CNN: 6 questions for Jane Fonda

Dec 04.12

By Jennifer Bixler, CNN

CNN) — In the 1980s, Jane Fonda was the face of fitness for millions of Americans.

“The Jane Fonda Workout” became the highest-selling home video ever, with more than a million copies purchased. Since then, Fonda has produced and starred in over 20 home exercise tapes and DVDs.

After a 15-year hiatus, the Oscar award-winning actress returned to the fitness field with the goal of helping baby boomers feel better and stay active. Her latest DVD, “Prime Time: AM/PM Yoga for Beginners,” releases Tuesday.

Fonda turns 75 later this month. We spoke with her Monday about aging, eating and living life abundantly.

Q: When you released your first workout tape in 1982, did you have a sense of how big a phenomenon you were on to?

I did not have a clue. I had no idea. It was pure luck. I didn’t realize the role timing would play in the whole thing. There was no video industry. I didn’t know anyone who owned a video, because no one could afford the hardware to play a video. And there was no video that beckoned people to do it over and over and over again until that tape came out. That’s what caused the video industry to explode … it was all very synergistic … it had no strategic thought on my part.

Q: How do you stay motivated?

What motivates me is how good I feel afterwards. (Laughs) I don’t wake up saying “Oh goody, I am going to work out.” But I do it because of how it makes me feel when it’s over. I feel so good. If I’ve felt depressed or down at all, it picks me up and makes me feel great.

Q: Do you feel you have to do as much as you did 10 years ago?

Absolutely not, no. I can’t do what I used to do. My body just wouldn’t tolerate what I used to do. (Fonda has had hip and knee replacement surgeries.) The mistake that so many people make is that if they can’t do what they once did, then they don’t do anything. Big mistake. It’s important just to do something. If you can’t run, walk. … If you can’t lift heavy weights, so lift light weights. But just keep yourself physically active. It makes all the difference not just for your body, but for your brain as well.

Q: What do you eat?

I eat fish, chicken and eggs. I eat red meat maybe twice a week. But when you are older, it is very important what you eat because your cells regenerate more slowly and also you put on weight more easily because you have less muscle than you used to, so every single calorie you put in your body has to count for something. I eat by color. I try to eat something dark green, dark purple, red, orange, yellow, white, because they all have different vitamins and minerals in them.

Q: What foods do you avoid at all costs?

Well, I am not a purist. I am not perfect. Now that the Christmas holiday is coming, I will take a bite of a pecan pie, but I won’t eat a whole pecan pie. I will take a few bites of the dressing, but I will eat a lot of the turkey. Turkey meat is so good. I will eat it with cranberry sauce and gravy. But I try to eat less of the very fattening food and more of the really healthy food.

Q: What do you think is the secret to a well-lived life?

I think it’s more important to be “interested” than to try to be “interesting.” I’ve always remained interested and curious and I’ve always been a student as well as a teacher, so I think that’s key.

Also being intentional … living an intentional life … thinking about who you are, how you affect other people, how you are perceived in the world and how you can change that to be more positive — instead of sort of just drifting along like a leaf in the river, being really intentional about how you live.

When you do yoga, you can do the poses thinking about the grocery shopping or what you are going to do tomorrow, or you can be intentional … in the moment, being present in what you are doing. That’s how to get the most out of life and learning. That has been very important to me.

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11 Responses to “CNN: 6 questions for Jane Fonda”

  1. yonnegler says:
    December 5, 2012 at 4:27 am

    Jane: You are absolutelly right, about how to eat health, later in life.I was always fit, but since the day I lost my only and beloved son,in New York in 1993,I´ve living in a “dark” world, and I put on almost 40 pounds!That is the woman you met in Rio! Eat was my way to fullfill the “big hole” inside of me..I´ve been trying everything, but is has been very dificcult.Because of you, I will try again to follow some of your steps and advice.I know I am wrong, and you are totally right, ragarding on”how to eat” the right way as we age!But,here in Brazil, it is not easy:our most tradicional dishes are really not only delicious but very caloric…xoxo

  2. Charles says:
    January 6, 2013 at 4:57 am

    Happy birthday Jane! I have a quick question. Do you reflect daily on the three servicemen that were beat to death in Viet Nam because of YOUR actions? I honestly hope so. I wish you many more birthdays so that your conscience is tortured daily until God see it fitting to torture your soul some more. And to think some moron sees it fitting to name you woman of the century …..what a laugh.

    • Jane says:
      January 8, 2013 at 3:09 pm

      DEAR CHARLES, I AM ALWAYS PREPARED TO REFLECT AND LEARN FROM WRONG THINGS I ACTUALLY DID. BUT, WHAT YOU REFER TO NEVER HAPPENED, HAS BEEN PROVEN TO NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. I SUGGEST YOU CHECK YOUR FACTS BEFORE YOU WRITE SUCH THINGS AND REFLECT ON YOUR ERRORS. P.S. THE “WOMAN OF THE CENTURY” THING HAPPENED 3 DECADES AGO, I BELIEVE. YOU ARE SO BEHIND THE TIMES.

  3. Ann Perrott says:
    February 25, 2013 at 6:26 am

    Jane,
    I saw you on the Oscar show last night, and you looked stunning. You are an inspiration to me, I am 61 and have just ordered your DVD and plan on getting to work on my physical body. I have become stiff from two new hips and not enough exercise, but that is going to change. Looking forward to your DVD.
    Also, I was also angry about the Vietnam thing back in the 60′s (my brother was there), but in time I was so impressed with how you handled the mountain of anger and hate that you endured.
    I am sorry you had to go through all of that. We are all young at one time, and sometimes make decisions we would not otherwise make. Perhaps the person above could remember that.
    You are an amazing actress and I am so happy with your new site.
    Many Thanks

  4. didi says:
    March 12, 2013 at 6:26 am

    dear jane,

    i new to this site and as such haven’t quite discovered the workings so i apologise if i am doing this all wrong.
    I discovered your Jane Fonda New Workout video as a teenager about 20 years ago. now i am 35 overweight and have been through tons of other work out videos but still think that yours is the best. problem is that its only available as used vhs videos.

    i know i speak for a lot of people out there when i say this but we would really be grateful if you could please convert the Jane fonda new workout video to DVD and amke it available.

    thank you and keep up the good work

    Didi

  5. Paula Schichtel says:
    March 18, 2013 at 9:49 am

    I am an 87yo admirer…since 1982..I recently read your book, and you are still my Icon..due to life circumstances, I had not used my “Workout for Athletes and Dancers” in 4 years..
    Now I feel the need.(taking care of an incapacitated husband) and find that my strength has returned..
    I have copied the tape twice and find I can no longer do that..and really will miss it when it breaks again..
    I get many complements on my condition..and all I say is “Fonda”. I’m sure I among millions that say the same thing.
    I copied your pose on the cover of the tape but was unable to download it here..
    I thank you for all the help thru all these years…xx Paula Schichtel

  6. Pete Jorgy says:
    March 28, 2013 at 9:10 am

    Hello,
    I hated Hanoi Jane. How could she? As it turns out, neither side was right. They were both interested in oppression.

    In your defense you do;

    -Speak directly and honestly
    -Are motivated by truth
    -Are searching or have an expansive personality

    Strother Martin noted; “Luke, first, you have to get your mind right!” Strother was correct. (He was explaining how to become more intentional I think;)

    Our challenge is to figure out what to do with all the gifts we’ve been given. Maybe being afraid is a signal you’re on the right track?

    Thanks, Pete

  7. Joanne says:
    April 4, 2013 at 7:35 am

    Hi Jane!
    I have wanted to write you for years but this time I told myself I ‘must’ email you! I am 51 and started doing your first tape ‘the original’ back in the early ‘80’s. The aerobic part was difficult for me because I did not know at the time that I had asthma but the results were always the same – it always made my body feel better – it fixed whatever hurt. I even bought another copy of your tape a few years ago off of eBay and burned it to a DVD. Back in 2010 I hurt a small muscle in my knee so I had to completely stop doing weights and aerobics because it seem to really aggravate the knee. And then my shoulder screwed up…basically my right side seemed to be falling apart! I went for low intensity laser therapy, chiro worked out on my Pilates machine, did yoga. All those things seemed to help but nothing really made it better. Then I went to a RMT a couple of weeks ago who released a trigger point in my leg and fixed my knee but my shoulder was still a mess. With my knee fixed I tried my old stand by ‘Jane Fonda, the Original, 1982’!!!
    While I was doing it the first day it was soooooo painful to move my arms, but later that day the shoulder seemed to feel better. I did it again the next day (I know, kind of pushing it) and it was the first time in about a year where I slept with out pain. Two days earlier it hurt to open curtains or to brush my teeth. Anyhow, I just wanted to say ‘thanks’ and although you know people are still using your tapes I just wanted to let you know how much and how many times you have helped me out!
    Thank you
    Joanne

  8. joan madison says:
    April 26, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    Dear Jane, I know this might be a personal question but I am a 62 year old and have had some surgery on my face after undergoing a brain aneurysm.I came through the brain surgery fine,but the facial surgery did not go so well. I am really struggling and feeling very unattractive. I don’t know where to turn to find a good surgeon to help me. You truly look beautiful and I have heard you say that you had good work. Please share with me some doctors that you could recommend to help me. I am not enjoying life because I feel so distorted. If I could at least know where to go to get help, that would be wonderful start. Don’t post this as I am very sensitive to this subject. I am just a retired housewife that would like to enjoy the next stage of life. Thank you . Sincerely Joan

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