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This article was written by Francois Bradette from Vigour Times.
Elaine LaLanne, the revered first lady of fitness, begins each day by dedicating 20 minutes to physical activity.
“Twenty minutes a day gets me on my way,” she candidly shared in an interview with The New York Times published on September 4.
For nearly 60 years, alongside her late husband Jack LaLanne, known as the pioneering figure in modern fitness, Elaine has spearheaded the healthy living movement in the United States. Their collective efforts have birthed a fitness empire encompassing a television show, fitness equipment, supplements, and a chain of over 100 gyms.
Despite a slight slowdown in recent years, which is only natural, Elaine’s consistent dedication to the gym has kept her physically strong and aided her recovery from various falls, as she revealed in the interview.
Elaine LaLanne’s commitment to physical fitness remains unwavering. “You have to move,” she emphasized. “If you don’t move, you become immovable.”

Elaine initiates her morning workout routine while still in bed, stretching out on top of the covers and performing a dozen jackknife sit-ups, which target the lower abs with minimal impact. Following this, she proceeds to do incline push-ups at the bathroom sink, focusing on the upper chest muscles by elevating her arms on a surface like a bench or stairs.
After getting dressed and applying makeup, Elaine heads to her home gym, where she spends a few minutes walking uphill on a treadmill. As previously reported by Insider, Dr. Howard Tucker, a 101-year-old neurologist, attributes part of his longevity to running two to three miles on a treadmill a few times a week.
Additionally, Elaine engages in lat pull-downs using a machine, effectively targeting all the muscles in her back. She also incorporates daily stretches and hangs from a pull-up bar, allowing her body to relax.
A plethora of research supports the notion that exercise plays a pivotal role in leading a long and healthy life, offering benefits such as preventing cardiovascular disease and enhancing mood.Alongside her physical activity, Elaine attributes her vitality to a positive can-do attitude, affirming that “Everything starts in the mind,” as she imparted in the interview. Her daily affirmations, including mantras like “You have to believe you can” and “It’s not a problem, it’s an experience,” contribute to her youthful mindset.
This approach is reinforced by scientific evidence. A comprehensive 2019 study discovered that individuals with a high level of optimism live 11% to 15% longer and have a higher likelihood of surpassing the age of 85 compared to those with a limited positive mindset.
