Mastery A Paradigm Change for Weight-loss
Written by Richard Kelley, M.D.
This past January we lost a truly special individual and someone that many of you may have heard me reference time and time again. Jack Lalanne passed away at the age of 96 years of age on January 23, 2011.
Jack Lalanne made the decision at age 15 to change his life from an unhealthy, sugar-addicted teenager, to someone who would dedicate his life to teaching others the value and benefit of healthy nutrition and exercise.
To Mr. Lalanne, exercise and eating in an optimal manner to support his health and fitness was not a fly-by-night proposal, it was his life and his ‘lifestyle.’ He truly was a ‘master’ over his body and the idea of ‘short-term’ change was not a part of his mode of operation.
Just last year, at the age of 95, he wrote his last book, titled, ‘Live Young Forever.’
In fact, Jack Lalanne ‘lived young and lived fit’ consistently for over 80 years of his life. It seems almost every milestone birthday was marked by his public display of a fantastic feat of strength and endurance.
At age 61 he swam the length of the Golden Gate Bridge, 20 feet under water, handcuffed and shackled, towing a 2000-pound boat and other birthdays were marked by equally staggering feats.
I am writing about Jack Lalanne today for a couple of reasons. One, he was a true hero in my book an I hate the fact that he is gone. Secondly, I want to plant the idea in your mind that optimal health and fitness is something that we can choose to ‘master.’
Most of us give priority to so many other things in our lives, day-in and day-out, that our fitness and nutrition get placed on the back burner. I want to encourage you to bring it out to the forefront and make it your number one personal priority and to consider making your health and fitness something you are going to ‘master’ and progress toward year after year.
Jack Lalanne was a shining example of what is possible when health and fitness occupy a place of high priority. I hope you will consider following his lead this year and for years to follow.
All the best,
Dr. Kelley
Article author
About the Author
Dr. Kelley is co-founder of Physician's Way Healthy Weight Loss in Austin, Texas. A seasoned veteran of over 10 years in emergency medicine, he is trained in Family Practice and Certified by The American Board of Bariatric Medicine. His extensive patient contacts over close to 20 years in the medical field, prompted a change in his focus from ‘reactionary care,’ to one dedicated to prevention and the promotion of optimal health and fitness.
Dr. Kelley’s expertise is derived not only from his medical education and many years of training, but also from the fact that he lives the fitness-focused lifestyle which he encourages in his patients.
An author and speaker, as well, Dr. Kelley’s mission is to teach the strategies and mechanics of long-term lifestyle change (The Fitness Response) and to improve the lives of his patients and all who follow his teaching and philosophy.
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