I’m a 32-year-old coloratura soprano and the mother of two children. I have been unable to lose 20 pounds of baby weight through diet alone. Now that my baby is more than three years old, it is past time for me to get back into shape.
The truth is that I hate anything that resembles working out. Running around a track or on a treadmill is torture to me. Lifting weights is not something I enjoy. I have tried water aerobics and swimming laps, and they did not reward me with visible results. I have tried yoga but never got to the point where I was proficient and comfortable.
The obstacle of finding an exercise routine I enjoy has prevented me from getting a consistent, cardiovascular workout for all of my adult life. I know that I can discipline myself to do difficult things when I find enjoyment in those things. Vocalizing daily and pounding repertoire into my memory are things that are not always instantly rewarding, but I enjoy them and am able to be consistent.
So, my first exercise goal? Find a workout that I enjoy.
A poster advertising Jazzercise at my local rec center caught my eye describing Jazzercise as a dance-based workout that utilizes kickboxing, stretching, and strength training. I have always loved to dance and I have some formal training. Plus I’ve taken a few karate classes in the past. Jazzercise sounded like something that would be right up my alley.
I decided to give it a try. But from my 80s upbringing, a few images began to surface of what a Jazzercise class might entail. Would the women be wearing leotards and tights with legwarmers? Would I be required to sport a Farrah Fawcett hair-do? Would there be a lot of gratuitous pelvic thrusting? Would the music be palatable? I went to my first class with these burning questions.
I walked into the dance room to see about 20 women between the ages of 28 and 60 milling around. The instructor, Julie, was cheerfully greeting people as they entered. As class began, I was happy to learn that the choreography was not extremely difficult and did not embarrass me. Surprisingly, no one was adorned like a 1980s Jane Fonda. The music was all enjoyable to move to and included artists like Lady Gaga, Michael Bublé, Beyoncé, and The Killers.
The class began with stretching choreographed to music that continued into 45 minutes of dancing and kickboxing. The first couple of songs were more of a warm up, but soon things began to build in intensity. The last 15 minutes were used for strength training (with small hand weights) and stretching. It was comforting to recognize many of the stock movements from my ballet and karate classes of yore.
My instructor showed modifications for lower impact versions of some of the more intense moves, which was helpful. She also had us sing along to parts of the song or ask us questions to make sure we were still able to speak even at the top of the aerobic curve. If you are not able to say at least one or two words at the peak of a workout, you need to slow down. I could barely muster a “Woo!” when she asked the middle row how we were doing. I could feel how out of shape I was (a fact sadly augmented by the trim 60-year-old next to me barely breaking a sweat), but I had such a fun time that I knew I would be back. I set a goal to go to Jazzercise at least three times per week.
Now, just a few weeks later, I have already begun to enjoy the fruits of my labor. The first benefit I have noticed is that following a workout, I feel energized and less stressed than before working out. Getting my heart and lungs going in the morning has helped with my stamina in singing long phrases. The constant attention to posture during class makes me more aware of it during the rest of the day. I think of keeping my sternum up and pulling down my shoulder blades while sitting and driving. A side benefit of a dance-based workout is the mental exercise of thinking ahead and counting the dance beats. Building these skills has helped sharpen my mind as I learn and sing repertoire. The focus on working my core muscles in both standing and reclining positions is also essential for a singer.
My fitness goals now? In these next two months, I plan to lose 18 pounds and four inches from my waist. I will do this by going to Jazzercise class at least three times per week and monitoring my diet. I am keeping a food and activity journal. I am also spending only as much time watching TV, movies, or surfing the Internet as I spend exercising that day.
