Dance!

Finding the activities that I enjoy the most has been key to getting fit and sticking to an exercise routine. 4 months ago I started Jazzercise. I was 50lbs heavier than I am today, and while what and how much I eat is key to my weight loss, so is Jazzercise. I am totally addicted! I started out going 3 days a week and now I try to go everyday - and I must admit I've even done 2 classes in a day before. If you haven't seen Jazzercise in 20 years and you enjoy dance and music, well you are missing out. The routines are choreographed at their HQ in California to 25 or so new songs every 10 weeks. Music is current and the moves combine aerobic dance with hip hop, latin, cardio box, etc. Plus we get strength training with hand weights and stretching in every single class as well. It's like the perfect workout in an hour a day! I know, I sound like a walking commercial for Jazzercise, but that's how much I love it. I started out having to do many of the routines in low impact, not able to keep up, and now I do almost everything high impact, only taking it down when I'm losing my breath at the end of a few high intensity songs. I've increased from 3lb to 5lb and the past six weeks am now using 6lb weights for everything. That just feels amazing to me that in 4 months I have changed my fitness level so much! I've had 3 different instructors comment to me on how great I'm doing too, surprising me that they've noticed with so many in classes every day. I really believe in the effectiveness of group fitness - it is motivating to me that there's so many others in class all doing the same thing, and taking a spot near the front means I'm always pushing myself too. The positive energy that exists is amazing!

Anyway, the real reason I'm posting today is that I've decided to take some dance classes this Fall. I love dance. I took tap, jazz, and ballet from the time I was 4 til I was 15. Yes, it has been over 20 years, but so what? why not do something I know I'll enjoy and never thought I'd do again? So I'm signed up for Adult Tap with my friend Maddie who brought up the idea in the first place, and while registering I decided to sign up for Adult Ballet as well. Ballet was my favorite, and while I'm not in 'ballet shape' now, I do plan to be eventually! What I love about ballet is the flexibility, the control/strength you gain with your muscles, and the beauty of it. Can't wait! I'm also going to sign up for a short session of an Adult Hip Hop class. Something I've never done beyond moves integrated in Jazzercise, but I think it will be a lot of fun to try something new and different! Stay tuned to hear how it goes :)