Angela Lansbury's Positive Moves: My Personal Plan for Fitness and Well-Being

 

When I think of positive moves, I immediately think of a blend of fitness and overall well-being. And when it comes to someone who gracefully embodied this, Angela Lansbury is the first person that comes to mind.

In 2014, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire upon Angela Lansbury, honoring her exceptional acting career and her dedication to charitable endeavors. This prestigious title is the female equivalent of a knighthood. 

Angela Lansbury passed away in 2022, just shy of her 97th birthday, but I’ll always remember her fondly from the classic black-and-white films I'd watched. She was a Broadway star and went on to voice iconic characters in animated movies like the dazzling 1991’s Beauty and the Beast and 1997’s Anastasia. However, I most vividly remember her for her starring role in the beloved television series Murder, She Wrote, where she played the sharp-witted Jessica Fletcher for 12 seasons from 1984 to 1995.

Not long ago, I came across her book Positive Moves, which resonated with me. In Positive Moves, Lansbury shares valuable insights on the importance of living in the present and cultivating positive relationships. She reveals 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.

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. Throughout the book, she often reflects on how she sought to learn from others and integrated their positive habits into her routine.

One of the things I  appreciate about Positive Moves is how Lansbury shares a glimpse into her diet. She includes some of her favorite recipes, like her famous loaf and a delicious garden vegetable soup. I recently made the soup, and I can say it’s a recipe I’ll be returning to again and again.

What’s also delightful are the illustrations included in the book, some of which show Angela herself mimicking the poses. It adds a personal touch, and you can sense the warmth and dedication she had to her own well-being.

Angela Lansbury’s legacy is one of elegance, grace, and positivity, both in her work and in how she approached life. Her book Positive Moves is a testament to her approach to aging gracefully, staying active, and embracing a healthy, positive mindset.