Aretha Franklin, the legendary American soul singer, says she broke an exercise bike after becoming "too heavy", reports Usa Today. Aretha Franklin, who struggled with weight issues for several years, says she vowed to become healthier after one embarrassing incident with her 'Power Rider'.
Franklin attributes her current physical well-being in part to her weight loss, which she says came about after she became severely overweight, saying, "I realized that I was just too heavy. I had a Power Rider that I used for exercise, and I actually broke it, I was that heavy. I didn't know how to lose weight". The 'Queen of Soul' says she began eating smaller food portions including selections from the 'Jenny Craig' program and began exercising regularly, saying, "I'm on the track at least three times a week, and the treadmill. I'm up to about 26 minutes on the treadmill and a mile and a half on the track. I haven't worked it up to a run yet; it's more like a slow trot". The singer, who says she's feeling "excellent" these days, is set to perform several shows in May 2011, starting with a private gig in Manhattan before playing the Chicago Theatre and the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls.
Aretha Franklin will release her first album in eight years next week. The 69-year will independently release 'Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love' on the 3rd May 2011.