Working Out
I have gotten amazing, heartfelt feedback from people who are working out with my last two DVDs. One woman said she was 80 years old and had never exercised before in her life but was ‘hooked’ by my videos (her son gave them to her) and felt better than ever. Younger people who have gotten out of shape are telling me the same thing.
While I was researching my book, “Prime Time,” I was struck by the depth of research showing that staying physically active is just about the #1 factor in whether you have a good Third Act or not. As Jane Brody, New York Times health writer says, “It’s not that very old people…can exercise because they are healthy…rather, they achieve a healthy old age because they exercise.” Activity strengthens the heart and bones, improves circulation, reduces obesity, thickens the skin and can help with depression because of the endorphins released into the system. Endorphins are brain chemicals that give relief from pain, enhance the immune system, reduce stress and bring us a sense of well-being. For some people it takes only ten minutes of moderate exercise to experience the endorphin rush. For others it might take 30 minutes.
Some people mistakenly think, “Oh, I can’t exercise. I’ve never done it…or I stopped that years ago!” Well, we’ve all heard the truism, “Use it or lose it.” What this leaves out, however, is that if it’s lost we can get it back. Not only can we recover lost functions but “in some cases we can actually increase function beyond our prior level.”
It’s important to do both cardio (aerobic) as well as resistance exercises. Aerobic activity is the only thing that gets rid of fat from all over your body including the marbled fat deep inside your muscles — dieting alone can’t do this. There’s more: All brain experts will tell you that physical activity will do more for brain health than the expensive computer-based brain games that are so the rage these days (though doing both might not be a bad idea!). Aerobics also helps the brain by reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke and improves cognitive functioning by slowing the age-related shrinkage of the frontal cortex of the brain which is where “executive functioning” like reasoning and problem solving take place. Reports show that as many as fifty million older Americans may get Alzheimers by mid-century. While research is underway to prevent or postpone the disease, scientists already know, as Jane Brody writes, “…people who exercise regularly in midlife are 1/3 as likely to develop Alzheimer’s in their 70’s. Even those who start exercising in their 60’s cut their risk of dementia in half.” Now THAT’S saying something!!
All of us know that we tend to put on weight as we get older. This is due partly to our tendency to be less active while continuing to eat the way we always have. But it is also due to the fact that we lose, on average, 3 to 5 percent of our muscle tissue each decade after age 30 so that by the time we reach seventy-five, our resting metabolism (basal metabolism) will have slowed, and dropped by about 10 percent– unless, of course, we become active enough to maintain our muscles and consciously eat fewer (but more nutrient-rich) calories.
Here’s a dramatic example of what can happen: If you eat just 100 calories more than you burn up every day, you can expect to gain more than fifty pounds in five years. In order to lose this fat, you have to burn it up as a source of energy. (ie., if the calories you eat are less than the number of calories you are burning as energy, then the additional energy you need will have to come from stored fat.) To sum up: Aerobic or fat-burning types of activities will help with weight loss as will increasing your resting metabolism rate through weight-training or resistance exercise to maintain muscle mass. According to research done at Tufts on people fifty to seventy-two years old, muscle mass can actually be increased more than 200 percent with exercise.
I had been out of the workout business since the mid 90s, but what I learned from my research motivated me to get back into it. I created a new brand, Jane Fonda’s PRIME TIME workout. I figured ‘who better than me? I’m old, I’m have physical issues like most people, I can’t do what I used to do—jump up and down, splits, etc—and I have credibility in this area. Why not make a whole new series of programs for boomers and seniors that are safe and effective? Nobody else is doing it!’
On the set of Firm & Burn
My first two DVD’s (Fit & Strong” and “Walkout”) came out last year and are best sellers they are currently available online and in stores. “Fit & Strong” won the Best Fitness Disc Award from Home Media Magazine. Now I am excited to announce the release of my two newest DVD’s. The first, called “Firm & Burn” is available right now at Target Stores. The second is called “Trim, Tone & Flex” and will be available, along with “Firm & Burn” in stores everywhere and online on December 6th. Both titles are available for preorder on Amazon. They are more like my older videos in that I have other people with me, real people, not models or buff dudes, and the music is fabulous: A live band on set doing Doo Wop, Funk, Latin…it’s really fun.
Home Media Magazine Best Fitness Disc Award
So just keep in mind what The MacArthur Foundation’s Study of Successful Aging, concluded: physical activity is “perhaps the single most important thing an older person can do to remain healthy… the crux of successful aging, regardless of other factors.”
And, please, if you do use these programs, let me know your thoughts—good or bad. You have no idea how much I learn from the people who write to me on my blog, facebook, and twitter.
26 Responses to “Working Out”
Category: Health & Fitness, My BlogTags: DVDs, firm & burn, Prime Time, Tone & Flex, Trim
Health & Fitness
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Working Out
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JUST ABOUT FINISHED MY 2 NEW DVDs
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Jane Fonda on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno
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OPRAH.COM: LEGENDARY ICON JANE FONDA: HER LIFE, NEW LOVE AND WORKING OUT
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People.com FIRST LOOK: Jane Fonda’s New Workout DVD Revealed
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More on World Fitness Day
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World Fitness Day
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BODY BY JAKE
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SORE AND SAD
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RICHARD SIMMONS’ CLASS
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PARTIES AND WORKOUTS. WHEW!
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DENISE AUSTIN
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GETTING BACK TO THE WORKOUT
- Prime Time DVDs
Jane,
I picked up “Burn & Firm” at Target on Friday and did this workout over the weekend. I LOVE this workout. The music is great and I enjoy the class setting. It reminds me a lot of your earlier workouts that I enjoy so much. Can’t wait to get your next one!
Tammy, hooray!thanks for the feedback. Xx
New workout is so great. Makes me feel more stretched and dancer-like than the NYC Ballet Workouts! But your hip workout gear is even more inspiring. What brand are you wearing in what looks like one-piece outfits? Will you share that secret? I’m one of those people who showers BEFORE I go to the gym and chooses my wardrobe carefully. Every little trick to get moving.
what is your take on weight resistance routine added to your program?..for example, your CD for aerobics then power-lifting…at 69, she bench press 50kg and squats 100kg
Bill, I have two PrimeTime DVDs–one iscardio, one is resistence
So listen to this i was in 6th grade and my step mom had a work out video that my sister and i used to do just for fun well i have been searching for that video it was beginner and an intermediate workout i loved it maybe could you tell me where i could get that and i know that you know what one i am talking about i miss it please let me know if you can??? i think it was around 16 years ago
and i absolutely love that movie monster in law you had me cracking up lol my kind of women
Tiffany, do you remember what I was wearing? How old are you, cause some of the early ones are not to boomers and seniors. The really old ones are not being sold anymore but I have bought back the rights and plan on doing a compilation of them in short, 5 min. segments that can be downloaded. Stay tuned.
Dear Jane: It’s time for me to start taking care of myself. Having been a life-long care giver to others (including my dear departed dog; thank you for your kind words), and now finding myself living alone (single mom to the best son in the world), I want to turn my care-giving nature towards something new and novel … me. Where to start? I am reading Prime Time and have found many insights and inspirations there. Having just turned 59, and having lead a, so far, unorthodox life, your recommendation for a Life Review speaks loudly to me. But what about my body? I have not “exercised” in years. My work involves sitting at a desk in front of a computer 8 hours a day. I am 5’8″ and weigh 160 lbs. I could stand to lose a few inches, but feel more the need to strenghten my body to galvanize a hopefully strengthening confidence and spirit. Which of your DVD’s would you recommend I start with?
Thanks again Jane, for all you do.
Hello Jane,
You seem almost to be on a compettitive edge with youself. I like the idea of subscribing to this self-seeking or fighting disposition. Maybe even a Samsara disposition. A quest; one man’s or woman’s struggle to find spiritual Enlightenment, in a would that is often dark and void.
I was writing …
Apathy
Fame and others dissipate in a exhaustive superficial blending of silence and apathy into the chill of memory
Ideas crumbled to dust so many fragments of words driven into our servitude dragged into death
As fashion decay and fade into insignificance or just frozen into form hushed into silence or into truth
Plunged into dispair change merge into character and charactors pass into oblivion
One thing is common to humanity a claim truth of destruction doomed to failure and platitudes ground to progress
by Timothy Dougherty
with love and care,
Jane, I saw you on Oprah yesterday – I live in Cape Town and we’re just watching her final season now! Thank you so much for being so alive, honest, real, full of energy and joy. You really inspired me. I’m approaching my third act in life, and wrestling with the reality that, hard as I’ve tried, I haven’t been able to build what I longed to, in my second act. I had to spend that time searching for myself. But I’ve found myself now, and I’m starting to build my life from this point on. You really let me see that it’s not at all too late for me. Thanks again, with all my heart.
Jennifer, try to find my new book, “Prime Time.” It will be or already is published in Australia. You’ll find it very useful, I think
This is so important. I’m 53, and I teach water aerobics to 40 somethings to 90 plus folks. They are all awesome. Now I can tell them even more reasons to exercise!
Thanks. And you might want to recommend my new book about aging–all its facets, “Prime TIme’
Hi Jane! You are such an inspiration to me. I did your exercise tapes in the 80′s, and now I’m almost 59, 3/4 of my way through your Third Act book (and loving it — love the pictures too — you were and are so pretty!) I was walking an hour every other day, then fell! hurt my knee, so walking for an hour like that is out for awhile, however, I got your Walk Out DVD from my library and did it yesterday and today and love it! I ordered it from Amazon today, as well as your Fit & Strong DVD, so I wouldn’t get bored because I plan to do them every single day. And yes, I will get your other one from Target, and watch for your Dec. one as well. I am so happy to know that through my 60′s, 70′s and beyond, thanks to you, that I can do these now at home, and stay fit. Thank you so much! I told my girlfriend about them because she is having hip issues and I know she could do these too and feel better about herself. These DVDs are thorough, yet relaxing and fun to do. I’m a year away from age 60, so like you, I’m getting ready for my Third Act so am enjoying your book. I also am on a wait list to get your Cookbook too from my library, and will try the recipes you’ve posted on this site. Thank you and Thank you for giving me the tools and information to make the last part of my life vibrant and healthy and enjoyable! I admire you SO much! (Love your dinnerware plates too!) Sandy
Just did Fit & Strong, (both workouts, so I’m really warmed up now). I’m 45, dancer, cyclist, rec skier, biz owner and recovering mom-a-holic. Gained/lost “an entire person” in adult life – THREE times, and not just during pregnancy (the Happy Meal years were brutal). Finally back on track – life begins at 45… This is a great workout to get the day started. Great stretch to continue on into cardio/run/walk/dance for those who need a little more. I’m no expert athlete, but I do work out almost daily and have gravitated more towards endurance training – ranked in top 30% of my age group after my first triathlon this year. The challenge now is to find “something simple” that will keep things humming on days when there’s no time for the 4-hour bike ride or longer workouts, so thanks for the kick-start, Jane!
So glad to hear this from you, Becky!
Jane,
I run a National Osteoporosis Foundation support group in North Texas. My ladies (and a few gents!) know that we need to exercise for stronger bones, but it can be boring. Also, we know we need to exercise safely. I was planning a series of group exercise sessions of some kind, when I came across your DVD “Fit & Strong”. It’s perfect for my group! How do I obtain permission to show your DVD’s at a support group meeting? Or at a series of meetings? I am very excited about this! My ladies will love this approach to exercise. This is something we can do and enjoy. It’s geared to our pace and yet challenging. 25 minutes per workout is just right. The background music is great, and they will be so encouraged by your remarks. The stretching and strengthening is just what we need. And many of us need to exercise in a group, to motivate each other.
Hey Jennie, Just do it! But thanks for being considerate enough to ask permission. Glad you think this will be good for your people. Do please ake some photos of them doing the programs and send them to be. I’ll post them.
So glad to hear this from you, Becky!
Moving on… did Firm & Burn (all of it) today. What fun! Love that Latin swagger, Jane! (Note: check your arm movements in mambo sequence on sidesteps – I think they’re reversed in parts). Just saw the clips from Today Show AND The View – busy day for you! Love your BOOTS on The View (and I’m still blushing from the hot topics). Also, now I have a sudden urge to hunt down alllll of the old videos (and convert to DVDs). Do you still have them?? I’m still dancing – no injuries here. Bring on the burnnnn! We need a 30th Anniversary Collector’s edition in 2012!! I sent you email on your “contact” page – buzz me back when you land. Be safe in your travels!
Hello Jane, my name is Maureen from the UK. I followed your video Jane Fonda workout many years ago when I was a lot younger. I am a lot older now (over 60), and it was only by chance I found out you were doing a DVD for older people like myself through our newspapers and TV that I felt I had to try it.
I asked my Sons if they could buy me this for Christmas and was so surprised when I opened my present Christmas day and found your DVD Prime Time Fit & Strong, and even further when I opened my other present and found another Prime Time DVD called Walk Out. I have been doing these religiously everyday and feel so much better and fitter.
My son’s commented when they were watching me that you were a very good teacher in how you explain things, and when you take us through the routines you make people feel at ease. I think you have an amazing body and you are very youthful and young looking and I hope that if I keep working on these exercises I will look as good as you. My Sons said there is another DVD you brought out in December this year, so they will pick that up for me as well. Cheerio Jane, and have a wonderful New Year, you are an inspiration.
Maureen.
wooooooooo–does this ever make me happy, Maureen. Thanks.
Fit & Strong DVD to the rescue after the 800 mile drive home yesterday. Helped loosen things up and start the day. Now to clean out the fridge! I emerged from workout to find my teen kids (who slept til 11am) making pizza for breakfast. Mom’s work is never done…Party’s over. Training for cycling event and 3 triathlons this year. Time to tweak the eating habits again. I don’t diet, but I can do better than pizza for breakfast. It’s a journey. Thanks for leading the way!
Jane,
Again, don’t post- I’m all over this thread. Sorry….
Just a quick note to say how much it sickens me to read these horrible posts from Vietnam vets on FB & Twitter. Do you have a friendly lawyer who can smack this stuff down? I hate it that these people have a voice online (and that children are reading this!) There’s even a Hanoi page on Facebook (which needs to be reported and taken down). These people make all military look bad. It’s sick. So tempting to reply to these posts, but I know it’s best not to engage. Sigh. This takes cyberbullying to a whole new level (very relevant in my teen kids’ world). Glad you’ve got thicker skin than I do. In case you don’t, just sending a quick hug (and another high five to your Royal Hotness at the Golden Globes). As a blogger wrote, Hell to the yeah, Baby!
On another note, I want to be brand manager/party captain when you re-release the original workout series (perhaps with modifications for gals who remember/think they can still do it, but need to scale back). There’s a Reebok video that has 3 gals doing variations of the same exercises. Workouts are fine the way they are (I want them allll) but maybe you can tack on a few extra demos/warnings for people whose memories are in better shape than their bodies.
Heading into training mode for Ride the Rockies cycling tour soon (you’re coming…) so I’ll need all the help I can get. Heck of a ride, usually 380-ish miles in 6 days, camping each night. This for a gal who dreamed of being a Rockette!
Hope you rest soon. Come back to Colorado! Xo
Hi Jane
You are the greatest! I love all you workouts since the ’80…
I recently bought all your new DVD and really enjoy every one of them.
I try to WALK OUT almost every day and even combine both routines into one 40 min workout. It would be awesome if you would include such an option on a new version of this DVD – just combine the two together, living out the stretching part at the end of the 1st slower walk.
ANd thanks for all your great work.
Danutka