Jazzercise: Why it's not the workout you think!

Happy Thursday! I found out that I have been a day ahead of myself for about 24 hours so, that's always fun! Add it to the list of scatterbrained things I am bound to do before I lay my head down to sleep tonight. But anyways, fellow bloggers... are you ever thinking about a subject and suddenly something else pops into your head and you are like... WHY haven't I ever blogged about that before? That happened to me today.

Bringing me to...Jazzercise!

My experience with Jazzercise started when I was very young. My mom owned several Live Jazzercise VHS tapes that she did with regularity. I remember watching her do them... mostly because it was entertaining, but sometimes hopping up and trying to do the moves as well.  As a very young girl, I was interested in fitness. Whether this be for unhealthy reasons (like poor body image) or not, I don't know. But either way, I wanted to workout, too! Side note: I actually owned a Barbie workout tape. Did anyone else have this? There were a few girls (Kim! Why do I remember her name?) and a weird, animated Barbie, working out. Talk about creepy.

Anyways, I would do these videos in our basement, and eventually moved on to the one hour Jazzercise Live tape. Even though it was admittedly cheesy, it was a GREAT workout. Even in the days of strenuous volleyball camps and practices, I can remember thinking that Jazzercise tape could always get my heart pumping just as effectively. And... I didn't hate it!


When I was in college and living in Lincoln, I made the plunge and joined an actual Jazzercise center. I was nervous, like everyone is their first time at a group fitness class. I was thinking all of the regular thoughts:

"What if I look like an idiot!"
"What if I can't remember the moves.. or.. I fall down!?"
"I can't dance. I will look  stupid."
"Everyone will be watching me mess up!"

And so on. You get the point. I had all of those thoughts! And everyone I know who goes, has them too. But here is the reality of the situation: no one cares. They care that you have fun, and you will! If you can get over that feeling and recognize that the important thing is that you are MOVING, I promise you will enjoy your workout!

I have done a lot of workouts over the years. I regularly attended group fitness, boot camps, Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, Barre ... and I always come back to Jazzercise! There were seasons of life where I didn't have access to  Jazzercise center, or I couldn't afford to go, etc. But I always knew that if it was available, that would be my primary workout.

Jazzercise is ever changing. It is upbeat, fun, and it's always something new. How can you get tired of a workout that is never the same? I can't! They even have different class formats- dance mix, interval training, strike, core, fusion, strength.... I mean... we do it all!

My husband will vouch for the fact that I love Jazzercise. I hate when I have to work late and miss a class. Jazzercise is as much about getting in an effective workout as it is a mental release.  I always feel better when I leave a class.



I know there are a lot of associations people make with Jazzercise. I hear it all the time! People laugh when I tell them I jazzercise... "Isn't that for old people?" ... I hear a lot! And I laugh, too. Because really, Jazzercise is for everyone. It is adaptable to your fitness level, age, and capability. And yes...it's a hard workout! (if you want it to be!)

For that reason, I am always an advocate of Jazzercise. I don't like shoving an agenda on anyone, because everyone has their preferences. But I will always recommend Jazzercise to friends/family who are interested in working out.

Which brings me to some really great news. Jazzercise is FREE in May! Totally free. No strings attached. If you have ever been curious about it, wanted to try a class, or would like more information, May is your month! I would encourage you to check out their website HERE to find out more about locations close to you.

If you are a local reader, I Jazzercise at the Gretna center, and I am a little bit partial to that crew! However, the great thing about Jazzercise (one of them) is that you can go to any center that is convenient for you!

So, have you tried Jazzercise? What did you think? Are you interested in trying it? If you are nearby, shoot me an email and try a class with me! I promise you will have a great time.

Confessional Thursday

First of all, I confess that Confessional Thursday makes me even more aware of how quickly time flies by. Didn't I *just* do this post!? But anyways, here we go again!

I also confess...

...I am probably going to fail at my Jazzercise 35 Day Challenge. Sad. I gave it a try...but busy lives, working late and vacations in the mix do not give me a good chance! It's still sort of possible. Maybe.


 

I was really working for the tank top! Cute, right? PS - try Jazzercise.

...that my bags are still not unpacked. Are you seeing a trend here?

...I drove through a coffee shop yesterday and accidentally also ordered a bag of glazed donut holes. They were gone within 5 minutes.

...As excited as I am for our kitchen cabinet remodel, I am TOTALLY dreading it. SO. MUCH. WORK. Thank goodness for my mom who excels at these kind of projects.

...that I am sorry for never reviewing THIS lip product. It is one of my favorites! Clay's aunt bought this for me after I raved about it when I used it one day. It is so fantastic! The perfect shimmer, makes your lips feel so good, and smells fresh and fruity! Perfect chapstick/gloss to keep with you at all times.

...that I already want to go back to California. Seriously.


...I am officially an everyday coffee person. UGH! I didn't want this. I used to grab a latte once a week. Maybe. Now.... I drink coffee for the better half of every morning.

Can't stay away.

 

Thanks for hanging through another week of confessions...

 

Link up with The Newly blog to share your confessions as well!  

 

 

Review: Blitzz

So… Sweet & Modern typically does not wander into uncharted territories, however, today I just want to share about a little experience I had.

Though I do not typically talk about it on Sweet & Modern, fitness is an important aspect of my day to day routine, (Jazzercise junkie here) and I do attempt to eat healthy. I say attempt because I really love sweets, and apparently that is frowned upon. 

Anyways, that being said, my super cute husband is pretty into his fitness routine. And, for most guys, that includes some sort of supplements. I like to call them "his drugs." Though he actually doesn't take anything other than protein and creatine, he usually shops at places like Complete Nutrition. Those people apparently REALLY like you to try their products because he will frequently bring home samples of "drugs" and our junk drawer is full of them. Anyways, I saw a sample of this…..

after his most recently trip. Apparently I am a sucker for marketing because I snatched it out of his hand when I saw it was pink and exciting looking. And Dragonfruit flavored. It sounded delicious. 

So, fast forward, and after a long day of work and no time for food breaks,  I thought today was the day for Blitzz to enter my life. I mixed the sample with the recommended 6-10 oz of water and drank it on the short drive to my Jazzercise class. Initial thoughts… dragonfruit flavor tastes like dirty water. That's really all I have to say about that. 

Before the class even started (less than 15 minutes later, mind you) my heart was racing, my thoughts were flying around in my head like a lunatic, and I kind of felt like I was breathing creepishly hard. 

I also began to notice that my hands were itching like crazy. Half of the class I was wishing I could rub my palms again a tree trunk just to relieve myself. Then, halfway through, my stomach started itching! At this point, I was a mess. 

So let's back up. Here is the information provided from Blitzz on their product:

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

HydroMax®- Increases the concentration of fluid in the blood tissue which increases
muscle fullness and exercise capacity.*

Carb10™- Provides healthy sustained energy during the workout. Carb10™ has the same benefits of a carbohydrate supplement without increasing insulin or bloating.*

Creapure®- Creatine will increase maximum power and performance. Creatine will also increase the athlete’s power output while allowing them to recover faster. These benefits promote increased lean body mass through muscular development.*

Carnosyn®- Beta-Alanine will increase workout capacity by increasing the ability of the muscle to fight fatigue.*

Nitrosigine®- Nearly doubles maximum blood flow compared to Arginine HCL with 5x greater vessel relaxation. Arginine and silicon will be significantly raised, both are important for cardiovascular performance. Effects are noticed in as little as 30 minutes and benefits last for up to 3 hours.*

SUGGESTED USE

Take 1 scoop of Blitzz™ with 6-10 oz. of cold water 30 minutes before workout. For best results take Blitzz™ on an empty stomach. To avoid sleeplessness do not take within 4 hours of bedtime. To be used as part of a physical conditioning program.

WARNING:

Do not use if pregnant, nursing, or under the age of 18. Use only as directed. Consult with a doctor before taking this or any other dietary supplement, especially if you have or suspect you may have a medical condition, or are taking any medications, over-the-counter products, or other dietary supplements. This product contains approximately 200 mg of caffeine per serving, and may not be appropriate for stimulant-sensitive individuals who may experience rapid heartbeat and nervousness. Do not consume with any other stimulants, including caffeine. May cause dehydration, nausea and/or dizziness with inadequate water intake. This product contains beta-alanine, which could result in a temporary tingling sensation. Immediately discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur. Do not use if tamper-resistant seal is broken.

During the class I started to think maybe it was a huge mistake to take it on an empty stomach, but…come to find out, that is the recommended way to take it. Okay.. so that wasn't an issue.  Maybe there wasn't an issue.. in their defense, I have never taken a pre workout supplement like this and maybe that is how people get pumped up before a workout. No idea. 

But, here's my overall take:

Pros

• Makes you very chatty
• Makes you feel like you want to climb 
• Gives you an extra punch of energy to push through a workout (nothing super noticeable though… I usually get a burst of energy from working out anyways..or music)

Cons

• Makes you dizzy
• Makes your (mine) hands and stomach itch uncontrollably
• Makes you unable to form a complete thought
• Makes you a crazy person
• Makes your hands shake for approximately 2 hours post workout 
• Makes you unable to consume food due to shaking hands and overall inability to calm down (could be a weight loss trick, not sure)

So that is my very uneducated, inexperienced-with-preworkouts- review on Blitzz. And my only conclusion is that I must be a "stimulant-sensitive individual" as their warning notes. However, if you are interested in any of the above pros (or cons) I would run out and buy a bottle of Blitzz (and don't forget the extra Z!) 

Later gals! (and guys) 

XO,