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The California singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat reportedly never forgets to pack her sneakers when she goes on tour, but wasn't always a fan of working out. "I used to think running was the worst thing ever," she told a writer for Fitness magazine.
In the May issue, Colbie reveals how discovering the joys of exercise amped up her performance, gave her confidence in her voice and body, and helped her win her first Grammy. Colbie also gushed about how she is "happy in love" with her boyfriend Justin, who inspired her third album, "All of You." "I Do" is the first single from Colbie's album, which goes on sale July 12.
Here are excerpts from the interview:
On her third album, ALL OF YOU and what inspires her:"I write my songs from my life experiences and a lot of them are love songs on the new record. I'm in real love and it's just incredible. I'm best friends with my boyfriend, Justin." What changes have you seen in your body since you get serious about exercise?"All my clothes fit differently. A couple of years ago I was about a 32-inch waist. Now I'm more like a 28-inch. My arms have thinned out a lot too. It's nice to have muscle and definition." Can you share some tips for any woman who feels self-conscious in a swim suit?"Just think about the things you do like about your body, and focus on them. Don't let yourself go to that negative place. Nothing good comes from it. I wore a bikini in the music video for my song "The Little Things," and I was a bit bigger then than I am now. I just had to keep reminding myself that everyone has a different body type, and you have to be happy with yours. I've worked for the body I have now, so it's exciting for me to be on the cover of FITNESS." How she got hooked on exercising:Colbie credits her boyfriend, Justin Kawika Young, the lead guitarist in her band, with motivating her to get healthier. "Justin convinced me to go for a jog in Germany while we were performing there two years ago, and it felt good. I don't know if it was because I was in better shape or because I was with this guy I was falling in love with, but it changed the way I looked at running and working out in general. I was no longer counting down the minutes until I was done. I was actually enjoying it." Her weekly workout routine:"Mostly I run for 25 to 30 minutes on the treadmill three or four times a week. Then I get off and do stretches and sit-ups with an eight-pound ball, or I'll life weights. Twice a week I do a full workout with my trainer…I make sure that even if I can't get a full workout in, I go for a least a 20-minute jog every day. I need it for my mind and body. I can't function without it." Have workouts improved your singing performance?"In every way. I've found that running really helps. When I sing the Fleetwood Mac song "Go Your Own Way" during concerts, I'm literally running around the stage, and now my breathing patterns are stronger. Besides that, when I'm in shape I have more stamina, which makes me perform better. It's a chain reaction." To find out what Colbie likes best about her body, what's on her workout playlist, and if she really works out with her boyfriend Justin, pick up the May issue, on newsstands today.