More than a dozen Elk Grove and Galt residents recently completed a workout feat not for the faint-hearted.
The Jazzercise Elk Grove Fitness Center challenged its members to a summer class attendance goal. Members split into teams of two, and had to attend 70 workouts in June and July. Members completing the goal were given a cute summer beach towel to show off around town.
If you break that goal down, it meant that each member had to workout four to five times a week, every week, for two months, to earn the beach towel.
Not surprisingly, 14 members were not only down for the challenge, they completed it -- and all before the deadline of July 31.
How many hours of exercise have you put in since June? If you look back and realize you didn't exercise as much as you wanted to, you're not alone.
A recent study by the National Center for Health Statistics found that only 19 percent of the population regularly engages in "high levels of physical activity." (That's defined as three intense 20-minute workouts per week. Jazzercise is 60 minutes of intensity per class.) Another 63 percent - about the same percentage as that of Americans who are overweight - believe that exercising would make them healthier, leaner, and less stressed, but they don't do it. At the root of this problem is motivation, or the lack thereof.
So, instead of the fitness pro telling you how to get and stay motivated to get healthier, leaner and less stressed, I decided to let the Jazzercise Elk Grove Fitness Center members who completed the summer class attendance challenge offer their advice to you. I asked these workout demons to please share with all of us what kept them going. Here's their tips:
Choose a fun workout
I have a theory: Adults are just like kids and toddlers. If the activity isn't fun, they won't want to do it, or want to stick to it. This was the No. 1 piece of advice from our workout warriors - it's gotta be fun.
"The main thing for me in sticking with a workout is it must be fun," said Cathy Brown. "Jazzercise is fun because of the variety of moves and music, the friendships that you forge, and the comments and inspiration of the instructors."
Another member, Stacie Overaas, said she keeps exercising thanks to, "great fun workouts, motivating instructors that always are happy to be there and make us feel welcome, the way I feel after working out, the wonderful people I've met. Jazzercise is FUN and a great all round workout."
Make it a friendly competition
The second common theme with responses had to do with competition for that beach towel.
"Doesn't take much to put the 'treat' in front of me to obey the come command to work out!," said Liz Dierks.
Granted, the crew at Jazzercise Elk Grove is competitive with each other, but this also plays to the well-heard point of having a workout buddy to be accountable to. The girlfriend who said she'd meet you in class, or wants you to pick her up for class are both excellent reasons for forcing you to workout.
Nancy Jewhurst said a major motivator for her was, "having a partner who depended on me to show up so we could win that fabulous towel."
Keep your goal always in mind
Sometimes we all have to force ourselves to go to class - yes, even the instructors. But the saying is true: There's no such thing as a workout you regret.
"My motivation to keep going, is the way I feel about myself, I know I'm taking care of myself, invigorated, energized, and a bit of self-confidence," said Linda Vierra. "I love to eat, and I love my red wine, but I still want to fit into my jeans!"
Overaas agreed. "I'm the strongest and healthiest I've ever been in my life, thanks to you ladies keeping me motivated!"
That leads to another point they made...
You gotta like your pro
If your fitness professional is too nice and you prefer a drill sargeant, you won't realize your fullest workout results. Likewise, if your fitness pro is yelling and spitting in your face, and you prefer the more "nurturing" approach, you won't last in the program. At least not for long.
"The good music, fun workout buddies, and results are what keep me motivated. Oh and let me not forget the fun-loving, crazy instructors!" said Jackie Tafoya-Espinoza.
"It also helps to have a kick-ass team of instructors like we do in Elk Grove. Thank you ladies!!" Vierra said.
Ahhh...you're welcome!! But truthfully, every one of these members kicks OUR booties daily! :)
Jazzercise Elk Grove is running a summer sale right now. Although the beach towel competition is done, the fun workouts continue, and another promotion or competition is never too far away. Check out our class schedule at fitelkgrove.com and our local sale here. For more information about Jazzercise and to check out what classes look like, visit jazzercise.com.