Who is the Next Jack LaLane?

Who would have thought Jack LaLane would be gone, no longer promoting exercise and living a healthy lifestyle. I remember evening watching him on public television channel 21 or him doing enough pushups for a world record, or even tugging a boat while swimming.

He started the exercise and fitness revolution, by just being an example of health and wellness. He exemplifies being a product of the product. He truly is a great example of fitness. I remember him pulling a tugboat across the sound, or even watching him do squat thrusts on public television. More recently, in infomercials on his Juicing Machine.

So who can fill his shoes? Is it?

• · Tony Horton, creator of effective Beachbody P90X, Power 90, 10 Minute Trainer fitness programs and fitness book author?
• · Shaun T, creator of Insanity and Hip Hop Abs
• · Chalene Johnson, creator of TurboJam and Turbofire, and fitness author
• · Jake Steinfield, of Body by Jake and other fitness programs.

As individuals and as a nation, we recognize how important it is to be healthy and fit, as more and more people are looking to fight obesity. Our First Lady, Michelle Obama, first initiatives is to combat Obesity. The New York Road Runners Club charitable foundation, Team for Kids, was created to fight childhood obesity by providing running and fitness programs to the underserved and at risk children. Even Independent Team Beachbody Coaches have their share in stopping obesity from spreading, with their End the Trend campaign.

With healthcare costs skyrocketing, the one thing we can do is to make good healthy choices such as the food we eat and the exercises that we do. Look at the growth of Wholefoods, who mostly has organic and wholesome foods on its shelves. Trader Joes offer a lot of natural foods under their own label at great prices. Even regular grocery stores are introducing better food offerings.

It's no longer the one who can make a difference; it's going to take the effort of all of us to make sure that we take responsibility for our future. Take care of yourself now or someone else in a hospital will be taking care of you.

Who would have thought running would be more popular than ever as evidence of sold out marathons in shorter time. The 2011 Boston Marathon sold out in a day, and the previous year it took 2 months. The ING NYC Marathon has over 40,000 participants take over the streets of New York City on the first Sunday of November. The Rock and Roll Marathon Series have been selling out.

Triathlons from shorter sprint distances to Iron Man, which is a race that consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a full marathon of 26.2 miles, have become very popular. Even Irene is taking swimming lesson to do a triathlon! Who would have thought that doing the New York City Marathon a few years back that my wife would be learning to swim!

Well, the next Jack LaLane will eventually be one our our children! However there is only one Jack LaLane!

Thank you Jack LaLane for starting the fitness revolution! You will be missed.