of his time.

Time was his greatest ally. Jack LaLanne demonstrated the benefits of weight training to the world before anyone else. He also showed that you need to combine it with a healthy diet.

Jack was winning people over, and his health club expanded into a chain of health clubs.

People began to realize the benefits of exercise. In 1951, he had his own television program, showing people how much better your quality of life can be with exercise.

He never stopped believing in the power of fitness to improve quality of life and longevity.

As if This Wasn’t Enough

Most people would be happy to rest on their laurels at this point.

But not Jack LaLanne.

He went on to demonstrate what the human body is capable of with fitness.

At age 60, he swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman’s Wharf handcuffed and shackled, pulling a 1000 pound boat.

At age 70, he swam shackled and handcuffed, towing 70 boats with 70 people 1.5 miles.

Jack LaLanne said, You don’t get old from age, you get old from inactivity, from not believing in something.”

Although he died at age 96 in 2011, he set an example for the world throughout his life, showing that you can stay healthy and fit late into life.

Your Body Will Return the Favor

What made the difference was his mindset. His attitude. He was determined to improve his life and set an example for the rest of us.

He demonstrated what the human body is capable of. Jack LaLanne showed us how exercise can improve our lives dramatically. He was a pioneer, ahead of his time when people scoffed at what he was selling.

But he had the last laugh, proving the skeptics wrong.  He demonstrated that fitness improves quality of life and longevity.

I’m not saying you have to swim 1.5 miles towing 70 people in 70 boats.

But with regular vigorous exercise you can dramatically improve your quality of life.

Want to avoid the nursing home? Exercise regularly. Stay healthy and fit so your friends and family won’t have to take care of you in old age.

You don’t have to suffer from many of the debilitating diseases associated with aging.

A little exercise goes a long way. Just three times a week can make a big difference.

What are you waiting on?