Jo Piazza, "Love Rehab" author gives the heartbroken the power to heal by working out

By Sun-Times Wire

The stereotype of a broken-hearted woman has her calling the ex endlessly, stalking his next moves and checking up on him through friends. Her efforts get her labeled crazy by the guy she once charmed.

Like many stereotypes, there are some kernels of truth here. Veteran journalist and author Jo Piazza had seen the breakup breakdown in enough of her friends — and, too many times, in herself. She knew the self-destructive pattern well enough to write a novel about it, “Love Rehab: A Novel in Twelve Steps” (Open Road Media).

The book has an element of self-help to it, and so does Piazza’s book tour: When she comes to Chicago on Saturday, she’ll lead a workout at the Dailey Method in Lincoln Park to help with the chemical aftermath of a split.

“Everyone kind of acts the same way. You can talk about it and get over it,” Piazza said. “I was completely neurotic dater, I was a completely neurotic breaker-upper. I called some guy I dated 37 times when he was at a wedding with someone else.”

The book tells the story of Sophie, who moved home after her boyfriend Eric left her for his tarty secretary. When her best friend went to Alcoholics Anonymous for help with her own problems, Sophie got the idea for a rehab for women whose struggle to get over their addiction to their ex is ongoing.

After speaking with sociologists, scientists and hundreds of women about the end of relationships, Piazza understood a breakup’s similarity to a hangover.

“You do get those endorphins released, those happy chemicals, when you contact with [your significant other],” Piazza said.

Then you break up, and they’re gone. “The workout is to replace that, that happy high,” Piazza said.

The workout at Dailey Method will be followed by a question-and answer session with the author.

The Dailey Method, a barre-focused workout, has the anger-releasing moves that align with the book’s ethos, Piazza said.

“We’ve already been hurt, we drink too much, we eat too much, this is about getting out of the house and doing something that’s good for us,” Piazza said.

Sweat Out your breakup

When: 4 p.m. Jan. 25

Where: The Dailey Method Lincoln Park, 2301 N. Clark

Cost: $25

Info: thedaileymethod.com/lincolnpark.html

Here’s a perfect post-breakup do-it-yourself workout playlist:

Or, for those who want to relive the video moments:

Carrie Underwood – “Before He Cheats”

Kelly Clarkson – “Walk Away”

Pink – “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)”

Miranda Lambert – “Mama’s Broken Heart”

Kelly Clarkson – “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”