The Diet That Fuels Jazzercise's Shanna Missett Nelson for High-Energy Workouts—EXCLUSIVE
Shanna Missett Nelson is a driving force behind legendary fitness program, Jazzercise—a blend of dance cardio, strength training, hip-hop, Pilates, kickboxing, and yoga. After engaging in several sweat sessions with Shanna, founder Judi Sheppard Missett, and the Jazzercise team, we can personally attest to the sense of community the classes provide. Jazzercise is more than just a workout; it's honestly a lifestyle. (Plus, some of the workouts kicked our butts in the best way!)
Given her passion and dedication to fitness, it's no surprise Shanna is in excellent shape. We chatted with the CEO and chief choreographer of Jazzercise to find out the diet that fuels her high-energy workouts, how she stays injury-free, and the types of training she swears by for a strong and sculpted core.
The Diet That Fuels Shanna's High-Energy Workout Lifestyle
Shanna makes sure to consume plenty of protein and whole foods to power through her fitness-filled days.
"My favorites are Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, apples, all kinds of veggies, steak, chicken, berries," she tells Celebwell. "What has been a game-changer for me is eating pre- and post-workout. I try to have 15-20 grams of carbs and protein before and after a workout. For women who are perimenopausal or in menopause, fueling properly is key to making sure you get the most out of your workout."
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She Moves Her Body Often and Performs Regular Strength Training
It's no secret the Jazzercise CEO trains at a high level; she tells us her tips to staying injury-free and in excellent shape. (Spoiler alert: Her routine is the ideal balance of cardio and strength training.)
"I believe I have been able to remain fairly injury-free because I move my body often with dance cardio and strength train regularly," Shanna says. "In Jazzercise, I can workout at a high level because it has everything in an hour—cardio, mobility, flexibility, strength, and agility work. Injuries can happen but sometimes can be caused by a weakness in strength, stability, or mobility."
She points out that strength training keeps your body strong, and being consistent with movement from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or cardio ensures your body remains agile and flexible.
Two forms of exercise Shanna swears by for a sculpted, tone midsection? Bodyweight training and strength training.
As part of her well-rounded workout regimen—and outside of her time at Jazzercise—Shanna does extra weight training and loves a good hot yoga class.
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She Says That Staying Motivated to Exercise Is Seamless When You Genuinely Enjoy It
Gaining the motivation to work out or try a new class can be challenging at times. Shanna offers the best advice.
"Staying motivated when you're new to Jazzercise—or any workout—becomes much easier when you enjoy what you're doing. Trying to stick with an exercise program you don't like can lead to frustration and burnout," she says. "If you love to dance and enjoy music, Jazzercise is the perfect fit for you! Keep in mind that every workout has a learning curve, so allow yourself time to get comfortable with the moves. As women, we often tend to be hard on ourselves, so remember to practice patience and avoid self-judgment. And remember, it's through struggle that real change happens—so don't shy away from the challenge!"
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Her Vital Sculpt HIIT Class Is Especially Beneficial for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause
One of the many amazing things about Jazzercise is the pure dedication the team puts into creating their workout classes and then performing them with the highest energy. A newer class Shanna developed that she's especially proud of? Vital Sculpt HIIT.
"With the latest advancements in exercise science and research focused on women in perimenopause and menopause, I wanted to design a class that would be specifically tailored to this unique stage of life," she tells Celebwell. "Vital Sculpt HIIT combines the most effective methods—heavy strength training, jump training, HIIT, along with mobility and agility exercises. As we lose estrogen, it becomes more challenging to engage in traditional workouts, but these techniques have been shown to help women overcome those obstacles and maximize the benefits of exercise. This is the foundation and the reasoning behind the creation of Vital Sculpt HIIT."
