The President shows off his body politic
First, a pop quiz. Ronald Reagan and Jane Fonda both
A) spent the late '60s and early '70s as ideological political activists.
B) have made forgettable movies.
C) are good-looking Californians.
D) have published cheery, mass-circulation exercise guides featuring photographs of themselves working out.
As it happens, all four answers are correct—even the last. In this week's issue of the Sunday newspaper supplement Parade (circ. 24 million), Reagan is both photo subject and author of the 1,800-word cover story, "How to Stay Fit." (The President talked out the basics to a White House speechwriter, then rewrote the article himself.) In the first paragraph he throws down the gauntlet: "So, move over, Jane Fonda, here comes the Ronald Reagan workout plan."
It was his second piece for Parade (the other was an Independence Day reminiscence), and at least his tenth published article since becoming President. Reagan does not accept fees for his journalistic efforts. But with its Charles Atlas photos of a fit, firm Reagan, the Parade piece had a clear political payoff: if a President pumps iron, his age seems moot.
The piece was a boon for Parade, too. Says Editor Walter Anderson: "We lucked out." The idea seemed natural to Anderson. "Americans are really into physical fitness, and having a President who is really into it too is great. His body is evidence enough he takes care of himself. We wouldn't have asked Johnson or Nixon." Did questions of propriety arise? The magazine originally wanted a more strictly personal account, without advice to fellow, flabbier Americans. "We thought that was too self-centered," says David Gergen, a Reagan aide.
Nevertheless, the Great Communicator did not stint on personal details. His diet is light and lean (except for tacos at lunch on Thursday) if not quite salt-free: "I mean, you'd have to be a raccoon or something to eat a hard-boiled egg without salt, but I use very little." He no longer body surfs, but still performs backflips into the pool "to show off for Nancy." By working out with weights and treadmill for 25 minutes every evening in his White House exercise room, he has gained 5 Ibs. ("muscle is heavier than fat") and added almost two inches to his chest. The Rancho del Cielo physical regimen—wood chopping, fence building and horseback riding—was familiar, but who knew about the cure-all mental effects? "There's something that clears your senses in the out of doors . . . It gives you the right attitude . . . [Riding provides] a different perspective on life itself. It is a tonic, really, refreshing both the body and the mind." Finally came the real, rousing presidential message: "Why don't you get out there and enjoy some exercise yourself? If all of us do, America will be in better shape, too. I'll be thinking of you." ∎