Jazz Up Your Winter

While northeast Ohio winters keep us inside and less active than is ideal, there are options. Thanks to the Lakewood Schools, you can still walk indoors at Garfield and Harding Middle Schools, Monday through Thursday, 6-9 p.m.

Or, you can take part in one of the many fitness programs available in the community. There are several offered through the Lakewood Rec Department, and one of the most popular is Jazzercize. Live Well Lakewood’s March program is targeted to get you out of the house and moving. Join us at City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, March 13th at 7 p.m. for a session of Jazzercise with Karen Kilbane, and sample some healthy snacks provided by Nature’s Bin.

Karen is a dynamic leader who started Jazzercising in 1983 when looking for a workout that felt right for her.  She found the hour flew by, and best of all, it was fun!

Karen became an instructor in 1986, and is still teaching classes 27 years later. Not only has Jazzercise kept her active, it has afforded her the opportunity to own her own business, growing from 3 to 21 classes a week in Rocky River and Lakewood.

Jazzercise has been around for over 40 years and continues to stay on the cutting edge of fitness. Each 60-minute class blends dance and muscle toning movements choreographed to Top 40, jazz, country, funk, and classics. Every class includes a gentle warm up, 30-minute aerobic workout, muscle toning and strengthening segments with weights, and a stretch finale.

Jazzercise is a well-balanced total body workout that also improves coordination, flexibility and balance, and can be adapted to all ages and fitness levels. Karen cites as the best development in recent years the growth in male participants. Jazzercise is no longer your Mom’s workout!

Karen’s Motto: “You have to move every day.” If you find what you love to do it’s easy, not a dreaded chore.

Karen’s Tips:

• Aim for 10,000 steps a day, every day. (Jazzercise is about 4,000-5,000 steps and burns 400-600 calories per hour.)                                                                                                       
• Schedule your workouts every week like you would an important appointment. Consistency is important in achieving results.
• Think about the health benefits of working out first. Weight loss and inches will follow.
• Enlist a workout buddy to keep you honest.

This is your chance to try it out—don’t miss it!