I have to say that 2008 has been a pretty good year for Housewife in Hollywood.com

I started this zany idea in May with a birthday trip to The La Jolla Comedy Store. Since that time I’ve met many interesting people. I’ve interviewed musicians, actors, an artist, a writer, a director, a pirate queen, and the legendary Jack LaLanne.

2009 will bring extra excitement to Housewife in Hollywood.com! More interviews with talented individuals! More trivial small talk about all things pop culture! More cute videos of Chihuahuas!

Thank you to all the visitors. Thanks to all my MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter friends for your wonderful comments, support, and friendship.

Thank you to my family, friend’s offline, and the “man behind the green curtain” who is there to help when I’m clueless about techy internet stuff.

It’s time to celebrate! Hang up that disco ball, turn on the strobe lights and turn up the volume on your MP3 list! Here’s one of my favorite celebration songs from the fabulous Daft Punk.

Don’t forget to watch Dick Clark ring in the New Year with his traditional countdown on ABC.

“I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing-that it was all started by a mouse.”—Walt Disney

Mickey Mouse is 80 today. Ahh to be 80 and still look the same, or even better than you did the day you were born. The only other character who has experienced that in life might be Jack LaLanne.

Check out this retro clip of Michael Landon and friends telling the story of The Birth of Mickey Mouse:

Click me!
 
Happy Birthday Mickey!
 

I like to think of myself as a student of Jack LaLanne’s teaching. Even though I’m not always a good student, I do try my best to follow what I’ve learned from the Godfather of Fitness.  I did a Q&A with Jack LaLanne that you can view by clicking here.

Jack just recently joined his Grand Nephew Chris Lalanne in celebrating the grand opening of LaLanne Fitness in San Francisco. I talked with Chris about his new gym and the training method called Crossfit. When I asked what Jack thought about this method he said, “Jack loves it!”

If it has Jack LaLanne’s approval I’m checking it out. You’ve got to listen to a man that exercises two hours a day at age 93, and can turn down a doughnut without thinking twice.

Here’s more from my conversation with Chris:

HIH:  When did you decide to be involved in the fitness industry like your famous Uncle?

Chris:  Jack has been an inspiration to me for as long as I can remember.  I have been blessed with a name that will allow me to continue the LaLanne Legacy of helping people, help themselves.

HIH:   Congratulations on the grand opening of your gym in San Francisco. Is this something that evolved over time or was it always a dream of yours to open your own fitness center?

Chris:  I have always wanted to reach more people. One on one personal training was limiting in terms of how many people I could help in one day.  Now, with CrossFit and what we do here at LaLanne Fitness, our small group training allows me to help 10 times as many people!  Uncle Jack was on the ultimate platform…TELEVISION!  Will I be on T.V. someday?  We are currently involved in a reality show.  What direction that goes in is anybody’s guess.

HIH:  Can you explain what sets your gym apart from others?

Chris:  Here at LaLanne Fitness the CrossFit method of training provides the solution our society needs and wants.  There are four reasons why; 1. Shorter more efficient workouts = more CONVENIENCE.  2. Small group training = more AFFORDABLE. 3. Effective exercises and functional movements = more RESULTS.  4.  Accountability and supportive community = long-term SUCCESS!

HIH:  I noticed on your website the use of a whiteboard during training. Jack LaLanne used a whiteboard and chalkboard to explain concepts to his students on his TV show.  How is the board used in your facility?

Chris:  The white board is where our “Work out of the Day” is posted.  Every workout is time and scored.  These times are posted on the board so that all of the students can see each other’s performances.  We also use them for lectures similar to how Uncle Jack would use the chalkboard.

HIH:  Jack LaLanne told me the only good part of a doughnut is the hole in the middle. Are you as extreme about what you eat or do you indulge once and awhile in foods and beverages that nature didn’t intend for us?

Chris:   I have always eaten according to the LaLanne philosophy. “If man made it, don’t eat it.”  While in college, I was a competitive bodybuilder, with very meticulous eating strategies.  Just like I tell my students, I consistently make healthy food choices.

HIH:    Will you be opening gyms in other cities?

Chris:   At this point, my goal is to help the people of San Francisco.  If we are successful, who knows where we’ll end up?  For now it’s one student and one day at a time!

HIH:   What about making fitness DVD’s or even another LaLanne style TV show?
 
Chris:   If that is the path that life takes me…Great!  I am interested in providing long-term solutions to help people make changes for life. I believe there is an opportunity to help people down all of those avenues including; books, DVD’s and television!

HIH:   With all the diets out there it’s difficult to know what theory to follow, low carb, low cal, food combining etc… Many health clubs offer supplements and nutrition programs loaded with processed ingredients and artificial sweeteners. Does your gym offer nutrition training?

Chris:  We require all of our students to keep a food journal.  It’s amazing what happens when you have to record what you are eating.  This builds self-discipline and accountability for decisions you make on a daily basis.  I recommend the Zone Diet.  It is scientifically the most well balanced approach to eating.  The Zone Diet is based on controlling hormones, which are responsible for storage of body fat and silent inflammation.  Read, “Enter the Zone”…it’s valuable information.

HIH:   Speaking of artificial sweeteners, I asked Jack what he thought about America’s obsession with them and his answer was, “No comment.” What do you think about using artificial sweeteners to replace sugar?
 
Chris:  Just like fake fat (margarine), fake sugar (aspartame) is not good for you.  However, there is one product that my wife Maribel like’s called  ‘stevia’.  It’s derived from an herb.  Otherwise, most processed food products can be harmful.

HIH:   Do you have any ambitions to do some of the super human feats Jack has done, like pulling boats while swimming handcuffed?

Chris:  Not sure.  What ever I do, is has to be original.  Actually, every Workout of the Day is like a competitive event with myself.  CrossFit is a method of training that has turned exercise into an athletic event…it is “The Sport of Fitness”.

HIH:    Are you still doing a radio show with Jack LaLanne?
 
Chris:  Yes we are currently on hiatus.  We will resume the recording of “Jack LaLanne Live” this summer with some new features.  I would like to add video to the show so that our audience can ‘see’ what we are talking about!  The Jack LaLanne Show, which ran for 35 years was all about participation, we can get these people away from their desk and get moving!

HIH:    I just have to ask if Jack ever comes in for a work out.
 
Chris:  Jack was just here for our Grand Opening Celebration.  He did a few lunges then jumped up onto the stage…that was impressive!  Jack is in amazing condition for a 93 year old.  He’s like the energizer bunny…keep’s going!  Jack is a man who made a difference in our world.  He is truly an American icon and I am fortunate to carry on the LaLanne Legacy of helping people, help themselves!

As a kid who loved re-runs, I would rush to the TV whenever Jack LaLanne came on. I’d grab a dining room chair like he told me to and follow along as he showed me leg lifts, bends, and squats. I’d listen to him talk about the importance of a healthy diet, and watch him whip up honey banana desserts. This was the early 70’s, but his show began in 1951. “The Jack LaLanne Show” ended in 1985, becoming the longest running television program devoted to exercise and nutrition. In the early years, his audience was made up of mostly housewives, and Jack always referred to the viewers as “his students.”

In 1936, LaLanne, known to many as The Godfather of Fitness, opened up his own health club in Oakland, CA. He designed many of the first weight machines, and pulley systems that are now standards in the fitness industry.

Jack LaLanne has created many inventions including the Smith Machine, the Power Juicer, and numerous products such as vitamin supplements, DVD’s, and books. He has appeared in movies, and recorded songs with Connie Haines.

In my opinion, Jack LaLanne is a modern day superman. With amazing feats of strength, a star on the walk of fame, and a list of famous quotes to inspire the masses, he motivates people with his healthful lifestyle and enduring positive outlook on life. He is 94 years old now and still living what he teaches when it comes to overall health, exercise, and nutrition. To find out a bit more about Jack LaLanne take a look at the questions I asked him and the answers he sent back to me.

HIH:  When you created the first nationally syndicated exercise show on television, did you imagine you would become such a celebrity icon?

JL: No, I just wanted to help people get in shape.

HIH: You have accomplished many super human feats such as when you were 40 in 1954 you swam the length of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge underwater with 140 pounds of equipment, including two air tanks… an undisputed world record. At age 70 you were handcuffed, shackled and fighting strong winds with currents, towed 70 boats with 70 people from the Queen’s Way Bridge in the Long Beach Harbor to the Queen Mary. Who came up with the idea to do these things and what did your wife think about them? I know I’d be a bit concerned if my husband wanted to swim handcuffed and shackled, even in our backyard pool.

JL: I came up with all the ideas. Yes she was concerned and she says if I try another feat she’ll divorce me. I might have to defy her: my next feat is to tow her across the bathtub.

HIH: One of your LALANNEISMS is “Exercise is King, nutrition is Queen, put them together and you’ve got a kingdom.” Many people say that you can get away without exercise if you focus on eating the right foods. What do you think about that statement?

JL: You can’t have one without the other. You’re lopsided.

HIH: I’ve heard you say that fattening, sugary foods don’t appeal to you. Are you ever tempted to wake up in the morning and start your day with coffee and a donut?

JL: Are you kidding? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Never had a cup of coffee in my life. And the only thing good about a donut is the hole in the middle.

HIH: Before becoming a health conscious individual you said you were a sugarholic and a junk food junkie. Americans are trying to stop their sugar addictions but they are using chemical sweeteners instead. What is your opinion of sugar substitutes?

JL: No comment.

HIH: There is a lot of controversy and concern these days about athletes and steroid use. Do you think extreme measures such as steroids, and plastic surgery changed the way people view health and fitness?

JL: Taking steroids is like going to bed with a rattlesnake; it’s got to get you. Plastic surgery is up to the individual.

HIH: You have always included a positive mental outlook as an important component to a healthy lifestyle. Do you think Americans have gotten better at doing this or are they still trying to do things apart from each other rather than putting it all together?

JL: All I have to say is some do, some don’t. We still have a lot of out of shape Americans.

HIH: Your grandson Chris LaLanne is featured on your website. Does he have ambitions similar to yours?
JL: Chris is my grandnephew. He does have similar ambitions. He is opening a LaLanne Fitness Center in San Francisco.

HIH: I noticed you have a radio show on Voice America via your website. What is that about and how can we tune in?

JL: Go to www.jacklalanne.com and click on the Radio link. You can also get the archives of our past shows through that link.

HIH: My last question comes from my 7 year old daughter. I’ve introduced her to your television show on DVD and we are now both your “students”. She asks, “What is your favorite color?”

JL: Red, black and silver

credit for above color photo of Jack by Morro Rock to Brian Smith.