Today is the inaugural World Fitness Day, Jane Fonda’s latest Cause Americana. As a workout guru back in the 70s, she helped launch the aerobics craze. I know she inspired me to hop around in leotards and leg warmers. (But I never wore the elastic sweat bands around my head. A little too over the top for me…)
Jane Fonda looking healthy!
Now Jane is on a mission again to teach Americans how to be healthy and help us recognize the benefit being active our whole lives. The purpose of this day is to “bring greater attention to the importance of self-empowerment, health, and wellness throughout the life span.” Think we need it?
From Jane’s website about this event:
“It is an amazing opportunity for Atlanta and Georgia to strengthen the mind, body and spirit of Georgia’s and the nation’s youth.”
Think they need it?
I applaud Jane for caring in the first place. At 72 years old with a hip and knee replacement, tons of dough, and I’m sure plenty to do (being a granny), she doesn’t need to organize an event to show people (seniors and boomers in particular) how to exercise and help them recognize the many benefits of remaining active.
I don’t see anybody else doing it. That’s why I like Jane. She sticks her neck out, like her foundation that works to prevent unwanted teen pregnancies. With her projects she opens herself up to criticism. But at least she gives a hoot. She doesn’t always get it right—like Hanoi Jane—for which she still gets major flack for that stunt.
I read her autobiography. I think she was “under the influence”—of an idiot husband. No excuse. But women do do stupid stuff for their men—especially if they have low self-esteem.
When I read Jane’s book I couldn’t believe what crumb bums she married. Sure they were smart, interesting, well-connected, one very creative, one very rich—but all were manipulative, self-absorbed, and cheated on her. YUK! What good is wealth/position/power, etc. if you have no moral code/respect for your spouse/commitment to your marriage? Jane married guys who treated her as a prop, not a partner.
Anyway, Jane figured it out. I heard her speak in Santa Cruz a few years back. She was candid about her life, her desires to please, her striving for perfection, her aloof father, her body image problems, and the bad choices in men—although she remains friendly with the two husbands that are still living.
Jane started to write her autobiography at 62 as she felt that she had lived two-thirds of her life and was starting the last one-third. She was still married to the Mouth of South at the time. He required so much of her attention, that if they went on vacation (fly fishing in some river) she had to hide her computer in a backpack and sneak a few minutes here and there to write her book.
Oh brother! When I heard that I thought, “Jane, get some balls!”
No one stands between me and my writing. And if they did, they wouldn’t be standing for long. Nor around me for long either.
Oh well. To each her own.
To Jane: Good luck with helping Americans realize the value of health and exercise. And good luck with your soon-to-be hubby #4!
Engaged to be married: Jane Fonda and music producer Richard Perry.
