This New Jazzercise Workout Melts Menopause Weight—Here's How!
The inspiration behind Jazzercise's new menopause workout
Jazzercise was founded in 1969 by Judi Sheppard Missett, who still teaches weekly classes today at the age of 81! But it was Judi's daughter, Shanna Missett Nelson, CEO and Chief Choreographer at Jazzercise, who used her own menopausal experience to inspire a new way of working out.
A few years ago, Nelson felt bombarded with her own menopausal symptoms like anxiety and hair loss. 'Then I had body composition changes that I could not rectify and fatigue that was not normal.'
So Nelson started looking for answers. She learned, during menopause, the body no longer responds to exercise the same way it did in youth. She realized, 'Once you understand these changes, you can work with your body, not against it.' The result of her research is Jazzercise's new Vital Sculpt HIIT program.
How age makes weight loss harder
What Nelson was experiencing is backed by science. Studies show that the drop of estrogen during the peri/menopause years can lead the body to partially 'resist' the fat burning effects of exercise, explains Melina Jampolis, MD. 'The good news is that exercise itself can reverse many of these changes, but you may have to do things a little differently.' That means changing up your movements, even if you've been an avid exerciser your whole life, and especially if you were solely a 'cardio queen' as Dr. Jampolis hints.
Research, including work conducted by world-renowned exercise physiologist Stacy Sims, PhD, reveals there are three key exercises that work best for menopausal women looking to burn fat and promote longevity. And all three moves are showcased in the new Jazzercise program.
3 keys to an effective menopausal workout
Here, the three Jazzercise moves that are crucial to shedding menopausal weight and symptoms.
1. Jump training
Jumping—especially not in place but rather forward, backward and side-to-side—after age 40 improves balance and bone density. So alternate jumping with both feet to the right and then left for 30 seconds, taking a break and then repeating. Since dance is at the center of all Jazzercise classes, keep moving to music you love while you work out.
Why it works: Nelson explains, 'Estrogen activates our muscle cells when working out. But to get your body to react post-estrogen loss, you have to do something to stimulate your central nervous system, and it needs to be somewhat shocking to your system, like jumping.' This movement also helps bones reknit together. 'Jumping has been proven to prevent and even eradicate osteoporosis.'
2. Weight training
Dr. Jampolis says, 'If you don't lift weights already, you should start. And if you do lift weights, you may need to increase the number of sets or the amount of weight to get the same benefit.' Try using hand weights that are 2 to 4 pounds heavier than you usually use during workouts to gently stress the system and build muscle. Try arm presses, bicep curls or tricep kickbacks for the length of one upbeat song.
'Once again, you need to stimulate your central nervous system differently to get your muscle fibers to react the way they did when you had estrogen readily available,' Nelson explains. 'Lifting heavier weights can do that for you. It should be a little challenge. The goal is to build more muscle mass, which is key for strength, balance, stability and metabolic health.' Indeed, the more muscle we have, the faster our metabolism tends to burn calories.
Postmenopausal women who lifted heavier weights for more reps had 44 percenrt more muscle growth than those lifting lower weights for fewer reps, finds 2024 research in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics.
3. Sprint interval training
'Lastly, add HIIT: high-intensity interval training,' says Dr. Jampolis. 'Many of my patients entering menopause start to back off on intensity as they age but this is the opposite of what you should do as HIIT training is even more effective than sustained endurance exercise for reducing belly fat.' One 16-week study in postmenopausal women found that HIIT training doubled weight loss compared to endurance training.
Bonus: Intervals at this age are best if they incorporate functional movements that promote stability, flexibility and mobility to support independent living. For example, practice getting down on the floor and climbing back to your feet, or reaching up to the ceiling and squatting low in an invisible chair, repeating for thirty seconds before taking a break.
These quick moves engage our legs, core and hips, which are important muscle groups needed to burn fat, build strength and even preserve cognitive decline as we age. Jampolis says, 'I recommend HIIT training twice a week.'
Health and weight-loss results from this Jazzercise approach
Using a combination of these three moves is resulting in endless health success stories. One Jazzercise member reports, 'This helped me lose 65 pounds, get stronger and remain flexible. I have severe arthritis, and it helps me with my joints. The more weight I lose the better it gets for me.'
Another online Jazzercise member shares, 'I couldn't believe that my body was starting to change. In nine months, I am 32 pounds lighter. I have more energy now than I did in the last 25 years. I am no longer a type 2 diabetic. I am so happy!'
And Nelson says, 'One of our members who is 70, and participating in Vital Sculpt HIIT, went for her body scan and received news her osteoporosis is gone!' Nelson herself reveals she got the results she was looking for. 'My body has responded so well to this class. I feel stronger than ever. My body composition shifted and I have more muscle and definition in my arms!'
The encouragement to jumpstart your weight loss
Incorporating these three Jazzercise moves into your routine may be the change your body needs to release extra weight. Nelson says, 'Don't get discouraged. Get curious. Get creative!' She explains, 'When what I was doing wasn't getting me the results I was used to, I decided to figure out what I could do a little differently.' She adds, 'I want women to know they can increase stamina, they can build and maintain muscle and gain definition in their body.'
Try this Jazzercise weight-loss program for yourself for FREE
Visit Jazzercise.com to find a fitness studio in your area. Or try 'Jazzercise On Demand' in the comfort of your own home. Use code: WOMENSWORLD to get one month free of workouts or nutritional support.
Keep scrolling for more...
'I Don't Believe in the Word Diet': Bethenny Frankel Opens up about Her Fitness Journey (EXCLUSIVE)
Contrave for Weight Loss Works Nearly as Well as Ozempic—for a Fraction of the Price
Menopause and Midlife Wellness: Prioritize Women's Health This May With These Finds
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
2 dead and 58 sick from growing Legionnaires' disease cluster in New York City
Two people have died and at least 58 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in a cluster that broke out in the Harlem area of New York City last week, officials said on Monday. The New York City Health Department had reported on Thursday that one person had died and 22 people were sick in the cluster. MORE: 1 dead and at least 22 sick from Legionnaires' disease cluster in New York City 'People living or working in the area with flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing should contact a health care provider immediately,' the department said in a statement on Monday. 'It is especially important for people at higher risk -- including those ages 50 and older, cigarette smokers, and people with chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems -- to get care if they have symptoms.' Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by the bacteria Legionella, which grows in warm water, health officials said, and people can get Legionnaires' disease by breathing in water vapor that contains Legionella bacteria. MORE: Teen suffers 'significant thermal burns' near Yellowstone geyser MORE: Man sentenced to time served for trying to open plane door, stab flight attendant in neck "Anyone in these zip codes with flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible," said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. "Legionnaires' disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early, but New Yorkers at higher risk, like adults aged 50 and older and those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions, should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin." Legionnaires' disease can be caused by plumbing systems where conditions are favorable for Legionella growth, such as cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems, health officials said. People can get Legionnaires' disease by breathing in water vapor that contains Legionella bacteria, though officials reminded people that the disease cannot be transmitted from person to person and can be treated with antibiotics. MORE: Cocaine worth more than $1 million seized at Texas border, CPB says The respiratory disease takes its name from an outbreak at the Pennsylvania American Legion convention held at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia in July 1976 and the bacterium believed to be responsible is found in soil and grows in water, such as air-conditioning ducts, storage tanks and rivers. No details about the two people who died have been released by officials as of Tuesday. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Purespring Therapeutics receives UK CTA approval for Phase I/II clinical trial of PS-002 in patients with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN)
First patient in Phase I/II clinical trial expected to be enrolled in Q4 2025 UK Clinical Trial Application (CTA) approval shortly follows U.S. IND clearance and granting of European Medicine Agency (EMA) orphan drug designation, enabling readiness for initiation across sites in both the U.S. and Europe PS-002, Purespring's lead precision nephrology programme, targets the complement pathway known to be a driver of IgA nephropathy and is supported by a wealth of preclinical data London – 5 August 2025 - Purespring Therapeutics, a precision nephrology company focused on transforming the treatment of kidney diseases, today announces that its UK Clinical Trial Application (CTA) for a planned Phase I/II study of PS-002, Purespring's lead programme, in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) has been approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the NHS Health Research Authority (HRA) and Research Ethics Committee (REC). 'The CTA approval for our Phase I/II clinical trial of PS-002 represents another key milestone as we complete our transition to a clinical-stage precision nephrology company,' said Haseeb Ahmad, Purespring's Chief Executive Officer. 'Building on the recent FDA IND clearance and EMA orphan drug designation, this further validates the potential of our podocyte-targeting approach to go beyond symptom management and directly target kidney disease at its source. Looking ahead, we are committed to working closely with regulators and sites across the U.S. and Europe with the view to expand the therapeutic options available for people living with IgAN.' PS-002 was developed to target the underlying cause of many kidney diseases by modulating complement activation in the kidney via precision targeting of podocytes. The programme is initially focused on the treatment of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), a rare and chronic autoimmune kidney disease that primarily affects young adults. In IgAN, aberrant immunoglobin A (IgA) protein becomes trapped in the kidney's filters, known as the glomeruli, causing complement activation, inflammation, damage and scarring. A significant proportion of affected patients will go on to develop kidney failure despite currently available therapies. The Phase I/II clinical trial, which is expected to enroll its first patient in Q4 2025, will evaluate local administration of PS-002 to treat IgAN. In the Phase 1 part of the Phase I/II study, the main read-outs will be safety parameters, which, together with efficacy biomarkers, will be leveraged to select a dose for the Phase 2 part of the study. This second phase will be used to further define the safety profile and provide early markers of efficacy. Enabled by this latest regulatory approval and the recent U.S. IND clearance, as announced in July 2025, the Phase I/II study will recruit patients across the U.S. and Europe. For further information, contact: Purespring: Peter Mulcahycontact@ (0)20 3855 6324LinkedIn ICR Healthcare Amber Fennell, Sarah Elton-Farrpurespring@ Notes to Editors About Purespring Purespring is developing therapies to halt or prevent kidney disease, one of humankind's most poorly treated disease areas. Founded on the work of Professor Moin Saleem, Professor of Paediatric Renal Medicine at the University of Bristol, Purespring is the first company to successfully treat kidney disease by targeting the podocyte, a specialised cell that is implicated in the majority of renal disease. Purespring's platform approach enables streamlined gene therapy development for both acquired and genetic renal diseases, offering the potential to halt, reverse and even cure both rare and common kidney diseases. The Company currently has a pipeline of programmes in development including the lead asset for treatment of IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) and other complement mediated kidney disease. The Company also has programmes for disease caused by mutations in the gene NPHS2, as well as other monogenic glomerular kidney diseases. Based in London, the Purespring team combines world-leading expertise in podocyte biology and kidney disease with a wealth of experience in gene therapies, anchored in a culture of diversity, creativity and delivery. Purespring is backed by leading biotech investors, including Syncona Limited, Sofinnova Partners, Gilde Healthcare, Forbion, and the British Business Bank and has raised £115m ($149m) to date. For more information please visit: and follow us on in to access your portfolio
Medscape
26 minutes ago
- Medscape
How Social Determinants of Health Affect Patient Care
SEATTLE — Social determinants of health, nonmedical factors that can have a significant influence on health and lead to various disparities in a variety of ways, affect the well-being of patients across every discipline of medicine, including dermatology. In a discussion held during the Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) 2025 Annual Meeting, Sarah Coates, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, highlighted the importance of these issues in the care of pediatric patients in dermatology. Providers, including dermatologists, should consider social risks, cost, and health literacy when formulating patient-centered care plans for children, she said. Illustrating how nonmedical factors can have a profound impact on dermatologic health and lead to disparities in care, Coates presented a case study of a 10-month-old boy with atopic dermatitis, whose parents were evicted from their home after losing a job. 'They are living in an emergency shelter with two other children with no access to privacy, a bathtub, and laundry facilities.' The family had been back and forth to urgent care and the emergency department for the child's frequent infections, were often late for their visits because of transportation difficulties, and could not afford over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. 'You only have 15 minutes, and you're in a teaching clinic — your trainee comes out of the room and tells you this, and of course you're feeling heartbroken and overwhelmed,' Coates said. 'How do you care for people in challenging situations? Standard social history does not cover social drivers of health, so how can we move forward?' Social determinants of health include factors such as access to care, the patient's neighborhood, social access, and economic stability, and 'are more important than anything we say to a patient when talking to them one-on-one,' she explained. 'The standard social history we learn in medical school doesn't address this,' she added. Clinicians often lack the tools to address these factors and may feel powerless as a result. 'But I would argue that this is very important and not just for primary care doctors but for us,' she emphasized. 'If we can recognize what is going on in our patients lives, we can have a better relationship with them, and we can improve their adherence to treatment plans. It can improve our burnout and our sense of meaningful work and importantly, recognize health disparities and improve health equity.' Interventions To start, dermatologists can use the first 'three As' of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine framework at the point of care to identify and address social needs related to their patients: Awareness: Identify the social risks and assets of the defined patients and population. Adjustment: Alter clinical care to accommodate identified social barriers. Assistance: Reduce social risk by providing assistance in connecting patients with relevant social care resources. 'We do know that there are social determinants that contribute to more severe cases of atopic dermatitis,' Coates said. 'These include lower socioeconomic status, single-mother households, lower parental education, poor parental health, and dilapidated housing.' There are practical recommendations that can be provided to help families care for their child. The first is to address challenges such as unaffordable medications. Paying for OTC products, for example, can be difficult. 'Copays do not cover emollients, and Medicaid formularies in only three states cover bland emollients,' Coates noted, adding that families can spend from $35 to almost $320 a month on these products. Cost varies considerably by brand. Recommending store brands of emollients, such as Walgreens, which are cheaper than name brands, can help, she noted. Health literacy is another issue. Low health literacy is associated with reduced adherence, increased emergency visits, and poor outcomes. 'Start by explaining things simply and avoid medical jargon,' such as using the terms 'topical' and 'systemic,' she advised. Instead, she said, atopic dermatitis can be explained by saying, 'Your child has an itchy rash called eczema. This makes the skin red, dry, and scaly. We cannot make it go away and stay away forever, but we have creams that can heal it. If these don't work, we can try medicines that go throughout the entire body.'
