Quotessence
Home / Authors / Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford

Joan Crawford Quotes

Dancer

Filter quotes by topic

AllExercise MotivationBeauty SecretSlimExerciseExercisingIfsSportSportsWork Out TipsWorking Out

Famous Joan Crawford Quotes

“Whenever I have to pick something off the floor I bend down, keeping my legs straight. Dutifully touching your toes fifty times every day is a crashing bore. But there are almost as many times when something has to be picked up anyhow — or a lower drawer has to be opened — so I automatically do it in a manner that keeps me fit. I try to make a graceful gesture out of reaching for things on high shelves, too. I don’t make it easier by dragging out a little step stool.”

SportsExerciseSportSlimExercise MotivationWorking OutExercisingWork Out Tips
Book:My Way of Life
Create image

“Whenever I have to pick something off the floor I bend down, keeping my legs straight. Dutifully touching your toes fifty times every day is a crashing bore. But there are almost as many times when something has to be picked up anyhow — or a lower drawer has to be opened — so I automatically do it in a manner that keeps me fit. I try to make a graceful gesture out of reaching for things on high shelves, too. I don’t make it easier by dragging out a little step stool. While I’m on the phone I take a small bottle — a Pepsi bottle, of course — and roll it back and forth under my instep. I touch first the heel to the floor, then the toe, ten times for each foot. [...] These exercises strengthen the foot, stretch the calf muscles, and result in lovely feet and legs. When I’m standing — scraping carrots, or just waiting somewhere — I dig my heels into the ground, draw myself up to my best posture, and pull my stomach muscles in hard. [...] When I’m dictating to my secretary I may raise my elbows level with my shoulders and press the heels of my hands hard against each other. (The whole idea behind isometrics is to make the muscles work against each other.) This exercise, lasting for just six to ten seconds, is wonderful for the inside of the upper arms — the place that can go flabby almost overnight and make it impossible to wear sleeveless dresses. For the backs of the upper arms, do the same exercise with the hands raised just above the level of the forehead.”

SportsExerciseSportSlimExercise MotivationWorking OutExercisingWork Out Tips
Book:My Way of Life
Create image

“You're on your feet. Maybe you're phoning, or combing your hair, or taking off your makeup. Plant your bare feet about twelve inches apart and grip the floor with them, keeping your knees rigid. Then try to push your feet together - but without letting them budge. Try as hard as you can. This is a wonderful example of getting muscles to work against each other and it's a tremendous thing for the inner thighs - they are another terribly flab-prone area.”

SportsExerciseSportSlimExercise MotivationWorking OutExercisingWork Out Tips
Book:My Way of Life
Create image

“One of my favorite routines for keeping my rear in good form is to sit down on the floor and 'walk' across it on my buttocks, holding my arms out straight in front for balance, and then 'walk' back again, backwards. [...] For more hip improvement - and the waist, too - I lie on my back with my elbows on the floor at my sides. With my legs straight out I make my knees touch the floor on either side, keeping my shoulders and elbows firmly on the floor. Then I stretch my arms out to the sides, I raise my knees as far as I can and bring them over my left shoulder to my left elbow, and then back and over to touch my right elbow. [...] When you succeeded in touching your elbows with your knees, then try to touch the floor.”

SportsExerciseHipsSportSlimExercise MotivationWorking OutExercisingWork Out Tips
Book:My Way of Life
Create image

“If you like wearing slim skirts, there’s nothing uglier than having two additional bulges just below where the hips naturally curve. And of course if you have them you can’t possibly wear pants. The first three exercises, all done from the same starting position, are good for the buttocks as well as the outside of the thighs. They should be done as often as possible, on both sides, and as long as possible for the quickest results. 1. Lie on your side with one arm stretched out under your head. Bring the knee of the upper leg slowly up to your chest, and slowly back into position again. Do this a few times (to dreamy music) and then roll over and do it with the other leg. 2. In the same position on your side, raise the upper leg and move it forward and back as far as you comfortably can. Roll over and do this with the other leg. 3. Raise the top leg and raise the bottom leg up to meet it. Slowly lower the bottom leg, and then the top one. 4. For the inside of the thighs, lie on your back with your knees up, feet flat on the floor, and a small rubber ball between your knees. Squeeze the ball, and hold it with all the muscle pressure you can. 5. Kneel, with your knees apart, and try to bring the knees together. But don’t let them move. Pull until you feel the tug on the inside thigh muscles and hold it as long as you comfortably can – or a little longer. 6. Now sit on the floor, and press the soles of your feet together. Press your knees down, to either side, as far as you can. Keep pressing till it hurts. 7. The simple old ballet warm-up of kicking will wake up the thigh muscles all around. Put one hand on a sturdy chair or railing and, HOLDING YOURSELF ABSOLUTELY ERECT and keeping both legs straight, kick forward as high as you can, several times. Then kick out to the side, making sure your body is straight as a ramrod. Then kick straight back. Do the same thing with the other leg. You may not get very high kicks the first day or two, but you’ll be surprised at the way you can gain an inch in altitude each time until you’re making a pretty good showing.”

SportsExerciseThighsSportSlimExercise MotivationWorking OutExercisingWork Out Tips
Book:My Way of Life
Create image

“There are two more things that I do regularly to keep my legs the way I want them: 1. I just walk around my apartment with my toes pointed straight in. Of course one looks like a pigeon, so do it when you're alone. But try always to walk that way when you're puttering around alone. You'll feel all the leg muscles responding. 2. Bend down and put your palms flat on the floor, keeping your knees straight. Then walk 'fourlegged' across the room (or down the hall if you're sure you won't frighten anyone) and backwards again. This is wonderful for both arm and leg muscles, and it draws blood to the face, which helps the complexion.”

SportsExerciseLegsSportSlimExercise MotivationWorking OutExercisingWork Out TipsLegs Day
Book:My Way of Life
Create image

“The Democratic party is one that I've always observed. I have struggled greatly in life from the day I was born and I am honored to be apart of something that focuses on working class citizens and molds them into a proud specimen. Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Kennedy have done so much in that regard for the two generations they've won over during their career course.”

TwoDoneCoursesBornPartyClassCareersGenerationsProudCitizensRegardDemocraticWorking ClassHonoredDemocratic PartyMold
Author:Joan Crawford
Create image

“Sensitive husbands don't like second billing. I don't believe Franchot ever for a moment resented the fact that I was a star. Possibly he resented Hollywood's refusal to let him forget it. There was never a doubt in my mind that his talent was greater than mine.”

MindBelieveMomentsFactsStarsForgetDoubtGreaterTalentMinesHusbandHollywoodDon't BelieveSensitiveForget ItRefusalBilling
Book:A Portrait of Joan: The Autobiography of Joan Crawford
Create image

“I had read the criticisms of me and my movies and they were discerning. They said that Crawford needs a new deal, and they asked if I was doomed to explore forever the emotional misfortunes of the super-sexed modern young woman. And so, to break away from the pattern, I wanted to do "The Gorgeous Hussy". Selznick laughed at me. 'You can't do a costume picture. You're too modern.' But I begged and begged and begged, and so they let me do it. I was totally miscast.”

IfsNeedsSaidWantedYoungDealsBreakForeverModernEmotionalCriticismLet MePatternsMisfortunesLaughedYoung WomenDoomedThey SaidCostumesGorgeousDiscerningNew DealHussies
Author:Joan Crawford
Create image

“1. Find your own style and have the courage to stick to it. 2. Choose your clothes for your way of life. 3. Make your wardrobe as versatile as an actress. It should be able to play many roles. 4. Find your happiest colours - the ones that make you feel good. 5. Care for your clothes, like the good friends they are!”

WayFeelsShouldPlayCareAbleRolesFashionStyleClothesSticksActressesFeel GoodColourGood FriendWardrobeMake You Feel GoodVersatile
Book:My Way of Life
Create image