How Jazzercise Saved My Life

After deciding to tackle the weight-loss beast, I knew I had to figure out some way to exercise. I did Jenny Craig 10 years ago and successfully reached my goal weight, but couldn't maintain it because I wasn't exercising. If you're totally sedentary, you just can't burn enough calories in a day to support what you want to eat. I want to be able to eat when I'm hungry, and sometimes for fun, and still be able to maintain my weight. Jenny Craig taught me how to deal with food. But I knew I would have to learn to love exercising.

For two years, I drove past a church near my house and always saw a little sign posted in the driveway that said "Jazzercise is Here". Every day for two years I thought about it. I had done Jazzercise in college (Lincoln, Nebraska) and knew it was fun. But I made every excuse in the book to not go: I worked long hours, I wanted to spend time at home, I didn’t know anyone, and I was too huge to work out in public. But for two years, that little sign tugged at my heart.

I knew what I had to do. I called the number on that sign and talked to Tammy. She was all up-beat and friendly and said to come in the next night. It took every ounce of courage that I could find, but I DID it. I signed up for the bank draft program right away, knowing that I absolutely had to commit. (By the way, it is NOT expensive and there are no contracts.) I told myself I only had to go twice a week to start. But NO excuses, NO skipping, I HAD to go. It helped that it was very close to my house. Also, the fact that there's only one class a night helped... if I don't make it on time, I miss out. There's no putting it off for later.

Starting any type of exercise at 250 pounds is hard. However, Jazzercise is fantastic! There are no mirrors. And there are absolutely ALL shapes, sizes, ages, everything. I started standing in the middle of the room (so it was easier to see the instructor). I found a girl (who may be old enough to be my mother, but we're all "girls" aren't we?) that I could relate to and stood behind her. She looked fit, but not overly thin (something I aspired to), and she kept her feet on the floor. She has fabulous style and energy and is very entertaining to watch. There were other girls that looked like me too. There were also the gorgeous Barbie-types in the front row. Oh how I wanted to hate them. But, I learned quickly enough that they are actually extremely friendly, caring, and supportive individuals. You can’t assume to know where people come from. I didn’t want them judging me based on my looks, so I had no right to do the same.

The beauty is that there isn’t only one way to Jazzercise. The instructors show modifications to make the moves easier. Keeping at least one foot on the floor and "shortening" my arms (keeping elbows bent and hands lower) kept my heart rate from going through the roof (something I worried about). The instructors are terrific for gently encouraging you to do more. They really get to know you and what you can do, and are always quick to point out improvements you're making. Honestly, the support and friendship from that group has done more for my emotional well-being than any shrink ever could.

As I got more comfortable there, I started attending more and more classes. There are only five classes a week that I can make with my work schedule, and I'm at every one of them unless something VERY special comes up. All day at work, I tell myself that I can make it through the day because I get to go to class that night. It has literally saved my job! After a particularly stressful incident at work, I REALLY wanted to take out my frustrations on a co-worker, but instead I saved it all up for Jazzercise. That night during the kick-boxing routine, even the instructor asked who I was mad at! Let me tell you, it worked!! And now because I KNOW it works, I can survive anything. And I can manage my stress without resorting to huge quantities of chocolate.

Jazzercise recognizes its students with little presents after attendance milestones. I couldn’t believe it when I got my “50 Club” gift. I could barely make it to my car before bursting into tears. My husband thought I was silly-cute, but I was SOOOO proud of myself, I just had to let it out. I earned my “100 Club” gift later that first year as well. This year, I was one of the first to make 50 and again felt so proud of myself. Now that I’m up to attending almost five times a week, the “200 Club” isn’t beyond my reach! I can’t wait to see how that feels!

My Jazzercise center started offering a new class called “Personal Touch” in January. It is a six week class of only 6-10 students for an hour of intense strength training. I made sure I had my check in hand on the first day the sign-up sheet was posted. I just HAD to get in. I had no idea what I was in for, and I certainly had doubts as to whether I could do it. I thought it was probably a class designed for those “other” people… the ones that were already fit. One of the best things Jazzercise has taught me is how to take up space and feel good about it. For so long, I tried to hide… I didn’t want anyone to notice me. Through Jazzercise, I learned how fun it is to stretch my arms out and fly (or march) across the floor. If I just wrote the check, I would own that space for that hour each night.

Once again, Jazzercise changed my life. Although I had reached my goal weight just as the class was starting, I continued to lose inches, shrinking another size. The first time I wore shorts to class, the instructor had to do a double-take! Who knew that muscles were lurking under there!? The instructors knew, that’s who. And they have been completely amazing at helping me reach my goals and to have FUN while doing it. I just started my third Personal Touch session and am loving it even more. Every muscle in my body is talking back to me, but it is just so cool to know that I HAVE muscles!

You don’t know what you can do until you do it. When you make the decision to change your shape, you have to be ready to change your life. You can’t keep doing the things you always did and expect to look different. I didn’t want to be 250 pounds anymore. But more than that, I didn’t want to be a person that couldn’t do anything, the one that always sat everything out. I have always been a “can-do” kind of girl in spirit, now I have a body to go with it. Thanks, Jazzercise! You’re the best.