THRIVE IN 2025
BY RITA HARTLEY
“If you tie your confidence or how much you view your self-worth or your self-esteem to solely the number on a scale, I think you’re truly doing yourself a disservice,” says exercise scientist Leigh Vanderloo of ParticipACTION.
There’s “the number on a scale” I have in mind, and then there’s “the number” that pops up when I stand there. Regardless of “the number”, I still feel good, confident in my body because I try to live a healthy lifestyle and I participate in regular Jazzercise classes.
Says Lauren Fowler in Why you have to Let Go of the Weight Loss Goal, “Ultimately, you can’t control your weight, but you can work towards taking care of your body through general healthy habits.”
“General healthy habits”. Now there’s a solid - albeit general - goal for a new year, yes? And since specificity leads to credibility, why not take a SMART - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound - approach? An approach which could mostly be checked off if you happen to love dancing, music and having fun. Just come to Jazzercise classes on the regular. Add to that achievable habit a (mostly) healthy diet and the proper amount sleep and voila! 2025 is shaping up to be your best year ever.
The important thing is this: how do you want to feel? Vibrant. And healthy, right? Here are 8 ways Jazzercise classes do that:
1) Get Smarter - According to a study by Charles Hillman, exercise boosts brain power and helps stave off Alzheimer’s.
2) Recover From Injury - Says kinetichealth.ca, “Cardiovascular exercise is key for its anti-inflammatory effects, aiding in injury repair.”
3) Improve Your Heart - In a 5-year study of 1500 participants by Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, those active daily were 31% less likely to develop high blood pressure.
4) Feel Sexier - “Exercise not only makes the body more fit for sex, but also stimulates the mind and makes you feel sexier,” says webmd.com.
5) Lose Fat - It’s been proven time and again, a proper diet is important, but adding exercise is what helps you build muscle, lose weight.
6) Help Prevent Cancer - According to cancer.ca, “Regular physical activity over your lifetime protects against colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, esophegeal cancer, kidney cancer and stomach cancer. Getting active can also reduce the risk of breast cancer, lung cancer and uterine cancer.”
7) Feel Better About Yourself - The release of endorphins from exercising is a great way to boost self-esteem.
8) Live Longer - According to the experts, the aerobic, strength - and also social aspect - a fitness regimen like Jazzercise provides increases longevity.
See you on the dance floor!