Country music star Jo Dee Messina has revealed her remarkable fitness transformation, attributing it to hard work in the gym over the past two years rather than quick-fix solutions. On the latest episode of the Taste of Country podcast, Messina discussed her journey and how it was inspired by an unsettling realisation about her own appearance.
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The 55-year-old singer began her fitness journey after seeing photographs of herself that left her feeling unrecognisable. “I started to see pictures of myself and I didn’t recognise myself,” she explained to host Evan Paul. This prompted her to refuse photo opportunities, leading her to state, “Stop taking pictures of me. I don’t even know who that is. It’s so gross, you know? So I was like, ‘I’m going to do something about it.’ And it’s been two years.”
Messina emphasised that her journey was not based on instant solutions, highlighting the necessity of commitment and perseverance. “This isn’t like, ‘hey, let’s pop a pill and be skinny in a month. This is like, keep going, keep going, keep going,'” she stated. Recently after an intensive gym session, she joked about her struggles with leg day, saying, “If I ever got pulled over on the day after leg day, I would be probably arrested. I could not walk a straight line. They’d be like, ‘What’s wrong with you?'”
To prevent monotony in her routine, she mentioned that her trainer regularly alters her exercise programme every four to six weeks, which keeps her engagements fresh and challenging. “And so it was all new exercises,” she added, conveying the importance of variety in her workouts. Though she admits to not pushing through the pain, she often gives into it, joking, “Okay, I’m just going to wobble.”
During her conversation with Paul, Messina took a moment to showcase her fitness progress. After a tricep workout, she lifted her denim jacket to reveal her toned arms, stating, “Today was tricep day, people. Let’s just show you the triceps. We got this going on. I was like, oh this is the perfect day to wear sleeveless … this is pumped from today.”
Her evident progress was acknowledged by Paul, who gave a lighthearted compliment before stating he wouldn’t risk offending her in any way. The banter emphasised Messina’s approachable personality, as she shared her determination and ongoing commitment to her health.
Messina highlighted that part of her motivation stems from her enthusiasm to engage with her music on stage. With the release of her upcoming album, *Bridges*, marking her first new material in 12 years, she is aware that she must maintain a suitable level of fitness. “I have a goal,” she affirmed, expressing that her ability to perform live relies on her stamina and cardio fitness.
To prepare for her performances, she emphasised the importance of cardio, particularly running, as her performances demand physical movement while singing. “I run all over the stage and this new stuff’s not easy to sing live,” she remarked. “When you’re in the studio, you’re standing there, but when you’re live on a festival stage, you’re running from side to side.”
With a dedication to fitness and health taking centre stage in her life, Messina continues to inspire her fans through her resilience and commitment. Her reflections on body image, determination, and the realities of growing older resonate with many, as she embodies a message of self-improvement and self-acceptance.
As Jo Dee Messina steps back into the limelight with new music, her physical transformation and dedication to fitness serve as a testament to the hard work behind the scenes that many fans may not see. The singer’s journey is not only a personal triumph; it also showcases how commitment to one’s health can invigorate both body and spirit, reinforcing the belief that it’s never too late to embark on a new path.