Angela Lansbury, the beloved actress best known for her role as Jessica Fletcher in "Murder, She Wrote," left behind a legacy of elegance, grace, and positivity. Beyond her remarkable acting career, Lansbury offered valuable insights into maintaining a vibrant and healthy life, particularly for women of a certain age. Her approach, characterized by common sense, self-acceptance, and a focus on simple joys, continues to resonate with audiences today.
A Holistic Approach to Well-being
Lansbury's philosophy extended beyond conventional notions of fitness. She emphasized the importance of living in the present, cultivating positive relationships, and finding joy in everyday activities. Her book, "Positive Moves: My Personal Plan for Fitness and Well-Being," published in 1990, offers a glimpse into her personal routines and upbeat outlook on life.
Gentle Movement and Stretching
Lansbury was not a fitness expert or diet fanatic. In her fitness video, "Positive Moves," Lansbury admits to not being a fitness expert or diet fanatic, but that she takes 30 minutes each day to do these stretches so she can continue the lifestyle and activities she enjoyed when she was younger. Instead, she advocated for incorporating gentle movement and stretching into daily life. Inspired by her childhood experiences with The League of Health and Beauty, where she practiced movement and exercise in Regent's Park, Lansbury recognized the importance of flexibility, mobility, and balance, especially as one ages.
Her fitness video, available on YouTube, features low-impact stretches and exercises similar to yoga or Pilates. These gentle movements, combined with Lansbury's calming demeanor and warm voice, create a relaxing experience suitable for nearly all fitness levels. The exercises often utilize everyday items like a bath towel, making them accessible and practical.
The Power of Daily Rituals
Lansbury believed in the power of daily rituals to enhance both physical and mental well-being. She revealed that every morning, she would treat herself to a mini massage with aloe lotion, followed by 10 minutes of gentle stretches - a practice that helped keep her mind and body aligned. She also advocated for incorporating small ceremonies that are comforting, such as taking a bath with soft towels and fragrant oils.
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Embracing Simple Joys
Angela’s passion for simple joys like walking, dancing freely, gardening, and swimming comes through in her book. She credits these activities as key components of her fitness and well-being, encouraging readers to incorporate them into their own lives. Lansbury found joy in activities like walking, gardening, sewing, and even washing her car. She emphasized the importance of "puttering" around the house and engaging in activities that require physical movement.
The Importance of Rest and Relaxation
Lansbury recognized the importance of rest and relaxation in maintaining overall health. She preached the importance of naps, setting limits, and taking time for oneself. She believed that rest is a great healer and energizer, and that it's important to skip a day of exercising when feeling under the weather.
Diet and Nutrition
Lansbury's approach to diet was sensible and balanced. She included some of her favorite recipes in "Positive Moves", including her famous loaf and a delicious garden vegetable soup. She encouraged readers to be mindful of their eating habits and to find a weight that is comfortable for them.
Positive Mindset and Self-Acceptance
Lansbury's philosophy extended beyond physical fitness to encompass mental and emotional well-being. She emphasized the importance of self-acceptance, positive thinking, and maintaining a sense of humor.
Cultivating a Positive Outlook
Lansbury believed in the power of positive thinking to overcome challenges and maintain a sense of optimism. She encouraged readers to visualize themselves meeting challenges easily and well, and to remind themselves to live each moment with a sense of peace, harmony, and calm. She also shared a trick she used to combat negative thoughts: "if I do have a negative thought I quickly say to myself, ‘Cancel that!'"
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Embracing Self-Acceptance
Angela Lansbury's approach to aging and keeping fit is very practical. She encouraged readers to accept themselves as they are, flaws and all. She acknowledged that genetics play a role in our bodies and that some things cannot be altered. However, she believed that self-acceptance is vital for overall well-being.
Maintaining Femininity and Sexuality
Angela tells us how to keep romance in life, and that it’s important for a woman to maintain a mystery about herself at any age. Lansbury challenged the outdated notion that women lose interest in sex after menopause. She believed that femininity and sexuality go hand in hand and that it's important for a woman to maintain a sense of mystery about herself at any age. She encouraged women to continue to present themselves as women of loveliness and dignity, who feel good and know they're looking their best.
Lansbury's Enduring Legacy
Angela Lansbury's approach to health and fitness was revolutionary for its time, and it remains relevant today. Her emphasis on gentle movement, simple joys, positive thinking, and self-acceptance offers a refreshing alternative to the often-intense and unrealistic expectations of the fitness industry.
A Timeless Message
Angela Lansbury's message of self-acceptance, positive thinking, and finding joy in everyday activities is timeless. Her approach to aging gracefully and staying active continues to inspire people of all ages.
An Anti-Goop Approach
Unlike some celebrity wellness gurus, Angela Lansbury wasn't making wild claims that couldn't be fulfilled. She was aware of her age and limitations, and she wasn't trying to prepare herself or anyone else to run a marathon or lose 100 pounds. Instead, she offered a practical and realistic approach to health and well-being that is accessible to everyone.
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