I've always loved to dance but was somewhat of a closet dancer. If you were a fly on the wall when I was a teenager, you'd catch me practicing my dance moves in front of the mirror, awkwardly moving my body to the beat of the music, oblivious of how I looked. All that mattered was how I felt while I was dancing -- carefree and confident.
How I Stumbled Upon Zumba
I had just had a baby who had colic. As a stay-at-home mom, I was exhausted and overwhelmed. I loved my baby, but I needed time away. A friend of mine heard about a fitness revolution that involved dance, known as Zumba.. My friend and I were curious to learn more about Zumba, so we found a class held at a local church. We asked the instructor if we could go to the class and observe because we wanted to know what we were getting into before we committed.
I Was Sold
As I sat in my seat, I was entertained, impressed and tempted to join in, had I not been in business- casual attire. The Latin music was energizing, and everyone appeared to be having a blast. The moves were sexy, and being a Dancing With the Stars buff, I noticed that aspects of different dances such as salsa, tango and hip hop were incorporated. I had been looking for a hobby that was enjoyable and also affordable, and the class was only $1. Most people seemed to be there to lose weight, but I just wanted an escape to recharge and reconnect with the dancer inside of me that seemed to have gotten lost somewhere along the way.
My First Class
As I drove to the church, I began to feel nervous. Besides the prom, I had never really danced in front of anyone or had even taken an aerobics class. What if I looked stupid? What if I smelled badly? Suddenly I felt like a child on her first day of school -- completely terrified.
Getting the Party Started
I entered the room and made my way toward the back, hoping that no one would notice the newbie. Then the music began, and it was now or never. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to follow along. Luckily, I had owned several dance aerobic videos, so I wasn't completely inexperienced. Even though I struggled to keep up, I found myself having a good time. Maybe this was the next best thing to being a contestant on Dancing With the Stars except without the partner. I felt empowered and excited although I was covered in sweat and extremely tired at the end of the hour.
The Results
After only three months of going to my Zumba class two times a week, I lost 15 pounds and went from a size 8 to a size 4. I was shocked, to say the least, especially since I didn't really modify my diet. I found out that Zumba is a great method of working out and is extremely effective if you are consistent. My body looks better than it ever has, and my energy level has skyrocketed.
More Than Just Exercise
I've gotten to know some women who frequently attend the Zumba class, and there is a camaraderie among us. We congratulate those who are reaching their weight-loss goals, and encourage each other to push through the workout. Losing weight and becoming toned are incentives to work out. However, the main reason that I'm hooked on Zumba is because it feels as though I'm part of a dance class that I never took but always wanted to, and that is truly exciting.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Christina Smith - Christina has a variety of interests and enjoys writing about many different topics.
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