There are some Jazzercise classes where you leave thinking, “Yep, that was a good workout.”
And then there are the classes where you leave smiling, sweaty, energized, and wondering how exactly an hour just disappeared.
Jazzercise #32 was definitely the second kind.
Robyn is currently enjoying some vacation time in Tennessee, so Darlene has stepped into her spot for the next couple of weeks.
And if you’ve ever taken a class with Darlene, you already know what that means: Energy. Lots and lots of energy.
Technically, we’re still doing low-impact. But Darlene is Darlene, so “low-impact” doesn’t mean “low-energy.” She moves fast, keeps the room moving, and somehow manages to make an hour of exercise feel like we’re all just having a really good time together.
And today, we absolutely were.
The Pony Made Another Appearance
One of the highlights was getting to do the pony again.
Angie is ridiculously good at that particular 1970s dance move. I don’t even know what the official name of it is, but when Angie starts doing it, there is absolutely no mistaking what she’s doing.
The woman has the pony down.
It’s one of those little moments that makes the class fun. We’re exercising, but we’re also laughing, dancing, and enjoying ourselves. It doesn’t feel like I’m checking something off a fitness obligation. It feels like I’m participating in something I actually enjoy.
And that’s a pretty big deal for someone who has never been particularly fond of traditional gym workouts.
No Floor Work!
I would also like to formally announce that there was no floor work today.
YAY. YAY. YAY.
I have nothing against the floor. The floor and I simply prefer to maintain a respectful distance.
Apparently, being able to get down on the floor and back up again is an important functional-fitness skill, particularly as we get older. I understand the reasoning. If you fall, being able to get yourself back up is pretty darn important.
And for the record, I can get back up.
I just have a system.
I can roll onto my stomach, get onto my knees, push myself up, and use something stable if I need to. I’m not claiming that I’m going to spring gracefully off the floor like a Cirque du Soleil performer.
But I’m getting up. Mission accomplished. I’ll work on the graceful part later.
My Stamina Has Come a Long Way
One of the things I’m noticing more and more is just how much my stamina has improved.
I can go and go and go now.
That’s something I don’t want to overlook.
When I first started this journey, sustained exercise felt very different. Now I’m an hour into Jazzercise, moving continuously, doing cardio, strength work, choreography, and all the other assorted nonsense Darlene throws at us—and I’m having fun.
My ankles are also doing really well.
That’s particularly important to me because I’ve had an ankle injury before that took me out for about six months. I remember how frustrating that was, so I’m still cautious about jumping and high-impact movements.
I’m doing little hops here and there now. I’m paying attention to how I land. I’m not trying to suddenly become the person doing every high-impact modification in the room.
But I’m experimenting.
And my ankles are saying, “We’re good.”
My inserts, on the other hand, would like to submit a formal complaint.
Apparently they did not receive the memo that we’re having fun.
Darlene Is Inspiring
Here’s another thing that struck me today: Darlene was born in 1965. She’s ten years older than me.
And watching her lead this class, I couldn’t help thinking: Holy cow. She’s incredibly energetic, coordinated, strong, and downright spry. And it’s hard not to catch her energy.
She’s the kind of instructor who makes you think, “Maybe I could do that.”
Maybe I’ll eventually try a little more high-impact work. Maybe I’ll get comfortable with more jumping. Maybe someday I’ll be the one hopping around the room and making some younger person wonder what the heck I’m doing. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be a hopping, jumping nut in my 60s, too. And honestly, that sounds pretty fun.
Fitbit Can Keep Its Opinions
My Fitbit wasn’t exactly thrilled with my sleep last night. It looked at roughly six hours of sleep and decided I might want to take it easy.
Meanwhile, I woke up feeling good, went to Jazzercise, and proceeded to have a fantastic workout.
According to my workout stats, I spent 1 hour and 1 minute exercising, burned an estimated 548 calories, had an average heart rate of 132 beats per minute, and accumulated 101 active zone minutes.
I spent 46 minutes in the vigorous zone.
So while Fitbit may have had some concerns about my recovery, my actual experience was:
I felt good. I moved. I worked hard. I had fun.
I’ll take that data point, too.
Jazzercise Receipts
And Then There Was a Mouse…
There was, technically, another participant at Jazzercise today.
A very small, very unexpected participant.
A mouse—or possibly a very small rat—was hanging out outside the studio. During class, some of the ladies noticed him running along the windowsill. Apparently he was watching us exercise.
After class, he came back and hung around for a while.
Naturally, the ladies decided he needed water.
And so, somehow, Jazzercise now appears to have a tiny outdoor mascot.
I’m not particularly interested in befriending wild mice myself, but the ladies have apparently decided that this little guy deserves a chance. I have no idea where this is going, but I’m staying out of the diplomatic negotiations.
For now, he is outside, we’re inside, and everyone seems happy with the arrangement.
I’m sure nothing unusual will happen next.
Because apparently that’s how my life works.
Still Counts
Jazzercise #32 was energetic, fun, sweaty, and exactly what I needed.
No walk today because it was already ridiculously hot this morning.
Arizona was making it very clear that outdoor cardio was not on the agenda.
So instead, I got my movement somewhere else.
I danced.
I lifted.
I stepped.
I hopped a little.
I laughed a lot.
And I spent an hour surrounded by women who make exercise feel less like a chore and more like something we all get to enjoy together.
That’s what I keep coming back to.
Movement doesn’t have to look perfect to count.
It doesn’t have to happen in a gym.
It doesn’t have to involve running.
It doesn’t have to involve jumping.
It doesn’t even have to involve getting on the floor, thank goodness.
It just has to get you moving in a way that works for you.
Today, that meant Jazzercise with Darlene bringing the energy.
And apparently a mouse bringing the moral support.
Jazzercise #32: Done.
And yes, Fitbit, I’m still doing just fine.
Still counts. Always!💜💃💪
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