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Fit for the Spotlight

By Editorial Staff

Everyone dreams of fame, but the reality of nightly performances, heavy costumes and physical strain has made a healthy lifestyle top priority for many stars. Learn how real-life stage performer and leading lady Elizabeth Loyacano stays fit for the spotlight.

Can you give us an idea of what a day in your life is like?

I wake up in the morning and work out before breakfast, which can involve running, working on the elliptical or lifting weights. I vary it day to day. When I get home, I eat breakfast/lunch, read or run errands and go to the show. I arrive at the theater at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show. I put on my makeup, vocalize, do a light workout to wake up my body, and get ready for the show.

Elizabeth Loyacano - Copyright – Stock Photo / Register Mark Elizabeth Loyacano, Star of "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular." Photograph by Joan Marcus What do you normally eat?

I'll eat an egg-white omelette with spinach, reduced-fat feta and smoked salmon. Sometimes, I'll have egg whites and turkey sausage, or a small salad as a fiber source. The costumes are so tight, so as a singer, I have dinner after the show ends.

Do you take supplements or herbs to take care of your body?

I take a multivitamin every day. I'm 30, so I also take calcium. Mostly, I try to eat well by watching my carb intake and drinking lots of tea and purified water. I eat a lot of salads and vegetables like bell peppers, which have a lot of vitamin C.

You mentioned earlier that you use chiropractic. What has been your experience with chiropractic care?

Brent Barrett and Elizabeth Loyacano. - Copyright – Stock Photo / Register Mark Brent Barrett and Elizabeth Loyacano star as The Phantom and Christine, respectively, in the hit show “Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular.” Photograph By Joan Marcus My experience with chiropractic care has been unbelievably amazing. I was skeptical until I tried it. I was in "Oklahoma" on Broadway, and had to balance a girl who was built like a horse on my lower back while I danced. I was doing sit-ups to compensate for the weakness in my back. Within 10-15 minutes of standing, I had to sit down or roll over to release my lower back muscles. I had been in physical therapy for a year, but I wanted results and decided to start seeing a chiropractor. My chiropractor did adjustments and after just a few weeks, I felt dramatic relief. I could stand for more than 20 minutes without lower back pain.

When I came to Las Vegas, we had a chiropractor referred to us in the rehearsal process. As Christine in the show, I have three rough falls onto the floor and I want to make it real, so I fall pretty hard. I'm wearing 2-3-inch heels and clothes draped in front of and behind me, and in the final fall, my costume weighs 25 pounds.

Once, I was thrown down when I wasn't ready and I fell with a straight arm, which hurt my shoulder. I was in physical therapy for three to four months, and still hadn't healed. So I went to a chiropractor, who did intense therapy to stretch and mobilize the area. I had dramatic results in a short amount of time.

Chiropractic maintenance is also important to me. In the show, I carry a heavy wig and a microphone pack. If I project my head forward, the neck muscles can be strained. Having my neck adjusted allows me to do a five-show week without any pain or tension.

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