Search Weight Loss Topics:

Home » Diet » Tommy Chong: The Real-Life Diet of the Man Who Knows the Secret to Beating the Munchies – GQ

A man who dances the tango rules the world, says Tommy Chong, the reefer king of Cheech & Chong fame. Hes not speaking about his younger yearsChong is still doing the tango now, at 81, after first showing off his abilities in season 19 of Dancing with the Stars. He attributes his long-enduring physical fitness to genetics, among other factors; while chatting with me on the phone from a casino, he sounds as sharp as ever, his voice warm and rumbly.

When hes not lighting up the slot machines or dancing the night away, Chong sticks to his bread-and-butter: stand-up and sketch comedy, and advocacy for the legalization of marijuana. Weed, he says, has played a central role in his relatively good health over the years, and helped him cope when he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2016. (He is now in remission, and feeling great.)

During our conversation, Chong expounds on the health benefits of marijuana, his all-time favorite ways to exercise, and he also unveils what is, by far, the worlds most ingenious solution for beating the munchies.

GQ: If youll allow it, I was truly taken aback to learn youre 81you look great! Do you maintain a wellness or fitness regiment?

Tommy Chong: Well, when I was a kid, I played football, which is what got me interested in exercise. Its where I learned about calisthenics, and running, and lifting weights. Its a combination of weightlifting and spiritual wellness for me.

When did you start lifting weights?

Ive been lifting weights since I was 15 years old, but trust me, I was not a natural at it. I ended up moving out to Hollywood to do a movie, and I signed up with a trainer. It was this guy named Vince Gironda, and he had a special at his gym: 25 bucks and well get you in shape for a movie. He got me in the best shape of my life for Up in Smoke. He gave me a big lecture on how to maintain a diet and such. Ive just been following that routine to this day. Oh, and I invented a knee machine for myself.

A knee machine?

Yeah, I grew up poor so everything that cost moneysports like golf, or skiing, or whateverI didnt try out until later in life. When I started skiing, I realized I couldnt ski on moguls because it takes a lot of balance and its a big stress on your knees. So I invented this knee machine, I call it the bouncer. Its a skateboard stretched between four springs on a frame, and I just bounce on it like Im going over moguls. I should really put it on the market once I get it all togetherafter all, Ive only been working on it for 30 years now! It helps me with my circulation, and thats a huge part of keeping yourself healthy. I use that, and do a lot of walking, and have my tai chi, which is tango.

Tango? Like, the dance?

Yeah, Im a tango dancer. Ive been studying tango for years now. I love it. Ive tried to tell everybody about it, but people wont listen to me. Ive walked into classes and just had a blast dancing with people. With tango, the male dancer has to know what hes doing, because hes the lead. When I was on Dancing with the Stars, the pros they partner you with will back-lead the dance. So Ive been trying to get rid of that habit and learn how to lead the dance for the last couple of years. Thats why Im still taking lessons and classes, because you never stop learning to dance. My wifewho is gorgeouslikes to dance tango as well. Its fun, and it keeps things exciting. My other bit of advice for old guys is to check out the new fashion magazines, and do what they say.

Dance is such a wonderful exercise, and I dont think people always realize that.

Read more:
Tommy Chong: The Real-Life Diet of the Man Who Knows the Secret to Beating the Munchies - GQ

Your Full Name
Your Email
Your Phone Number
Select your age (30+ only)	30313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120
Select Your US State	Select Your StateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington,DCWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Program Choice	Select Your ProgramInjectable HGHInjectable TestoteroneInjectable SermorelinInjectable Weight LossInjectable HCG DietInjectable Vitamins
Confirm over 30 years old	Yes
Confirm that you resident in USA	Yes
This is a Serious Inquiry	Yes
Message:

Home » Diet » Tommy Chong: The Real-Life Diet of the Man Who Knows the Secret to Beating the Munchies – GQ